Page 74 of All Packed Up

Nic had walked away the first time, but he didn’t know if he had the strength to do it again.

Shushing his inner thoughts, he took the stairs two at a time and paused before the door to the room he shared with Wendy. Her scent permeated the air, like biting into a red plum, teeth sinking into the skin with a crack, tart sweetness exploding against his tongue. A flush of excitement spread out from Nic’s chest despite himself.

He knocked twice before slowly pushing open the door. At Wendy’s soft plea, he entered a little less quietly, and stripped off his shirt and pants before climbing back into bed with her.

“You smell like smoke,” Wendy murmured, sliding beneath the covers to his side.

Her arm wrapped over his stomach and she slid her cheek against his arm.

“I should shower,” Nic mused, and prepared to get out of bed.

Wendy just held him tighter. “No, it’s nice. I don’t mind it. Stay.”

Settling back down, Nic lifted a hand to the back of Wendy’s hair and stroked it. “Why are you awake?” he asked softly.

She hummed, clearly half asleep, and squeezed herself closer. “Bed was empty. Wondered where you were.”

His heart skipped a beat. He hated that she’d woken up. But had she looked outside? Should he tell her that Griffith kissed him?

“I couldn’t sleep either and went downstairs. Griffith was out by the fire, so I joined him for a bit.”

Wendy nodded and nipped his arm. “I know. I saw.”

Nic stiffened. What did that mean?

Before he had time to form a response, Wendy shifted, threw a leg over his thighs, and pulled herself up. She blinked her big pretty eyes at him, dusting the sleep away.

The stare she settled on him was a little scary. Eyes narrowed, nostrils flared, and nails a little bit sharp where they bit into his bare chest.

“I’ve decided something,” Wendy declared. “That alpha can try all he wants, but I don’t care what history you two have. You’re my beta.”

Nic swallowed. Was this a threat or a promise?

Did he even care?

“Did you think you would take me in, sass, cat, and all, then provide for me and be so nice and generous and genuine and sweet and think I was just going to be like, ‘thanks pal, see ya later?’”

Nic parted his lips, but Wendy shushed him. “I’m interested in keeping you after my heat.”

“Keeping me?” Nic repeated, a thread of affection weaving itself around his heart. He couldn’t help the bit of pride that bloomed in his chest at her admission. Wendy wanted him.

Her cheeks flushed the prettiest pink. “I know things are complicated with the alphas who are after me. But once… once they are out of the picture…” Wendy cleared her throat. “D’you think I’d let a catch like you get away so easily? Please. Unlike that alpha, I’m not letting you go.”

Nic couldn’t speak for a moment, because he didn’t want to tell Wendy exactly why Nic and Griffith had split. He didn’t want to admit it was all his fault. That Griffith was better off without him, and Wendy probably was too.

The selfish part of him argued This is a fresh start with Wendy.

And he recognized the truth of it. Whereas his and Grif’s record was too scratched to play the same tracks, he and Wendy were new and fresh out of the package. He would just have to take care of her, be there for her.

Wendy misinterpreted his silence, and sat back, her weight on his thighs to put distance between them. “I mean, if you’re totally unwilling, obviously I’m not going to like, beta-nap you or someth—”

Nic let out a laugh and rested his hands on her hips, pulling her close again. “Wendy, no. Believe me when I say this beta is more than willing.”

“I can tell,” she said, and swiveled her hips over him.

Put a beautiful, suggestive, perfuming omega in his lap, what else was he supposed to do?

In Nic’s stunned silence, she smirked. “So... want me to take care of that for you?”