Page 27 of Tinsel Time Treasure
“Ok. You let me know when you’re ready to sit down, then I’ll make hot chocolate.”
He nodded, and I held him a bit tighter.
Maybe it was because Linden had been so cold at the end, or maybe it was because he’d never been the cuddly type, and I loved physical touch, but having Justin in my arms felt incredible.
I wondered how much stress the omega had been bearing as tension seemed to flow from him. Finally he seemed to relax.
“I’m ok now,” he whispered.
“Have a seat on the couch, and I’ll make hot chocolate.”
“Ok.”
My alpha side didn’t want to let him go, but it wasn’t my place to push that on him. Still, the soft smile he gave me as he stepped back seemed to reach deep and awaken something deep inside.
I could almost imagine being with him. Except that wasn’t my call to make.
He walked into the living room, and I ducked into the kitchen. I grabbed the milk, then realized I wasn’t sure if he could drink it.
“Almond milk ok?” I called out.
“That’s fine.”
A minute later I had my sugar and cocoa melting together on the stove. Sprinkles of chile powder and cinnamon made their way in then a pinch of salt. By then the cocoa mixture had started to simmer. I added the milk and heated it through.
Only a few minutes had passed by the time I poured the hot chocolate into a couple mugs, but Justin’s hands were already trembling again when I gave him one.
“Thank you,” he murmured before blowing away the steam.
I took a seat across from him, studying him as he drank a few sips from the mug.
“What’s that spice?” he asked.
“Oh, sorry,” I replied. “I wasn’t thinking when I made it. I always add a touch of chile powder. Is it too much?”
He shook his head. “No, it’s good. I just wasn’t expecting it.”
I smiled. “Good.”
Silence fell between us for a few minutes. It was only when he set the mug on the side table that I spoke again. “I take it the news isn’t good?”
He shook his head. “They didn’t do the fingerprint thing, but they said it probably wouldn’t be worth it anyway. There wasn’t any evidence connecting the break-in to my stalker, so they can’t go after him either. In fact, the only thing besides the lights being on, was a single red rose left on the table.”
I growled. “Creepy fucker.”
Justin nodded, pulled his knees to his chest, and wrapped his arms around them, curling into as small a ball as he could. “Sorry… for interrupting your night… again. I just…” He took a deep breath. “I couldn’t stay there. The rose was a message. I have no idea how he got in, and I…”
He whined.
“You couldn’t take the chance,” I finished for him.
He nodded, then rested his forehead on his knees.
“Do you have security cameras inside?”
“No.”
“Do you have a plan?”
