Page 26 of A Nest of Maple & Mist

When he turned to hand me one, his face pinched at my flushed cheeks.

“Are you okay, Mi? Are you getting sick?”

“Fine,” I squeaked, the sound way too high as I stuffed the chocolaty goodness into my mouth.

He raised a skeptical brow but let it go. Granted, I was certain he knew I was ogling him. God had favorites, and Jason Hawthorne was one of them.

Throughout the night, he continued to focus on me. Making me snacks, refilling my water, getting me a late-night coffee when I pouted, saying I was dangerously cute. That I could have anything I wanted when I looked at him like that.

It made my chest ache.

For five years, I’d taken care of myself. I always felt so alone, even when surrounded by a sea of people. My wayward thoughts must have shown on my face.

Jason kneeled in the sand by my feet, cupping my face with so much tenderness it hurt.

“What is it, Mi?” he asked, his silken voice blanketing me.

“Nothing. This is just… It’s nice,” I whispered, looking past him into the heart of the fire. “I appreciate it. You. I didn’t have to think tonight. You just took care of everything. I feel like I took my first full breath in five years tonight.”

“Oh, baby girl,” he hummed, stroking the apples of my cheeks. “That’s what pack is for. To help carry the load. And I will shoulder all of it if you let me. You don’t have to be alone anymore, Mia.”

I broke then, tears sliding down my cheeks. I leaned forward into Jason’s chest, sniffling and wiping snot on his shirt. He didn’t say anything, hauling me out of the chair and pulling me into his lap as he sat on the ground.

Strong arms tugged me close, his hold grounding as he slowly rocked me. My nose burrowed into the crook of his neck, sucking in that drugging scent, easing some of the tightness in my body.

Then he buried his face in my hair, gracing me with a low, rumbling purr. I gasped, the sound muffled. He said nothing, just purred louder, the steady hum quieting my sobs until I went pliant in his arms.

“Good girl. Whatever you need. We’re here for you.”

I sniffled, wiping my nose on my sleeve. Fingers slid along my scalp, and he gently coaxed my head back until our eyes met. He didn’t look away, his thumb brushing my tears before trailing over my lip.

Blood roared in my ears, my heart fluttering fast enough to make my breath catch. Rough fingers grazed over my heated skin until he collared my throat, the grip gentle and grounding.

An electric pulse sparked over my skin, the air charged between us. I swallowed around his hand, unable to look away from his midnight-blue eyes. Our scents swirled together in a dense cloud—vanilla and amber, cedar and maple.

I perfumed again, and his canines flashed in the firelight.

He leaned in, his gaze dropping to my mouth before flicking back up. That pause felt like an eternity. I reached out, tangling my fingers in the hair at his nape, urging him closer, giving him the permission he wanted.

“Alpha, please,” I whispered.

Lips crashed to mine, the kiss everything I didn’t know I needed. I let out a muted moan as Jason’s tongue slid into my mouth, taking more and more.

Nails dug into my hips, threatening to pierce my flannel leggings.

He tasted of dark chocolate and marshmallow, rich and sweet. I crawled further into his lap, my omega needing to feel every inch of him—and I did too.

My back arched as his tongue swept along mine, subconsciously exposing my throat to my alpha. He nipped at my lip, dragging the points of his teeth along my fluttering pulse.

“Someday, Mi. Someday. I will mark you here.”

The raspy words settled in my belly, warm with certainty and only the kind of dominance an Apex could emit.

The backs of his knuckles skimmed over the spot between my collar and jaw. I shivered, but I didn’t argue. I just closed my eyes, letting the embers from the remnants of the fire and the man holding my waist soothe me.

TEN

SHANE