Page 32 of Gold Rush
“Don’t hang up on my account.”
I swallow, staring at him. His lips look sosoft, his hair pulled back to expose the silver scar on his throat. My body thrums at the thought of Bennett sinking histeethinto Seth, making sure everyone who ever sees him knows hebelongsto someone else. He’sclaimed.
Seth steps closer, his voice soft. “You okay?”
I blink, shaking my head, trying to clear it.
He lifts his hand from my back, pressing it against my forehead. “You’re warm. Is it…?”
“No.” My voice is a little rough as I flush, leaning away from him. “I think it’s just a flare, or spike, or whatever they call them—” I push my sleeves up, trying to get air as I turn and stare at the bookcase, fighting back the urge to throwhimagainst the shelves and give him a matching mark on the other side.
I didn’t think omegas had urges to bite — but my teethache— I want people to look at Seth and know he’sminetoo. He’d look so pretty with my hand on his throat and my teeth marks in his skin.
He’s quiet for a moment before he pushes my hair back. I startle, glancing at him as he gives me a soft smile. “You’re going to watch the movie with us tonight, right? It’s pack movie night.”
I frown, my heart stuttering. “Seth…”I’m not part of this. Heisn’tmine.
“Don’t start.” He tilts his head, his smile lingering. “You’re invited becauseI’minviting you, right now.” Seth pokes my nose. “So, Junie, what snacks do you like to consume rabidly while mindlessly watching TV?”
My lips twitch. “Junie?”
“June Moon?” He bounces, his hand lingering on my hair, twirling it around a finger. “June bug? Junie Moonie.” He snaps his fingers at me, grinning.
I laugh, despite myself, shaking my head, and his smile widens, overtaking his entire face.
The living room seems smaller,more intimate. It didn’t feel this way when it was only Bennett, Seth, and I in here, but I feel veryawareof its square footage now that the TV is on a menu full of movie options and every seat will be full.
The bookcases on the far wall extend the full length. The only furniture is a three seater couch and two oversized armchairsto either side. Seth already has the coffee table piled high with snacks, and he turns, grinning at Arin and Theo as they linger in the doorway.
“I picked aclassicfor this evening’s showing.”
Arin glances at me, his eyes soft as he chuckles at Seth. “I’m sure you did.”
My heart flutters as I make my way around the coffee table, toward the farthest armchair, but just as I reach it and touch the arms, Seth pipes up from the couch.
“Where are you going?”
I hesitate, looking over at him. “Taking a seat?”
Seth shuffles on the couch, leaning back into Bennett and making space between the tangle of their legs. He bends forward, drumming his hands on the sliver of couch cushion visible, smiling. “Come sit with us?”
I look behind him to Bennett, his gaze snaring mine. Bennett dips his chin in a little nod, his voice gentle. “Only if you want to. If you’re more comfortable over there, Seth can cuddle Theo.”
“No, Seth cannot.” Theo’s voice startles me as he grabs a handful of popcorn and tosses it into his mouth.
The way Theo says it, the deadpan and the fact his lips turn up into a little grumpy snarl, makes meloseit. I giggle, covering my mouth immediately. He stops shoving popcorn into his mouth immediately, his eyes darting down to me, searing. I think I imagine it, but there are creases in the corners, pinched like he’s fighting a smile, and I tear my eyes away, scurrying over to the couch.
Seth grins and I don’t even get a chance to sit before he wraps his arms around me and tugs me down between his legs, making a pile of the two of us laying on top of Bennett.
“I win.” He mutters the words as I watch Arin take the chair closest to the door, leaving Theo to finish his walk around the coffee table to the other armchair. His hand slides over the fabricon the armrest, his body rigid, like he’s holding himself back before he turns and shakes his head, folding his massive body and sitting down.
Seth snatches the remote. “Okay, everyone shut the fuck up, it’s movie time.”
Bennett scoffs, it turning into a light chuckle that transfers through Seth’s body into mine with how we’re lying together. I smile, turning my head slightly to glance up at Seth as he weaves an arm around my torso and presses play onThe Alpha of the Rings. It’s early enough we might get to its two sequels, but I like the prequel too,The Omega.
Seth is warm and smells like the shower and a mixture of his and Bennett’s scents. The first ten minutes are barely over before I find myself sinking into him, unconsciously nudging closer and resting my head against his chest. His fingers run up and down my arm, almost absent-mindedly as everyone snacks and grabs whatever they want from the coffee table.
Just as the movie gets into the first act, my phone buzzes.
