“Do you live in Starlight Grove?” she asked.
“I just moved here a couple of months ago to be the lighthouse keeper.”
Sarah’s eyes widened as she looked between Finn and me, clearly understanding the significance. “Oh, that’s so lovely.”There was a beat of awkward silence. “Well, it was nice running into you, Finn. I’m glad you’re doing well. And maybe I’ll see you around town, Olive.”
I gave her an awkward wave as Sarah and her friends headed away down another row in the orchard.
Finn tugged me to the side so we were out of the way of the other apple pickers. “I’m so sorry, sweetness.”
I let out a forced laugh. “I guess everyone decided tonight’s the night for apple picking.” I kept my tone light but couldn’t quite meet his gaze. It was taking all my effort to stop myself from rubbing my body against his to remove any trace of Sarah’s scent.
His arms enveloped me, pulling me into his broad chest so I was surrounded by warmth and maple sweetness. A purr rumbled through him, and his lips brushed my ear. “Yours are the only arms I want around me. The only scent I crave.”
He cradled my head as he pressed furious little kisses all over my face until I laughed. I pursed my lips, fighting a smile. I guess he was forgiven.
“I can’t wait to get you back home tonight. Strip you down.” He kissed my nose. “Eat that pretty little pussy of yours.” He kissed my cheek. “And then watch it stretch around my knot as you cry out your orgasm.” He kissed my forehead.
My knees weakened, my mind hazy with arousal. His tight hold around my waist was the only thing keeping me upright, the only thing keeping me tethered to the earth.
I let out a moan, and he swallowed it up when he finally kissed my lips.
I would be counting down the minutes until we got back to my nest.
Easton nudged me.“It looks like those three are on a super awkward first date.”
“Where?” I asked under my breath.
“Those chairs diagonal to us.”
We’d finished our apple picking and eaten dinner—hot dogs and tons of apple cider donuts—and were now cozy around the bonfire. Finn and Lars had gone to the snack hut to get us supplies for s’mores.
I tried to be discreet as I peered at the three chairs close to us. Two large alphas—one blond and one with black hair—were sitting with a petite red-headed omega. I snuggled in closer to Easton so we could inconspicuously lean in to listen to their conversation.
The blond-haired alpha was loudly explaining cryptocurrency to the omega, who wore a blank expression.
“Wow, that’s interesting,” she said, looking away as she spoke. She glanced over at us, and Easton and I quickly pretended to be absorbed in our apple cider.
“You thinkthat’sinteresting? We haven’t even gotten to NFTs,” the alpha continued, oblivious to the wilting omega in front of him.
“Do we stage a rescue?” Easton asked out of the side of his mouth.
“We need something dramatic to distract the alphas.”
“Oh, I’ve got it. Once Lars and Finn get back, we put a ton of marshmallows on the skewers and set them on fire. Then Finn makes a move on you, and I have to take up my flaming sword to defend my omega.”
Easton’s excited voice faded into the background as the black-haired alpha looked up from his phone, and I caught a glimpse of his face. A shudder went down my spine, but I didn’t know why. There was something familiar about him, something that made uneasiness rise in me. Then his eyes met mine, and my body turned cold.
He was the alpha who had walked out on me during my last heat. Rick.Or Rick the Dick as I’d named him afterwards.
The one that said I was too needy, too feral,too much.
I quickly looked away, hoping he didn’t recognize me. It was several years ago. He’d probably serviced a ton of omegas through that agency.
“Olive?”
I jolted as I realized Easton had been trying to get my attention. His hand was rubbing up and down my back.
“Was juggling the flaming skewers too much?”
