Page 54 of The Pack Next Door
Especially his.
Mads appeared at my car door, leaning on the passenger side.
“Making a run for it, omega?”
A dangerous glint in his eyes had me feeling like that rabbit.
“Briar,” I replied stiffly. “I’m more than my designation.”
When I walked towards the car, pulling my keys from my pocket, he reached over and plucked them from my grip. Before I could protest, he smiled.
“You’re a person and an omega.” He pulled the passenger side door open after disabling the lock. “So get in. I’ll take you wherever you need to go.”
A glance over my shoulder made clear everyone was starting to approach, hungry for a barbeque. I shook my head and then slid into the car seat.
“Home,” I said firmly. “Where I’m going to get some work done.”
“Whatever you say.” He shot me a sidelong look. “My mate.”
Chapter 27
Mads
My blood was pumping, adrenalin coursing through my veins, but there was nothing to catch or to conquer right now. I wrapped my hand around the wheel and started the car, heading back to our street.
Keep your eyes on the road, I told myself.Give her some space to tell you what’s going on.
“So, wanna tell me why your face fell when I handed you that rabbit?”
Yeah, maybe not like that.
Her sigh was a beautiful and terrible thing. I never wanted her making that noise unless it was due to pleasure, but right now, at least she was giving me something. Because right when I felt like the king of the world, her expression made clear what a mistake that was.
“Straight to the point, huh?” There was a brittle edge to her voice, but she suppressed it quickly. “I’m fine.” Patently, she was not. “There’s just a lot going on at work right now.”
“You get a call during the trial?”
I dared a glance sideways, catching the way her hands worried at the fabric of her dress.
“No, it’s just…” Her eyes were trained on the streets as we passed them by. “Nothing changes in Moon River, which is all part of its charm. On the one hand, it's reassuring that all the amazing things I remember about my childhood are still here. Like that place there.” I saw an ice cream parlour with a sign painted in faded pastels. “The most amazing ice cream. Never tasted anything to compare in the city. If you take over from the Harts, I expect you to find out the recipe and preserve it for posterity.”
With a little smile, she made clear that was a joke. There was something serious underneath it, though. My back pressed hard against the car seat as I forced myself to keep driving at a reasonable pace.
“But not you, right?” I felt her eyes on me, but right now all I saw was the dotted street lines flashing by. “I mean as ruling omega, you could march in there and demand a lifetime’s supply and the recipe to boot.”
“No, I couldn’t.” Her tone was soft, begging for my understanding, but all I could do was spare a quick look. “I can’t, Mads. If you need my help to win the trials…” Nope, no, no freaking way, I wanted to snap. I didn’t give a damn about the town, just her. “I’m happy to help out, but it needs to be with an understanding that I’m not sticking around. I have a home.” Not here, not with us, that went unspoken, prompting me to press down on the accelerator, getting us to the front of her place that bit faster. There was no racing past this, though. “And I need to get back to it.”
“So let's focus on that then.” I’d parked the car so I was free to turn around and stare at her then. “If that’s what you need, then put me to work.”
“Put you to work?” Her surprised smile made something lighten in my chest. I’d gone along with what Gideon wanted, but maybe it was this. “So do you have a background in online sales and fulfilment?”
“Nope, but I’m smart, capable, and most of all here.” I was out of the car, opening her door, then I put a hand out. “Even if it's just making you cups of coffee or tea. I’ll do it.”
“Mads…” When her hand landed in mine, somehow it was far sweeter than catching that damn rabbit. A lot less kicky as well. “You don’t need to do that. Spending your time?—”
“Yes, I do.” Briar was standing before me now, and that line on her forehead had smoothed away. “Gideon’s the smooth one, and Jace will win the crowd over, but me?” I shook my head. “I’ll just open my mouth and say the wrong damn thing anyway. You’re helping my brothers by keeping me here.”
“Oh, well.” Her smile had me following in her footsteps. “If it’s a public service.” Any kind of service she wanted, I thought, watching my mate walk up the front path. Whatever it took to keep her smiling. “I take my coffee white with enough sugar to have the spoon standing up in it.”
