How dare anyone interrupt me when I’m in the middle of my nesting process? Can’t he see that this cushion isn’t exactly where it should be? My hands work with speed as I smooth over the fabric, frowning at the way it’s all bunched up until I plump it again. Much better. It now has the perfect level of cushiness that allows me to sink into it while masking the discomfort of the sofa underneath.
“Your phone…” Tae’s voice pulls me from my reverie long enough for me to realize that my purse is vibrating like crazy. He gingerly picks it up and holds it at arms-length. “Your friends are probably trying to reach you. Do you want to check in?”
Shit, I’ve been too focused on getting things sorted that I didn’t even think about texting my friends. I pull my phone out and instantly see that the Stella group chat is going crazy. I quickly scan the flood of messages.
KADY
Tracking your every move, @Del.
SABS
Send us proof of life ASAP!
I quickly punch out a text.
ME
I’m okay. Will explain later.
A whimper escapes my lips as my phone slips from my fingers. Tae effortlessly dives to catch it with Superman-like reflexes before it hits the floor. My stomach tightens, a gnawingpain making me double over. Yep, the universe definitely hasn’t listened to me as my heat symptoms are only worsening. I curl up in my corner nook and fist the blanket, holding onto it as tightly as I can.
Jagger bends down at my side. “Delilah?”
His powerful, caramel-toffee scent hits me like a physical wave, stealing the air from my lungs and leaving me panting like I’ve just finished a marathon.
“We can’t just stand here and watch while you’re in pain.” His eyes have a wet sheen. “Tell us what we can do to help.”
“You can…” I grit my teeth. “Stay away from me.”
His face contorts in anguish. “You need help. I don’t think heat patches alone are going to get you through this, rainbow.”
Hearing his pet name for me makes me wince.
“I don’t need you, Jagger,” I hiss.
I can’t let him touch me, no matter how much my body wants to betray me. Yet I can’t ignore the churning and ache deep in my core either. My pelvis feels like a throbbing, empty void, screaming out for one thing: the stretching and filling pressure of a knot.
“Maybe I can help?” Tae steps in.
A deep rumble rips from Jagger’s throat, baring his glinting canines like an animal as he rises to full height. Seeing his protective instincts cause a gush of slick to flood my panties, followed by a rush of humiliation at my uncontrollable biological reaction.
“I’m only trying to help, dude. You said yourself that she needs some help.” Tae cautiously approaches, kneeling next to Jagger to gently take my fiery hand. His touch provides instant calming relief. Jagger watches him like he’s about to pounce on him any second. “Is there anything I can do?”
I bite my lip. It’s not like I haven’t been with Tae before, the thought of what happened between us on the Tea House counter causing a burst of my intense perfume to fill the room.
“Holy fuck.” Jagger’s eyes expand, clutching a cushion and gripping it so hard that it looks like he’s going to tear it in half.
“You should go upstairs, Jagger,” Nash suggests.
My nipples harden at Nash’s drawl, rolling over me like warm water lapping against the beach.
“Good idea,” I croak in agreement.
“Upstairs?” Jagger snarls. “But she’s?—”
“She’s not ready, man. Being around you is too much,” Tae grips Jagger’s stiff shoulders. “Let us look after her.”
“Delilah?” Jagger’s clenched jaw tics as his gaze silently pleads with me. “Do you really want me to go?”
