“Don’t push it,” Rhett snaps, stalking in behind with a scowl on his face.
The room tightens as their scents mix—Rhett’s warm hazelnut and Oli’s earthy mint—and I hate the way it hitsme. It shouldn’t smell good. But it does. My stomach flips, heat blooming low in my belly.
They smell good enough to eat.
I blink hard, trying to scrub the thought from my brain.
“Myrick.” Rhett pulls his phone out of his back pocket. “I need to go into the office. I want the contracts ready in case Jannis convinces the board. I’ll be late. Don’t wait on me for dinner.”
My heart sinks. I know I shouldn’t feel disappointed. Rhett is busy. This is important. But I wanted more time with him. Ineedmore time.
“But I was going to take Autry and Charlie downtown.” Myrick frowns. “They need clothes. Toiletries?—”
“I’m sorry, but I can’t take you,” Rhett says firmly. “You know how fragile all of this is.”
“I can do it,” Oli offers, a little too eagerly.
“You’re not getting another penny out of me,” Rhett snarls, and my heart picks up, nervous.
“That’s not what I’m saying,” Oli says with a respectful bow of his head. “I’m trying to be nice. I’ve got nothing planned for the day, and I’m feeling generous.”
Rhett narrows his eyes. “Have you ever even been around an unmated omega?”
Oli snorts. “I’m in the same room as one right now.” His eyes flicker to me—and, lord help me, I feel it everywhere. Heat crawls up my neck, spreading across my cheeks. I drop my gaze immediately, ashamed of the way my skin reacts.
He smells so good.
“Don’t be a smartass,” Rhett growls. His tone makes my stomach curl up, and I hunch my shoulders, trying to shrink. Charlie instantly mirrors my posture, even ducking his head. “There are all kinds of alphas out there that arewaiting to get their hands on an unmated omega. One false move, and Autry could be seriously hurt.”
“Well,” Myrick’s voice is tentative, like he doesn’t want to argue, but he’s going to anyway. “I have reservations for us at a few omega-only boutiques,” he says to Rhett. “Stray alphas aren’t allowed inside. We can also take a car and stay within omega-approved areas. Oli would be a lovely extra layer of security.” He places his hand on Rhett’s arm. “Omegas need nests, and it would be really good for her to pick out her own materials.”
My ears perk at that, and my heart flutters. “My own nest?” I whisper, praying that I heard him right.
I haven’t had my own nest inmonths. The boarding house gave us piles of used, stiff blankets, but no coves. No secluded spaces. Just regular hospital beds and scratchy pillows. I miss having a real space all my own. I miss the comfort and safety. The little ritual of shaping and patting the perfect materials into place. And the scents. All the wonderful, comforting, soothing scents.
That I miss most of all.
“She needs a nest, Rhett,” Myrick says a little firmer, and my belly swoops at his thoughtfulness. Ireallyhope Rhett agrees.
“It would help settle her.” Charlie lifts his head enough to see Rhett through his shaggy hair. “Autry smells stressed.”
Myrick’s blue eyes fall to my face, and his nostrils flare. His brows pull together, clearly not smelling anything.
“He’s right,” Oli says with an impressed lift in his voice. “You’ve got a decent nose on you, kid,” he compliments Charlie, making the beta smile.
“Autry.” Rhett’s rough voice cuts through me, and I snap my eyes to him. He crooks a finger, beckoning me over.
I obey, coming to a stop right in front of him. Tipping my head all the way back, I look up at his powerful body, waiting for him to speak. But instead of saying something, Rhett wraps his big hand around my wrist, then pulls me out of the kitchen, down the short hall, and into the living room.
I see a flash of the city outside as well as an impressive chandelier, before Rhett leans down, blocking my view of anything else.
He looks intense, looming over me with dark, narrowed eyes. “I know you want a nest,” he says, our eyes locking together. “But it’s dangerous out there for unmated omegas. Risking your safety over something so trivial.” He shakes his head. “It’s not a good idea.”
Annoyance, followed by deep disappointment, flickers in my chest, and I look away. A nest isn't a small thing. It’s not fluff and blankets—it’s home. It’s comfort. But I swallow that down. Saying it would only sound disrespectful.
“I’m sorry, omega.” Rhett’s muscular arms wrap around my waist. He holds me softly at first, before allowing his hands to slide up my spine and rest between my shoulder blades. It feels good. “You’re too precious,” he purrs, voice dark and warm as he buries his face in the crook of my neck. He breathes me in—slow and deep—before brushing his nose right over my scent gland.
The simple touch makes my breath hitch, and he pulls me tighter, flush against his chest.
