I jerk at the lurid images dancing in my mind. I feel like a sex-crazed maniac, but I kind of am. My heat is quickly approaching. I can feel it in the tingle of my skin. I probably only have a few days until it hits…I hope.
“Autry?” Charlie’s soft voice pulls me back. “Are you okay?”
“I’m perfect,” I say, tilting my face up to the beta.Flushed and needy, I let my nose skim along his jaw. “Especially now that you’re here.”
Charlie’s pretty brown eyes soften, and I can see the moment his breath catches. His lips part ever so slightly, and my heart thuds in my chest.
We’ve stolen a few kisses the past few days—quiet, secret moments behind closed doors—and every time, it feels like the first. Like something forbidden and thrilling. Like we might get caught, even though we’re allowed to kiss. But I like sneaking around.
It feels dangerous.
I lift my hand to Charlie’s face, my thumb brushing along the edge of his cheek. He feels freshly shaven, smooth, and soft. Leaning in slowly, I hover my mouth just above his, close enough to feel the warmth of his minty breath. “Your skin is soft,” I whisper, my voice a throaty purr.
Charlie swallows hard, his eyes flicking between my eyes and my mouth. His fingers twitch in his lap like he’s not sure what to do with them.
“Are you okay, beta?” I whisper as I tilt my head slightly and brush my nose against his again.
He shivers. Then nods once. “Yeah. I—” His tongue swipes across his bottom lip, still staring at my mouth. “I…”
Tentative fingers brush against my waist, his palm finding the curve of my hip, then he pulls me toward him. I lean in again, slower this time, lips just grazing his. Teasing him. His lips part in anticipation, and my stomach flips when our mouths finally touch.
The sexy beta immediately takes control. He cups the back of my head with one hand and pulls me closer with the other. My fingers twist in his t-shirt as he grabs a handful of my hair, then jerks, forcing my head back.
“Autry,” he groans against my tongue, and my book fallsfrom my lap, hitting the floor with a smack. “You’re so pretty.”
My body tingles as my folds grow slippery. I shift, trying to get closer. “Charlie.” My hand slips up his thigh, resting on his cock. It feels so good against my palm. Hard and thick.I need it.Unable to stop myself, I stroke him through his shorts, squeezing every beautiful inch.
The floor creaks.
We both freeze.
Charlie pulls back instantly, guilt flashing across his face. His cheeks go crimson as he straightens like he’s just been caught red-handed.
Rhett steps into the room.
He’s shirtless, skin glistening with sweat, chest rising and falling from all the work he’s been putting into my nest. His silver hair is damp and messy, jaw clenched with a small towel flung over his shoulder.
He doesn’t speak.
Charlie practically recoils beside me, like he’s waiting to be ripped limb from limb. But Rhett simply lifts this towel and wipes his face. He doesn’t raise his voice. Doesn’t narrow his eyes. Doesn’t even stop walking.
“Morning,” he says, casual and calm. Too calm.
Charlie stares at the alpha, breath shallow, heart pounding loud enough that I canfeelit in the air between us.
“Don’t let me interrupt.” Rhett steps around the curved sectional, then sits at the far end like he’s settling in for a show. His body is relaxed, but his eyes are intense. Filled with fire. “Please,” he says, gaze fixed on Charlie, “continue.”
The sound of the coffee maker gurgling kicks on in the background, and the air conditioning begins to blow.
Charlie stiffens beside me, his breath hitching somewhere between panic and desire. “Really?” he says to the alpha, eyebrows drawing together. Disbelieving. “You’re... actually okay with this?”
“Yes,” Rhett says, voice low and sure as he leans back, slinging one arm along the back of the couch, a small smirk tugging at his lips. “Kiss her,” he commands.
Charlie’s body jerks like he’s just been hit with a live wire. He doesn’t look at Rhett again—he looks at me. Eyes wide. Searching.
My heart races under his gaze, and I give him the smallest nod. A whisper of permission.
And that’s all it takes.
