Precious Moments

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

“Lighten up, Mase. You look great. Stop fidgeting.”

Mason glared at Kian, his alpha mate. “Easy for you to say. You’re still in your long-sleeved shirt and slacks. You remind people of a successful manager or some s**t like that. I own a small diner, and I’m wearing a ratty Henley shirt along with an old pair of jeans. I’ll probably be taken as a hobo. Maybe I should change—”

“Mase!”

Mason sighed. “I know I’m overreacting, but we’re about to meet up with James’s omega friend. Tony told me Blake is one of the most beautiful omegas ever. If Tony wasn’t so in love with James, he would have gone after Blake himself.”

“Lucky us then.”

Mason nodded at Kian. “Are you sure that I don’t need to put on some other clothes?”

Kian rolled his eyes. “Yes, I’m sure. Now, sit tight and shut your trap. You’re worse than my students, and they’re year one elementary kids.”

“I can’t help it, Kee. I want to make a good impression on Blake.”

“You’ll be fine…holy s**t! Turn around.”

“What?”

“Turn around,” Kian instructed.

Mason obliged. “What’s there to see?”

“The tall dude.”

“What about him?”

“Angela just pointed him toward our table.”

Mason swiveled around to face Kian once again. “That’s the omega?”

“He should be. He’s…huge, though.”

“Understatement, Kee.”

“Hush. He’s making his way to our table now.”

Mason picked up his bottle of beer and gulped the contents down his throat as his heart beat faster and harder against his chest. James and Anthony had warned him Blake would be a damn gorgeous omega, but he wasn’t prepared for that kind of breathtaking beauty. He could smell the sweet, fertile scent of omega before Blake even reached their table. Mason groaned under his breath. He noticed Kian was clenching both fists.

“Holy f**k! Remind me to kill James and Anthony tomorrow,” Kian whispered. “Blake is beyond exquisite, and his scent…shit! My d**k is hard enough right now to cut through diamonds.”

“So’s mine,” Mason gritted out. “Let’s get through this date first. We can murder both James and Anthony tomorrow. They should’ve prepared us better before arranging this date with Blake. I think I’m going to faint. There’s not enough blood going up all the way to my upper head.”

Mason needed more time to get himself under control, but Blake approached him and Kian less than a minute later. He observed as Kian stood and shook hands with Blake before he did the same. He hoped nobody was staring at his crotch because he had no doubt the visible bulge was more than obscene. Once the introductions were over with, they sat around the table with Blake in between him and Kian. He yearned to pull the omega into his arms and bury his nose in the crook between Blake’s neck and shoulder. He also craved the taste of the omega’s skin on his tongue. However, he didn’t want to frighten Blake away from him and Kian before they even got the chance to get to know one another.

It took every ounce of self-control not to pounce on Blake and f**k the omega right there in public in the diner before biting down on a perfect spot on the left side of the man’s neck. Mason wanted the world to know that Blake belonged to him. He could tell Kian was finding it just as difficult to sit still. He was amazed an omega as magnificent as Blake was willing to give him and Kian a chance. His right hand trembled as he grabbed the beer bottle and finished the contents in a matter of seconds.

“I guess I’m not your type, huh?” Blake spoke up after a moment of silence.

Mason almost choked on his beer. “What? No. I mean, yes, you’re definitely our type.”

“Oh, okay.”

“What makes you think that you’re not?” Kian inquired.

“Have you looked at me?” Blake answered while gesturing at himself. “I’m six-foot-four, two hundred and ten pounds. Alphas aren’t interested in a freakish omega like me.”

Mason felt the anger surge inside him when he detected the bitterness and hurt in Blake’s tone. “Those alphas are blind and stupid. Besides, Kian and I are secure enough in our alpha status. Neither of us feels the need to posture like those weak alphas to prove our status to anyone.”

Blake smiled at him, which made the omega even more alluring. “Thank you, Mase. The two of you are undeniably alphas. How big are you?”

Mason raised his left eyebrow. “Are you referring to our height and weight? Or are you thinking about something else?”

Blake’s neck and cheeks reddened from the blunder. “Height and weight.”

Kian burst out laughing. “I’m only six feet even, one hundred and ninety pounds, but I assure you, Blake, I’m strong enough to manhandle you if that’s what you’re into.”

Blake blushed further when Kian winked at him. Mason rolled his eyes at Kian. “Ignore that Neanderthal, Blake. He’s still learning how to behave in public. Anyway, I’m two inches taller than Kian, but I weigh two hundred and fifty pounds.”

“Thanks for indulging my curiosity.”

“You’re welcome. Why don’t you place your order first?” Kian suggested.

“Sure. I’ve never been here before. What’s recommended?”

Kian chuckled in response. “Don’t listen to Mase. He owns this diner, so his opinions will be biased.”

“Oh, The Old Block belongs to you?” Blake asked.

Mason nodded. “Yeah. Kian helps out when he’s not busy grading worksheets or exam papers.”

Blake faced Kian in surprise. “You’re a teacher?”

Kian nodded. “Year one at Willow Charter Elementary. I teach Mathematics.”

“That’s incredible. My omega dad is a retired middle-school Science teacher. My alpha dad used to be a tax consultant while my beta dad owns a bakery. The three of them now run the bakery together, but it’s located in San Diego. I love my parents, but I need to get away from them. They’re still nagging at me to settle down and pop out a dozen babies for them to pamper. I like living here in San Francisco, but I miss them.”

Mason shrugged. “The distance isn’t that bad. Kian’s parents live in Indianapolis while my parents reside in Houston. Kian and I met in college freshman year when we moved here nineteen years ago. Then, we decided to stay. What do you do for a living, Blake?”

“I design websites for companies and individuals. I also do translation jobs. I’m fluent in Spanish, Italian, French, and Mandarin.”

“And English?” Kian teased.

Blake laughed. “That, too. Anyway, I think I’ll have the burgers and fries.”

Mason nodded and called for Liam, one of the servers on shift that evening, to take their orders. He and Kian chose the steak and fries. The two of them also got themselves their second bottles of beer while Blake decided on a glass of fresh orange juice. When Liam walked away from the table, Mason leaned back against the chair and grinned at Blake.

“How do you know James and Anthony?”

“James’s parents and mine are close friends. The two of us spent our childhood years together. Our parents thought we would end up as mates. It’s not going to happen. James is like a brother to me. I love him, but s*x with him? Yuck! Too much like incest,” Blake concluded with a full body shudder. “Besides, Anthony is very possessive of James. I don’t think they’re ready for a third mate.”

Kian guffawed out loud. “Lucky for Mase and me. We like you.”

“Yeah?”

Mason nodded. “Absolutely. Unless you’re not interested in us?”

Blake beamed at the two alphas. “I like you both very much. Let’s take it one step at a time, though.”

“Sure,” Kian agreed. “Can I tell you something?”

Blake shrugged. “Of course.”

“Don’t get the wrong idea. I’m not trying to get fresh with you, but you smell like Heaven.”

“I’ll second that,” Mason added. “You’re also very good-looking.”

Blake blushed. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” Kian responded.

For the next two hours or so, Mason had one of the best times of his life. Not only was he enjoying a wonderful date with Kian and Blake, he also got the opportunity to unwind, which was rare. After all, his diner was open from ten in the morning until ten at night every day. He might have a few servers, chefs, and bakers to help him out, but he preferred to be present at the diner to ensure everything was running smoothly.

When dinner was over, he and Kian gave Blake a mini tour of the diner, showing off the kitchen and the small office next to it, which was filled with various documents related to the business. Mason would cook and bake sometimes, but he spent most of his time at the diner reading and signing work-related documents. He also needed to deal with the financial stuff such as the receipts and various bills, which were required by the freelance tax consultant he hired to handle anything tax-related.

He also wanted to point out the house he shared with Kian. The two-floor house was located right behind the diner. However, Mason changed his mind at the last minute because he didn’t want Blake to get the wrong impression about him and Kian. After all, he and Kian were searching for an omega mate, not a one-night-stand. He wanted the three of them to settle down and have two or three kids of their own someday. If things went well with Blake in the future, Mason was certain he would get more than ample opportunities to show the omega the master bedroom and all the other fun things. He would have to be patient for the time being.