Seventeen
WILLOW
Sometime around mid-morning I woke up, content and sleep-mussed, under the thick blankets of Kaelen’s bed.
Ourbed.
A delicious ache throbbed between my thighs. My fingers ghosted over the marks he left on the creamy skin there, admiring how much I liked seeing them there. I hadn’t slept in that late in a long time or felt this sated ever. My omega relaxed, curling up like a lazy cat on a Sunday afternoon in a sunspot.
Cool silk slid under my fingertips as I glided them along Kaelen’s pillow, nuzzling into it and drinking in his familiar scent. I stretched out, splaying out over the massive bed, still not able to reach the sides.
Whatever this was, it was bigger than a king size, and I feared it had ruined me for any other bed ever.
Maybe this was Kaelen’s plan. To court me with fancy linens and absurdly oversized mattresses.
It was working.
After last night, I worried I wouldn’t be able to deny him anything. At the casino, it wasn’t my omega who was jealous of the woman who thought Kaelen attractive. It was me. If anyone asked, I’d blame it on my omega, the alcohol, anything to avoid admitting that I liked Kaelen.
More than liked. I was rather fond of him, enjoying his company a lot more than I wanted to admit.
It meant giving him power over me, the power to destroy me.
Like my dad had done to my mom.
Logically, I knew noteveryalpha was horrible, but a small, niggling part inside of me was terrified that I was destined to find a bad one.
Kaelen Finnegan was lethal and violent, but completely soft for me.
The necklace he had gifted me was lovely, the nicest thing anyone had ever given me. Every omega adored getting presents, and as much as I tried to hide it, I was no different. Afraid of appearing too eager, I squashed down my excitement. Even if I was thrilled to see what other courting tokens Kaelen would present to me.
Eventually, I crawled out of my makeshift nest and took a quick shower. Covered in a fluffy towel, water dripped onto the floor as I tiptoed toward my old room to get changed.
Of course, Aileen caught me, with an amused glimmer flickering in her eyes. Crimson stained my cheeks as I shrugged, holding the knot between my breasts so the cotton wouldn’t fall.
“Good morning, sleepyhead.”
“Morning,” I murmured, wanting to melt into the floor.
“After you get dressed, why don’t you go down and have the lunch I made while I move your things.”
“You don’t… I mean, I can do it.”
“Hush. I like to keep busy. I’ll be finished before you’re done eating. Now get inside before you get permanent water spots on my floors.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I squeaked, my cheeks hot.
With a crisp nod, I disappeared into my room, quickly throwingon a pair of leggings and a chunky oversized sweater. My hair was long enough now that I could tie it into a braid. I tossed the used towel in the hamper, padding down to the kitchen.
When I passed Kaelen’s study, the door was closed, and I fought the urge to go see him. He was working. I didn’t want to be a clingy omega.
Even if everyone told me alphas adored that.
I wanted to sit on his lap while he did whatever it was The Butcher of Boston did in there. I had loved it last night at the casino, the feel of his roughened hands brushing over the silky fabric over my dress.
A rush of slick coated my thighs, and I nearly choked on a whine. Kaelen had ruined me. There was no way I could go back to sleeping with betas. Not when I experienced how glorious it was to be knotted. He filled me in a way that left me breathless and content.
Granted, I had an inkling that feeling was a unique experience with Kaelen. If our courtship didn’t pan out… Well, I didn’t want to dwell on that, imagining spending the rest of my life without my alpha.
