When I first rented this apartment, I had hopes and dreams of where we would end up. Maybe I foolishly thought it would be me and Sofie against the world, regardless of our designations. That hasn’t been the experience, at all, though. And every time her cries get a little louder when I’m not enough, it just hurts that much more.
Especially because she doesn’t want to want anyone else. God, this arrangement is fucking stupid. It’s too quiet in here, only the sound that comes from the dresser drawers sliding open and slamming shut as I dig through them echoing through the space. I’m searching for something—anything—clean enough to wear. Every damn piece of clothing I own is either stained, wrinkled beyond saving, or just missing altogether, lost somewhere in the mess of laundry we never got around to doing.
Another drawer, another disappointment. My patience is wearing thin, but finally, I find a pair of sweats that seem clean enough to pass. I don’t need much—just something decent to wear while I run across the street to grab the pizza.
The thought of it is already in my head, the smell of melted cheese, pepperoni, the warmth of real food instead of the cheap, half-assed meals we’ve been living on for weeks. It’s been too long since we’ve had something that actually fills us up, but money is tight. The bills are stacking up, each one another reminder of how little room we have to breathe. A few more weeks, maybe, before things get bad enough that wereallyhave to start worrying.
But that’s nothing new—I’m always worrying.
My fingers tighten around the fabric, jaw clenching as my mind starts spiraling. I need to figure something out. I need a plan, a solution, something better than barely scraping by, pretending things are fine when they’re anything but. Then, something cuts through my thoughts.
A soft, broken moan. My pulse stalls, my mind catches up too slow, and then instinct kicks in. That melon scent I’ve fallen in love with thickens until it’s almost unbearable, my thighs clenching together as pure unadulterated need bleeds through me. The bathroom door is cracked just so, steam curling into the hallway but it doesn’t mask anything.
I rush over to the door and shove it open, my heart slamming into my ribs, and—
Fuck.
Sofie is on her hands and knees in the shower, her body trembling, her skin flushed red. Water slips over her, dripping from dark brown hair that clings to her shoulders, trailing down the curves of her back. It would be beautiful if it weren’t so damn wrong. “Fuck, baby,” I push out as I scramble to her side, twisting the knob off without even thinking. The sizzle of hot metal causes me to wince but I push past it, needing to make sure my omega is okay. “Sofie, breathe. Baby, come on, look at me.”
I gently cup her face as I pull her into my arms, tears streaming down her cheeks. My heart breaks for her as she clings to my shirt, a small whimper escaping her. Her forehead presses against my chest, breath coming in sharp, uneven gasps. “Vi…” Her voice is weak, cracking on the syllable. “I—”
Another wave of her scent hits me in a rush, slick drenching my sweats. It’s impossible to focus in moments like this but my only priority is her comfort. I slide my hands under her arms, lifting her up, supporting her weight as her body presses against mine. Her breath stutters, catching in her throat as I haul her out of the shower and onto the bathroom floor.
“Shit,” I mutter, my grip firm as I gather her close. There’s only one way to fix this—one that neither one of us want to think about. I’m terrified she’ll get hurt and Sofie just doesn’t want anyone other than me.
She sags into me, body limp and pliant as I lift her again, carrying her through the hallway, into the bedroom, and lower her gently onto the mattress. The sheets wrinkle beneath her, the mattress catching the excess water as I finally look at my beautiful Omega. Her pupils are blown wide, lips parted, chest rising and falling in uneven gasps. Her entire body is flush with her heat and any other day, I would lovingly worship every inch of her.
But right now, she needs the one goddamn thing that I don’t have. “Baby,” I whisper, leaning in, pressing the softest kiss to her lips, just enough to anchor her, just enough to let her know I’m here.
Her fingers clutch at my shirt. “It hurts,” she breathes.
“I know, baby,” I murmur, stroking her cheek, my palm cupping the heat of her skin as her scent thickens in the air, wrapping around me, making it harder to think, harder to breathe. “I know.”
I can’t get the goddamn sweatpants off fast enough as I rummage through one of the drawers for the one contraption that will give her relief. Well, enough relief until we figure it out.
“Lance?” Sofie whines as I crawl back onto the bed with the largest silicone cock I could find at the store a few weeks ago. Her glassy eyes meet mine as she writhes on the mattress, seeking release. “Call Lance.”
I would if I thought it would be safe. Lance is a good time but he’s mated and dragging him into a heat with an unmated Omega never ends well for the weaker party. I would never forgive myself if something happened to her, even if I do believe that Lance is hers. Maybe not mine but I know he would take care of her.
“Fuck!” I cry out. Sofie flinches and then relaxes the moment I lean down to press a kiss to her lips. “Sorry, baby. I’m just frustrated. Let’s make you feel better, okay?” She hums her response, clinging to me as I strap on the dildo, hoping and praying that the fake knot at the base will be enough to drag her out of this heat spike. Her whimpers heighten as I lower myself over her, soothing those sounds the moment my lips attach to the base of her neck. Her back arches toward me, her nipples brushing against my chest, drawing out my own need. Wetness gathers between my thighs as I rock my hips over hers, cries softening just a fraction.
“Don’t tease me, Vi. Please don’t… I need it.” Another whimper hits me in the gut as her fingers dig further into my arms.
I sit back and flip her over, dragging her ass up in the air for a better angle. And then I just thrust inside, her howl of pleasure spurring me on. The slap of skin against skin echoes through the small room, her slick making each slide into her pussy more obscene with every thrust. Her fingers are curled into the sheets, Sofie pushing back against me as she screams for me to go harder and faster and deeper.