It was a blur after that. Of being pinned and fighting against it without the fury he was used to, without the grim determination to win. Fighting for the enjoyment of it, the pulse and slide of it. For Jack, who was staring down at him with love. With pride.
Beckett looked away and got his head turned back and a hard bite on his mouth. Jack’s thrusts sped up, Beckett locked the one arm he had free around Jack’s waist, and leaned up to bite Jack’s ear and say, “Come for me.”
Jack did. Loudly, fiercely, and comprehensively.
The bastard even pushed back and straddled Beckett at the very end of it, marking him deliberately from chin to cock before getting his hand on Beckett, and that was it.
CHAPTER 40
ARDEN
Arden woke up in a thorough tangle of arms and legs.
Jack was on his back, body spread wide and open, taking up the middle of the bed. Beckett lay on his side, a possessive thigh slung over Jack’s and his head resting on Jack’s bicep.
As for Arden, he’d clearly been trying to lie on top of both of them at once.
His upper body lay crosswise on Jack’s chest, facing Beckett. He had one hand tucked under Jack’s shoulder, and the other—oh dear—he must have been reaching for Beckett’s arseand who could blame himbut since it was out of reach, he’d settled for the thigh Beckett had hooked over Jack.
He adjusted his position slowly, not wanting to disturb them. Pulling his legs in, he rearranged his arms to prop himself up on Jack’s chest and rest a hand over his heart. Closing his eyes, he tuned into the steady, strong beat.
He’d imagined this. So many times.
He’d spent years dreaming of a future with Jack, all the while knowing it was impossible.
He’d pretended that he could learn to be witty and clever and bold, and become the sort of omega Jack would be proud to have stand by his side.
He’d pretended that he could change enough, if he just tried, and Jack would see it, and start to want him back, even though he was an omega.
And they’d marry and live happily ever after.
He’d never imagined that Jack would want him as he was. That they’d still marry and live happily ever after. And that they’d share a lover.
Jack’s heart skipped a beat and Arden’s eyes popped open.
Jack was awake. Watching him.
He looked so smug about finding Arden lying on top of him, visibly mooning, that Arden pinched his nipple.
Jack didn’t react, other than to catch Arden’s hand. He drew it to his mouth, turned it, and placed a kiss to the inside of his wrist. His lips were soft, reverent, and he wouldn’t let Arden look away as he simply held them there, feeling Arden’s pulse.
Arden hummed, then guiltily glanced at Beckett, not wanting to?—
Beckett was watching him as well.
Not as familiar, these eyes, sharp even moments after waking, but just as beloved.
And wicked, Arden registered a second too late.
Beckett lunged up, snatched him around the waist, and hauled him off and over Jack to wedge him between them. Beckett scooted up behind him and spooned him firmly.
Arden yelped then laughed, flinging an arm over Jack’s torso and trying to grapple himself out, even though this was exactly where he wanted to be.
“No you don’t,” Beckett grumbled, his voice thrillingly rough with sleep and rumbling into Arden’s back, making him shiver. “Stop your fidgeting. Some of us are trying to sleep.”
Arden did as he was told and relaxed in Beckett’s arms, getting a nibble at the back of his neck as a reward. Jack tipped his head on the pillow to gaze down at the pair of them. His chest expanded in a deep, deep breath, and he sighed it out.
“Mighty pleased with yourself, aren’t you?” Beckett said.
