27. Lily

Chapter 27

Lily

T he moment Max's hand touches mine, it's like a bolt of lightning shoots through me. His skin is warm, and his grip is firm but not overwhelming. I find myself staring into his deep blue eyes, unable to look away.

"Nice to meet you too," I manage to say, my voice sounding far away.

We stand there for what feels like an eternity, hands clasped, just looking at each other.

I'm the first to break the silence, clearing my throat awkwardly.

"So," I start, trying to sound casual but failing miserably. "Fancy a cuppa?"

Max's lips twitch into a smile, and he nods. "Yeah, that sounds good."

As I turn to the counter to fetch another mug, I can feel his eyes on me, and it sends a tingle over my skin. A really good tingle that somehow ends up between my legs. Trying to act normal around someone your body suddenly responds to like fireworks is going to be harder than I thought.

I pour the tea and hand him a mug. Our fingers brush again, and that spark flares up. I almost drop the mug but manage to steady it just in time. Max catches my eye and smiles. Slowly and deliberately, and it's sexy as fuck. Now that he isn't glaring at me over a bouquet of surprise roses, I can see how attractive he is.

The roses remind me of the admirer, which makes me feel bad—but only for a second before he says, "Thanks."

The rest of the world just fades away.

"No problem," I reply, trying to focus on anything other than his rugged good looks and the way his shirt clings to his chest. God, this alpha is distracting.

We stand in awkward silence for a moment, sipping our tea. Finally, Max breaks the quiet.

"So, about the other day," he begins.

I hold up a hand to stop him. "It's water under the bridge. Let's not dwell on it."

He looks relieved, but still a bit unsure. "No, I wanted to ask you who the flowers were from."

"Oh, uhm, I have no idea. It was an anonymous letter, and they paid in cash."

"Oh?" he inquires with a frown. "That's a little odd."

"You don't know of any omega who would be a secret admirer?"

Max raises an eyebrow, considering my question. "No one comes to mind."

This situation feels awkward now. With Max standing in front of me, it feels more real—and way more complicated.

"Well, whoever it is has got pretty good taste in flowers," I joke lightly, hoping to ease the tension.

A small smile tugs at the corner of Max's lips. "And pretty lousy timing."

I laugh softly and nod. "Yeah, tell me about it."

Our conversation lulls again, and I'm acutely aware of the space between us—a space that feels both impossibly vast and incredibly charged. I don't know what to say next, so I open my mouth and go with the first words out of my mouth. "Look, Max, this situation is weird, I know. We don't have to rush anything. We just need to spend some time together, I guess."

"Now?"

"I really should get back to my shop. It's been shut all day so far."

"Hmm." He lets out a slight growl as he realises why it's been shut all day. Knowing I was having a sex-fest with his packmates without him is probably not the best reminder of the day.

"I'll drive you back," Jack announces, coming into the room hastily with Sam on his heels, letting me know they were close by and eavesdropping.

"Well, I will," Sam pipes up. "We came in my car."

"Okay," I say lightly with a smile as Jack glares at him. "Will you be staying the night?"

Max's small whimper doesn't go unnoticed by me, and I frown. Casting a glance in his direction, I can see his whole body has gone rigid, and his scent slams into me with such force that I stumble backwards.

His rut.

Fuck.

The mention of Jack staying over and what that might lead to has sent him into a bit of a tailspin.

A bolt of pheromones strikes the room. Max's control is hanging by a thread. Jack and Sam exchange a glance, realising what's happening as quickly as I do.

"Max," Jack says slowly, his voice calm.

But Max isn't listening. His eyes are locked on me, pupils dilated, nostrils flaring with every breath as he takes in my scent. The possessive alpha side of him is taking over, and fuck me, it's as thrilling as it is terrifying.

"Max," I say softly, stepping towards him. "Take a deep breath, okay? We're not going anywhere."

His eyes flicker to mine, and for a moment, I see the struggle in him to keep control. But then he nods, taking a shaky breath.

"Sorry," he murmurs, running a hand through his hair. "This day has been…"

"Yeah," I murmur. "Why don't you come with us? It might help you cool down a bit."

Jack and Sam both nod in agreement. "Good idea," Sam says. "We could use the company."

Max looks at them, then back at me, finally sighing in resignation. "Okay," he agrees reluctantly.

I smile that I get to keep him closer for longer, even though that feels weird to me. We've literally only just met properly and already I feel sad about leaving him. But needs must. My flowers won't sell themselves, and I've been away for too long without my scent-masker. The reminder gives me anxiety that claws at my belly, but I force the smile to stay in place.

Sam leads us out of the farmhouse to his car, Max and Jack flanking me as we go. It makes me feel safe and protected, and that anxiety dissipates as if it were never even there. I slide into the back seat with Max next to me, and Jack takes the front.

Our fingers meet on the seat, intentionally by him, that much is clear, and he links them, holding onto me lightly, almost as if he can't bear to let go.

I squeeze his hand gently, offering a reassuring smile. Our eyes meet, and for a moment, the world outside Sam's car disappears. There's something raw in Max's gaze that tugs at something deep inside me. It's intense and electric, making my pulse race.

Sam starts the engine, and we pull away from the farmhouse. The ride is quiet, but it's not awkward anymore. It feels like we're all just taking a moment to breathe after everything that's happened today.

As we drive through winding country lanes, the picturesque scenery of the Lake District blurs past us. I lean my head back against the seat and close my eyes for a second, enjoying the gentle hum of the car and Max's warm hand in mine.

"Are you okay?" Max's voice is soft, almost hesitant.

"Yes, fine. Tired." I open my eyes to meet his gaze.

He searches my eyes, his fingers resting lightly over my pulse. It's steady, but when he moves his touch up the inside of my arm, I tremble, and slick pools in my pussy. His nostrils flare, and that possessive glint is back in his eyes, but he doesn't pounce on me, as I'm half expecting him to do. Truth be told, even if he did, I wouldn't push him away. Right now, I know without a single doubt in my mind that my heat is coming quickly, and it's because I'm in a confined space with my future mates.

We arrive at the shop, the colourful storefront is a welcome sight after such an eventful day. Sam parks up, and we all pile out of the car. When Max releases my hand, I fumble for my keys, feeling Max's eyes on me the entire time as he places a possessive hand on my lower back. I push down the purr that is hovering as we aren't even inside yet, and I feel that if I purred at him now, it would be all over. Our composure scattered to the four corners of the globe as we ravaged each other on the pavement.

I stumble into the shop with the three alphas following me. Sam pushes the door closed behind him but does not flip the sign over to say open.

Nerves strike.

My palms start to sweat.

My armpits struggle to keep up with this morning's deodorant, and my heat descends even quicker now that we are inside. Shuffling past the alphas to get to the back of the shop, I fling open the back door and then let out a blood-curdling scream.