Page 30 of Omega's Reluctant Mate
He didn’t say it outright, but I had the distinct feeling that his lack of a social life was connected to his being scared to meet me.
I put on the under-nose scent strip as I reached Cody’s house, glad that Saturdays were half-days for me. I could go home after lunch and relax… or spend some quality time with my knotting dildo.
My ass threatened to slick up at the slightest thought of a knot, even if it was silicone, and I wondered how it was that Nate managed to be around me without any visible sign of scent blockers. I was horny enough that random alphas had started noticing me in places like the grocery store.
Nate was waiting at the steps to Zaya’s patio as I walked up, and he fell silently into step beside me as I walked.
It was comfortable, and I appreciated his presence.
“Busy day today?” he asked after a couple minutes.
I shook my head, even as Tiny tugged, wanting off the leash. “Tiny’s my only appointment most Saturdays. The condo residents are usually home to walk their own dogs and save a few dollars, and a bunch of us weekday walkers let the teens or those with day jobs handle the weekends so that we have time off. I do Tiny as a special favor for Cody and Wes.”
“So what are your plans for this afternoon?”
I chuckled. “Honestly? Nothing exciting. I’m probably just going to go home, have lunch, and veg out in front of the television for a while. If I get ambitious I might start a load of laundry.”
“Does that take long?”
“What? Laundry?”
There was a beat of silence, and I looked over to see Nate blushing.
“I’ve never had to do my own laundry,” he admitted.
“Even in college?”
He shook his head. “I paid for a laundry service.”
I chuckled. “Must be nice. But no, it doesn’t take long. It’s just one of those regular chores. Couple hours is usually all it takes.”
He breathed out a sigh of relief, which got me curious.
“Why?” I asked.
He licked his lips. “I was thinking… if it’s ok with you… that I might treat you to brunch.”
I paused, causing Tiny to make a questioning noise.
“Are you sure?” I asked. “I mean, yes, if you want. But…”
Nate stepped around so that he was facing me. He took my hands in his, careful to make sure that I didn’t drop Tiny’s leash.
The touch sent a tingle of desire up my spine.
“I…” he started, thumbs bumping over my knuckles. “I don’t know if I’ll ever be truly ready, but you deserve answers.”
“Ok.”
He smiled at me. “You’ve already been more patient than I could have hoped for.”
I shook my head. “I’d like to think that anybody would be willing to give you the time you need.”
“One would hope, but expectations are a heavy burden.”
“Expectations?” I remembered that Wes had said that Nate had a number of assumptions. Is that what he meant?
He nodded. “It’ll make sense soon.”
