Forbidden bonds[sasunaru]

CHAPTER 1-The Cafe

-Naruto's POV-
The soft chime of the café door rang for what felt like the hundredth time that morning, barely audible over the quiet hum of conversation and the hiss of the espresso machine.

I tucked a loose strand of blond hair behind my ear and continued wiping down the counter, trying my best to ignore the dull ache in my shoulders.

Being an omega working the morning shift wasn't exactly easy, especially when my stupid instincts decided to act up whenever an unfamiliar alpha walked through the door. Thankfully, the café's scent blockers were strong enough to keep most of it under control. Most of it. I was reaching for a clean mug when the door chimed again-and suddenly, the air felt different. My hand froze. That scent. Deep, warm, unmistakably alpha. I slowly looked up, blue eyes meeting a pair of dark ones I'd never expected to see standing across my café counter

I cleared my throat, hoping he couldn't see how nervous I suddenly was.

"Um... hi. Welcome," I said, stepping out paround the counter with a menu in my hand. "Can I get you something to drink?"

Sasuke's eyes followed me as I approached, his expression unreadable. Up close, he was even more unfairly handsome. Sharp features, dark hair, expensive black suit-everything about him practically screamed *powerful CEO who doesn't have time for anyone's nonsense.*

"I'll have a black coffee," he said.

His voice was deep and calm, the kind that somehow made two simple words sound like an order.

I nodded quickly. "Black coffee. Got it."

I turned to leave, but his voice stopped me.

"And whatever you recommend."

I blinked and looked back at him. "Whatever I recommend?"

A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"You seem like you know what you're doing."

My face immediately felt warm.

"Uh... yeah. I work here."

"I noticed."

There was something about the way he said it that made my stomach flip.

I tried to ignore it and scribbled down his order. "So... black coffee and my recommendation."

"Yes."

His gaze lingered on me for another second before he added, almost casually, "I'll trust your judgment."

I stared at him.

Was this man flirting with me?

No. Absolutely not.

He was probably just being polite.

...Right?

I hurried back behind the counter, silently cursing the fact that my omega instincts had apparently decided "now" was the perfect time to wake up.

Behind me, I heard Sasuke quietly chuckle.

And somehow, that was even worse.
A few minutes later, I carried his coffee over to the table, setting it down carefully in front of him.

"Black coffee," I said. "And I added something to it. Figured you might like it."

Sasuke's gaze moved from the cup to me.

"You made it?"

"Yeah."

He picked it up, taking a slow sip. His eyes stayed on mine over the rim.