“You should come over for breakfast, and we’ll talk to him together. It’ll be cold that early in the morning, so wear something warm. But make it cute.” He winks.
“Okay,” I agree, more nervous to do this for a second time than I ever was to talk to Benson alone.
Nick doesn’t strike me as the kind of man that enjoys PDA, public relationships, or lying to everyone he knows. Tonight was a fluke. He had been drinking, and his inhibitions were lowered. Hell, judging by how responsive he was, maybe he’s even close to a rut. I don’t know.
All I can do now is hope that whatever Benson says is enough to sway him.
Chapter Seven
I spent hours lying awake in my bed last night as I mentally prepared myself to beg Nick for his help, but now that I’m here, I want to chicken out. The only thing that’s keeping me here is the idea of facing Kai as a single woman.
“I doubt he bites.Unless…maybe if you asked him to,” Benson teases in my ear, pushing me toward his brother.
In favor of waiting until we know what his brother will or won’t do, we’ve held off on talking about any rules. He dropped me off last night, and after a long, hot bath, I picked my outfit and planned a speech.
Nick is waiting in the dining room, eating his breakfast with his back turned to us. He knows we’re here. If he hasn’t scented us yet, he’s certainly heard us by now. Plus, his brother warned him I was coming.
With a deep breath and a single step forward, I falter. Spinning back around to face Benson, I let him see my panic.
“I can’t do this. I can deal with Nick rejecting my playful advances, but this is not a joke. If he says no, what do we do? Did you talk to him this morning? Did you tell him how desperate I am? That I begged you to help? What did he say?” I ask ina frantic whisper, searching his eyes for all the answers, and deflating when he winces.
“Uh, not much before he chased me off with a hose,” Benson admits, frowning as he glances over me at his big brother.
“Fantastic.” I sigh, nodding my head sharply.
“I told him everything you told me. It’s going to be okay. He’s grumpy, but he’s a good man. He won’t be able to resist an omega in distress anymore than I could,” he says, resting both his hands on my shoulders, but I panic.
“But you said no the second time! You resisted!” I point out, but the alpha just scoffs.
“Pfft. Only so you wouldn’t think I was a freak that likes being used as eye candy to scare off ex-boyfriends,” he teases, winking at me. “Seriously, Plum. I was always going to help you. So will Nick.”
“Okay.” I breathe, trying to wrangle some calm composure into myself.
“Probably,” he adds slowly with a shrug, instantly ruining my attempt.
“Benson!” I hiss, turning to glare, but he just wiggles his brows at me, and I feel myself slump, realizing he’s just trying to push my buttons.
I stare into his eyes for a long moment and then nod once, determined to try, even if I’m about to fail miserably. I unzip my light purple hoodie, hand it to him, and adjust my boobs in my bra so they look perky and cute under the tank top. Then I turn to him, holding my arms out at my sides. “How do I look?”
“Sexy as ever,” he rumbles, blinking slowly as his eyes rise from my chest to my face. Right. Probably shouldn’t fondle myself with him standing so close. Noted. Although, the look in his eyes is flattering. I’ll pocket the information for later, either way.
“Great.” I huff, spinning to face Nick. I march over to him before I lose my nerve and decide to retreat to Benson for a second time. “Stop pretending I’m not here. If you just let me plead my case, I’ll leave you alone once I get an answer.”
“Plum,” he grunts, setting his fork down and looking up at me.
“Before you say no, just…let me speak,” I beg, planting myself right in front of him, hands on my hips as I meet his eyes.
“Full of fire already, I see.” He tilts his head and folds his arms over his chest as he leans back in his chair.
“I know you probably think this is a terrible idea, and I spent all night going over every reason not to, but none of them outweighed the number one reason I have to do this.” I reach over and grab his forearm, hoping he can see how desperate I am. “If I don’t have a buffer, in this case, a brick wall of alpha muscle, between me and my ex, then Kai will come in like a sledgehammer and destroy all of my defenses. He knows how to get under my skin, and I’m only so strong.” I shake my head. “Actually, scratch that. I’m fucking weak.” I bare my soul to the alpha before me, hoping he hears me.
Not just what I’m saying, but all the things I’ve been too scared to admit, even to myself.
“Maybe Kai won’t be deterred if he thinks I have two boyfriends, but I can tell you right now, if he thinks there's an easy way in, he’ll take it. He doesn’t know the weakest link is me, and I’d rather keep it that way.” I sniff, hating the tears that threaten to fall. I woke up before the sun for this makeup, damn it. “Fuck, I’m sorry.” I drop my grip on his arm and turn away from him, composing myself. This is so fucking embarrassing.
Thankfully, he gives me my space as I take several deep breaths, trying to get my shit together. When the urge to cry finally passes, I face the alpha once again. Benson is watching us from the doorway, giving us space but still offering support.
“I don’t want you to think I’m trying to use my tears to sway you. That would be a cunt move. I’m trying to be honest with you. More honest than I’ve even been with myself.” I sigh, crossing my arms over my chest now. “I was trying to use my cleavage against you though, if I’m being completely truthful,” I tease, hoping to dissolve some of the emotional tension that’s grown thick in the air.
