Page 56 of Pack’s Pledge

I could be yours, too, Adrian.The words swam up from the swamp of last night’s memories.

“I want to, Adrian. I meant what I said, last night.”

He squeezed my thighs so that my hips ground against his, and my eyes fluttered shut without my permission.

“But,” I said, sounding breathier than I intended. The queasy feeling was back. “But we need to figure out our shit first.”

“I can tell why Conall’s so into you.” He shifted, sitting up, but keeping me in place on his lap. “You’re too smart for your own good.”

He leaned in, and I thought briefly of my whiskey-breath, that he was going to kiss me–but he just stood, holding my legs around his waist as he walked over to the kitchen, his cock pressed against my center for a moment before he dumped me unceremoniously on the countertop.

“Wait right there, baby, and I’ll make us some coffee. I think you probably need some as much as I do.”

* * *

An hour later,showered, caffeinated, and full of Adrian’s Special Pancakes–just regular pancakes, but made especially by Adrian, for Britt, he had clarified–I was feeling almost alive again.

“How far is this hike?” I asked, lacing up my boots.

“Not far. Ten miles.” I stopped lacing, and started taking them off again. “I’m kidding. Just a couple. Long enough to get some fresh air, not long enough to get sweaty. That’s how Beau measures things.”

“He works out,” I said, defensive. “Don’t make him sound like…”

“An omega?” Adrian asked, one eyebrow raised. “Stereotyping my packmates won’t get you far.”

“You’re right, Mr.Alpha who can’t share his emotions, you’renothinglike the stereotype,” I sassed back.

Adrian grinned. “Low blow, baby, but… I’ll admit you’re right. This time. Now, get your boots on, beta. We have hiking to do.”

* * *

The hike was short,as Adrian had promised, but steep. I was gearing up to whine when we finally reached the top, the trees clearing to reveal a gorgeous panorama. The last of last night’s whiskey cleared away, too.

“Oh, wow,” I said instead of the complaint I’d been rehearsing for the past three switchbacks. “This is… wow.” The wind lifted my–yes, sweaty–hair from my neck, and I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. “God, it smells so good up here.”

“Does it?” Adrian asked, smiling to himself. “I’m glad you think so.”

He sat, and pulled a thermos from his backpack. I sat down on the patch of rock beside him, crossing my feet out in front of me, leaning back on one hand as he passed me a steaming cup of coffee.

“Thanks for coming out here with me,” he said. “I wasn’t sure if you would.”

“On the hike? Or to the cabin?” I asked.

“Both. The cabin.”

We both stared out over the valley. A few cars crawled like ants along the far-away road, heading back toward the city and reality.

“I didn’t think at all,” I admitted. “I just said yes.” I turned to look at Adrian, admiring the straight line of his nose, the outline of scruff on his chin in profile. “I do that a lot when it comes to you. You’re easy.”

“I sure am,” he said, the corner of his mouth twitching. “And yet you said no to me this morning.”

“You said no to me last night.”

“That was different.” He turned to look at me, his eyes gentle.

“That was different,” I agreed.“You really think you can fix this?”

“Yeah,” he said, and the cocksure man from the bar was back. “For you, baby.”

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