Page 40 of A Snowy Escape

“Thanks, gorgeous,” I murmur. “You smell fucking fantastic to me too.” I’m almost afraid speaking will ruin the moment, but I think it’s important to let her know the attraction goes both ways. “Are you hungry?”

“Yeah.” She nods. “I’m starving.”

“All right. Do you want to run and change out of your uniform?” I give her back a final pat and release her. “I’ll unpack the food and meet you at the table.”

“I do want to change, but can we eat on the couch?” she asks, pulling her arms free of my coat. “My legs and back are killing me.”

It’s on the tip of my tongue to offer to give her a massage, but I stop myself in time.

I’m not trying to get her into bed, meaning I need to really think through everything before I act.

Okay, I do eventually want to fuck her brains out, but for the time being, I want to take things slow and get to know Abby.

“Dinner on the couch while we watch a movie sounds heavenly,” I say, smirking.

She nods and bolts toward the bedroom.

She’s really cute.

* * *

My eyes continually slide over to Abby as we eat. There’s some superhero action movie playing on the TV, but I couldn’t name which one.

I’m enamored with watching her.

“Do you have plans to visit your family for Christmas?” I ask, hoping she won’t be annoyed at me for interrupting the movie.

It only takes another second for me to want to punch myself in the face.

Lawson mentioned her fathers and mother all passed away before she was eighteen. From what he said, she has a brother and a sister, so hopefully my question doesn’t drag up any old memories.

She shakes her head, dipping a fry into a combination of mustard and ketchup. “I’m really only close with my brother, but his omega just had a baby. I wouldn’t want to intrude on their pack’s first holiday as parents.”

I nod. “I can understand that. Lawson’s and my family pack moved to Texas while I was still in the military. I went to visit them my first year out, but it’s a long trip. They also don’t do much in the way of decorating or celebrating anymore, which makes sense. They’re at that stage of enjoying their retirement.”

“That’s actually really sweet.” Abby leans forward, putting her food container down on the coffee table. “I probably wouldn’t go visit, either. That’s more because I’m an awful traveler, though. It’s still nice to know they’re around so you can go see them once in a while.”

“It is,” I agree. “Do you want to end up in a pack someday?” The words are out before I can stop myself from speaking, and I hold my breath as I wait for her answer.

“Yeah.” She grabs her bottle of water and twists off the cap. “I think all omegas dream about finding their pack. It’s quite literally coded into our DNA. How about you?”

“Absolutely,” I tell her truthfully. “I loved growing up in a pack. I’ve always known I wanted to end up having Law as one of my packmates. When we met Bryant, it was seamless. We just don’t happen to run into a lot of omegas up here.”

Abby chokes, sputtering as she puts the lid back on her water.

I stretch over, patting her back. “You okay, gorgeous?”

“Went down the wrong pipe.”

I smile.

She’s cute as hell, and I’m in so much trouble. Ever since I caught the first whiff of her scent, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about her.

I always thought the stories of alphas and omegas bonding before names were even exchanged were bullshit.

Only, now I know better.

I haven’t had the chance to learn all there is to know about Abby, but my instincts won’t shut up about biting her so she can’t get away.