Slick (The Grayverse #1)

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

At some point, a heat surge drags me up from the safe cocoon of sleep. I reach instinctively for comfort, but the guys on either side of me don’t stir as my needy fingers brush over their bodies. A whimper of protest builds in my throat, but the setting sun through the skylight carves deep grooves in their faces. They both look… exhausted , and my heart squeezes with regret. They’ve taken such good care of me, they’ve forgotten to look after themselves.

Even still, the next wave of empty, clawing pain has me on the verge of waking them. I have to dig my nails into my palms to resist, but I can’t stop the small gasps from falling from my lips.

Dex stirs, his movements sluggish as he tries to pull me close. As much as I want his caregiving, he needs to sleep more, and I force myself to roll to the edge of the mattress. Clutching a velvet pillow to my stomach does little to stem the next violent wave and I roll further, dropping off the side of the nest and onto my knees.

Oh, God…

The floor is well padded, but the shock still vibrates through my aching bones. Everything hurts , and I almost claw my way back into the bed, but the guys have done enough. Flashes of molten skin, of limbs clutching and mouths clinging, play through my mind, and I suck in a gulp of my own bruised scent. As much agony as I am in right now, my heart swells with the knowledge that they’ve done everything they can to keep it at bay.

They’ve done so much for me, it feels wrong to leave them, but the rational part of my brain knows I’ll only hurt them if I stay. I’ve lost count of the number of times they’ve come inside me, pushing their bodies to the limit to satisfy my heat. But that ends now. I need to take care of this myself, even if it just means finding a distant spot in the suite and curling up into a ball.

As I crawl out the door, I consider grabbing something to eat, but nausea burns my throat at the thought of food. I’m empty, but not in a way that can be filled with anything as simple as a sandwich.

Kane.

This close to the edge, I can finally admit that I’m pining for my alpha. I want his strong arms, and the soothing comfort of his raspy growl. I want his thick knot buried deep inside me and I want his teeth in my throat as he claims me for himself. I don’t care about all the dreams I spun back at the center, trying to imagine my future life with my perfect scent match. I don’t even need a raw ride on a V-twin Softail. I just need Kane. Here. With me.

Longing almost overwhelms me as I make my way slowly down into the sunken lounge. A stunning sunset is bleeding into the mountains, but I keep my blurry gaze on Rowan’s box of toys. There’s another silicone knot lying on its velvet bed, but the sight just makes me cry harder. I want Kane’s knot, but I want his arms around me more. I want him to look at me like I’m his world, not this messy wreck of an omega…

Sniffling, I take a cherry sucker from its wrapper, pushing it between my trembling lips. Rowan said it helps with the cramps, and I drag the blanket from his trailer around me as I wait for it to work. I sniff the soft fabric, but his delicious cookie scent is all muddled with mine, and I squeeze my eyes tight. I don’t want to look at the dying day, or the distant mountains, or the box of helpful toys. I don’t want to see the confusing world outside, or to wonder where Kane is and why he hasn’t come to find me.

The suite Rowan got is extravagant, but it’s only a tiny pocket in the endless sprawl I can see gleaming through the windows. I might be on top of the world, but I’m less than a speck of dust on that distant mountain, my pain no more important than the blare of horns I can hear through the thick glass. How will Kane find me if there are a hundred rooms like this one spread across the city?

I don’t want to give in to the panic clawing in my chest, but the walls feel like they’re closing in on me. Need and pain weave through my body like poison, and I suck harder on the cherry soother. But nothing can cut through the fear in my mind, and with a pitiful mewl I drop the sucker and crawl under the coffee table.

Wedged into the tight shelter of chrome and glass, I pull the blanket over my head, trying to burrow down into the familiar scent. But instead of bringing me comfort, a memory swoops in on oily wings. It’s a flashback, I think, to another table, when I was small and helpless and all I could do was cower in the dark…

A man – my father? – is arguing with someone, his voice hitched in a whine that makes my hands shake as they cover my eyes. When he pushed me under the kitchen table, he told me to stay silent, to curl up like a sleepy snail in its shell. I don’t want to disappoint him, but I almost bite through my tongue at the first violent slap. He cries out, but the next sound is the heavier thud of a fist, and I screw my eyes tighter as my father begs for more time. I can taste his omega scent – rose petals crushed under a careless boot – and my heart hammers as I peek out past the tattered tablecloth.

He's on his knees, his thin, white hands scraping over the dirty denim of a man’s thighs. He’s talking fast, his voice tight and panicky, and I realize he’s offering himself up to the foul alpha who stinks of sweat and grimy skin. It’s the voice he uses when we run short at the corner store, when we can’t pay rent, or we have to borrow the neighbor’s stove because our electricity is turned off. Most people just give my father a tight-lipped smile, but the alpha kicks him aside, a wad of spit raining down on his bow head.

My father hits the floor hard, but as he gathers himself to crawl back to the alpha, he sees me huddled under the table. Did he forget I was here? He’s always digging me out of tight places, laughing and tickling his sweet, sleepy snail. But now a dark light flashes in his eyes that I haven’t seen before, and even to a child’s mind, it's a warning. He licks a dribble of blood from his dry lips and then he murmurs something, his face like crumpled paper as he stares up at the alpha. It sounds like ‘sweeten the pot’, but I don’t know what that means, or why the silence stretches like a noose around my neck. I want to crawl to him, to shelter in his thin arms, but before I can move, a thick, rough thumb presses down on my frail ankle bone…

I jerk at the thud of a fist on wood, heavy enough to echo loudly in my tiny hiding place. The scent of unwashed alpha makes me gag, and I bury my face in my blanket. When I choke down another breath, sweet cookies and vanilla honey flood my senses, and I realize I’m not huddled in the past, but right here, curled under the coffee table.

“When we agreed to ‘a conversation’, we didn’t mean having it through a damn door!”

It has to be an alpha voice, the authority in each cutting word making my head tuck tighter under the blanket. And then it’s answered by a low growl, as haunting to my heart as the howl of a lonely wolf. “Diana! Can you hear me?”

Kane?

Instead of rushing to him like I want to, I’m frozen, an unmoving glob of flesh in a fragile shell. He’s not alone – I can hear at least three voices, all raised in anger. Who’s out there with him? Why would he bring other alphas to my door?

I shrink in on myself as racing feet slide over the floorboards, someone huffing curses under their breath. “Shit. No, I can’t see her. Where could she be? Wait. Sweetheart, are you hiding somewhere?”

It’s Dex. Relief courses through me, but even without seeing his face, I know it’s creased with worry.

He circles my hiding spot like he’s looking for a way in, and I try to lift the blanket edge in invitation, but my limbs are locked in place.

“Why are you out here, sweetheart?” I sense him ducking closer, sniffing the air around us. He moves back a step, and I hear him mutter, “Oh. She’s… she’s just taking a little break.”

The last thing I ever want to do is make him worry, and my heart clenches at his exasperated sigh. “No, you can’t come in. Listen, fuckface. She’s… under the table. She smells… scared. No, I won’t fucking put her on the phone…”

There are more angry sounds, both from outside the door and from where Dex is pacing in front of me. The panic in my belly is now a fist lodged in my throat, because they’re fighting , threats and insults peppering the air. I whimper as I realize they’re arguing about me . It’s an omega’s place to make her mates happy, not let them growl and snap at each other like feral dogs.

“Dex?”

I peek out of the blanket just enough to see his face swim into view. I was right. He doesn’t just look exhausted; now I’ve made him worry, too. “Sweetheart, are you alright?” I want to tell him yes, but I promised I’d never lie about my feelings, so I shake my head. He taps his phone against his thigh and gives me a careful smile. “Do you want to see Kane, Diana?”

“Alpha.”

The word throbs as it leaves my scratchy throat, and Dex nods. “Yes. Do you want to invite Kane in here with you?”

“Please.” I don’t want my alpha to see me like this, but I don’t think I can put myself back together without him. “I need him, Dex.”

He gives me another nod, his lips tight as he sits back on his heels. I watch him press the phone back to his ear, his gaze never leaving mine as he says, “Kennedy, you can let him in now, but keep your gun handy.”

The word ‘gun’ is still ricocheting around in my head when heavy feet stomp into the room, and I peek out to see Kane bearing down on us. He’s a vision in denim and leather, his eyes like black coals as they burn into mine. Dex nudged the sofa back from the table, but it’s still a tight squeeze, Kane’s broad frame blocking out everything else in the room as he crouches at my side. The scent of alpha wafts over me, and then a big hand curls around my thigh. He’s so close I can feel the brush of his jeans, and I think of that other table, and the alpha who grabbed my ankle when I was small and helpless. But instead of a dirty chuckle, there’s a purr, and I tilt my head, listening.

“It’s okay, baby.” That’s Kane’s voice, low and hypnotic, so who is purring? It’s like warm honey dripping on my skin, and my mouth waters with the urge to lick it up. I want to crawl inside the rumbling echo and stay there until it’s sunk deep into my bones. “Can I pull you out, or do you want to stay in there a little longer?”

I wiggle, the table now as constricting as a cage, and he grins as he lifts me free. The blanket comes too, and he keeps it wrapped around me as he sinks onto the sofa. I’m vaguely aware of Dex and Kennedy standing close by, but Kane’s thumbs are sweeping over my damp cheeks, and it’s hard to look away from the black fire in his eyes. “No tears, Omega. You’ve given enough of your sweetness to this shitty world.”

There’s a hitch in the purring sound and I try to swallow the tears back, staring through watery eyes at another alpha. He’s standing in the middle of the room, his hands twitching at his sides. He’s wearing a suit that matches his dark hair, but all I can see are shocked eyes the color of the sky and flaring nostrils in a pale face. “Who are you?”

“Jake.”

The gravelly caress of his voice makes me twitch, and Kane’s chest vibrates beneath me. He’s laughing , I realize dazedly, but when his fingers dig into my chin, turning my focus his way, my alpha’s face is stern. “Miss me, Omega?”

“Yes.” I choke on a sob, finally giving in to the barrage of emotions and burying my face in his neck. “Kane. Why did you take so long to come find me?”

“Hmmm.” He grabs my thighs, hitching me so close there’s barely an inch between us. “I fucked up. But I’m here now, and I’m gonna take care of you, I promise.”

“Yes.” I melt against his chest, the solid bulk of him like a balm to my raw nerves. “I need you, Alpha.”

He gives an approving hum, then punches the seat cushion next to him. “Come sit the fuck down, brother.”

I lift my head an inch from Kane’s neck, watching as the other alpha takes an unsteady step towards us. Kennedy and Dex are also staring at him hard, and I wonder if it’s because of the way he smells. Kane is delicious in every way, but this alpha’s scent zips through my blood like smoky lightning. Before he’s even settled on the seat next to us, I’m leaning over and breathing him in, needy little sounds turning into a sigh of purr longing. “You smell… perfect.”

“You do, too…” His voice breaks off as I press my face into his neck, my lips searching for his scent gland. As I latch on to the tender skin, his purr is back, twice as strong, and my eyes roll into the back of my head at the delicious vibrations. Oh, God. With Kane’s body under me, this alpha’s scent on my tongue, and his irresistible purr in my ears, my heat suddenly roars across my skin, more bonfire than lightning storm. “More.”

He jerks at my needy demand, and I try to tell my misfiring brain to pull away, but Kane’s hand comes up against the back of my head, holding me against the alpha’s neck. “That’s what you need,” my alpha says, twining his fingers through my hair. “Take your fill and tell me this isn’t a real fucking match.”

I don’t know if he’s talking to me or the purring alpha, but it doesn’t matter, because he’s right. The tingling in my blood tells me we’re two parts of a whole, as perfect for each other as any of my mates.

In fact, the urge to claim him is so strong, my teeth ache. Maybe Kane can feel how close I am to the edge because he rolls his hips, his other hand petting my spine. It distracts me enough that I go back to lapping Jake’s scent gland, and when he groans, slick pours out of me in a gush. For once, I don’t spare a thought for the fancy furniture, clamping my thighs around Kane’s hips while I suck on my newest mate.

I don’t know how long I sit like that before I hear the shuffling of feet.

“Diana?” I blink, staring up into Dex’s worried face. “You need to eat something, sweetheart.” His gaze flicks to the new alpha. “Something other than a scent gland, I mean.”

I smirk and return to my feast, drawing another spine-tingling groan from Jake’s throat. It’s almost as delicious as his skin, but Dex isn’t happy, his voice edged with irritation. “She hasn’t eaten for hours. Here, try feeding her this.” Paper crinkles in my ear and then something is pushing against my lips. I try to pull away, to burrow back against Jake’s neck, but he’s the one trying to feed me and he doesn’t let up. “Please, Omega. Just a little.”

The words roll off his tongue, dark and smoky, and I quickly realize I can’t resist his voice any more than I can resist his scent.

Holding his gaze, I chew the tasteless bar, my nose wrinkling at the bland taste. Yuck. But Jake’s fingers taste sublime, and I hum as I swipe them clean with my tongue. Not quite sucking like I want to, but the flavor of his skin is as delicious as his scent.

“Finish it,” Kane orders, his hand digging into my hip as his voice teases my ear. “Eat every bite like a good omega and we’ll give you a reward.”

I chew faster, licking up every crumb, and even sit patiently for the glass of water that’s pressed to my lips. “What’s my reward?”

Kane grins at my eager question, his teeth a flash of white in his bushy beard. “What do you want, Omega?”

I lick my lips as I examine the alphas. The pain has retreated, driven away by their presence, but the heat is still swirling in my belly, and I roll my hips. “Knots,” I reply, palming Kane’s crotch while I look hungrily at Jake’s. “Can I have your knot, Alpha?”

It’s hard to tear my gaze from the bulge in the alpha’s trousers, but when I meet his gaze, I’m startled by the pain in Jake’s eyes.

“Can she, brother?” There’s a taunting note in Kane’s voice, but I can hear the happiness underneath it. I don’t really understand this tension between them, but I’m certain that Kane wants me to want this other alpha. “Can she park her sweet pussy on your fat knot?”

I don’t wait for permission, sliding off Kane’s lap and onto Jake’s. He’s warm under me, but his muscles are tense as I press my hands to his crisp white shirt. He looks so different to Kane, but he feels the same, especially between my thighs, where his equipment is swollen and hungry. I roll my hips over it, shivering at the sensation, and Kane gives a throaty laugh. “She’s ours , Jake. It’s time to stop your bullshit and admit the truth.”

Jake’s eyes narrow, his body still stiff beneath mine, but I almost melt at Kane’s verbal claiming. I’m theirs and they’re mine , the words ringing in my ears as he drops to his knees behind me. The clang of his belt buckle draws another shiver from me, and I turn my head to meet his mouth in a blistering kiss. “ Yes , Alpha. Please. I want you to claim me.”

“Hold up.” Kennedy steps carefully into the picture, her gaze as serious as I’ve ever seen it as she watches me from behind the sofa. “Diana, are you sure you want this? Just say the word and we can slow this right down.”

She still has her gun out, and I grip Jake tighter. “Please don’t take them from me, Kennedy. They’re mine.”

Kane laughs, his teeth grazing the back of my neck. “Is this the conversation you wanted, brother? Need any other proof that you’re right where you’re supposed to be?”

“I’m not…” Jake clears his throat, his hand hesitant as it cups my waist. “Maybe slowing things down is a good idea.”

“Good for who?” Kane nudges the other alpha’s thighs further apart, nestling close against my back. I moan as he runs his hands under the blanket, his fingers dipping into my wet folds. “I’m ready and raring to go, and so is our omega.”

Jake makes a strangled sound, his head falling back against the sofa. “Fuck me.”

Kane gives another rumbling laugh. “It’s gonna feel like I am once I’m knot deep in this pussy.”

I whimper, pressing down on Kane’s thick fingers, and Kennedy clicks her tongue. “I won’t watch, but if this is what Diana wants, I won’t stand in your way. Dex is staying, though, and he’s got my gun in case you fuck it up.”

Kane grunts as he peels the blanket away, his hot mouth pressing a line of fiery kisses down my spine. “Fine. The little fucker likes to watch, don’t you, Beta?”

Even through my haze, the insult bothers me, and I shoot my alpha a scowl. “Kane! Don’t be mean to Dex!”

“Sorry, Omega.” I can still hear the grin in his voice, but I’m distracted by the feel of his hands on my hips, tilting them up to meet his mouth. His fingers are still pumping in me, but now I can feel the prickle of his beard on my sensitive skin. “You should see this red, dripping pussy, brother. I wonder if it tastes as sweet as it looks.”

I’m pressed so close to Jake, I can feel the bob of his throat as he swallows. I give his scent gland another nibble, but cry out as Kane’s tongue swipes over my folds. He groans and dives deeper, but it’s still too much of a tease for my aching flesh, and I reach behind me to pull him closer. “Please, Kane!”

“I’ve got you, mate.” His tongue withdraws, only for something much bigger and harder to push inside. The friction shoots a bolt of pleasure up my spine and I arch my back, panting into Jake’s throat. “Yeah, that’s it,” Kane hums, pushing all the way inside. “I’ve got what you need, Omega.”

I rise on my knees a little, pushing back to take his hot length. With all my slick there’s hardly any resistance, but he’s so big I can feel every thrust in my belly. He’s driving his claim deep inside me , I think as pleasure surges up my spine. I dig my fingers into Jake’s shoulders, peppering kisses up the side of his neck as Kane fills me to the brim.

“Please, Jake,” I pant as I feel Kane’s knot throb against my opening. “Kiss me while he knots me.”

My new alpha turns his face my way, his pupils blown so wide I can barely see the blue. But instead of leaning towards me, he clamps his lips shut tight and shakes his head. “I can’t. Not like this.”

A bitter scent suddenly floods my senses. Jake can barely look at me, and the rejection hits me so hard, I taste bile on the back of my tongue. “But…”

“I have to go.”

He’s moving before I can stop him, lifting me off his lap and sliding away. I tilt sideways as he dumps me on the cushions, and would probably hit the floor if Kane’s strong arms didn’t immediately clamp around me. “Don’t you fucking dare!” he roars, his face flushed with fury. “Sit your ass back down, Jake!”

“I have to go,” Jake repeats, brushing past a startled Dex and almost running to the door. I squirm out of Kane’s hold, scrambling over the back of the sofa to chase him down. But as soon as he realizes I’m following him, he holds up a hand, stopping me in my tracks. “Please, Diana. Don’t come any closer.”

It’s the first time I’ve heard my name on his lips and pain rips at my heart. How did I ever think heat cramps were bad? This is like dying a thousand deaths all at once.

“You leave, brother,” Kane says from the sofa, his hands curled into fists, “and we’re really gonna have a problem.”

“Let him go.”

I’m still staring into Jake’s eyes when cool arms slide around me, the scent of cookies filling my tortured lungs.

Rowan.

My omega .

“Leave if you want to, governor,” he says as he presses a soft kiss to the side of my neck, his hand sliding up to cup my aching heart. “We don’t need or want Luscious’ leftovers, anyway.”