“You really didn’t have to do this,” I say as he waves the key in front of the lock and opens the door.
I step over the threshold and jerk to a halt. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen something so opulent. Instead of opening directly to a bedroom like a standard hotel room, this place has a two storyfoyer. A chandelier hangs low, the crystals glittering like diamonds. Just below it is a round marble table, with a large vase of artfully arranged flowers gracing the center.
“I’ll draw the bath,” he says, disappearing down the hall, leaving me standing there, mouth agape.
It’s not until I slip off my heels that I realize how damp my clothes are from the snow. My tights are especially wet, but I don’t think that’s because of the weather. That has more to do with the alpha currently drawing me a bath.
What would it be like to invite him to join me? I’ve never taken a bath with someone else before. I’ve never doneanythingwithanyone. Well, I kissed someone sophomore year of high school, but that resulted in years of misery. After that, I avoided anything having to do with sex or romance and poured everything into ice skating.
The ice is hard and unyielding, but it can’t touch my heart.
I take off my gloves and coat, then lay them over a chair just as Foster returns.
“It’s ready.” He offers me his hand, and I take it. His bare, calloused fingers wrap around mine. Warmth seeps up my arm from the point of contact, a steady hum that goes straight through my chest.
He leads me into the bathroom with a casual ease at odds with the churning sensation I’m feeling. It chafes a little that he isn’t affected, like I am. Steam billows from the massive clawfoot tub filled with bubbles, the scent of lavender permeating the air.
Foster lets go of my hand and tests the temperature of the water while I watch awkwardly from behind him. When he stands up and turns, we’re nearly nose to nose.
“Enjoy your bath,principessa,” he says. “You deserve to relax.”
Tears unexpectedly fillmy eyes. “Thank you,” I choke out.
His hands squeeze my biceps, and he leans forward, lips brushing ever so lightly across my forehead. “My pleasure.”
And then, he’s gone. I strip down and get in the tub, aware that he’s on the other side of the door, and it would be so easy to call him back in, but I bite my tongue and sink further under the bubbles.
12
ORION
Iwake up with Tanner’s mouth around my cock. We’ve got a standing agreement, and he knows how much I love this type of wake-up call. But this is the fourth time in as many days. We went two rounds last night, too. Ever since Vann announced he was going to win Raven over as soon as the Olympics ended, it’s like Tanner’s been a man possessed.
“Hey,” I tug on his short hair, “baby, hey.” When he only responds by sucking me harder, I curse and wrap a hand around his throat, pulling him off. “What’s gotten into you?”
“Nothing.” He tries to dive for my cock, but I tighten my grip. “As much as I love your mouth on me—and you know I do—I need you to talk to me.”
He stares at my belly button. “I just want you to know how much I love you.”
I pull him up my body and seal our lips together, licking the pre-cum from his tongue, tasting his desperation.His hands find my cock, jerking with firm strokes, just the way I like.
“I already know, baby,” I moan right against his lips. “You have nothing to prove.”
He doesn’t answer, just kisses me again. Alright, if this is what he needs, I’ll give it to him. How can I not? He’s mine, and I’ll never get enough of him. But this conversation isn’t over. It’s time someone called him on his bullshit attitude toward the whole Vann and Raven thing.
But first, I’m gonna wear him out until he has no walls left.
“On your knees,” I bark. Most people would consider it a violation of trust to bark at another person, to take away their will and force them to obey, but Tanner loves it when I bark at him in the bedroom. He’s a powerful alpha, so we both know he could break out of my command if he really wanted to, but he never does.
In every other area, he’s the dominant one. He loves being in control. It’s an addiction for him. Which is why he needs this so much—one place in his life where he doesn’t have to be the one making decisions, where he isn’t allowed to be the one in charge.
He immediately repositions so he’s on his hands and knees, perfect ass facing me. I reach for the bottle of lube on the nightstand to pour a generous amount along his crack. The bottle makes a suction sound, then squirts. It’s almost out. At the rate we’ve been going, I’m not surprised.
Tanner squirms, a light shiver shaking through him, anticipation and need making his scent so thick I can taste it. Fuck, he smells good. Most of our pack have light smells, reminiscent of sweet treats at Christmastime. Tanner’s scent, though, has a bite to it. A spicy, earthy cardamomlayered over black tea. He’s my own personal chai latte ready to warm me up. It fits him, aligns with his rough edges.
We first met in middle school, before either of us had designated. We were drawn to each other right away, but back then, I didn’t realize how strong our connection would become. I was there when he designated the summer before college, and I knew immediately I was a goner. I already cared about him, but that scent proved he was mine.
Tanner leans down, chest-to-bed, when I run a hand up his spine. He’s such a good boy, knows exactly what I want and complies beautifully. There’s something about seeing a powerful alpha in the same pose an omega would use to present. To submit. It’s a display of trust, and I treasure it each time.
