16. Liam

The smirk that adorns my features as I watch Zara's cheeks burn with a blush that radiates all the way to her neck, is smugger than usual. She's adorable when she's flustered and fuck me if that doesn't make me want her more.

That scent.

I glance over my shoulder to see Ben trudging down the stairs, looking like a bear with a sore head.

"Smells fucking incredible," Ben mutters as he reaches the bottom step, his mood visibly lifting at the sight of the feast Zara has prepared. He slants a suspicious glance at me and Zara as if he feels he can't leave us alone for even a second. Mind you, he probably can't. If he hadn't arrived with epically bad timing, I'd have my tongue down Zara's throat right now, and maybe, if I'd got lucky, she'd have had her hand wrapped around my cock.

With a raging hard-on, that is uncomfortable as fuck, we sit down for dinner, and it's bloody delicious—Zara's got skills in the kitchen, that's for sure. I keep stealing glances at her throughout the meal, appreciating how she puts everyone at ease with her quick wit and easy smile—except when she locks eyes with me. Then there's that spark, that tension I'd love to explore.

I notice Ben is watching her too, not with lust or longing, but with something akin to admiration. It's like he didn't know someone could come in and just fit with him and Mia so seamlessly. He's been stressed since that bitch left him, but Zara being here seems to lessen the load somehow.

And now I'm here as well to ease the financial burden. Captain Liam to the rescue.

I need a cape. I'm a fucking superhero who needs a fucking cape.

My mind wanders as Zara regales Ben with tales of Mia and their day together. I won't say I'm bored, but it sort of leaves me out of the conversation a bit. Not that I mind. It gives me more time to steal glances at Zara while she shares her stories. It's as clear as the nose on my face that she adores that little girl, and I know that will go a long way with Ben.

"I'm sorry," Zara says, suddenly, her foot nudging mine under the table, jolting me out of my thoughts. "We're leaving you out."

"No, go ahead. I'm enjoying the food."

"No, it's rude not to include. How were both your days at work?"

Ben and I exchange a glare as if he is almost daring me to spill the tea on our rut and sex doll chat. Yeah, not likely.

"It was fine. Work, you know," I say, turning away from Ben and giving Zara a smile.

I catch the tail end of Ben's grunt of affirmation, his own response just as tight-lipped and cryptic.

"Sounds riveting," she giggles.

We move on from work talk quickly because, let's be honest, who wants to talk shop when you've got a delectable cottage pie in front of you and an even more tempting omega sharing the table? I notice how Zara's laughter rings clearer than the clinking of cutlery against plates, her giggle infectious, and for a moment, there's a sense of ease around the dinner table that feels like it could almost be domestic.

Almost.

Ben's perpetual scowl leaves a lot to be desired.

"So, Zara," Ben says, breaking a lull in conversation. "We'll need to get that bathroom lock fixed up for you."

"I fixed it already," she says with a proud beam. "Who knew YouTube was such a good tutor?"

"Oh, okay," he says. "Good."

I mentally shake my head at him. She is begging for some praise—not in a needy way, but in a way that tells her she did a good job.

"Nice," I say, holding my hand up for her to give me a high five. "Handy omega to the rescue."

She laughs and slaps her palm against mine, and it's like I've been hit with a million volts of electricity.

Okay, not quite because I'd be dead, but close. The skin-on-skin contact, however brief, has made this interested alpha tumble over a cliff I didn't know I was hanging from as I plummet headfirst into… something with her.

Her lips part, and she lets out a long breath. She felt it, too. I know she did. It was too electric for her not to have.

"Uhm," she stammers and stands up. "I'll clear up and check on Mia."

"I'll go," Ben says.

"Of course. Of course," she says, bobbing her head and avoiding everyone's gaze as she gathers up the empty plates and disappears like her ass is on fire.

My mind is racing a thousand miles an hour as I watch Zara's retreat. This is it, isn't it? The moment when you know you've found the one?

Sitting back in my chair, I'm floored. I can barely breathe. Ben leaves the dining room, and it's just me and my thundering heart and stiff cock, which might as well be a second presence right now, it's so huge.

Needing to move, I stand up, suddenly restless, right as Zara walks back in to tidy up the table some more.

She freezes when she sees me. I'm acutely aware of her gaze trailing up the length of my body, lingering on my cock area before it shoots up to my eyes, and she licks her lips enticingly before backing out, the condiments forgotten as I hear her race up the stairs and out of sight.