Rescued Alpha (Billionaire Alphas #6) - Skye R. Richmond Page 0,9

pain au chocolat and cinnamon rolls," Jace added, "are all ready for the morning rush."

"I’ll get the muffins in now," Rosie chimed in as she came out of the staff room in their uniform of a crisp white shirt, dark chinos, with the aprons a dark blue he special ordered for all staff. One for behind the scenes, and a fresh one when they were out front.

"Thanks, Rosie." He smiled at her before stepping back from the batter and going back to his order book. He had a couple of appointments later in the day, but for the time being, he had to finish on the orders going out today. Three birthday cakes and one retirement.

Eli did his quick stretches before walking over to the large sink and washing his hands, and he used the time to breathe and center himself, purposeful and forcibly shoving last night from his mind.

Still, his mind wondered at what the alpha was doing at that very moment.

3

Jack

Jack opened his eyes and an empty feeling hit him immediately. He didn’t have to look over to where Eli once laid to know he was gone. Jack sat up in bed, touching the spot and finding it cold.

Maybe it was all a dream?

If only. He knew the night really did happen, but Eli couldn’t have left a clearer message if he’d tried. He didn’t want to pursue anything further.

Jack shrugged, trying to pretend it didn’t matter when in all actuality the disappointment had already begun eating at him.

"You gotta move on, Jack. It’s over and done with, and you have a ton to do." He gave himself the pep talk… not that it worked. Still, the part about him having a lot to do was true. Now that he was going to be staying close to Aiden and Quinn, it was probably time he started looking for his own place. Hotel living was… well, it had gotten old quick.

He grabbed his phone and headed to the bathroom. He hadn’t let himself make a decision on whether the move would be permanent or not until now. Aiden wanted him here, and Colt’s US offices were here and Braeden already lived here.

He’d already looked at some condos close to Aiden but hadn’t let himself get attached. He would take them all into serious consideration now. He pulled up his contact list and found the name he was looking for, then hit call. The phone rang several times. He thought he was going to have to leave a message, but then they answered.

"Bryan Weatherfield here. How may I help you?"

"Bryan…it’s Jack Vaughn. How are you?"

"Jack! Good to hear from you," he said. "Have you given any more thought on those condos we looked at? A couple are off the market, but I know we can find the right one for you."

"Let’s set up some viewings, but this time, can we look at houses, not condos? And they have to have at least four bedrooms, all the amenities, and a pool." It was probably too much house for him, but he had family now, and maybe Colt would want to stay when he was in town, or his nieces and nephews...

"Fantastic." Bryan sounded thrilled. "I will make a list and we can get going."

"Thank you, Bryan."

"I hope we can work together to find you your perfect home," Bryan said before disconnecting the call.

When the image of him and Eli looking at homes together slipped in, he closed his eyes and gave himself a stern talking to. Leaving is a pretty clear indication of a lack of interest, and there will be no Eli in your future.

The talking to only lasted until the water hit him, then the memories of the night before rushed back. He wasn’t a one-night stand guy, and a part of him thought maybe they could pick up where they left off this morning, followed by breakfast in bed… and maybe spend the day together. Maybe that was fantasyland thinking, but still, he’d felt something with the other man.

Perhaps that was all just wishful thinking.

After having a solo breakfast and doing a quick consult via email on one of his old cases, Jack found himself with nothing left to do.

He wasn’t even sure when he decided to head to the hospital, but then he found himself there. When he got to the room, Quinn was lying in bed, baby Lila in his arms, and Aiden was seated in the chair beside the bed. When Jack stepped into the