Rescued Alpha (Billionaire Alphas #6) - Skye R. Richmond Page 0,2

a seat a couple barstools down from him. Jack’s face flushed. How dorky was it to be caught staring at his newborn niece in a bar? Especially by such a cute omega.

"Promise you won’t laugh," Jack said with a straight face.

The omega stuck his pinkie out. "Pinkie swear." Jack leaned towards him and linked their fingers. In that moment, their gazes held and Jack’s interest was piqued. It was just such an adorable thing to do, he couldn’t help being charmed. "Pinkie swear," he repeated.

There was a seat separating them, so Jack slid over and turned his phone so the omega could take a look.

"They’re so precious. Wow," he gushed, his hand going to his chest.

"I think so, too. The little baby, her name is Lila, and she’s only two days old. And then there are the triplets—" He stopped. "Sorry, you probably don’t want to hear me go on about this."

The omega nudged him. "Actually, I think it’s really sweet that you care about them so much."

Jack looked over and smiled. "They’re awesome little people, and they’ve made my life so much better," he said honestly.

"I feel the same way about my nieces and nephews, too," the man replied with a smile that lit up his whole face.

Jack switched his phone from the pictures back to the home screen and slipped it back into his pocket.

"So, are you meeting someone?" Jack looked around like this other person would magically appear, then turned back to him.

"Nope, just me," he replied, those eyes pinning him.

"What about you? Expecting someone?" he asked.

"All alone," Jack was quick to respond.

"So I didn’t interrupt…"

"That would be a definite no." Jack followed up his statement with a mirthless chuckle. "The truth is, I could use the distraction." Jack smiled, and the man’s eyes lit up.

"Then I’d be happy to be that distraction." The omega gave a shy smile and turned to the bartender. "Two shots please," he called down to the bartender, who nodded and reached into the bar cooler.

Jack quickly shook his head. "Oh, I’m fine. I still have my beer." He took a sip, and the omega looked in his direction.

"Who says one’s for you?" he teased.

Jack arched a brow, and the other man’s eyes sparkled and he gave a chuckle that started out lighthearted but turned into a full belly laugh.

"I’m teasing," he said once he got himself under control. Wiping tears from his eyes, he continued, "You should have seen your face. One’s definitely for you. I already had a mojito. I love mixed drinks, don’t you?" He didn’t give Jack a chance to answer before adding, "If I have two shots by myself, you may have to carry me out of here. Although you still may have to, anyway." The omega winked, even as his cheeks heated.

Jack was intrigued. Who was this omega? He was bold, and a little cheeky, and Jack was drawn in by it.

He took a drink from his bottle before turning to the man beside him. "I’m Jack. What should I call you?"

The omega smiled. "Eli." He looked up coyly through his lashes.

"Nice to meet you, Eli." Jack picked up the shot the bartender had placed between them, and Eli mirrored his action. They gently clinked glasses before tossing back the drinks. He watched as Eli’s face scrunched up at the taste, and even that looked cute on the man.

Jack then picked up the new bottle of beer, courtesy of Eli, and took a drink to wash away the taste of the shot. Eli did the same, and Jack snickered when his face scrunched up in clear distaste.

"Problem?" he asked, trying to keep a straight face as Eli pushed the drink away.

"No. Nope." He shook his head and picked up the bottle and let it hover at his lips. Jack watched him, waiting to see if he would take another sip.

"Why did you order a beer when you obviously hate the taste?" he asked, pressing down the urge to burst out laughing and almost failing.

He shrugged, a sheepish look on his face. "I thought it sounded cool, you know, ‘Two of what he’s having.’ It just felt like something you say in a bar when you approach a hot guy…"

He flushed the brightest shade of pink, and between that and his words… it was just so earnest. This pulled Jack to him even further. Eli lacked guile. Somehow outspoken but shy, too. Jack was suddenly very glad he made the detour here.

"How about we order you a