“I can’t smell you, but you taste fucking delicious,” he says, licking his lips.
“Maybe we should get that prescription for the ball gag.”
He snorts. The sound of someone punching a door open a few floors above us has me cursing and stuffing my cock back into my pants. He turns, putting his back to the stairs like he’s shielding me from paparazzi.
“You want to get fancy with toys and shit now? I’m down.”
“What aren’t you down for?” I drag my hands through my hair. Pierce steps back enough for me to straighten my jacket and tuck in my shirt. I can hear another door open and click shut. Whoever it was only went from one floor to another, I guess.
“With you? I’m down for everything.”
I’m still breathing hard when I check my watch. I sent a car for Ash over an hour ago. I don’t want to keep her waiting. Liam’s at the house, but still.
“All good?”
Pierce may be an asshole most of the time, but I know that question was honest. I have never had to second-guess his love or concern for me.
He kisses me, almost sweetly, then pulls me down the last flight to the garage.
Chapter twenty-four
LIAM
Jugglingthephonetomy other ear, I slide the grocery list out from under the magnet on the fridge. It’s from our last vacation to Hawaii.
“I know, Chantel. It’s Beckett’s fault Paxton is out injured too.” I can’t keep the sarcasm out of my voice.
“Everyone is rabid right now. The Scorpions could totally pull off a win here. We are talking about the cup. Beckett is going to catch flak for it.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose. Beckett’s agent is fierce, but she’s a worrier and will plan for every contingency.
“It’s a team, it’s not the Beckett show. He’s not responsible for…”
“The podcast bros…”
“Fuck thoseguys.”
“The podcast bros,” she repeats, “are filling air time with rumors. Good boy Beckett is off the rails some are saying. I’m looking at a promo image with Beckett’s bloody nose and a banner that reads ‘CTE?’. This is the problem with his squeaky clean image.”
I sigh. This has been Chantel’s favorite talking point for a while now. Beckett has been so scandal-free, it’s impossible to keep him in the news. And that matters for his brand deals.
“You want me to send him out to rob a little old lady crossing the street?”
“Liam. Is everything alright? You don’t ever get bitchy with me.”
“Yes. Fine,” I say through gritted teeth. Nothing is fine. Pierce hasn’t been home in a few days. Beckett is barely taking the concussion seriously. He’s embarrassingly giddy about this omega that doesn’t seem to have a digital footprint at all. And, oh yeah, we’re being blackmailed by the father of my dead first love who my other first love is convinced he killed. Everything is fucking peachy.
The silence from Chantel is telling.
“Alright. What’s the move here?”
“Give the podcast bros something else to talk about.” She doesn’t say ‘duh,’ but I feel it in her voice anyway.
“Announce another summer camp for at-risk youth?” I suggest.
“We’ve done that.”
“A donation?”
