“And I’ve never seen you look like this, either,” Jackson continues, raising an eyebrow. “Don’t think I haven’t noticed it, man. Fucking besotted.”
I won’t argue with that. I am besotted. Completely, entirely infatuated. Even with the entire mess hanging over us with Paxton and Billie and even the team’s shitty performance since before Christmas.
I’m… Fuck, I’m so in love with her.
My scent match.
My baby girl.
My Omega.
“You think she?—”
I push off the table before he can finish the question, needing Carys in my arms right now as the weight of my revelation settles on my shoulders.
I love her. No matter what happens with Billie, no matter if she decides she doesn’t ever want to bond with me when I finally get the balls to bring it up, no matter the very real, problematic bonding bites that she and Paxton share. I love her more than I’ve ever loved anything, including hockey.
She smiles as I palm her waist, and I just about forget how to breathe.
“Happy new year!” the singer says.
I nod, not trusting my voice yet—and especially not with someone I don’t know. Her smile falters a bit, but I can tells it’s out of intimidation and not me actually freaking her out.
“Call me next week when you’re back from your pop-up, and we’ll figure out the specifics for your photoshoot in March!” Carys says after an awkward lull, smiling brightly. “Peonies should be pretty easy to find by then.”
The singer nods then offers me a shy smile before disappearing back into the milling crowd of other VIPs. Just as Carys starts to say something, the DJ cuts across the speakers, the music fading a bit.
“Let’s count it down, Nashville! 30…”
As everyone in the club shouts the numbers, I pull Carys closer to me, palming her cheek before trailing my thumb along her jaw and throat. A thread of her orchid scent weaves around us, and I groan.
“So you’re my new year’s kiss?” she asks, a slight smirk tilting her lips.
And, fuck, the fact she’s even back to joking with me, being playful, is a miracle.
I give a mock growl and grind my hips into her belly, making sure she feels my erection. Her eyes flash with interest even as her cheeks darken to nearly the same shade as the feathers adorning her mask again.
“I damn well better be,” I whisper in her ear, loving the fuck out of the goosebumps that race down her throat.
“Ten! Nine! Eight!”
I lean over her, running my lips over the shell of her ear, feeling the words on my tongue. More of her orchid scent surrounds us, breaking through her lotion completely. Shepalms my neck, her nails biting into my skin, as I skim my lips over her jaw.
“Four! Three!”
“I love you.” My gaze is locked on hers, my hands steady where they hold her still.
She gasps, her eyes so damn wide.
“One! Happy new year, Nashville!”
I kiss her, soft and gentle at first before forcing it deeper, rougher, faster. She melts against me, her other hand circling my neck, too, the cool glass of her drink pressing into my skin.
When she pulls away, her chest heaving, I whisper, “Happy new year, baby girl.”
Chapter Thirty-One
CARYS
