Chapter Seven

Shane

"Here we are, gentleman," the driver said, pulling onto a gravel driveway in front of a house right out of the pages of a home and garden magazine. The Victorian house was two stories and had bursts of brightly colored flowers in beds along the walkway and in baskets hanging from the top of the porch. The backdrop of the beautiful home boasted land as far as the eyes could see and a bit of forest beyond the backyard.

The perfect place to get away from it all.

Exactly what I needed.

The mint-chocolate-chip-scented omega next to me was icing on the cake.

We exited opposite sides of the car. The driver pulled our bags out. Mine, a plain black duffle and Zhang's a designer overnight bag. We were opposites.

But, clearly, opposites did attract.

"After you." I waved Zhang ahead of me and slipped the driver a cash tip. I did it mostly to be a gentleman but, moreover, I got to see a bit more of Zhang's body. While he walked toward the house, he gave me a coy smile over his shoulder. Almost like he could read my thoughts.

We got onto the porch. Before Zhang could knock, an older man threw the door open. He wore a welcoming, bright smile. "Good afternoon, you two. Welcome to the Bearclaw Inn."

We took turns shaking Franklin's hand, and then he offered for us to come in. "Let me give you a tour. I've got dinner in the oven, but I'm sure you two want to get refreshed first."

The man with a conservative haircut and a plaid shirt tucked into jeans led us up a set of stairs and paused at the first balcony when Zhang stopped to observe the stained glass window. "Those were my late mate's idea to put in. He never got to see them completed but I think of him every time I come up here. Both of your bedrooms are right this way."

We walked up another small flight of stairs. Our rooms were opposite one another.

"Clean up first or the rest of the tour?" Franklin left the question hanging in the air. Zhang ran his hand through his inky hair and shrugged.

My thoughts veered to taking him into the nearest bedroom, getting him dirty, and then cleaning him up myself. Inside, my animal let out a raspy purr in reaction to my thoughts. Of course, I knew that in coming there, there was a chance I'd meet my mate, but I never expected the raw attraction and pull toward a stranger to be so instant—or so powerful.

"I think I'll clean up a bit. I smell like the humans that I've been around all day. And airport. And airplane. Recycled air and gods knows what else. I'd love that tour once I get done, though, Franklin."

Franklin excused himself, but Zhang and I stood in front of our doors, waiting for something. My lion's nose picked up Zhang's scent, getting sweeter by the moment.

If he wanted me as much as I wanted him, he was having trouble deciding whether or not to be good.

"Hey, Shane," Zhang said and, to my disappointment, opened the door a bit.

"Yes?" I asked.

"Trust me. You don't smell like anything but yourself. And that's not a bad thing at all. See you in a few?"

My throat went dry. "A very few," I growled.

The room was quaint and comfortable. The bed called to me, but I didn't want to slumber in it alone. I put my bag on the trunk at the end of the king-sized bed and took in the colorful quilt and furnishings. I strolled over to the window and looked out. There was a swing under some flowering trees and a small area toward the backyard with some Adirondack chairs surrounding a firepit. The night had gotten cooler once we left the airport. I would love to go out there and see Zhang's beautiful face lit up by the oranges and reds of a nice fire.

Gods, I wanted to know more about him. If he liked doing things outside. What made him tick. What made him smile. All of it.

This weekend seemed like a long time to take off from my other endeavors, but now that I'd met the omega, two and a half days didn't seem like enough.

I took a long, cold shower, and dressed in jeans and a casual shirt, and came out of my bedroom, hoping to see Zhang but, instantly, I heard his voice from downstairs.

Making my way down, I followed the soothing sound and found him setting the table.

Franklin brought out a platter of meat loaf. "Hungry, Shane?"

"Always." I chuckled.

Zhang handed me a plate to put on the other side of the table. "I'm finding myself starving this evening as well."

He eyed me while he said it, scanning my body top to bottom. I'd never met an omega so brazen and direct, but I loved every second of it.