I’m trying to play it cool, I really am. But after finding out she was in the Cathedral, and then moved to that underground lab, not knowing what they were doing to her? I’m itching to touch her. To make sure she’s okay. That she’s really safe.
Not sweeping her in my arms the moment I saw her embracing Hayden was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. Having her sleep on my shoulder on the drive here? One of the best fucking experiences of my life. Being helpless to do anything but wait as she slept off the last few days of abuse was more torture—I’m sure I was driving everyone crazy with how often I was checking up on her.
Completely oblivious to the turmoil inside me, Jo laughs lightly. “That and havin’ brushed teeth.” She tilts her head in thought. “I think havin’ Hayden close helped too. Like even with the drug in mysystem, my body still reacts to the biological benefits of the bond.” She looks up at me with her big green eyes as I venture a step closer, unable to help myself. “Where is the Fire Demon, anyway?”
“Outside,” Kole supplies as I hold Jo’s gaze. “He said that Turnip wanted to go for a walk.”
“Is that safe?” She frowns, glancing behind me at the Russian.
“As long as he stays close and doesn’t start any fires, it’ll be fine,” Sam answers from behind her, and after a beat adds, “You know what? I’m gonna go check on him.”
There’s a note of silence, and then Jo meets my eyes again. “West, I wanted to thank you.”
AndIwant to lay you down on the nearest flat surface and—
Wait. My brows furrow. “What for?”
She bites her bottom lip. Fuck, I wish that was me. “Well for one, savin’ Turnip. I know she’s ‘just a rat’—”
“She’s important to you,” I cut her off, not able to stop my hand from reaching out and cupping her cheek. “And whatever—whoeveris important to you…is important to me.”
It had taken all of two seconds to decide that I was going to go after Turnip when I saw Jo trying to get to her. The five seconds after that were spent building the courage to run into open gunfire.
“Still.” She swallows, shaking her head. Her cheeks pinken adorably. “You put yourself in danger—which I’m not happy with, by the way—for me, and you didn’t have to. You didn’t have to doanyof it. You’re not used to this life. You’re a doctor, who was just doin’ his job and got dragged into my mess. I just…I want you to know—” Jo grows frustrated with herself, her fists clenching at her sides before she grabs my shirt, pulls me down, and presses her lips against mine.
My restraintshatters.
Her kiss is like liquid fire pouring straight into my veins, and I don’t know if she quite realizes just what she does to me. Groaning into her mouth, I grip her face with both hands before moving one hand under her ass and hauling her against me.
She gasps, the sound making my cock throb even harder. Her tongue delves into my mouth, and I have to stop myself from carrying her back to the bedroom right this very second. I may not be an alpha, but all I can think about at this moment is my bone-deep need to claim this omega.
Myomega.
My Siren.
My savior, and my eternal damnation.
“Doctor, I’m shocked!” Hayden’s voice shocks us apart, and when she looks into my eyes, her pupils are blown wide and her breathing is heavy. “Defiling your patient in such a way!”
I roll my eyes. Hard. “She’s not my patient.” Turning us to face the doorway, I see Hayden with a shit-eating grin on his face and Turnip on his shoulder. Behind him is Sam, who gives me a smirk.
“Not anymore,” Kole pipes up. “Why did you interrupt,Bratishka? It was getting good.” I should feel weird, or at least a little self-conscious about the knowledge that Kole was clearly watching us, but only a strange sense of pride fills my chest.
That’s right,Iput that flushed look on her face.
Jo sighs in my arms, and then her stomach rumbles.
Fuck. Of course she’s hungry.
“Think you can stomach some real food?” I ask as I gently set her down. I thought I might feel more settled once I had her in my arms again, but now all I can think about is the sensation of her plush lips against mine.
“I’d love to,” she groans, rubbing her belly. “I feel like I haven’t eaten in a week.”
The alphas grumble in response at that, because really, shehasn’teaten anything in almost a week.
“We’ll get you fed.” I can’t help but wrap my arms around her and pull her close to me. She returns my embrace, my heart melting into a little puddle of goo as her head rests on my chest.
If I were an alpha, I’d be purring.
