"Oi!" Zeke is glaring daggers at Seb, who dismisses him with a wave of his hand.
"And I guess they decided Zeke would be a good fit."
James strokes Zeke's hair. "It was more like we found someone who was the other side of the coin for Allen," he murmurs, "and who Ralph fell in love with the minute he laid eyes on him." Zeke closes his eyes as he relaxes into James' touch.
Seb rolls his eyes. "Yes, yes, and brings out your papa bear, we know you're all hot and whatnot when you're growly." His tone is exasperated, but his smile is affectionate.
"Anyway. Ralph and Allen went into business together after college, and after Zeke retired from the water, James and Zeke went from helping them out occasionally to working with them full time. But," Seb sighs dramatically and flutters his lashes, "they knew something was missing. They knew, deep down inside, they just didn't have enough Aussie charm in their lives."
There's a quiet chuckle from James. Zeke snorts.
An overly dramatic, affronted expression dances across Seb's face. "You can never have too much Aussie charm."
James grins and leans over towards me, stroking my hair. "Definitely not." My face grows even warmer.
"Anyway, after a night out involving a bit too much booze, an electric bicycle and a distinct lack of helmets—"
Zeke rolls his eyes again. "I wasfine."
James glares at him. "Yes, but I couldn't be sure, and I'd been drinking, too."
"So imagine me in the ER, on night shift, when in strolls this pack of muscle-bound gods, no doubt lamenting the lack of Aussie charm in their lives, and I just happened to be the one assigned to check out Zeke and reassure his doting alphas that he's okay."
"So, you hooked up after work?"
An amused bark jumps from James' chest. "Zeke could barely keep his hands off Seb for long enough to make it into the bathroom. Allen and I had to smooth things over with the charge nurse."
The huffed, embarrassed laugh Zeke makes is mirrored by his glowing red face. "At least we closed the bathroom door. Unlikesomepeople."
Seb flashes a smug grin. "What can I say? I'm irresistible. Anyway, after all that, they decided their business would benefit from a good healthy dose of some Aussie charm. Well, not just their business—"
The low growl that rumbles through James' chest makes my body vibrate and sends a flicker of wanting through me. My perfume wafts around us as James' eyes light up and his face is pulled into a bemused smirk.
"Are you being a brat, Seb?"
Seb scoffs and waggles his eyebrows. "For you, Alpha? Always, Sir." He grins cheerfully and winks. His fingers drift downwards from my collarbone, still soft, but with a hint of ever-so-slight intention that leaves a trail of goosebumps behind them. A slight shiver ripples across me.
James pulls me closer and gently lifts my chin. His eyes seem… hungry. I swallow with anticipation. I don't know if it's nervousness or excitement.
"Dellie, it strikes me that Seb nearly caused an accident by being so… irresponsible with your pleasure. Zeke, do you agree?"
Seb makes an offended grunt.
"Mmmm. Definitely. He should have been supporting her better." Zeke has propped himself up on some pillows. He's smiling wolfishly.
"Hmmm. In my experience, brats who are bratting are secretly begging to be taught a lesson. Seb in particular." James' voice sounds excited at the prospect.
I glance up at Seb's face. He shrugs, his grin nearly splitting his face in half. "What can I say? I love learning." He shoots a wink at me.
"What do you think? Do you think Seb needs some education on how to responsibly please an omega?" James smiles roguishly for a moment—then he freezes. His face grows soft. "When it's just us, occasionally we like to… play games together. Just sometimes. Uh, absolutely no pressure, but… do you… want to try this with us? See if you like it? And stop if you don't?"
There's a moment where the room seems to hold its breath. My omega isdefinitelyup for anything these men suggest. Even though there's clearly something he doesn't want to say out loud, whatever it is, it doesn't feelunsafe. Even if it isn't something I've really ever thought about before.
My face must be showing something I didn't mean for it to share, because James steps towards me and gently strokes my chin.
"Hey, it's okay. No pressure at all. We can start by giving him a verbal lesson, and only move onto… practical demonstrations if everyone's up for it. What do you think?"
My omega, who's been fidgeting more and more, and who isthoroughlyenthusiastic about James' idea, runs out of patience.
