CHAPTER 273: CHAPTER 273 SO, ARE WE OFFICIAL NOW?

Ava’s POV

"With the authority of your new boyfriend!" He looked at me and smiled, and I burst out laughing.

"You think too highly of yourself!"

Joseph pulled the car over to the side of the road and turned to face me. "I’m serious."

"Why won’t you let me help you? Can’t one word from me make him disappear better than you getting a lawyer?" He pressed.

"Because..." I hesitated, trying to put my feelings into words."Because I don’t know what we are, Joseph. "

"What do you mean, what are we?" He looked genuinely confused. "You called us ’friends with benefits’ before, but I haven’t even slept with you once. We go out together, I send you flowers, I introduce you to my family—what do you think this is?"

The look in his eyes made my heart race. "I don’t know what to think anymore."

"Then let me make it clear," Joseph said. "I’m pursuing you, Ava Flynn. Not as a casual fling or a temporary distraction. I want to be with you. I want to be your boyfriend, your mate, your protector if you need one—though I know you can handle yourself most of the time."

I stared at him, momentarily speechless.

"I need to know where I stand with you," he continued. "Because I can’t keep doing this dance where I don’t know if I have the right to tear apart someone who hurts you."

I was shocked by his sudden confession. "Joseph—"

"When I first saw you," he interrupted, "I thought it was just attraction. Physical desire. I’ve never denied being a man who enjoys women’s company. But this is different." His hand reached for mine, his thumb tracing circles on my palm. "I’ve never felt this way before. The more I get to know you—your wit, your strength, your kindness—the more I want all of you."

My throat tightened with emotion. "Are you serious?"

"Completely." His eyes never left mine. "I’m falling for you, Ava. Hard and fast. And it scares the hell out of me because I’ve never been in love before."

The word ’love’ made everything in the car go quiet. Only my heart was beating.

"You don’t care that I’m a wolfless Omega?" I asked quietly, giving voice to my deepest insecurity. "You’re an Alpha. Your pack—"

"I don’t give a damn about that," Joseph said fiercely. "I care about who you are, not what you are or aren’t. I love who I love, and that’s you."

I searched his face for any sign of deception, any hint that this was just another line from the notorious playboy.

The way he protected me today, the way he was confessing to me now—it was really hard not to be moved by him.

Without another thought, I leaned forward and pressed my lips to his. The kiss was gentle at first, then deepened as Joseph pulled me closer. When we finally broke apart, I was breathless.

"Yes," I whispered.

"Yes what?" he asked, his voice husky.

"Yes, I’ll go on a date with you."

"Wait, shouldn’t you be agreeing to be my girlfriend?" He groaned.

"Who agrees to be someone’s girlfriend without even going on one date?" I teased.

"I’ve asked you out many times. You always said no," he protested.

I smiled at him.

"Even if you won’t agree to date me—" His fingers traced up my arm, leaving goosebumps in their wake. "See? Your body tells me everything I need to know." His grin turned smug.

"Joseph, you’re insufferable," I said, but couldn’t stop smiling.

"Come to my place tonight," Joseph said.

My heart fluttered at the thought, but I shook my head. "I can’t. I need to talk to my mom about what happened with Isaac. She’s been worried about me, and I want to keep her updated so she stays vigilant. I’m concerned he might try to get to me through her."

Joseph nodded. "You’re right to be concerned. Is she leaving for that conference tomorrow?"

"Yes. She won’t be back until Friday."

His jaw tightened. "Then you’re staying with me until she returns."

I raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me? Don’t you think you’re being a little controlling here?"

"No, Ava, I don’t," Joseph said firmly. "I’m your boyfriend and I care about you. There’s no way I’m leaving you alone with that psycho ex of yours stalking around. Either you come to my place or I’ll camp out at yours, but you’re not staying alone."

I looked at him with affection.

Joseph’s eyes locked with mine. "So, are we official now? You and me?"

I laughed and placed my hand on his cheek. "I thought you said you didn’t need to ask."

"You’re really hard to pin down, and you always change the subject on me," Joseph said. "I don’t want this to be all in my head. I need to hear you say it."

I smiled and gave him a gentle kiss."I want to be with you. I want us to be together."

I added. "Officially."

Joseph’s smile was brilliant enough to light up the entire car.

"You won’t regret this," he murmured. "I promise."

Joseph pulled me in for a kiss that made my toes curl. His lips were firm and demanding against mine, his taste intoxicating. Before I knew it, he’d pulled me onto his lap right there in the car, parked on the street outside my building. His hands tangled in my hair as the kiss deepened, and I forgot all about time and place.

My phone’s shrill ring broke the moment. I reluctantly pulled away, breathless, and checked the screen.

"Hi, Mom," I answered.

But a voice I was terrified to hear answered instead.