“He’ll pay,” I promise, meeting his eyes, our faces so close we’re sharing breath. “Whatever Dec is doin’ to him…it’s just the beginnin’. He hassomuch to answer for. And when we get our hands on Whitmore?” A low laugh leaves me. “I’ve learned so many things the last five years that I would love to try out on him.”
Because it will be a when, not an if. Whitmore will be served justice for all the harm he’s brought upon innocent people.
“I really do love it when you get vengeful,” Kole mutters before taking my lips with his.
The first swipe of his tongue against mine has me biting back a moan. I don’t want to wake anyone up, and besides, there’s something exciting about nobody knowing what we’re doing.
Kole’s grip stays firm as he plunders my mouth, one of my hands holding onto his wrist as the other clenches his muscular thigh. His gunpowder and rain scent floods my senses, and all I can fucking smell is him.
My fingers brush his throbbing erection under his jeans, making his hips jerk into me.
But then…more scents tickle my awareness. Coffee, whisky, pepper, and chamomile tinged with arousal fill my nose, and I realize that Kole and I must not have been as discreet as I thought.
Kole must sense it too, because he slows things down, leaving slow, languid kisses on my lips before giving me one final peck. A slow clap from behind us has me rolling my eyes.
“Bravo, big guy.” Hayden grins as the smoky pepper of his arousal grows stronger.
A low chuckle from the front seat has me turning sheepishly. West reaches back and squeezes my knee. “I think your little rendezvous kept Sam from falling asleep.”
“It also made me almost swerve off the road,” Sam says lightly, meeting my gaze in the mirror as mirth twinkles in his warm brown eyes.
“When was the last time you got laid, then, Stud Muffin?” Hayden yawns, stretching his arms out behind him. “If a little makeout session was enough to distract your driving?”
Both Sam and I growl at the same time, though for different reasons. “I told you to not call me that,” Sam mutters, “And I inviteyouto try to keep your focus when she looks and smells likethat.” But Hayden isn’t listening, because his eyes are wide and trained on me.
“Fireball?” I realize then that I’m still growling, and quickly cross my arms leaning back.
“I don’t want to hear about you guys with other women. I haven’t slept with Sam, so unless he’s a virgin—” Hayden snorts but cuts off when I glare at him, “then he’s slept with someone besides me. My omega is fresh from her cage, and does not like that idea one bit.”
“As far as I’m concerned, there’s nobody else besides you.” Sam’s voice is serious as he speaks.
“So you’re a virg—” Again, Hayden cuts off, but this time because of Sam’s glare.
“I’m not—but I may as well be. That’s how long it’s been. Okay?” The last part of his sentence is softer, just for me. I meet his eyes and nod once, my jaw tight. I know none of my guys are inexperienced, and really, I wouldn’t expect them to be, but if I ever meet someone who’s seen any of my men naked, I’ll rip their spines out of their assholes.
Say a prayer for Tilly-the-bitch if I ever see her again.
We pull into the driveway of a lone cliffside house overlooking the sea at ten in the evening. The home is the only building in sight, with a grove of trees surrounding the perimeter and lining the driveway. My breath catches in my throat as I walk past the house, entranced by the sight of the moon reflecting off the water. The salt in the sea air fills me with a feeling of awe and wonder.
It’s better than I ever thought it would be.
“I’ve always loved the ocean.” Sam’s voice is quiet as he stands next to me. “The sound of the waves, the smell of the air…”
“This…” I stare out at the water, unable to move my eyes. “This is the first time I’m seein’ it.”
Sam stiffens, his voice restrained. “What? I know you grew up in Georgia, but surely after Declan found you…”
I shake my head. “I was determined to make sure Mabel and I could see it for the first timetogether. “
And now that would never happen, because I’m seeing it without her.
“Oh, Jo…” Sam’s voice is full of regret. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”
“You also couldn’t have done anythin’ to change it,” I shrug, my eyes still on the glistening water. “Dec knew, but I doubt that was at the top of his list of priorities when tryin’ to get me outta there.” A cool breeze rustles the air, and I shiver, rubbing my arms.
Before I can even register the fact that I’m cold, Sam is opening his leather jacket and pulling me to him. I’m enveloped in his scent, coffee and whisky making me rub my face against him. I bask in the warmth and protection his embrace brings.
“We can ask Declan to take Mabel to the beach,” he says quietly, and my heart flutters in my damn chest. It may not be what she and I originally planned, but it’s something.
