Page 33 of Alpha’s Conquest

“I might.”

I wanted to kiss him so badly, but he kept pulling me away before I could get to his lips. It didn’t matter. Just being in his arms was heaven. “I love being near you. You make me so happy. I’ve never been happy before.”

“I think you had a few too many drinks, Casey.”

“No, I haven’t. I know what I meant. I’ve never really been happy. It’s all just… meh. But you’re not like that. You make me feel the opposite of meh. Like I’m alive again.” His pretty green eyes studied my face, lingering on my lips when I licked a lingering drop of beer away. “Am I your boyfriend? Your secret little boyfriend?”

His fingers tickled my chin, caressing me as he leaned down to kiss right beside my lips. Whine. “You’re much more than that, Casey. You’re my omega.”

“Mmmm,” I moaned happily. I liked being his. I wanted to belong to him forever. “I wanna kiss you. I love your lips.” My vision was hazy, but he stood out, the only clear thing in my sight. He gave me a long, lingering kiss, caressing me, making me feel like I was the object of all his desires. I had never wanted anything more than to be that, to be Adam’s desire.

He pulled away with a deep growl. “That’s enough. You’re drunk.”

No. More lips. More hands. “I still want you.”

He tugged me by my wrist, pulling me to the parking lot where his huge orange truck waited. He effortlessly lifted me into the passenger seat and shut the door behind him so I wouldn’t get out. I blinked and he was already in the driver’s seat, helping me buckle my seatbelt. I scooted as close as I could towards him, leaning across the middle seat to rest my head on his shoulder. So warm. Smells so good. How did I even resist this?

“Do you usually get drunk with your friends?”

Lights flashed across my face as he drove. I snuggled further into his warm shoulder. “Not really.”

“Then why did you?”

“Cuz. I was sad. I didn’t want to go home to sit by myself, and I couldn’t see you. Plus, I thought about you alllll day. Did I mention that?”

He put his arm around me, steering with his free hand. “You did.”

“I missed you so much. I know we just met, and stuff, but… I do. When you’re not here, I miss you. I was gonna text you that but I didn’t want you to think I’m weird.”

His soft kiss on my forehead made me smile. “I missed you too, Casey.”

The car ride ended too quickly, and he refused to give me more kisses as he carried me into my apartment building and up to our floor. I hoped he was going to cuddle with me again, but even in my drunken state I knew he wouldn’t stay, and I hated it.

Adam’s warmth kept me from shivering in the cold hallway, but we were soon inside my apartment where it was always nice and cozy. Damn it. If it was cold in here too, I could’ve pretended I needed cuddles for warmth.

Someone else’s hands were on me, and I flinched before I realized it was Marshall. “You’re here?” I said the words with pure disappointment, but they came out nicer than I intended.

“Casey,” he tutted over me. “Devon and Lyle took you drinking, didn’t they.” It wasn’t even a question since he knew the answer.

“Is this a common occurrence for him?” Adam asked, still carrying me through the apartment.

“Sometimes. Mostly he does it when I’m really busy.”

I was literally right there, and they were talking about me like I was already asleep. Still, fake sleeping meant more time in Adam’s arms, so I let it slide.

Adam lowered me onto my side of the bed, and my hand tightened on his shirt, silently hoping he wouldn’t let go. “Get him a glass of water, please, Marshall.” As soon as we were alone, I whimpered low in my throat, twisting my head into Adam’s chest. All I wanted was to fall asleep in his arms with his scent surrounding me like a warm blanket. He gently gripped the back of my neck, massaging my pheromone center until I went limp. “Sleep, Casey. I’ll see you soon.” He kissed my forehead, caressing my face and neck with his strong hands, and then he was gone.

Marshall’s pheromones drifted over me, and he tugged me into his arms as he pulled a blanket over us. Without Adam’s warmth, I was starting to shiver. “It’s not like you to feel cold after you drink. Let’s get you sobered up, and then I’ll make you warm.” He kissed my forehead, licking down my cheek.

I pulled away from his touch. His smell was wrong. His arms weren’t the ones I wanted. “Noooo. I wanna sleep.” Everything became fuzzy after that, and the only thing I remembered was him holding me close to his chest as I drifted off to sleep.

NINETEEN

Adam

Adam

I considered staying. Standing watch in the hallway or sleeping in my truck outside, but I couldn’t do that. It wasn’t my place, even if I wanted it to be. And I did want it. I craved a place beside Casey. I was starving for him.