Doubleeww. “I really hope for Nik’s sake she means flexible.”
He snort-laughs and opens the bottle of massage oil, which smells like—you guessed it—lavender and rosemary. I cover my nose with my hand and start changing the sheets on the nest one-handed.
“What, you don’t like the smell of an herb garden on steroids?”
“I’d rather smell the steroids,” I retort, jamming the corners of the fitted sheet under the top mattress. “I don’t know what steroids smell like, but I feel it would be more natural than this.”
“Well, at least you don’t have it all over your hands when you’re done. It takes twenty minutes to wash it all off.” Kaden points at the nest. “Then again, I think she sprays something on the sheets to, erm, enhance her scent.”
I freeze mid-stuff. “What?”
He throws his head back and guffaws. “Hell, Mags, you can’t smell it on yourself? It follows us everywhere.”
“I guess my nose is so full of cigar smoke that I can’t tell.” I try to brush off any skin that came into contact with the perfumed sheets, but it’s no use. Now that Kaden has pointed it out, I can’t smell anything else, not even my own perfume.
Before we can say anything else, the outer door connecting to Threnody’s bedroom slams open, and she and Nik walk in, arm-in-arm.
Nik’s outward expression is one of measured affection, but I know him too well; I can see the misery in his eyes. He hugsThrenody and glares at me over her head, mouthing the words “you owe me.”
Whatever. He’ll get paid enough from this grift that he’ll forget he was ever mad.
Threnody glances over at the massage table and pouts. “Oh, darn! It’s time for my massage.” She tilts her head up to look at Nik. “You really shouldn’t be watching this, you know. It’s kind of private.”
Judging by the ginormous hickey on her neck, I doubt Nik would see anything new if he watched.
Nik takes Threnody’s hand and kisses the back of it. “I understand. I’ll see you later?”
She flutters her lashes and swoons—swoons!—as Nik exits.
Then the door closes behind him, and the Brat comes out of hiding.
“What are you doing with those sheets? They were perfect this morning! You’re supposed to keep my nest clean and neat, not trash it!”
I bow my head to hide my eyeroll. “Apologies, lady omega. I was in the middle of straightening the sheets when you walked in. It was not my intention to present you with an unkempt nest.”
“Hmph!” She turns on her heel and redirects her attention to Kaden. “My neck is sore. I need you to focus on my neck and shoulders today. I want to be limber for tonight.”
Oh, gag me.
While Kaden gives Threnody her massage, I keep myself busy by fixing the nest and looking anywhere but on that massage table. I don’t need to see my childhood friend rubbing up on this bitch. It’s bad enough knowing that Nik’s part in this con involves sleeping with her.
Nik isn’t mine; I remind myself. He’s just a friend who helps me out when my suppressants wear off.
We are not a thing.
Kaden and I aren’t a thing, either. I don’t know why I even care that he’s giving her a sensual massage. It’s no skin off my nose if he’s rubbing her—
Wait! Why is he massaging her thighs, and why so close to—
Shaking my head to clear it, I excuse myself and exit into our small suite of rooms. My door slams behind me as I escape into my private bedroom.
I don’t know what my problem is. I don’t get jealous, especially not of airheaded, spoiled brat omegas. I definitely don’t get jealous where Kaden is concerned. He’s just my best friend’s twin brother. That’s it. Nik is Nik, and Kip is, well … Kip’s almost a brother to me.
At least Kip isn’t setting me off. He’s been a total gentleman, which irks Threnody to no end, I’m sure. Not that she hasn’t tried to charm him, but Kip seems completely oblivious.
After a quick shower to calm myself down, I head back to the small common room that Kip, Kaden, and I share here. Technically, Nik has a room in this suite as well, but he’s been spending all of his time with Threnody, so his bed hasn’t been touched. Kip’s waiting when I get done, sprawled crosswise on an armchair and thumbing through a magazine.
“Our mark got your panties in a bunch, Mags?” he asks as he turns a page.
