Slick (The Grayverse #1)

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Diana stiffens under my comforting arm, and I will every atom of my body not to do the same. I’ve been fighting my instincts ever since she sprang from the tub like a wet dream made flesh, and my hard-on still hasn’t gone down from having her come all over my lap. As if her scent wasn’t alluring enough, she’s all sweet curves and silky skin, with eyes like a stormy sea and tawny waves of hair shot through with sunlit caramel. If she was in the film business, she’d be cast as the seductive siren sunning herself on a rock. Or maybe the sweet damsel in distress, waiting for her hunky alpha to swing past on a vine and save her.

But if Diana is looking to be rescued, it’s because assholes have deliberately put her in danger by withholding the truth from her. I don’t know if it’s trauma or how long she’s been at the slick factory, but it’s like she’s looking at the world through the eyes of a child, discovering things for the first time. Which means I refuse to make her uncomfortable during this conversation. Because it’s just dawning on me that this beautiful omega – who is twenty-five by my calculations – has never had a heat before.

“Um, I don’t really know.” Her graceful throat flutters as she turns to look at me with wide eyes. “Is a heat like a big deposit?”

I’m glad I’m sitting down, or her answer would put me on my knees. “It’s a bit more than that, sweetheart.” Kennedy’s gaze is burning into the side of my face, but I know if I catch her eye, I’ll lose it. I’ve been acting since I was in diapers, but pretending in front of my twin is impossible. Instead, I brush my fingers through Diana’s soft curls, my voice low and soothing. “You didn’t have heats at the center?”

I hate calling it that. In fact, I want to invite every reporter I know to a press conference and scream the truth about The Serenity Center into their cameras. But it won’t help Diana to give into my rage, especially when I can taste the first tingles of her heat on my tongue.

“We were told they only happen when you meet your perfect match.”

More likely, they didn’t want to interrupt their slick supply by dealing with needy omegas every few months. I don’t know what pisses me off most, that they denied Diana her most fundamental biological rights for nearly a decade, or that they tied her heat to the myth of one perfect alpha mate. I’ve never bonded with any of my heat partners, and I’ve still managed to have my share of sinfully delicious orgasms.

“Okay, we can talk about that some more, but Kennedy’s right. The safest place for us right now is at a hotel.”

Not to mention the safest place for Luscious, since I’m a second away from hunting her down and slapping her stupid.

I take a deep, calming breath and out of the corner of my eye, I catch my sister’s shoulders relaxing an inch. Poor Kennedy. Little did she know what she was signing up for when she became my personal security at seventeen.

I look around the room, thinking through the next few days. From a practical point of view, The Eyrie is going to put a sizable hole in my nest egg, but what other choice do I have? My trailer isn’t set up for my own heats, let alone someone else’s, and if we stay here any longer, Diana’s scent is going to become difficult to hide. In fact, I’m curious why Marcus and his gang of meatheads haven’t already come knocking…

As if summoned like the devil, a fist thumps on the door, and my gaze snaps to my sister. “Who the hell is that?”

“I’ll check. Go turn on the shower and wait in the bathroom.” Diana has gone so pale she looks like she’s about to collapse, and Kennedy reaches out to gently cup her shoulder. “Don’t worry,” she says in her big sister voice. “No one is getting in here. I promise.”

Diana nods, like I do every time my twin vows to dig me out of a bad spot, and then we jump off the sofa and hurry into the bathroom. I turn on the shower, as instructed, and dump half a bottle of shower gel into the steaming water. It’s my signature scent – cookies and cream, with a little zing of spice – and will warn any unwanted visitors not to get too close. I’ve been in this business so long, a certain amount of privacy is hard-wired into my contract, including access to my trailer. Luscious might have a stranglehold on my career, but her goons are prohibited from ever stepping foot over the threshold.

Diana watches me with wide eyes, then grabs my descenter power off my vanity. She furiously reads the labels on the bottle, her plump bottom lip caught between her teeth. I have a violent urge to bite it instead, and I have to screw my hands into fists to keep myself from scooping her up. “You don’t have to,” I tell her as she pops the cap. “Kennedy won’t let them get close enough to smell you.”

But she shakes her head, quickly filling her palm with powder. There’s a fierce glint in her eyes as she starts covering herself in it, and while my nose wrinkles at the way it smothers her perfect honey and peach perfume, my heart soars at her bravery. “At least use a powder puff,” I mumble, tearing my gaze away as her hand dips under her shirt.

I grab a feather-soft applicator from my drawer, and before I can stop myself, dust it across her shoulders, spreading the powder. She giggles as it tickles her skin, and I can’t help but think of the soft smile on her face as she basked in the afterglow of her orgasm. As innocent as it was, I gave her that, and the memory is worth more than all the fawning fans and pretty accolades I’ve received in my long career.

Which is why I can’t help but drop to my knees, to worship her as she deserves…

“Ro?” Kennedy calls from the front room. “They’re gone. You can come out now.”

Diana giggles again at the sour look on my face, and I huff as I get back to my feet, tossing the puff on the counter. “Well, someone should get to come…” I mutter, turning off the shower and adjusting my jeans at the same time.

“When we’re safe,” Diana says, her gaze fixed on the fabric stretched over my straining cock. “I’d like to make you come, if that’s okay.”

I’m pretty sure I’ve never received a more seductive offer in my life, so I don’t blame myself for grabbing her again. She melts into me, rubbing against my bulge, and I grip her face, staring down into her hooded eyes. “We’ll both come. Over and over, until we’re covered in our slick.”

She huffs in anticipation, her heat-laden breath coating my face. As much as I want to lift her onto the counter and bury myself between her thighs, her safety comes first.

A decade as a porn star and now you become a boy scout?

But I’m grinning as we return to the front room, Diana tucked tight under my arm. Kennedy is busy shoving my scattered belongings into a tote on the counter, but she pauses to look at us. I can feel her assess our body language from every angle, her brain circling through potential threats and issues. “Just one of the rent-a-cops doing his rounds.” Her voice is mild, but her brow is furrowed, and I can read her better than the cookbook on my counter. Most likely it was one of Marcus’ crew at the door, looking for some sign of Diana. “Why don’t you go grab what you need from your room, Ro?” She pauses, before adding in her big sister voice, “Just the essentials, okay? We need to travel light.”

I roll my eyes at the jab at my packing skills, but I’m halfway to my bedroom before I realize Diana’s still cuddled under my arm. “Uh, are you okay with this?” I ask, because for once, I’m the one doing the clinging. “I just want to keep you close right now, but if it’s too much…”

“No,” she says quickly, her scent swirling under the layer of powder as she looks up at me through her lashes. “I like it.”

“Great.” And it is, my gut doing one of the plunge-and-roll maneuvers I thought I outgrew years ago. Clearing my throat, I open my closet door. “Pick out anything you want and add it to the pile.”

Her eyes light up as she runs a hand over the racks of clothes. “You have so many pretty things.”

I blush, because as much as I moan about the direction of my career, I’ve hoarded a few of the sexier costumes over the years. There’s a lot of lace amongst the linen and leather, but Diana makes a small sound in the back of her throat as she pulls out my highway patrol uniform, complete with tight pants and long, gleaming boots. “I’d like to see you in this .”

My softening cock springs back to life as she strokes the black leather, her tongue peeking out to wet the corner of her lip. Images of roadside fantasies flash through my mind and I bite back a groan. “I guess it qualifies as ‘essential’.”

I can’t help but smirk at the eager way she adds it to the pile.

Once we’re done and have hefted my suitcase to my front door, Kennedy ducks outside to check if the coast is clear. “There’s a bit of security around, but nothing we can’t handle.” She gives my bulging luggage an exasperated glance, but she’s all business as she turns to Diana. “I’ve parked right out front, so no one should be able to see you if you stay low and climb straight in. There’s plenty of room in the back, and I’ve got a protective tarp you can hide under. It doesn’t smell that great, but it will keep you safe until we’re off the lot.”

“Hold up.” I grab the cashmere blanket off the sofa and drape it around her shoulders, my fingers lingering as I smooth out her hair. “Does that feel better?”

She gives me a grateful smile as she nuzzles into it. “Perfect.”

Kennedy is watching us closely, but I avoid her gaze as she leads us out to the car. I’ve given Diana a pair of dark sunglasses, but I look around boldly, because I want any stray eyes to focus on me. I keep to myself when I’m not on set, but everyone is used to seeing me in Kennedy’s company. When the trailer gets too claustrophobic, we go for a drive down the coast, or for a meal at one of her favorite hole-in-the-wall haunts in the city. If anyone recognizes me, my sister is quick to warn them off, although most people are too embarrassed to admit they can spot a porn star with his clothes on.

Diana settles under the heavy tarp without complaint, while I climb into the passenger seat and roll down my window, my scent thick in the air. I’ve applied a few more scent-enhancing products than usual, and I notice the security guard’s eyes dilate when we pull up to the side gate. Another stipulation of my contract is access to a private entrance no more than fifty feet from my trailer, but I’ve noticed a lot of the studio execs and security guys use it, too. Thankfully, we’re the only ones in the vicinity right now, so we don’t have to linger for long.

“Heading out for a meal, Mr. Vale?” the beta guard asks as he raises the security boom.

“Hey, Cooper. We’re having drinks with friends and might be a little late.”

As pleasant as this particular guard is, he’s still eyes and ears for Luscious and her minions, and will no doubt alert her that we’ve headed out.

But his smile is genuine as he waves us through. “Have fun, Mr. Vale.” He gives Kennedy a respectful nod and I let out a slow breath as we put the lot in the rearview mirror.

“Everything okay back there, Diana?” Kennedy asks as soon as we’re out of earshot.

“I’m fine,” she replies, her voice muffled by the protective layers.

“Let us know if it gets too uncomfortable. We’re about twenty minutes from the hotel.”

I try to settle into my seat, but the quiet drive gives my room anger to grow. I’m gnawing on my nails and plotting Luscious’ downfall when I hear a soft whimper from the back. “I’m okay,” Diana says in a broken whisper, and my anger turns to full-blown rage. Whatever happens, Luscious and her disgusting suppliers are going to pay for putting Diana through this.

“You need help, Ro,” Kennedy says quietly, no doubt sensing my murderous plotting. “I’ll do my best to track down Diana’s mates, but you can’t let her suffer through her heat in the meantime.” She nods at the discreet building in front of us and I feel a wave of shame that I didn’t think of this myself. I packed a selection of kinky costumes, but didn’t think to grab any sex toys.

So much for being the ultimate porn star.

“I should’ve called ahead and explained the situation,” I mutter, doubly annoyed at myself.

“Already done,” Kennedy replies, driving around to the rear parking lot. “There are no alphas on the premises right now, and Maggie has a private room waiting.”

I lean over to give my sister a peck on the cheek, my mood instantly restored. When I jump out of the car, Diana’s scent hits me full force. It’s sweet and sticky – like peaches soaked in the finest honey – but as I peel back the tarp, my heart pinches at the sight of her pale, strained face. She’s like a battered butterfly in the cocoon of my cashmere blanket, and for a moment I consider running inside and getting what we need. But this is a rite of passage for most omegas, and I don’t want Diana to miss out on this, too. And getting to choose her own heat aids might go some small way to balancing the bullshit they fed her at the slick factory. “Can you come inside with me for a bit? There’s something I want to show you.”

It's a testament to the trust she’s gifted me that she nods without hesitation, her hand small and warm in mine as I draw her from the car. Kennedy has practically parked on the doorstep, and I wrap my arm around Diana’s shoulder as I usher her inside.

I’m relieved to find Maggie, the owner of The Heat Emporium, waiting just inside the back door. She’s a beta in her mid-fifties with a sleek black bob and kind brown eyes. They briefly flick over Diana before giving me a professional smile. “Would you like to browse first, Mr. Vale, or go straight to your room?”

“Our room please, Maggie.” It’s a little rude to not introduce Diana, but Maggie’s clients pay a premium price for privacy, and she doesn’t look fazed as I ask, “Do you still have refreshments available?”

“Of course. We also have an intercom that connects me directly to your room. You can make an order via the intercom, through the digital menu, or I can come in and help, if you prefer.”

While I’ve been plenty of times over the years, I’ve never brought company, and never when I was so close to a heat. I glance down at Diana, whose eyes are starting to glaze over, her pupils swamping her pretty irises. We call this first phase the glow, when an omega’s skin starts to heat up and our perfume increases in potency. It’s a biological lure to attract strong partners before we progress into the next phase, known as the haze. I’ve been through heats before, but they were always my own, and always minutely managed. I think Diana has a few hours before she’ll enter the phase known as the burn, but I can’t be sure. “We don’t have a lot of time, so we’ll probably grab a few things now and get some others delivered.”

“Of course. I already have a selection of items ready for you. Shall we go and have a look?”

I nod, and she leads us down an elegant hallway to the premium suite. It’s reserved for VIPs and celebrity functions, and the bill for booking it would be eye-watering if I wasn’t the public face of The Heat Emporium. Not only will I get all the products at below cost, but Maggie will comp me the room in exchange for a review, which will be glowing - and ninety percent fiction to preserve Diana’s privacy.

“Oh, Rowan.” It’s an awe-filled gasp, and the first sound Diana has made since she got out of the car. She steps into the suite with wide eyes, her fingers twitching as she takes in the cherry leather loveseats, polished rosewood floors, and antique chandeliers. There are plenty of soft furnishings on offer, including silky ottomans, fluffy blankets, and velvet drapes that can section off different spaces, but the room is mainly built for pleasure. Soft music is piped from hidden speakers, and the lighting is subtle, giving the room a sultry glow. There’s also a full bar for the drinkers, booths for the voyeurs, and a small stage for the exhibitionists. While Maggie pays me well to promote the place, it’s never been hard to sell The Heat Emporium to wealthy omegas and their indulgent mates.

“It’s always an honor to have you here, Mr. Vale.” I can see the pride in Maggie’s eyes as Diana wanders around the room, her fingers trailing over every surface, but there’s also a flicker of concern. “Is her heat very close?”

“It is, so we won’t linger. But I’d like her to be able to browse a little, too.”

Maggie nods and gestures towards a nearby table where a large black box is waiting. “I’ve started you off with the platinum pleasure pack, but there’s a brochure with additional items you can select from.” Maggie is too professional to point out that I’ve tried most of her aids and already have my favorites. “There’s champagne and a few appetizers on the bar.”

Maggie is famous for her decadent oysters, but the last thing we need now are aphrodisiacs, and I’m relieved to see she’s also set out fruit and pastries. She gives a slight nod towards a door at the rear of the room. “I’m not far away if you want anything else.”

I thank her, then head over to the bar to pour us glasses of chilled juice. I wouldn’t mind a glass of bubbly to settle my nerves, but if there’s ever a time to keep a clear head, it’s during an unscheduled heat. I set the glasses and two small platters of food on the table nearest Diana. “How are you feeling, sweetheart?”

She turns to me on a wave of potent sweetness, her hands trembling as she picks up the juice. She gulps it down, shivering at the tart flavor. “I think I need a slick suit, Rowan. Do they have that here?”

Those fucking assholes for putting that shit in her head . “No, sweetheart, but I have something much better. Do you want to come and see?”

She looks torn, and my stomach pinches until she follows her over to the loveseat. She scoots close, her head nestled against my shoulder as she watches me peel the wrapper off a heat sucker. “Is that medicine?”

“ Fun medicine.” I demonstrate by licking the top of the sucker, which is a dark pink and an unsubtle phallic shape. “It has a muscle relaxant in it to help with the cramps, although all you can really taste is its cherry flavor.”

She moves so quickly, she’s sitting in my lap before I’ve gone in for a second lick. Her thighs are warm where they rest against mine, her nipples hard as berries under the thin cotton of her shirt. If I wasn’t on edge before, now I’m one little wriggle away from shooting in my pants.

“Can I try?” she asks, and I nod numbly, watching as her tongue darts out and tastes the candy. I’m pretty sure she doesn’t know what she’s doing to me as she licks up the shaft and then sucks on the tip. “Mmm, it’s delicious.”

“It is,” I croak, keeping my hips planted on the seat through sheer, stubborn willpower.

She licks until her lips are sticky and red, her gaze finally moving from the candy to my neck. My throat throbs as the heat of her stare burns into my gland. “Can I… taste that?”

She got pretty close back in my trailer, but now her mouth puckers, her hunger a heady cloud around us. “You can taste anything you want... oh, sweetheart.”

My head rolls back as she latches onto the gland, her tongue flicking greedily against the sensitive skin. She rubs her chest against me, those hard, little nipples making my mouth water. From the heat of her core to the hungry nips of her teeth, I’m a tuning fork of need, and I feel my balls pull tight as she says in a breathy whisper, “Can I kiss you, Rowan? On the mouth?”

I’ve been seduced more times than I can count – both on and off screen – but I’ve never felt my heart flip-flop so violently. If I don’t kiss her, I realize, I will regret it until my dying day.

“I’d like that,” I tell her, my hands sliding down her spine to rest on her hips. She shivers at the touch, but there’s an innocence about her as she leans forward, her mouth pressing softly to mine. She’s tasting as much as surrendering, her sticky tongue pushing between my lips with hungry licks. As she squirms closer, the heat of her pussy burns through my jeans, and I gasp against her mouth. “You're going to make me come. Oh, fuck! I… I just blew in my pants...”

And not just cum, but slick , leaking from my ass like a faulty faucet. I haven’t lost control like this in years , and I feel my face burn in embarrassment, but Diana just squirms off my lap, dropping to her knees between my thighs. Before I can pluck a word out of the soup of my brain, she leans forward and sucks on the wet denim, her eyes wide as moons. “We shouldn't waste your slick,” she says, burrowing into me for another taste. “It's precious.”