CHAPTER EIGHTEEN - LACHLAN
I’m floating on a perfumed cloud, even though my body aches in places that don’t have muscles. We’ve been in the nest for nearly twelve hours, and Dash’s heat is still building. His white floral and black tea scent is now overlaid with a muskiness that makes my throat clench and has rubbed my dick raw. Combined with Katie’s lust-loosened body, I’m like a kid unleashed on a buffet table, and to say I’ve been an enthusiastic participant in this heat is an understatement.
Thank God Safe Haven gave me a couple of days off, because there’s no way I could juggle Dash’s heat and my normal workload. Not that I want to be anywhere but here. For a guy who never pictured himself with a pack, this is an out-of-body experience. Especially since I havetwoomegas clinging to me like I’m more essential than air.
I had to do a lot of training on omegas for my job, but this is the first time I’ve been able to put any of it into practice. I’ve had relationships since college, but I was never able to shake the allure of Katie, so I stuck mostly to the other designations. Not that I consider them inferior to omegas, but one whiff of that intense floral scent and I was catapulted back to college, and allof my frustrated yearning for the girl who stole my heart the first time I saw her.
I refuse to dwell on that now. Wasted years, maybe, but I agree with Katie when she says we’ve grown into our bond. There’s less of the starstruck puppy dog about me now, and the knocks and disappointments I’ve experienced since graduation have given me a little more depth. They’ve also taught me that there’s more to aftercare than sloppy kisses and a warm washcloth.
I carefully peel away from a sleeping Dash, who’s clutching Katie like she’s a teddy bear. When she blinks up at me, I whisper, “I’ll grab some juice and a few more bliss bites from the kitchen.”
I’ve been trying some new high-energy, low-calorie recipes since I met Dash, and my chocolate energy balls are one of his favorites. Watching him moan and huff as he eats one is an erotic treat, or it would be if there wasn’t a dull throbbing in my own balls.
“Hurry back,” Katie whispers, openly admiring as I slide carefully off the bed. It’s the kind of look I dreamed about for years, and all my aches and pains fade away as she runs her appreciative gaze over my body. “I’m glad you’re here, Cookie.”
I can’t help but flex a little as I linger in the doorway. “Does this mean you’ve joined my fan club?”
“Hmm.” She gives me a slow, teasing smile. “Don’t you think I’ve earned my president badge by now?”
It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell her to wait untilherheat, when I plan on making her the center of my very dedicated attention. But I don’t want to say the wrong thing and take the happy shine from her eyes. “Keep the bed warm. I won’t be long.”
She snuggles down, her attention immediately fixed on the sleeping omega behind her, and I feel a grin the size of Texassplit my face. I don’t even pause to pull on a pair of shorts, hauling ass down to the kitchen. There are a couple of low lights on, and I’m humming some happy nonsense as I hustle over to the refrigerator. I grab the bowl of bliss bites and start pouring fresh juice into a jug when I feel goosebumps break out on the back of my neck. I frown in confusion - especially since I’mfacingthe chilled air - but then the scent of woody leather rolls over me.
The alphas are home.
Every instinct goes on high alert, and I set the snacks on the counter with a faint tremble in my hands. I look around for a dishcloth to cover myself, but what’s the point? I’ve been naked hundreds of times in locker rooms, and while the dynamic is different here, they’re going to get an eyeful as soon as we all end up in the nest.
Telling yourself that, and coming face-to-face with two keyed-up alphas, isn’t quite the same thing, though. Even my beta nose can sense their pheromones, which seem to swell and thicken as they look me over. I admit, I’m doing the same thing, taking in their creased suits and rumpled hair. They’re the least polished I’ve ever seen them, which I guess makes sense, since their omega is in the midst of his heat in the next room.
Bram moves first, crossing from the door and placing his briefcase on the dining table. “Hello, Lachlan.”
“Um… Hi. Good flight?”
His mouth shifts upward, but I wouldn’t exactly call it a smile. Not unless you compare it to the facial tic of a hungry tiger. “Long. And frustrating.”
“Yeah, I bet.” The combined tension in their bodies is starting to makemetense, and I palm the back of my neck. Of course, that just makes my dick jump, reminding the alphas of its existence, and a soft purr sounds in the back of Bram’s throat. It takes my scrambled brain a moment to confirm it’s not a growl,and then my dick hardens, the head plumping up despite the fact it’s red raw. Bram must catch the flicker of discomfort, because his next purr sounds like a sputtering engine, and he carefully folds his arms across his chest. Of course, that just makes his muscles swell to the limits of his suit jacket, which doesn’t exactly throttle my arousal.
“Come here, Lachlan.” Unlike Bram, Corbus’ hands are jammed in his trouser pockets, but my feet still carry me across the room like they’re on rails. When I stop in front of him, he flicks a glance at my eyes before settling on my cheekbone. “Are you well?”
Damn, but that’s a pretty accent.I don’t know if it’s thicker because he’s just been to Belgium, or because of the omega scents clinging to my body, but my greedy ears suck it down like my favorite song. “Yeah, I’m good. I’m really glad you’re back, though.”
Something flickers through his pale-blue gaze before he glances at Bram, and I realize he’s looking for reassurance. I’ve learned a little about the alphas during our video check-ins, and while Corbus is sometimes a little disconnected, Bram is clearly his rock. Since my brother is on the spectrum, I recognize the signs, and I now lift my hand to pat Corbus’ arm. It’s a cross between a friendly tap and a grounding gesture, letting him know that I’m here, but not about to cross any boundaries. I still have to work out what makes him comfortable, but I think that’s a pretty good start from the naked guy in his kitchen.
And it looks like Bram agrees, because he crosses to stand at my back, his hand wrapping around my nape. Touching is very much a part ofhispersonality, and his damn palm is so big, his fingers ride my thick neck like a collar in reverse. I don’t know if he does this to everybody, but it definitely has a grounding effect of its own. “Thanks for looking after them,” he says in hislow rumble. “It’s hard to be a long way from the people you care about.”
Something I’m more than familiar with, given that I’ve only been able to track Katie via social media for the last few years.
“Are they well?” This is from Corbus, whose cedarwood scent has an anxious edge.
“Yeah, they’re using Dash’s bed as the nest. Katie is sleepy, but she was awake when I left. Dash crashed out about an hour ago, although I think his heat is still climbing.” I glance at the kitchen clock. “That’s coming up to thirteen hours.” The alphas exchange another look, and I shrug. “Dash said that’s pretty typical for his heats.”
“And what about you?” Bram’s palm tightens on my neck. “You smell like you’re dealing with some pain.”
I have to bite back a happy groan as his fingers flex. “Yeah, but only the good kind. I mean, I’ve been wearing a cock ring, and it’s chafed a little…”
The rest of my explanation – and most of the air in my lungs – is stolen by the fact that Corbus’ gaze is now glued to my groin. “You’re chafed?”
Oh. My.Balls.
