The weight of it sends a jolt through me.
It feels wildly intimate for some reason.
“Everything okay?”
“Yeah,” I manage, offering a shy smile. “I’m okay.”
It’s weird waking up next to a man who rejected me…at least I think he rejected me. Although now that my mind is a little clearer, I’m not really sure what happened last night. It’s possible I overreacted—and Rhett was simply exhausted—but I’m not willing to admit that just yet.
“Good morning,” Myrick says beside me, voice soft and sweet. When I glance over, his dreamy smile nearly undoes me. Blond hair sticks out at odd angles, his face still puffy with sleep, eyes blinking like he’s still not fully awake. He’s beautiful in a boyish, vulnerable way.
“Are you hungry?” he adds. “I can make you whatever you want.” He sounds so eager to take care of me. To make this morning feel… normal.
“Scones sound good,” I say, still lying frozen between them. “I’d love some tea.”
I want to sit up, but something stops me. I shouldn’t move first.Let your alpha set the pace,my instructors always said.Always follow his lead.
“What do you think, alpha?” Myrick asks Rhett, sitting up straighter. “Tea and scones?”
Rhett’s chest expands on a long inhale, and when hisgaze finds mine, it’s no longer sleepy. It’sdark. Focused. “I think,” he says slowly, “I didn’t get to kiss this beautiful omega yesterday.”
Everything in me goes still.
Heat crawls up my throat, and I stare at him, wide-eyed. His pupils are blown with lust, making his eyes look black. He takes his time, drinking in every detail of my face like I’m a dish he’s finally allowed to savor.
My stomach flips.
“You haven’t kissed her yet?” Myrick says, shocked.
“Nope,” Rhett murmurs, voice thick and low, as he moves—shifting, rising,caging me in. His arm brushes Myrick’s hip, but his attention is locked on me. He hovers above, his presence like a second gravity.
I don't know where to put my hands. I curl them against my chest, trying to still my breathing. I’m nervous. Shaking. But I want this.
“Why didn’t you kiss her?” Myrick asks, quieter this time.
“It didn’t feel right.” Rhett shifts his hips so he’s practically on top of me. “But I like the way you feel now.” He leans down, and the unmistakable press of his cock nudges my hip. It’s much bigger than the lover I’ve had before.
It's not surprising. He was an omega, but still.
“You feel perfect.” Rhett strokes his fingers down the side of my face, slow and reverent. It’s not just a touch—it’s claiming. “Do you want me to kiss you, little omega?”
I nod, too nervous to speak.
“Words, gorgeous,” he practically purrs. “Tell me exactly how much you want me.”
Excitement pulls deep within me, making my heart pound and my hands tremble. “I want you to, to kiss me.” By the time I get the whole sentence out, my voice is barelya whisper. I’m usually more confident than this. But being this close to an alpha has me so flustered.
“Say it again,” Rhett whispers, brushing the tip of his nose against mine. “Tell me you want me.”
I swallow hard, skin tingling everywhere his hand travels—down my jaw, tracing the line of my throat, pausing over my scent gland. “I want you.”
His eyes sparkle at my words, and he slowly smiles. “Open for me. Let me taste those lips.” His breath is so warm, and his scent is thick as he brings his mouth to mine.
And he kisses me.
It’s gentle at first. A simple brushing of our lips together, but then his lips grow firmer, deepening the kiss with his tongue and hands. He grips my hip, then my thigh, tugging me closer as he tastes my mouth. I feel like I’m being consumed, both by the alpha on top of me and also by the lust swirling inside me.
My skin flashes hot, and nipples pull impossibly tight as Rhett’s lips move against mine, kissing me until I’m gasping for breath.
