“Mmm, no-hands style.”
“That’s very talented, but I meant giving you something off the breakfast tray,” Lily teases, dipping down for a slow, sweet kiss. I’m still too boneless to do much more than groan, and she pulls back to smile into my eyes. “That was a pretty perfect way to wake up, by the way.”
“Definitely better than Rocky, that shithead rooster,” Logan grunts, passing me a piece of French toast off the tray.“Remember the time he flew onto the Airstream and caught sight of himself in the metal siding? I swear, that stupid bird nearly broke a foot trying to kick himself to death.”
“Yep, but somehow he still has all the ladies flocking to his yard,” Lily quips, running a hand through her curls and smirking at us both. “You got to admit, that cock has game.”
“I’ll show you game,” Logan growls, and while he pounces on his mate, I roll aside and scoot out of bed. Logan stops devouring Lily long enough to ask, “You going somewhere, Berkeley?”
“I’ve got a meeting with Della at the farm,” I explain, waving a hand at my sticky jeans. “As much as I’d love to stay here all day, I think I should get changed.”
“You damn well better,” he scowls, clearly unimpressed at the idea of another alpha getting a whiff of what went on in his bed. And who can blame him? Now that I have Lily painted on my skin, I’m feeling pretty territorial myself.
But his scowl only deepens when Lily clambers off his lap and says to me, “I’ll come with you. I need to pick up Bloomer and check in with Marion.”
“Great,” I grin, warmth spreading through my belly at the thought of spending more time with her. “I’ll go let the guys know.”
As Logan drags himself off the bed with a huff, I make myself scarce, only to find another worked-up alpha waiting for me just inside my bedroom door. I’ve barely closed it behind me before Ellis pushes me up against the wood. A groan rattles in his throat as he nuzzles my hair. “God, it should be a crime that you smell this good.”
“Lily tastes even better,” I coo, grinning as his nostrils flare and he shoves me harder against the door. “Logan brought us breakfast in bed, and we all had a little taste.”
Ellis’ caramel scent takes on a thicker, deeper note as he studies my face. “He was in a sharing mood?”
I smirk and wave my fingers under his nose. “He said he admired my handiwork.”
My alpha’s eyes flare so bright, I’m surprised my face doesn’t burst into flames from contact heat. Caging me in with an arm braced on either side of my head, his gaze never leaves mine as he sucks my index finger into his mouth. Arousal flashes through me, and I can feel the effect it has on him - both through our bond and the rock-hard erection he presses against mine. Doesn’t matter I just came my brains out less than five minutes ago, a turned-on Ellis’ is my sexy kryptonite.
A purr rattles in his chest as he sucks my fingers clean, then nuzzles my palm, soaking up the rest of Lily’s scent. I try to catch his lips in a kiss, but he’s already sinking to his knees, his nose running down my chest and zeroing in on my crotch. He doesn’t seem to be the least bit put off by my sticky jeans; in fact, he gives an almost painful groan as he licks over the damp fabric. “You came in your pants, sweetheart?”
“So would you if you had Lily riding your hand.”
He grunts his agreement, but as he reaches for my zipper, I push reluctantly off the door. “As much as I want to keep you on your knees, babe, I need a raincheck. I’m taking Lily back to the farm to grab a few things while I catch up with Della.”
As Ellis rises gracefully back to his feet, his pout takes on a dangerous edge. “There’s no way you’re going to see another alpha smelling like this.”
Even though it echoes Logan’s earlier sentiment, it’s hard not to do a happy dance at the possessive growl ringing in my ears. “Well, you could always come with us…” I run my damp fingers along the hard line of his jaw. “Maybe find some dark corner of the barn so we can both ravish Lily together.”
His eyes flare for a moment, but then he leans forward and presses our lips together in a quick, hungry kiss. “Don’t tempt me. I’m keeping an eye on Leo and Cody while they work ontheir fort, but Ot will probably want to come. Especially when he hears that Della is going to be there.”
“You’re all so ridiculously territorial,” I snort, although that warm feeling in my belly spreads as it confirms what I told Lily last night. Things might be a little complicated right now, but we’re all here for her, if she has room for us. And the fact that she wants to give it a try – and I have the evidence painted on my skin – puts a goofy grin on my face. “We’re definitely picking this up later, though.”
He groans as I wiggle my damp fingers in a teasing goodbye and scoot into the bathroom. Stripping out of my clothes takes longer than my super-fast shower, and I waste vital minutes rummaging through my closet for my favorite casual shirt that somehow still looks like it’s runway ready. When I’m dressed, I grab my work satchel and almost trip down the stairs I’m in such a rush. Luckily Otley is there to meet me at the bottom, his hand gripping my waist as he leans in for a not-too-subtle sniff of my neck.
“Looking for something in particular?” I ask with an arch look.
“Don’t think I won’t strip you bare right where you’re standing,” he growls, thrusting his nose against his mating mark. “I was on a conference call when you came like a hurricane down our bond.”
His fingers tighten on my waist, and I suck in a gulp of rich, dark cherries as he slides up to my mouth and claims it in a bruising kiss. Ellis might pout and tease, but Otley isn’t the least bit subtle about his intentions. When he finally pulls back, my knees are weak, and I have to grab his shirt to stay upright. He studies my flustered state with no small degree of satisfaction. “I’m going to finish that call and then lick every inch of my greedy little mate.”
It's now my turn to pout. “That sounds amazing, but I’ve got a meeting with Della at the farm about the campaign.”
Predictably, his eyes go stormy gray. “You can’t put him off? I’ll be done by noon and can join you.”
“Wish I could, but he’s heading back to LA straight after.” I brush a hand down his rumpled shirtfront and look at him through my lashes. “Lily’s coming with me, though, and we should only be gone a couple of hours.”
Now he’s really rumbling with displeasure, but he takes a careful step back when Lily joins us in the foyer, wearing her Rosie’s Blooms polo shirt and smelling like a bouquet of our favorite flowers. She glances between us, her cheeks flushing an adorable shade of pink as she takes in my obvious state of arousal. “Ah… do you want me to wait in the car?”
“No,” we reply at the same time, her blush deepening at the possessive growl in Otley’s voice. “Just a couple of hours,” I remind him, biting my lip to hold back a grin at the hungry way he watches me herd Lily towards the door.
