Her cheeks turn a pretty shade of pink. “Maybe.”
He smirks. “?‘Maybe’ isn’t good enough, trouble. Or did you forget your lesson on communication?”
“We could remind her,” I suggest, glancing at him.
He meets my gaze. “We could. We should.” He looks back at her, a threat lingering in his tone as he adds, “We will.”
She scrambles off the bed, her eyes widening. “Not yet.”
“Why not?” he asks.
“Because…” She trails off and looks around. “Because I’m not ready.”
His eyebrow wings upward. “To be fucked?”
She shakes her head. “Not yet.” She takes a step backward. “I just… I need a few minutes?”
“Only a few minutes?” he counters, clearly having fun playing this game with her. Because he can see as well as I can that she’s already starting the chase. That’s why she’s inching toward the door. “Or would you like a longer head start?”
“And maybe some clothes or shoes?” I offer, manifesting some for her that she stumbles over as she reaches for the knob.
She gapes down at the stretchy black pants and tank top, as well as the running shoes and socks.
Without looking at us, she bends to scoop them up.
Then darts out of the room.
Maliki considers the doorway for a moment before glancing at me. “Will she do this every time she goes into heat?” he asks conversationally. “Or is this a one-time experience?”
I shrug. “Depends on her mood, I think. But typically, it’s an initial chase that leads to a claim. However, if shelikes it, then this may become a normal occurrence in our lives.”
“Hmm, I think I might enjoy that.” His thoughtful tone holds a deep note of interest, one that echoes through me as well.
Only, neither of us moves.
We lounge in the bed, giving our Omega time to collect herself. To dress.To run.
It’s clear in her scent that her heat cycle has officially begun. She’s not lost to lust yet, though. That’ll come in time.
First, she runs.
Once she’s caught, she’ll set her rules. Provide her choices. Give us boundaries to play within. Tell us if we can claim her. Rut her. Breed her.
And after that…we fuck.
For days.
Maybe a week.
But only if wewinher.
Which requires pursuing her.
I listen for the tell that she’s ready—the slamming of the front door.
Then I roll off the bed to find some clothes. Maliki follows me into the closet, taking his cues from me, and gets dressed.
Hades arrives the moment we reenter the bedroom, fully dressed in another one of his fancy suits.
