Sabs
After falling asleep in Adler’s bed, spooned against him, I wake craving more toffee cheesecake. I know there’s still a quarter of it waiting for me downstairs, and it’s practically calling to me.
After the emotions that Drax’s revelation dredged up coupled with the whole bonding transition, I was totally wiped out earlier. But I’m re-energized after spending the night with Adler.
With Adler still processing that he has a new packmate, we needed that alone time. We stuck to lighter conversation topics; Adler regaled me with funny stories about team mascots, and we started to learn more about each other. I found out his favorite color is orange like his team colors, which I teased him about because, honestly, could he be any more cliché as the Foxes captain? His comfort food is pizza, and his guilty pleasure is reality dating shows—something we have in common. He also told me about some of Izzie’s childhood escapades while I told him all about my upbringing and how I ran rings around my brothers. Hearing how much he cares about his sister is a major green flag. Family is everything to me, so it gives me hope that we share that sentiment.
Since our first night of passion, it’s been hard not to jump his bones every time I see him. The constant pressure of hishard cock digging into my back made it increasingly difficult to keep my hands to myself under the sheets, but I don’t want our physical connection to be the sole basis of our relationship. Who knew that properly getting to know the alpha who bonded me would feel more important than knotting?
I carefully slip out of his bedroom and tiptoe downstairs, salivating at the thought of the delicious dessert waiting for me. Outside, rain patters against the windows, but it’s nice and warm in here; they have underfloor heating, so the wood feels toasty under my heels.
Turning the corner, I spot the soft glow of the television emanating from the living room. When I enter, I find Orin on the sofa, watchingDesperate Housewiveswith intense interest. He’s still wearing his usual shirt, but three of the top buttons are undone, revealing a sexy thatch of hair over his sternum.
He clears his throat as soon as he sees me, digging around in the sofa cushions in search of the remote control, but it’s too late.
“Who’s your favorite?” I nod at the screen. “Bree or Gaby?”
“I wasn’t really watching it,” he lies.
“Sure you weren’t.” I smirk, leaning against the door frame. My gaze lands on a half-eaten slice of cheesecake in front of him. “Is that what I think it is?”
“What? Oh, this?” He digs his fork into it then polishes off the bite. “You were right. It is delicious.”
I pout. “I thought I told you that you couldn’t have a piece.”
“Welcome to Pack Strike.” His gray gaze meets mine. “We share everything.”
I gulp, a sudden, throbbing heat builds between my thighs, forcing me to clench. “Everything?”
A shiver of desire slips down my spine as he licks a crumb from his top lip. “Everything.”
“Then you don’t mind if I help myself to the rest of it.” I plop myself down next to him, grab his fork, then take a big scoop. “Mmm. I hope you know you’re not getting this back.” I gesture to the plate while he gapes at me before turning my attention to the television. “You really need to see how this episode ends. It’s a good one.”
We watch in silence. We’re so close, yet our bodies don’t touch at all. I fight to stay focused on the unfolding action, my skin itching with the urge to shuffle a little closer. Eventually, I give in, allowing our knees to rub together. Usually, I’m the type of girl who takes what she wants. And right now, all I want is to crawl up into Orin’s lap and bury my face into his scent glands. However, I’m not going to give Mr. Grumpy-Pants the satisfaction.
When the credits finally roll, he stretches. The movement pulls his sleeves back and hitches up his shirt, letting me appreciate the ripple of his tanned muscles in high-def. He’s fucking hot. I mean, all of them are, but Orin has this whole Italian lothario vibe going on. This is also the first time I’ve seen him look relaxed, which somehow makes him even more attractive.
I glance up at the clock on the wall that says 2am. “Do you always stay up so late?”
“I work weird hours, and a pack leader sleeps last.” He shrugs. “I need to know they’re resting before I do.”
Unable to resist being nosy, I ask, “Is that something you picked up in the military?”
His dark eyebrow arches. “How do you know I was in the military?”
“Adler dropped it into conversation,” I reply offhandedly. “Plus, my friend Faye is Damon Cross’s omega. She might have mentioned something about it.”
“So you’ve been asking around about me?”
“Well, duh.” I rake my finger over the crumbs on the plate, determined not to waste a single morsel of the buttery goodness. “I had to use all the resources at my disposal. I moved in with a pack of strangers, remember?”
“If you have any questions, I’m happy to answer them.” He reclines back, propping his hands behind his head. “All you have to do is ask.”
I swivel to face him, tucking my legs up underneath me, refusing to waste such a good opportunity. “Why didn’t you tell Drax that you had this pack connection to him when you asked him to move in?”
“Because I didn’t know how he’d react.” He doesn’t skip a beat, not shying away or skirting around it like I thought he might. “A late-presenting alpha can be volatile at best, deadly at worst. I figured that a gradual approach was best, and I wanted to give him time to get to know Luca and Adler. Building a pack is about more than adding members. It’s about creating a home, and it’s my job to make sure all the pieces fit together.”
“I guess I kinda ruined your grand plan, huh?” I stroke my bare knees. I’m only wearing Adler’s hockey jersey, and although the temperature is pleasant, I suppress a shiver. Since bonding, my temperature has been all over the place, flip-flopping between hot and cold on a dime. “Sorry about that.”
