His clean, fresh-ice scent was even sharper than normal. Almost like he was turned on. But it couldn’t have been that, right?
He told us about being demisexual when he joined the pack. It wasn’t something I knewanything about—I’m still not sure I fully understand it—but I didn’t care how he identified. I just knew he was ours.
None of us were really looking for romantic relationships at the time. I was hung up on Raven. Tanner and Orion were happy with each other. Rhodes seemed like a great fit. Somehow we knew he was pack when we scented him, and he was a curler, which seemed perfect. It didn’t matter that he just wanted to be platonic. Packs can form around lots of different relationships.
But there’ve been a few moments in the past year when I’ve wondered if maybe Rhodes wants more. When I’ve wondered if I might, too.
The beta is hot as hell. With his tan skin, muscular form, his luscious fucking man-bun—he’s a walking wet dream. So, of course, when he explained he needed a deep connection to feel sexual attraction, I hoped maybe one day he’d want something more. But at the time, my dick was being a fucker, dead set on my omega, and wouldn’t work for anyone but Raven. So it wasn’t really an issue.
But tonight, during the opening of this movie, I was rock hard. It was the first time I’ve been hard while thinking about anything other than Raven since high school graduation. I wasn’t sure what to make of it.
Until Rhodes left. And I was instantly flaccid again.
It was definitely him. Not the actors on the screen or the situation. It was all him.
Rhodes doesn’t stir my blood in the same way that Raven does, but he does warm something in my chest. He’s comfort and laughter, safety at the same time as fresh adventure. His scent makes me feel alive in ways nothing else does. Not better or worse than Raven, just different.
Needing to burn off some energy, I dosquats while half watching the screen. It’s dark out, the village quiet now that quiet hours are in effect.
My head swirls with thoughts of Raven and Rhodes. Man, even their names sound nice together. They would look so good together, too. His darker skin tone with her pale ivory.
When the hell is Orion gonna get back so I can hear about his date?
Fuck this. I’m going to sleep. Time will go faster that way, and I won’t be able to keep ruminating on everything.
I don’t bother turning off the TV before stalking down the hall and opening the door to the bedroom I share with Rhodes. The light’s still on.
There’s a deep, breathy yelp from the direction of Rhodes’ bed. He scrambles with the comforter, pulling it up, but not before I glimpse his boxers pulled halfway down and his long cock standing erect. His eyes are wide as they meet mine.
“Vann,” he breathes out.
Has my name always sounded so good in his deep baritone?
“Don’t mind me.” I smirk and lean against the doorframe.
He stares back like a scared animal caught in a trap. I should probably do something to set him at ease, pretend like this didn’t happen. But I’m too on edge. I want to push him.
“Tell me what you were thinking about, and I’ll leave. Maybe.” I wink at him.
He bites his lower lip, staring at me like he can’t decide. Then he flings an arm over his eyes and whisperssomething I can’t hear.
“What was that?” I don’t move closer.
He whispers again, only marginally louder, but the single word rings in my ears like a bell.
“Come again? I didn’t quite catch that.”
“You, okay?” Rhodes says in a disgruntled tone, dropping his arm so he can look at me. “I was thinking about you. Now will you drop it?”
A slow smile splits my lips. Rhodes was thinking aboutme. My cock thickens. It isn’t an unwelcome development, and now that I know the beta wants me back, I need to see if he’ll let me take it further.
I slowly close the door and lean back against it, keeping eye contact with Rhodes. “Don’t let me stop you.”
“With you… but…” His flustered expression just turns me on even more.
“There’s no pressure here, Rhodes,” I say, more gently. “But I love watching, and I’d really like to see what you look like when you come. Will you let me?”
Somewhere in the building a door slams. Muddled voices sound through the wall, someone defying the quiet hours.
