“I don’t know if this is enough?” Laz looks helpless. “Will it do, Faye?”
“There’s enough sugar in there to give her a heart attack.” Cole glowers in disapproval. “At least Damon had some sense.” He grabs a few protein bars from the mound of mess.
I pout. “No healthy stuff!”
“She knows she wants,” Ren shrugs.
“Chocolate and knots,” I murmur, rubbing my cheek into what I think is Laz’s pillow.
“We can give you one of those things.” Laz smiles. “Chocolate first.”
He passes me the bowl, waiting for my reaction like a chef waiting for a customer to take their first bite of a new dish. I shove a handful of goodies into my mouth with zero grace then groan in ecstasy. The only perk of being in heat is that everything tastes so much better.
“Do you want us to go?” Cole asks. “We can give you space?”
“No.” I wince, embarrassed about how quickly I answered him. Could I possibly sound more needy? “I mean, no. Please. I want you to stay. All three of you. Can you … sit with me?”
It’s cursory to wait to be invited into an omega’s nest. As soon as I give him the green light, Ren hurries to join me. Cole and Laz are more cautious, approaching slowly, still too hesitant to sit down.
“We know what your body is craving right now, Faye.” Cole eyes me like I’m a bomb that’s about to detonate. “But we won’t do anything that you’ll regret tomorrow. You can’t properly consent like this, but we’ll help you however else we can, okay? Just tell us what will make you feel good.”
“I… I don’t know,” I duck my chin, too ashamed to meet his gaze. “I’ve never been in heat like this before. With people.” My panic turns to despair. “I-I don’t know what I’m doing.”
“Did it feel good when Ren was holding you?” Cole asks.
I nod earnestly. “So good.”
Ren’s cheeks turn pink as he wraps his arms around me, holding on tightly. “Better?”
“Yes.” My heart rate slows. “Don’t let go.”
“You’re in control, Faye,” Cole reminds me. “I know you must be scared right now, but we’re going to take care of you. Just tell us what we can do.”
I never knew that alphas could be so tender.
“Could you…?” I’m not used to being assertive. “Um…”
“Go on?” Cole encourages.
“Could you both…” I cringe at having to ask. “Come closer?”
If they won’t give me their knots, their physical presence alone will have to do.
“Of course.” Cole cracks a small smile. He shuffles closer and kneels in front of me, giving me a better look at his steely, silver-flecked eyes that look like clouds before a rainstorm.
Unlike Cole, Laz bounces over and sits on my other side like an overenthusiastic puppy, dying for attention. Being between him and Ren is helping already.
“Deep breaths,” Ren coaches, stroking my hair. “You’re doing so well, baby.”
“I remember Sabs mentioning something about pressure cuddles,” Laz says. “It can help regulate your temperature. And foot rubs. And washcloths! Cold washcloths! Cole, can you take my place?”
As soon as Laz leaves from the couch, mumbling about washcloths, Cole takes his place. As if I have no control over my limbs, I reach for him, my hand resting on his knee. He bristles for a second then relaxes, gently putting his huge hand over mine, instantly making some of my stress melt away.
“I’m sorry to put you guys in this position.” I blow out a heavy breath. “I’m basically a stranger, and you’re all … being so nice.”
“You’re not a stranger to me,” Ren points out.
“Helping a sweet omega is no hardship.” Cole seems to be dropping his guard a little, letting me see he has a softer side.
