Page 33 of Overeager
Of course she’d realized immediately that Noah had been the alpha from the cabin. Not that it had been that hard to guess. How many cute alphas did Eli really know, especially after Noah had told her they’d met in Sedona? And then she’d abandoned Eli at the bar, the meddling hussy.
Eli could text her right now, tell her,He’s my STUDENT, and see if she changed her tune.
But he didn’t have the nerve. He didn’t want to know what it would feel like when Faith was truly disappointed in him. And she’d have to be, wouldn’t she? It was unethical and sleazy and … bad.
He put his phone down. He wasn’t going to send that text. And that more than anything told Eli his next move. The very, very bad decision he was about to make.
He’d probably known last night at the bar, when that beta had tried to give Noah her number. Something deep and primal in Eli had growled out,No. Mine.Myalpha.
He hadn’t said the actual words, thank God. But he was pretty sure Noah had noticed the growl.
It was foolish and old-fashioned to say the very least, to rely on some idea of omega instincts to guide him. But Eli had been running on reason for so long … what would it be like to trust his gut for once?
He threw the covers back and shuffled to the bathroom before brushing his teeth thoroughly and splashing cold water on his face until he felt semihuman. His dark hair was a mess of cowlicks and tangled waves, but oh well. Noah had put up with him as a drunk mess; surely he’d put up with him as a hungover one.
He downed a few painkillers dry, tugged on a shirt and some sweatpants over his boxer briefs, and headed to the kitchen.
He was distracted on the way by the fact that his house smelled like Noah now. He’d have thought it might feel a bit invasive, to have his house smell like a new alpha after so long of it being just him or Faith.
But it was just … nice, Noah’s fresh, salty scent clearing the fog in Eli’s brain.
He found Noah in the kitchen, his broad back turned to Eli, fiddling with Eli’s coffee maker. Deadly was on the counter—where she wasnotallowed—blinking slowly at Noah as he worked.
Of course she liked Noah already. He was absurdly likable. Even Faith had been charmed by his boldness the night before.
Eli cleared his throat, and Noah turned with a start. He was still in the clothes from the night before, but he was managing to look unfairly fresh despite that. He probably still smelled amazing, too, the charming bastard.
“Eli! You’re up!” He gave Eli a strangely nervous glance, rubbing a hand against the back of his neck. “I, um, made some coffee. I hope that’s okay? I thought you might want some when you woke up.”
Thiswas what was so endearing about him. That Noah could go from insisting on spending time with Eli, insisting on taking him home, insisting they could have a discreet affair … to embarrassment that he’d been rummaging in Eli’s kitchen without permission.
He was bold but not arrogant. Confident but still eager to please. It was an irresistible combination, and Eli was just … done even trying to resist it.
Eli realized he’d been staring, and his cheeks heated. “Thank you. Caffeine is … very necessary.”
Noah let out a relieved sigh, grabbing what happened to be Eli’s favorite mug and pouring him a cup. “How do you take it?”
“Creamer, please. Lots of it. It’s in the fridge.”
Eli should be taking over right about now, not letting Noah serve him up coffee like some long-term boyfriend, but there was something too alluring about Noah preparing him a cup.
How long had it been since someone had made Eli coffee in the morning? Richard never had, not since the early days. He’d preferred to stop and get a latte on the way to work, leaving Eli to make his own.
It had never bothered Eli, but now he accepted the coffee with a grateful smile, pleased when Noah leaned against the counter next to him, quietly watching him drink it.
He’d gotten through half the cup before Noah spoke. “Why is your cat named World’s Deadliest Assassin?”
“Um, it’s a bit tongue-in-cheek,” Eli hedged. “She was a failed barn cat. She wouldn’t catch any mice, so they were giving her away.” He raised his chin stubbornly. “I’m not making fun of her though. It’s more of an … inside joke.”
“Between you and your ex?” Noah asked, his scent sharpening despite his even tone.
Eli shook his head. Richard hadn’t even wanted a cat to begin with. He’d rather have had a baby. “Between me and Deadly.”Eli’s ears heated as he admitted to having an inside joke with his own cat. “That’s what I call her. World’s Deadliest Assassin doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue.”
“I think it’s a great name.”
Eli grinned shyly, and Noah’s pheromones mellowed again as he continued to watch Eli sip his coffee with intense focus.
Eli cleared his throat. “This is really good. Thank you.”
