Page 181 of Lyric & the Heartbeats

“Javi, I’m so—” She moaned, her fingers tightening around the smooth countertop.

“I know, pajarita, I know. Come on,” he cooed, and nipped gently at her shoulder.

Even the press of his knot against her core with each thrust wasn’t what sent her over the edge, it was the gentle bite of his teeth in her skin. Not even sharp enough to leave marks, but a barely there echo of a promise that they could one day fulfill. Not today, maybe not even next month, but eventually, Lyric would make Javi hers.

The thought sent her flying, made pleasure overwhelm her until it ripped the air from her lungs in a desperate cry, and she squeezed around Javi tightly. It made each thrust and retreat that much more intense, and the flutter of her walls around him only made her orgasm that much better.

He barked her name into her shoulder as his rhythm stuttered, and when she was coming down from the high, Javi came, adding to her aftershocks with a sloppy kick of his hips and the tightening of his fingers on her skin.

Almost drunkenly, they made their way to the couch together before collapsing into the cushions.

Lyric groaned as she settled against Javi’s tan, smooth skin. There were no words that came to mind, so she just traced silly shapes into his skin.

“I don’t know what I expected, Javi, but it wasn’t that.”

He chuckled again, chest bouncing beneath Lyric’s cheek. “Lyric, I think you’ll discover I have many flavors.”

She glanced up at him with an arched brow. “Oh yeah? Do I get to taste them all?”

Javier brushed a strand of hair off her cheek. “If you’d like.”

“I’d like,” she answered instantly.

“Then yes. I have a feeling we’ll have all the time in the world.”

Lyric’s chest ached. They did have all the time in the world, if Lyric wanted it. And she did, she realized. Her pack wouldn’t be complete without Javi, it wasn’t an option to leave him behind.

“You’re right,” she said, nuzzling into his chest. “We do.”

Another day, another show, and one more day closer to the end of tour.

But even after her shower, she still wasn’t cool, and between four alphas and her betas, Lyric needed some space.

“I’m really hot still,” she complained. “I’m going to get some air, but I’m staying right beside the bus, don’t worry!” she told Henry. “I’ll be right back.”

Henry retorted something smart, but Lyric let the door close behind her, effectively cutting him off.

Lyric stopped at the edge of the woods, the bus in her line of sight, and sank down to the grass. Her breath puffed out a cloud in front of her face as she sighed, the air’s cool bite a little sharper than she anticipated. The hustle and bustle of the venue was still close, she could still hear the shouts between the crew as they readied everything to go.

Bonded.

Weeks ago, just the idea of such a thing would have terrified her. But instead… giddiness bounced around her chest and put a spring in her step.

If this was a musical, she probably would’ve broken into a synchronized song and dance or something else equally embarrassing.

Thankfully, she was just left with her thoughts.

Still, her lips curled up, and she turned her head to the moon peeking through the clouds.

Was everything prettier once you bonded, or was Lyric just crazy?

Down the line of her connection with Adra, she sensed the same comforting satisfaction that she harbored in her own heart. And Emerson… while he was obviously playing a game with Nohen from the frustration, there was a deep contentment that she’d never felt before. Knowing that it, even partly, was because of her, made her chest ache in the best way.

But even while she wanted nothing more than to run back on the bus and crawl into Adra’s or Emerson’s lap, or feed Javi some more of his own creations, she needed a momentary break from the overwhelming emotions.

A part of her was suspicious. Things were so good right now… too good. Guilt clung to her, wrapped around her ribs, and snaked its way into her heart because her best friend had just lost her mom. It felt wrong to be so happy while she knew Andi was hurting.

But instead, all Lyric could think about was… what was next?