I close my eyes and breathe it in, if only because it’s soothing and weirdly comforting.
It’s just a pillow. It’s not like it’shim.This is his house. Everything smells like him. Besides, this pillow is no different from the pheromone-scented plushies I have at home to help me get through my heat. Though I can attest those plushies don’t smell as good as this pillow—as good as a real, red-blooded alpha.
As good as Luke.
I shove the thought of him away as I slide my hand between the waistband of my jeans. I don’t want to think about him rightnow. I just want to quiet the noise. I just want the relief that awaits me, so I can sleep.
I keep my eyes closed as I breathe in his scent, focusing on the feel of my fingers gliding through my warm, slick folds. My omega relaxes, relishing in the scent that surrounds us. My hips thrust of their own accord as my omega takes over, pushing us into the crevices of fantasy.
The very thought of that verdant, angry gaze mixed with the lingering scent of caramel and spice surrounds me. I let the ecstasy it brings come for me like a thief in the night.
I bury my face into the pillow if only to stifle the deep moan because relief feels so good and the last thing I want to do is wake up Luke’s family—or worse, Luke himself.
Seven more days and my heat will disappear. Surely I can manage a few days…
All I have to do is stay as far away from Luke as possible. That shouldn’t be so hard, right?
Chapter
Six
Luke
It’s been five days since Emily Marie Gardner arrived at Pembrooke estate and it has been five days since I’ve apparently slipped into an alternate dimension. One where Simon and his annoying omega sister, Sarah—who’s been angling to catch my brother’s attention for years, without success I might add—have practically moved in, both quite enamored with the beautiful new American Omega. Which wouldn’t be so bad if being in the same room with the woman didn’t throw me or my alpha into some kind of perpetual state of panic.
I never know if I’m going to be chastised or snapped at, or perhaps murdered by her gaze alone.
And then there is the other pressing issue. Emily is inheat.Which only makes me want to throttle Simon every time he dares to look at her or speak to her or make her laugh. My alpha is too jealous, too protective, of what he deems ishis.I’ve given up trying to talk him out of such claims. My wolf won’tsee reason. Especially in the presence of theAmerican Omega, as Sarah and Charlie refer to her.
Sarah sighs as Simon says, “Tell me more about Jupiter. Is it true what they say about the color of the water there?”
I try not to be obvious with my staring and glaring, but the more the days progress, the harder it isnot to.
“Oh, yes!” Emily says with a warm grin. “I’m fairly certain there’s a petition somewhere to get the color theorists to nail down a Jupiter Blue,” she says with a giggle.
Sarah chuckles as Simon nods in understanding. My gaze settles on her pout, trailing upwards to her eyes. Her bright aquamarine blue eyes, and stupidly I say, “Jupiter Blue is no comparison for Emily Blue.”
I realize the moment I hear it, the thought did not remain in my head and everyone at the breakfast table turns to face me. Including my parents.
Charlie raises a golden eyebrow at me.
“Wow, Luke. That was cringe.”
Simon laughs. Charlie chuckles as Sarah shoves my brother in the arm.
My alpha lets out an undulating growl that quiets the room as Emily glances at me curiously with the same look she’s been shooting me every morning at breakfast since she arrived.
Like she isn’t quite sure if she loathes me yet.
“And if one wanted to pinpoint the perfect shade of envy, all they’d have to do is study yours,” Emily says, smirking as if she has won some sort of game.
I can’t help but feel as baited by her sarcasm as my wolf feels by her omega.
“Speaking of envious alphas…” Simon smiles, casting his dubious gaze at my omega. A low growl starts in my chest as Emily gives me her shoulder, turning her focus tohim.
Charlie bristles beside me, his hand on my arm like a bucket of cold water.
“Chill the fuck out, Luke,” he whispers. “You look like a bloody boil about to burst.”
