I have to keep reminding myself of that.
Chapter thirty-three
PIERCE
Iwilltearamotherfucker’s arms off if one more meathead alpha gives that omega another up and down look.
I steer her toward the free weight section in the corner, making sure she’s facing into the gym. I cross my arms, planting my body between her and the rest of the room. We need to criminalize leggings or insist on baggy shirts. Maybe I can hide her in one of Beckett’s jerseys. It should come down to her knees.
A wave of dizziness rocks my knees just thinking of her in Beckett’s clothes, his cinnamon all over her.
I pinch the bridge of my nose. I don’t even know what this girl smells like. I’m so over this broken nose. Liam and Beckett’s scents feel like vague memories.
I follow Ash’s gaze across the gym to Beckett’s perfect form doing deadlifts. He should fucking cover up too. I need to invest as a pack in baggy sweatpants.
“Do you train everyone this intensely, or is he special?”
It takes a second for Ash’s words to register.
“Beckett is special. Unlike me. And he’s a professional athlete recovering from a concussion.” I start reracking weights for no good reason, but it gives me something to focus on besides the way her hair falls across her face when she tilts her head. “So yeah, it’s intense.”
I reach past her to grab a kettlebell, close enough that our arms brush. The contact sends a jolt through me that I refuse to acknowledge. She takes a step back, putting space between us again, and my chest constricts with an emotion I don’t have a name for.
“You’re not what I expected,” she says suddenly.
“What did you expect?”
She shrugs, eyes darting toward Beckett again. “You were… I don’t know. Someone… different.”
What the fuck does that mean?
Liam emerges from the office with his laptop tucked under his arm. He is not dressed for working out. Thank fuck. I don’t think I could handle all three of them being mostly naked and sweaty. Liam touches my elbow. It’s casual, a greeting, but it brings my heart rate down a notch.
Ash looks at the weights still in her hands like she’s not sure what to do with them. I reach out and take them from her. Her skin is sizzling hot.
As I rerack them, Liam says, “Look at you, getting the princess treatment. Pierce doesn’t usually play nice with newcomers.”
“I’m plenty nice,” I growl.
“Sure you are.” Ash crosses her arms. The little smirk on her lips makes me want to shove my tongue between them to show her exactly how nice I am.
Before I can respond, Beckett jogs over, his shirt dark with sweat and clinging to his chest. Ash’s nostrils flare and she licks her lips. He must smell crazy good.
“Pierce giving lessons? That’s rare. Usually, he just barks at people until they either get it right or quit.”
“Fuck off,” I mutter. “Is it National Pick on Pierce Day?”
“Isn’t that every day?” Ash’s smirk gets wider.
Beckett wipes his face with the bottom of his shirt, briefly exposing the ridged muscles of his stomach. Ash flashes me a guilty look like we’re both not ogling him. Jesus Christ, I’m going to die. Combust on the spot.
“Actually, I wanted to ask you something. I’m not cleared to play yet, but I’m going back on the road with the team. I’d feel better knowing you were spending time with Liam and Pierce at the house while I’m gone,” Beckett continues. He tries to make it sound casual, but the protective edge is unmistakable.
Ash’s cheeks flush pink. “Oh, I… I don’t know if…”
“You can come by here and workout whenever you want.” I just blurt it out. What the fuck am I saying?
“Just think about it? The guys would love the company too.”
