Page 25 of The Alpha's Addiction
"What happens if I say no?"
His jaw tightens, but he answers honestly."Then I wait as long as it takes.I won’t pressure you.But I’ll never want anyone else."
The weight of his words settles over me like a warm blanket and a crushing storm all at once.
I want to say yes, but something holds me back.
“You don’t have to decide now, or even today,” he tells me.
I nod.“Okay.”
He smiles, leaning in to kiss my cheek.
He smells so good.My mouth waters, and warmth floods my bloodstream, pooling in my stomach.Synapses fire throughout my body, and I swallow hard.
“What now?”I whisper.
“Now we hang out.What do you want to do today?”
“Well, I need to deliver the desserts and stop at the market for some groceries.”
“All right.Let’s go.”
We spend the day together.I take him on my delivery route, introducing him to the shop owners I’ve slowly befriended.He carries every box like it weighs nothing, smiling at my customers, staying close but never crowding me.
We grab lunch at a sandwich shop, then stop by the market for flour, butter, and a dozen other essentials.He loads everything into the truck while I talk to the cashier.
As the day goes on, my feelings start to deepen.I’m more aware of my body and of Rhodes.The way his eyes darken as he watches me.How he licks his lips.The warmth of his smile.
How badly I need him.
By the time the sun begins to dip, my skin is tingling and my body hums with a restless energy I can’t explain.I feel hot and jittery, like something inside me is coming undone.
"You can feel it,” he murmurs, brushing a hand down my arm as we leave the last shop."The mating heat."
“Yeah,” I admit, swallowing hard."I think, anyway.Is this normal?This feeling?"
“Yeah.”He nods."I can feel it, too.I could this morning, but it’s getting stronger.You’ll feel it more as the full moon rises."
I slide into the passenger seat, clenching my thighs.
“Are you hungry?”
I nod.
“Pizza?”
“Sounds good.”
Rhodes drives to Crust’s Pizza, and I wait in the car as he goes in to order for us.My heart is racing out of control.I squirm in my seat, unable to sit still.There’s a pulsing ache right between my legs, and all I can think about is being with Rhodes.Intimately.
By the time Rhodes comes back with our pizza and we get back to my apartment, the air is thick with tension.My skin feels too tight.My heart is racing.Everything inside me screams for him.
He sets the pizza on the kitchen island and opens the box.
I don’t move.
He looks up at me, his green eyes darkening as he watches me.I can see he’s holding himself back.He’s coiled tight, and seeing how badly he needs me has my desire burning hotter than ever.
