#a different blend

“Four. I get off at four.” You finally admit, and he nods. “I’ll be back later then.”

“Fine! Now, will you please just go?” You hiss.

“I’ll see you later, Omega.  Count on it.”  Sam tells you before he turns and stalks out of the coffee shop.

You wipe the same section of the counter for a good five minutes, lost in your thoughts, sick at the thought of what you’d done.

“Is the coast clear?” Meg asked, coming up from the back.

“Yep.  He left.” You said shortly.

“That’s some angry cleaning happening right there.” She observed as you attacked a particularly stubborn spot.

“It’s only a temporary reprieve.  He’s coming back at four when I’m off so we can talk.” You said morosely.

“What are you going to say, Y/N?” She asked.

“I don’t have the slightest idea, Meg. I’m just making this up as I go.”

You were completely preoccupied during the rest of your shift, your eyes straying to the clock every few minutes.  You knew your manager was watching you closely, so you tried to focus on your work and not think about Sam and this situation you had gotten yourself into.

“You didn’t ask for my opinion, but I’m gonna give it to you anyway,” Meghan told you as the two of you stocked the shelves for the next shift. 

You couldn’t help but grin, despite how tired you were. “Of course you are.  I wouldn’t expect any less.”

Pausing before she spoke to make sure the coast was clear, she leaned her elbows on the counter and winked at you.   “I say go for it.”

“Seriously?” You said in surprise. “He’s my professor, Meg.  If anyone found out…..”

“So make sure no one finds out.  I saw the way he was looking at you.  I’d give my right arm to have an Alpha as hot as him look at me like that, professor or not.  You need to live a little, girlfriend.”

“If only it were that easy.” You said with a sigh.

“From where I’m sitting, it is,” Meg told you. “Hey, it’s almost time for you to leave. Tall, dark and Alpha should be back any minute.”

The door opened, and a group of teenagers came in, laughing and pushing each other. A gust of wind blew in behind them along with a tantalizing aroma that smelled better than any cup of coffee. It was Sam.

He didn't approach this time, just stood by the door watching you untie your apron, not smiling but not looking furious like he did earlier.  Meg touched your shoulder as you passed by her to clock out and grab your jacket. "Think about what I said." She whispered out of the side of her mouth, shooting a pointed look Sam’s way.

"Yeah, yeah." You grumbled.

After you grabbed your stuff, you headed to the door, anxious to get the confrontation over and done with.  Your stomach was twisted with anxiety, and you still weren’t sure of what you wanted to say.  The more you had thought about it, the more confused you became.  On one hand, you had never been so attracted to anyone as you were to Sam.  And despite the way you had snuck out this morning, how he made you feel last night was amazing.

But on the other hand, he was your professor, and you had worked too hard for too long to allow biology and hormones to ruin all your plans.  There was no more money, so you needed to graduate after this semester or you were screwed.  He was just too much of a distraction.  This had all been so much easier when he was just the hot Alpha in your line every morning.

You marched up to him and before he could say anything you spoke.  “I’m sorry.  Sneaking out was a dick move and I shouldn’t have done it.  I don’t blame you for being mad.  I was scared because I let things go too far with you.  My judgment is severely impaired where you are concerned.”

Sam looked pleased with your admission.  “How about I buy you some dinner? You look like you could use something to eat.  I’m sorry too. I shouldn’t have stormed into the shop like some Alpha in rut.  When I woke up, and you were gone...”

You pushed the door open and began walking down the street. “This place is crawling with students.  What if someone sees us? How would you explain why you're out with one of your students? Have you really thought this through, Sam?”

“Where is your car?” He asked, avoiding your question altogether.

“It’s still at the bar.” You admitted.

“Let me at least drive you there to pick it up.”  He gestured down a side street. “My car is just down here.  We can talk more on the way.”

You had to admire his tenacity.  “You just don’t give up, do you?” You said with a ghost of a smile on your lips.

“Why do you think I’m such a good lawyer?”

The scent of him was rather overwhelming in the confines of the vehicle, and you fought to stay focused.  Watching his large hands grip the steering wheel brought back memories of his hands on your body, and you felt yourself getting warm.

“Are you even listening?” He finally asked at one point.

“Um.....what?” You whispered, feeling flustered.

"I already told you, I don’t really like coffee. The first time I came in I was only buying it because I was up all night working on a summation and I could barely keep my eyes open.  But then I saw you, and I felt like I’d been punched in the gut.  As soon as I scented you, I knew it. So I kept coming back, just to see you.”

“You knew what?” You whispered.

But Sam kept talking, as though you hadn’t spoken. “And when I walked into class, I saw you right away, and I thought, this is fate. It has to be.  Why else would she be here?”

You turned in your seat to look at him, giving him your undivided attention. “What did you know, Sam? Tell me!”

“That you are mine, Y/N.  I know you feel it too.  Tell me I’m wrong.” He challenged you.  “We need to figure out how to make this work because I’m in love with you, and that isn’t going to change.”

Part 6