Page 45 of Sweet Whiskey
Colt jerks back. “You went to an academy?”
My cheeks heat, but I don’t feel any judgment from his question. “Yeah, that’s where Brielle and I grew close.”
He snorts. “I can’t really see her in an academy either.”
I laugh. “I think they wanted her to leave more than anyone else, but her family…uh, they have a lot of money. It’s a long story, and not mine to tell.”
Colt nods in understanding. “So what happened? Don’t most omegas leave it already packed up?”
“Yeah. Brielle and I were the only ones who didn’t. Believe me, the academy was not happy about it. Their records were hurt by it, but I just didn’t click with anyone. I found a couple of alphas to help with my heat. They were nice and made me comfortable, but even they didn’t feel like pursuing anything outside of that.”
He shakes his head. “I don’t know how. I’ve been ensnared since I met you.”
I clear my throat. “Have you heard of scent matches?”
Colt’s hand pauses halfway to his mouth, then he drops it into his lap and the grape rolls onto the soft pink blanket. “Yeah, yeah, I have. Now I feel like an idiot for not thinking of it.”
Reaching over to squeeze his fingers, I scrunch my nose at him for being silly likethat. “Don’t. It’s not as widely talked about as it is for those who attend the omega academy.”
Colt smiles, the brightness of it stealing my breath momentarily. “All those fancy city folks.” Then his smile falters, and his eyes grow darker. “We have an alpha academy out here, a few hours south.”
My mouth drops open. “You do? I thought most of those shut down. That’s so cool!”
Colt’s jaw tightens. “They should be shut down, Kins. There’s a man in town; I went to high school with him, and he went to that academy when he presented. When he came back, he was never the same. Locks himself in the house off the creek just outside of town. We only see him like once a month when he comes in for groceries.”
I whimper at the thought of living such a lonely existence, my heart aching for the stranger I’ve never even heard of. Colt lets out a short purr before abruptly stopping and barking out a laugh.
“I’ve never done that before.”
“Purr?” I ask, amused and honored to behis first.
He nods, rubbing at his chest with his other hand. “Yeah. That was…” His gaze falls back to me, softening to a point that has my heartbeat picking up. “I think you might be onto something with that scent match.”
I grin. “Thank you. I was a straight-A student after all.”
Colt smiles back. “You know who else was? Dallas.”
Nodding, I’m not surprised by that. “No wonder he thought to get you a book.”
His eyes widen, and his cheeks turn a lovely shade of pink in embarrassment. “He told you about that?”
“I ran into him at the library. We—uh. He helped me with a heat spike,” I explain, now my turn to flush with mortification.
Understanding dawns on his face. “Ahh, yeah he said—uhm, I got it.” He clears his throat. “It was very informative.”
My lips tilt up in humor. “Oh yeah? Like about what?”
“Feelings and what not. It also gave a lot of suggestions to help build the perfect…nest.”
Interest has me sitting up. “A nest? What did it suggest?” Outside of the academy room, I’ve never had the opportunity to build the nest of my dreams. It’s hard to have much comfort in a small apartment room after you’ve gotten used to the luxury of what the academy provides. It wasn’t my mom’s fault that it was all she could afford. But every time I visited Brielle’s house, the ping of longing always stirred an ache in my chest.
Colt smiles at me. “Uhm. Lots of pillows, blankets, and a comfy mattress. How am I doing so far?”
I nod. “Not bad, but textures are the most important part. I’m partial to softer ones, but can’t stand silk or much satin. Meanwhile, Brielle prefers those. We’re all different.”
“What else are you partial to?” he asks, the determination in his voice taking my breath away.
“The color pink, but a light pink. Not a bright one.”
