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ARCHER
Relief floods my system,my omega stopping his incessant panic to breathe for a second.
Still, I don’t want this to be a pity thing. I know beggars can’t be choosers, but I can’t stomach the thought of them helping with my heat because I’m whiny and pathetic. “I couldn’t ask you to…”
It’s Beau who reassures me, placing his hand on my knee. “You’re not asking. We’re offering.”
It’s not a sexual touch, but it still has me squirming for more of his hands on me. I silently thank the fates, or biology, or whatever makes scent matches happen, because he’s so similar to what I’d pictured all the times I imagined being with an alpha. Tall and strong, his bulk padded with a softness that would feel amazing snuggled up against. Or getting pounded into the mattress by.
My cheeks grow even hotter than they already are at that dirty thought.
Beau frowns, pulling his hand away as he misreads my reaction.
Of course he does. I’m acting like a blushing virgin. I’m trying to be cool, but every time he touches me, I’m filled with an overwhelming blend of horniness and nerves.
“Sorry, I won’t touch you. We can still help you without me being very…involved, if you’re not comfortable with that.”
I catch Ruby’s soft, appreciative smile at Beau as he speaks.
She likes him. It reassures me I’m not foolish and irresponsible to think about having him in my nest a few hours after we’ve met.
“Yes, we can talk about boundaries and figure out a plan to help you through this.” Ruby squeezes my hand. “Whatever you want—other than us leaving you to suffer through this all on your own.”
Whatever I want.
God, that’s the problem, isn’t it?
I’ve wanted to be with an alpha for so long. I’ve wanted my charming gaming partner since the first time we stayed up until three AM discussing everything and nothing. I’vewantedso so much. Now it’s being offered up to me on a silver platter, and I’m afraid of taking it. Not because I don’t trust them, but because I’m worried I’ll embarrass myself.
I always blamed my reticence on my dad’s hypervigilance, but I never acknowledged that a big part of my anxiety was self-doubt.
I don’t realize I’m letting out a soft whine until Ruby reaches up and cups my cheek, turning my face to look at her. Her deep brown eyes are gentle and filled with warm affection. “Hey. It’s okay. It’s totally normal to be nervous.”
“It is?”
“I sure as hell hope so, because I am,” Beau says dryly.
Ruby chuckles, letting her hand slide down my cheek to rest it on my arm. “Yeah, it’s normal.” She strokes up and down my arm in a soothing pattern. “Going into heat is incrediblyvulnerable, and it’s disorienting to have your omega instincts take over. And if it’s your first heat, that makes it even scarier because you don’t know what to expect.”
“Yeah… it’s my first for a lot of things,” I confess.
Her pink brow arches. “Have you never had sex before?”
“N-no! I’ve had sex. Just, uh, not with an alpha. Or an omega.”
“Oh?” Ruby sounds intrigued rather than judgmental. “Is it because you weren’t interested or…”
“No, I’m definitely interested!” I blurt with a bit too much enthusiasm.
The beautiful omega smiles at me, amused. “That’s a relief. I would’ve been disappointed if all you wanted was our strapping alpha.”
Beau snorts. “I think it’d be impossible not to want you.”
I nod in agreement. Ruby is so sexy it makes it hard to think when I look at her.
She pretends to preen, fluffing her hair. “You two are extremely biased because of the whole scent match thing, but I’ll take the ego boost.”
