“Yeah, and a lot of them are fucking stupid too,” I respond, making her laugh as she tightens her hold on me.
I’m not sure why it feels so good with Lily, but it does. Something about her scent calls to me like no one else’s has.Maybe it’s the fact that I’m forbidden from being with her, or how badly I want to take care of her.
I know it would be the same with any Omega. My instincts automatically default to caretaker, but with Lily, it feels like more. It’s more than just taking care of her when it comes to her heat or being a protector. I find myself wanting to do things for her that I’ve never wanted to do for anyone else, like let her ride on the back of my bike, keep a fucking puppy in my office, and make sure she’s taking care of herself.
Her hands rub up and down my abdomen, as she holds on tight. I’m driving far more cautiously than I usually do, but it feels nice. Nicer than I ever imagined, it’s an intimacy I’ve never experienced before, and I know it’s something I want more of. I know a lot of the guys will toss whoever needs a ride on the back of their bike, but for me, it seemed too sacred to just let anyone on my bike.
The ride is uneventful, yet peaceful, as we reach the compound. I know where Prez’s cameras are, and I also know where my cameras are. It’s a tidbit I’ve only shared with Tate. After these past few days, I think I’m ready to share it with Axel too, but not yet.
The cameras on the compound aren’t club knowledge. The Prez is the only one with access and that didn’t sit right with me, so I added my own.
I avoid all the cameras I know of and park just outside of the body shop. Lily pops off first, removing her helmet and hair tie, letting her long, dark hair flow down her back. I follow suit and place a hand on her lower back to guide her to the office in the back.
“So, you know where all of my stepdad’s cameras are,” she states, and I smirk to myself. I like that she’s relatively street-smart. She might be naïve in some regards, or rather sheltered, but she grew up around a bunch of criminals. When thathappens, you have to be observant. She clicks her tongue before saying, “That’s how you knew about the car when those assholes dropped me off.”
“Something like that,” I reply, and she rolls her eyes.
As soon as we open the door, Winnie is bounding towards Lily who gets on her knees to give the dog some love.
“She’s a good dog,” I tell her. Lily smiles at the compliment.
“She is, isn’t she?”
“Hasn’t hardly pissed on anything and doesn’t seem to bite much.”
“I wish I could be with her all the time,” she says longingly while scooping the dog up and sitting her on her lap once she takes a seat on the couch. I take the spot next to her and pet the little fucker’s head.
“About that—” I start, trying to figure out how to segue into this conversation.
“Kurt likes dogs, just not at his house,” she interrupts- and I wonder if she's concerned about me not being able to handle the dog.
“Are you ready to be on your own? Well, to have a pack and be away from your mom and the Prez?” I ask.
She shrugs, and I abort my mission to tactfully enter this conversation, choosing instead to just blurt out what I’m thinking. “We could bond. Prez wouldn’t be able to say shit with my bite mark on you.” I drag my fingertip along her collarbone, making her shiver.
She takes a moment to let my words sink in, all while looking down at the dog petting her. “Would you hate me if I said I wasn’t ready?”
“Baby girl, I could never hate you. I know it’s soon, we haven’t even had much time to get to know each other. But your scent does something to me that I can’t explain, and I know you’re running out of time.”
She sighs and pets Winnie’s fur. “I know, and my hesitation has nothing to do with you. I just need a few more days until I can get settled,” she says.
“Is this about the money?” I ask her, thinking back to how much was in her account and how she didn’t want to bond until she knew she was safe. I could tell her how safe she would be with me, but I don’t think it would matter. She needs this money in order tofeelsafe in a relationship, and I can respect that.
“I’m so sorry, Cash. It probably seems so stupid to you. I know that you and Axel could take care of me. I don’t want you to feel like I’m saying you can’t provide.” Her voice is timid, and I can tell she’s more worried about hurting my feelings than anything else.
“Hey, shhhh,” I soothe, sliding closer and grabbing the back of her neck. “This money will make you feel safe? Make you feel complete? Ready?” She nods her head. “Then we’ll wait till then, okay?”
“Thank you for being understanding. It’s just… I don’t want to end up like so many other Omegas, with no options, no safety net. It’s not even a matter of worrying about if you would hurt me like my mom’s old pack…” she trails off.
“Do you want to talk about what happened?” I ask her.
“I don’t really remember much,” she admits, and my brows pinch together.
“You don’t remember what, exactly?”
“Most of my childhood, really.” She shrugs and continues petting the dog. Alarm bells go off in my head, but I keep it to myself. You don’t repress your childhood unless you really need to. “Most of my memories are with the Dead Palms, and maybe that’s why I’m so adamant about staying here. But I also don’t want to be cooped up either.”
“You want adventure?” I ask her with a smile that she returns.
