Page 55 of Pit Stop

I don’t know anymore.

“So, what are your plans today?” I ask.

“Work. You should come with me. You know, so we can be close. For the bond.”

I nod and then finish off my food, scraping the plate with my fork noisily.

“Totally, I’ll bring stuff to keep me occupied. You won’t even know I’m there.”

“Doubtful,” he murmurs as he shovels the rest into his mouth and stands, taking my plate and setting it in the sink. “Go get ready and I’ll drive us there.”

I do as he says and minutes later, I’m tucked into his car, his hand in mine.

For the bond, I think as he drives us down the road.

When we arrive at his place of work, I grab my bag of things to keep me occupied and follow him inside the garage. As we do, heads turn. Eyes track between us and I start to shift uncomfortably on my feet.

“What the fuck are you looking at?” Maverick asks, and a few of the guys start chuckling.

“We know everything already,” one of them says, a man with broad shoulders and a long beard. He moves up to Maverick, holding out his fist. “Nice one, bro.”

He stares at it and then bumps it, albeit a little reluctantly.

“He’s going to be staying here for my shift, so don’t give him too much shit.”

“We would never,” another guy says, tattoos on his neck and head. “We will be the most respectful.”

I side-eye them as I take a seat at a desk, my ass hitting a mostly comfortable chair, and I pull out some textbooks and my laptop.

“You got a smart one then,” another guy says, and Maverick curses under his breath.

They must think that Maverick stooped low or something because I can tell they’re ribbing him for being mated to me. Well, they don’t need to worry about their friend. This will all get sorted soon and then Maverick can pull a hotter guy, or girl. I don’t know and I don’t care. Frustration moves through me and I peer over at Maverick, who is watching me with worry in his gaze.

I force a smile on my face and his gaze flicks away from mine only to return even more intense.

“Drink your water,” he says and something very much like a swoon moves through my body.

“Don’t tell me what to do,” I reply, and the guys in the garage holler at that.

I ignore them all, moving my attention to my books and getting ahead on work for classes in the fall. I know that some would say I’m an overachiever, but I have to prove myself. I’m not sure many people take omegas seriously.

I need to show them how capable I am.

I lose myself in my reading, my fingers lying across my laptop when suddenly something appears before me.

A cherry popsicle.

“You need to hydrate. You haven’t been drinking nearly enough water.”

I eye my completely full water bottle before taking the sweet treat from Maverick.

“Oh. Right. Thank you.”

His hand reaches out and brushes against my cheek, and I can’t help but lean into it. The bond flares and I pop the popsicle between my lips, feeling myself grow warm not just from him touching me, but from an insatiable need I have for this man.

Damn him.

He moves away but keeps peering over at me as I eat it, sliding it sensually over my tongue.

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