“Jesus.” My mouth goes dry. I’m not used to this side of the alpha. Normally I’m the one saying outrageous things to mess with him, not the other way around. My core heats, and the sweetened smell of peppermint fills the little space between our bodies.
“So, for now, you can scent mark me, and we can revisit youtaking a ride in my laplater.” He smirks, clearly remembering one of my most recent taunts and throwing the words back at me.
“I was unfamiliar with your game, Alpha. I’m seeing it now, though.” I tilt my head, stepping into him as I place one hand on his chest. “But if you want to play,” I say, as I tuck the top of my head under his chin and rub, releasing my scent with full force, marking him as mine. A claim that screams he’s my alpha, and I’m not going to share. “Then you better be prepared for me to take my turn.”
“And what if you’re the one that can’t take the heat, baby?” He murmurs, voice rough with need, as I take a step away from him. “Balls in my court now. When I take my shot, are you going to run from me?”
“Who said my turn has ended?” I ask sweetly as I blink up at him. He frowns, and I use his moment of confusion to make my move, tugging my shirt off over my head. I drop the fabric on the floor as I grab the waistband of my pants and tug them down my legs.
“You fight dirty.” He growls, but his eyes stay glued to me as I grab a t-shirt from the drawer and pull it on.
“Is this one yours?” I ask.
“You know it is.”
“I’ve been flirting with you for years, Alpha. I know what makes you tick—what makes your heart race,” I say as I turn my back to him and pull on a pair of sweatpants that smell like Benson.
“You think you spent years taunting me, and I learned nothing about you, Sweet Plum?” He growls again, reaching his hand around and gripping my throat as he pulls me back against his chest. “Your pulse is fluttering under my fingers. Are younervous? Don’t worry, that's a good thing. We actually look like we know the sounds the other makes when they come.”
“We look real.” I whisper, chest heaving as I try to catch my breath. “We look believable.”
“Feels pretty fucking real, too.” He growls, releasing me gently. “Let's go back down there before Benson comes looking for us.”
I follow Nick out of the guest room as my heart fucking pounds, feeling more alive in this moment than I have in weeks.
Once back downstairs, I don’t miss the way Benson smirks at us. Or the way his gaze darkens at the sight of me in their clothes.
“Don’t forget to mark your other alpha, Little Omega,” Nick whispers in my ear, his fingers caressing the skin on my lower back as he passes me. Benson must realize that I marked Nick with my scent then as well, because his eyes go wide for a second before he turns back to his task of washing the sweet potatoes.
“Now?” I hiss, but Nick just shrugs. I can’t tell if I hate this newly discovered side of the man or if it’s working too well to break my walls down. He taps his watch, his meaning clear. We don’t have a lot of time.
Right. If this was a real relationship, what would I do? Shutting my eyes, I take a deep breath, their scents filling my lungs. Heat climbs up my throat as I imagine myself showing them physical affection without restraint. Without fear. It sounds so freeing.
If I don’t do this now, if I don’t let go, then there's no point in continuing down this path. If I can’t get out of my own way, no one is ever going to believe I’m head over heels for these men. Especially my ex, since he knows exactly what I look like when I’m in love.
This is it. Do or die. This is the moment I either get out of my own way or give up.
Fuck it.
“Oh, Alpha,” I murmur, and as my eyes open, my shoulders relax. I lift my chin and keep my breathing steady as I step up behind Benson. “I marked Nick with my scent,” I whisper as I wrap my arms around his waist, pressing my cheek to the firm muscles of his back. I splay my palms flat against his abdomen, dragging them up to his chest.
The poor man freezes in place, and I giggle. His reaction is cute as hell and completely understandable. I haven’t been physical with him since our kiss, and it only took about thirty seconds for me to chicken out.
As I hold him, I’m rubbing my scent all over him, but the way he shivers against me as I drag my nails down his chest makes my scent turn into a sweet peppermint bomb. His own scent reacts, filling my lungs with sweet cinnamon and pine. I swallow the lump in my throat, just trying to breathe through the desire lighting up my veins.
For the first time since the three of us started this little adventure, I feel completely at ease. They’re not going to hurt me. Why would they even want to? So whatever happens, happens. Then in four weeks this will all come to an end.
Stella and her mate will go on their honeymoon, Kai will return to whatever job it is he does, and I’ll go back to my life as a single omega.
All alone once again.
Just the way I like it.
Why not enjoy this until then?
“Did you now?” Benson asks, echoing my conversation with his brother.
“Uh-hum.”I nod as he turns in my arms. I look up at him, my chin resting on his chest as I stare into his eyes. He lifts his dirty blond brow at me as he drops his hands to my waist. He watches me as he waits for my next move, giving me the power in this moment.
