Chapter Ten

Franklin somehow knew two strangers were fated to be mates, and he sure did know how to play matchmaker.

Last night had been perfect and our hike to a waterfall would be a quiet way to give Lennon and I space to know more about each other in an intimate yet relaxed way.

Franklin was a freaking genius, if you asked me.

We had that full breakfast, but lunch promised to be even more filling. The backpack Franklin handed over weighed as much as the one I packed for an entire night in the desert.

"Are you ready to go?" I asked Lennon, who'd looked a bit pale when Franklin suggested the plan for the day.

Lennon looked around the backyard, anywhere but at me. "I have a confession to make."

My belly swirled, hoping it was a good confession. "You can tell me anything." We didn't know each other well, of course. We had only met the night before, but the man with piercing blue eyes was mine. We belonged to him already, myself and my bear.

"I've never hiked before. In fact, I've never seen a waterfall except in pictures and video. I'm a city boy."

I chuckled. "That's okay. I'm excited to experience everything through your eyes, unless you are trying to tell me you don't want to go?"

He shook his head. "No. Spending the day with you sounds amazing. I lay awake last night thinking about how much I loved the lack of noise. Where I live, there is always traffic and business and lights everywhere. I could actually think clearly."

"You'd love the desert," I said and almost regretted it, thinking I was being too pushy, too fast. I turned, not wanting to see his negative reaction if there was one.

"The more you talk about it, the more appealing it sounds."

We walked along the trail through the forest at the back of Franklin's home which after about five miles led to a clearing. I offered Lennon my hand several times along the way, helping him leap over small ditches and large roots and this time around a fallen branch. But, as he stepped out and into the clearing with me, he didn't let go.

"Whoa," he said. His eyes were wide, mouth open with an upward tilt. "This is spectacular."

"Yes, it is."

Lennon blushed and put his hand over his heart. Of course, I wanted to affect him other places as well, but for now this was enough. "What do we do now?" His words shot right through me, making my cock bob, volunteering for whatever he wanted to do.

"We can sit here and simply enjoy this place. There aren't any other plans for the day," I strongly suggested. Gods, I hoped my omega wanted to stay here, with the swooshing of water, the chirping birds, and the cool wind our only company.

"That sounds nice."

Thank the gods.

I put the picnic backpack down and moved to sit by the water's edge. The pool below the falls was crystal clear, and I rolled up the bottoms of my pants to dangle my feet in the coolness. "Come join me," I requested.

Lennon came forward and sat with his thighs touching mine, mimicking the way I rolled up my pant legs, and dipped his feet. "Oh, this helps."

"Tell me about yourself, Lennon."

He bit down on his plump bottom lip. Never been jealous of a lip before, but here I was. "What did you want to know?"

"All of it," I whispered.

He nodded. "I was in school getting a business degree just about a year ago," he started, kicking his legs, looking completely adorable.

"You finished your degree?"

He shook his head. "I didn't. I couldn't do it. My parents expected me to follow in my fathers' footsteps. Owning a company and working long hours and always obsessed with money and more, more, more." He took in a long breath. This was clearly an emotional thing to recall. "Then, one night I found myself studying yet again in a local coffeehouse, overcaffeinated and hating not only what I'd become but the picture of who I would eventually be. Not that I judged my dads for their choices, but I couldn't do it anymore."

I didn't ask permission, just wrapped my arm around the omega's shoulders, pulling him to me. He melted into my embrace. "You don't have to say anything more, Lennon. I'm sorry for asking too much too soon."

"You're not, alpha," he murmured, setting my entire being on fire. We were on the same page. "After that day, I went to my parents and told them that I dropped out of school. They threatened to cut me off, but in the end, set me up as an apartment manager with a year's deadline to change my mind. I don't even have a place to live next month. I came here to clear my head."

"This place seems good for that," I said.

"Not with you around," he said, putting his hand on my thigh.

"I'm distracting you?"

His chuckle sent waves of desire flowing through me. "In the best way possible, Bjorn."

"I've got an idea. A way for us to relax together."

His face reddened. "What did you have in mind?"

"Did you bring a swimsuit?" I asked.

"No," he giggled.

"Then I would highly suggest skinny-dipping."