“Honey, we’re home!” I shout, swinging the door open, but all at once my joy pops like a balloon stuck with a needle when I see the stark, white terror on Cassia’s face.
“Nixie, you and Asher are all over the news.”
Well, fuck…
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Vonn
The impossibly loud rapping on my door makes me groan audibly as I hoist myself off our oversized brown leather couch. I am not expecting anyone, but the urgent knocking makes me think I’d better put a little hustle in it.
“I’m coming! I’m coming!”And not in a good way.
Moving as quickly as I can on silent feet, I make my way toward the door and peer out the peephole. I’m a big Alpha, but you still can’t be too careful. Being a professional hockey player means that sometimes a rabid fan or creep may find you, so anyone could discover our address. Our apartment has pretty good security, but nothing is completely infallible when tons of residents move through here each day. Not to mention, I am in no mood for Julius’s puck bunnies. Since he cut off their access, a few have shown up looking for him. Usually, they get turned away in the lobby, but some sneak into the elevator. They are nothing if not resourceful.
At first glance, it looks like there’s no one outside, but as I squish my eye closer to the hole, there’s a flash of red hair that has me smiling as the sweet scent of raspberries spills under thedoor. With a giant grin, I twist the handle and yank it open, only to be met by a wall of fury. My little omega stands with her hands on her hips, body posture full of sass.
“Well, this is a good surprise, Mama.” I step back, and the little sweet and spicy firebrand that she is rushes into my apartment. We made sure she has our apartment number and placed her on our ‘always allow’ list with building security. Even if she’s infuriated, this is still a great surprise, and I’m not going to look a gift horse in the mouth.
This past week, my girl’s been a little extra jumpy, and she’s been reluctant to tell us exactly why. Something about Asher and the Jumbotron incident, and though I want to push for details, I worry she’ll run if we go too fast. The room fills with her scent, which is growing deeper by the second.Is her heat nearing?
After closing the door, I twist the locks, then turn to face the beautiful woman standing before me with her hands on her hips. Frustration radiates from every line in her body, making my skin twitchy. I’m not sure what we’ve done this time, but if there’s anything I know about Nixie, it’s that she’s not a wilting flower.Somebody’s in trouble.
“Which of you did it?” She glares at me and starts unzipping her jacket. I reach forward and help her slip it off, which sends her raspberry and poppy scent shooting straight up my nose. Though I try, I can’t help but groan as it envelops me. I want to breathe that in every day for the rest of my life.
Working on it
“Gonna have to be more specific than that, beautiful.” Whatever has her so angry must be Julius’s fault; I’ve been such a good boy. Although this past week or so has been busy, Nixie and I have still snuck away for a few stolen kisses, meeting up for a quick lunch during the day in between practices. It’s been hot as hell. I hope she’s yearning for more like I am, but as far as I know, I haven’t done anything to piss her off. Julius’s schedulehas been brutal—between being a forward and team captain, his responsibilities are endless. I live with the Alpha, yet I’ve barely seen him the last few days.
“Well, I went to pay my rent today. Only to discover someone had already paid it… for the entire year!” She pins me with a piercing glare, throwing her arms around. Nixie may be annoyed, but a seed of jealousy grows in my belly. Damnit, I wish I had thought to do that.
Julius and I seem to be going about courting our omega differently. For me, it’s all about face-to-face interactions as often as possible. Usually with fun little treats and soft things to brighten her day. My packmate has gone the monetary route, purchasing pads and equipment for Asher’s whole team, and now paying off her rent for the entire year. Slick, very slick.
I need to up my game.
“I wish I could take credit for that, but it was all Julius.” I make sure to give him credit, hoping she’ll see that he’s committed to making this relationship work just as much as I am. Julius is unsettled by the lack of forward momentum in his and Nixie’s relationship. Where ours has gotten physical and stayed that way, they haven’t so much as shared a single kiss. He’s frustrated, but more so worried that their rocky start has doomed their future.
“Did you know though?” she huffs, toeing off her shoes, then wandering deeper into the apartment. Her perky ass bounces as she moves, and I can’t tear my eyes from the round globes encased in skin-tight jeans.
“No, but I’m glad he did it.” Using my hand, I check my mouth for drool.Fuck. I want her so bad.
“I’m not a whore!” she shouts, turning around so quickly that I take a step back. The fury in her voice makes me reassess and try to put myself in her shoes.Was it not a nice thing to do, paying for their rent?Fully flabbergasted, I try to say the right thing.
“I don’t…. You’re no… We don’t.”
She steamrolls over me. “I only have sex with people when I want to. Not for money. Just because he paid my rent doesn’t mean I’ll spread my legs for him.” Her anger’s growing, and concern builds within me. I need to diffuse this bomb.
Unable to stop myself, I reach forward and pull her toward me, pressing my cheek against the top of her head. Her back rests against my chest, and although she doesn’t fight me, she remains stiff.
“Mama, no one.No oneis calling you a whore. Or paying for your apartment to get into your pants. Honestly. Julius has been feeling like shit about your job situation since the day it happened. I know you’re still getting to know him, but money really means nothing to the man. He’s not someone who puts strings on payments. Because of Julius’s past, he always worries about having a secure home. After we left our parents’ house, we spent some time on the streets before our coach realized and took us in.”
“I didn’t know that,” she mutters, leaning back into me. My cock twitches against her ass, and I pray she doesn’t realize just how much her proximity is affecting me.
“I promise, this is just his way of being protective, not manipulative. He needs to know you and Asher are safe and secure.” Ever so slowly, I slip my arms around her waist and pray that she doesn’t elbow me in the gut. Gutsy little beauty that she is. “Though we would both be eternally grateful if you would consider moving in with us. You know… for a little extra security.”
The statement makes her tense again. I worry she’s going to pull away, but she surprises me by spinning around to face me.
“I agreed we could court. Not move in with you.” Nixie narrows her eyes, but her scent gives her away. It thickens until I can nearly taste it. Our brilliant omega is fiercely independent,but she’s coming around to the idea of us being together, even if she can’t quite admit it. Unable to help myself, I drop my chin and press my lips to her forehead, taking a deep hit of her sweet scent.
