Rescued Alpha (Billionaire Alphas #6) - Skye R. Richmond Page 0,24

you. So much." Eli didn’t realize how much he needed Jack to be okay with that. Now, all he had to do was tell him about Damon. But not on their first date.

"You don’t have to thank me for speaking the truth. It’s impressive. My Papa would definitely have told you not to call yourself just anything."

Eli frowned when he realized Jack kept referring to his papa in the past tense. "I hope to meet him one day soon," he said.

"I wish you could. I really do"—Jack’s voice was almost a whisper on that last part—"but he passed away." Jack closed his eyes for a moment, and all Eli wanted to hug him. He put his hand out and covered Jack’s hand. That was how much the pain dripped off him.

"I know how you’re feeling." Eli finally got sad eyes. "I lost my dad several years ago. It was a very hard time for all of us. Some days it still is. But you had your brothers, so you weren’t all alone," Eli couldn’t imagine not having his sister, his mom, and even Jace when his dad passed away.

"Not really," Jack said. "But that is definitely not for a first date conversation."

"I don’t think that there are any rules, so I’m here if you need someone to talk to." Eli made sure Jack saw that he meant it.

Jack smiled at him. "I may just take you up on that."

"Anytime." He squeezed Jack’s hand. "Anytime."

9

Jack

Eli’s text made him smile. The rambling. Yeah. Not to mention it made his whole day.

Asking Eli out was always the plan. Granted, he would have slow-played it, But when Eli said the word relationship, well, Jack hadn’t been about to let the opportunity pass him by.

The rambling and then imagining Eli red with mortification, that just made him smile because maybe he was as turned around as Jack was.

Getting to know Eli was great. Jack wanted to kick himself for never even considering the fact that Eli could be the owner of Sweets and Such. And telling him about his papa. You didn’t tell a first date something that deep. It was supposed to be light and fun.

But Eli was still here. His hand covering Jack’s. Comforting him. Understanding him. Jack hadn’t known what to expect from this date, but this was definitely more. And he wanted more of it.

They ate and talked, just getting to know the basics. He was surprised to find that Eli liked classical music and rock almost equally. He loved cozy mysteries because he didn’t like even reading about blood. But he was obsessed with the mysteries and figuring out who did it.

By the time they were done and their plates cleared away, Eli’s eyes kept lingering on the make-shift dance floor. There were two couples out there just swaying.

Eli’s eyes softened and his lips curved as he watched them. Jack wasn’t much of a dancer, but he wanted to take Eli out on that floor.

"Can I have this dance, please?" Jack asked.

Eli looked over to him. "Really?" He looked like he was bursting. "Do you dance?"

Jack laughed. "Well, truthfully, not really. But I can tell you want to, and that makes me want to dance with you. Just don’t be surprised if I make a complete fool of myself. What do you say?"

Eli nodded, smiling widely. The man was gorgeous when he smiled. They got up, and he grabbed Eli’s hand and twirled him around, pulling him to his body. He rested his one hand on Eli’s back and the other in Eli’s hand, and they swayed together. The song was a slow one, and not one he knew. Not that he cared since he had Eli in his arms with that cinnamon scent that lingered on his skin. Jack loved cinnamon buns, and he wanted to lick every inch of Eli. But right now this was enough. Watching Eli as they danced. The way he hummed along to the song. It was enough.

As they swayed for a couple more songs, Jack realized it was one of the best dates he’d ever been on.

Eli leaned back and looked up at him. "Who says you can’t dance. I think you’re pretty good." Jack dipped his eyes to Eli’s lips.

Eli burrowed into his arms, and he recalled the moment after they had sex when Eli had fallen asleep as he just held him in his arms.

He thought about when they’d woken up in the middle of the night and made love again.