13. Luca
THIRTEEN
Luca
Her fruity scent follows me as we climb the stairs.
Adler is right by her side, his palm never leaving the small of her back.
He’s like her shadow. I noticed it when we were on the sofa—how he seemed to move in time with her, like she’s now the center of his universe.
And the way he looks at her… Well, I’ve never seen Adler look at a woman with that puppy dog expression, and I’d rip him for it if I wasn’t so damn jealous.
Adler’s never been interested in a serious relationship before.
Due to his position, he’s never short on options for casual fun, and it’s been hard keeping him grounded when girls are constantly throwing themselves at him.
Like any young alpha, he made the most of the situation, but Sabs… Well, she’s different from other girls.
Admittedly, I had my concerns when Adler first told me what happened, but after seeing them together, I’m starting to think that she may be the best thing to ever happen to him. And maybe she’ll be good for me too.
“It’s right through here.” My palms tingle with nerves as we trek down the corridor to the door at the end.
Drax and I did our best with what we had at our disposal. Without him, I’m sure I’d have gotten everything totally wrong, but there’s still no guarantee that she’ll like it.
Drax looms in the doorway to the spare-room-turned-trophy-room like a black cloud.
“We’re just showing Sabs her nest.” I motion for him to move. “Would you like to—”
“Sorry to intrude on the special moment.” His voice drips with sarcasm.
Although he’s obviously bitter, the guy is clearly hurting.
From his reaction to Adler and how he looks at Sabs like he’s ready to jump in front of a bullet for her, it’s obvious that he has feelings for her.
How would it feel to see the omega you love in the arms of another alpha?
An alpha who bonded her by accident? I vow to check on him later.
Adler can act like a dick, but I don’t have to.
“Dra—” Before Sabs can even get out his full name, Drax slams the door with a bang. Her face falls in disappointment.
“Asshole,” Adler mutters under his breath. “Forget about him. He shouldn’t even be here.”
“Go easy on him, man,” I mutter.
Despite Adler’s obvious disdain for him, I can’t help liking the guy.
While I don’t know him well yet, being around him earlier felt effortless, like we’ve known each other for years.
When we were getting the nest ready, he told me that Orin was doing him a favor by helping him through a rough spot but didn’t elaborate any more than that.
“Why? He’s being a jerk to my omega.” Adler’s hackles rise. “We’ve taken in a stray. The least he can do is be grateful.”
If Orin thinks it’s best for Drax to stay here, especially at a time like this, there has to be a good reason for it. Still, it’s unprecedented for him to invite another alpha into our space, and I’ve never met anyone he works with before now, so I can’t help wondering what makes Drax so special.
“The only one acting like a jerk right now is you.” Sabs prods her finger into Adler’s chest. “You can leave all your alpha-hole energy out here because I don’t want any negative juju in my nest. Drax is—was—my…
” She tilts her head back, eyes scanning the ceiling. “Friend. I want you to be nice to him.”
“Sorry, I… just…” Adler scrubs his face, at least having the decency to look a little guilty. Yep, this is exactly who Adler needs. Sabs is a force to be reckoned with. “I’m antsy.”
“Well, you can at least try to be civil,” she replies. “For my sake.”
“I can’t make any promises, but I’ll try.” He grins. “For you.”
“And what are you doing here?” Sabs turns her attention to Orin, who must’ve snuck up behind us, leaning against the wall, watching the scene unfold. “I thought you had to get ready for work?”
“I want to be sure everything is to your liking.” He lifts up a shoulder.
Our disciplined leader is not easily rattled, but Sabs seems to get under his skin. Maybe there’s truth to what Adler said about them being scent matches.
I can’t deny that I feel drawn to her. Even if she weren’t bonded to Adler, she’d stand out in a crowd.
She’s drop-dead gorgeous. Her freckled skin, striking golden eyes, and flaming hair that flows down her back in loose waves make it hard to look away from her.
Her presence fills the room, and her scent? Damn, it’s addictive.
“Here we are. Your new nest.” I gingerly push the door open, my nerves rising. “It hasn’t been used in a while, so the decor is a little out of style, but we can tailor it to your taste.”
Sabs strides forward with zero hesitation, like she already owns the place. Her confidence only makes her sexier. I love that she seems to know who she is and isn’t afraid to ask for what she wants.
“Well?” Orin clears his throat, craning his neck to get a look at her expression as she strolls around inside. “Is it satisfactory?”
“Yes.” She looks like she’s fighting the urge to smile. “It’s perfectly satisfactory.”
“Phew.” I breathe a sigh of relief, wiping my forehead.
“I will need some help moving a few things around, though,” she says. “Not that what you’ve done already isn’t great. It’s just—”
“I get it,” I interrupt her. “You just need to put your own stamp on things?”
Her wide smile is stunning. “Exactly!”
“I can help, if you’d like?” Now that it’s officially Sabs’s nest, I’m waiting until she gives me permission to enter. “Or Adler can do it? If you don’t want anyone else stepping inside yet. I understand—”
“It’s fine, Luca.” Her smile warms me like the sun shining down. “I’d like your help. Adler can take a shower, and Mr. Grumpy-Pants over there can get ready for work.” She quirks up her eyebrow. “Unless you’d rather help plump cushions?”
Adler snickers and nudges Orin in the ribs. “I don’t see Mr. Grumpy-Pants as being the best cushion plumper.”
“I’ll have you know that my cushion-plumping skills are more than adequate,” Orin states, deadpan.
“More than adequate?” Sabs teases. “Maybe you’ll have to show me sometime.”
His cheeks pink before he clears his throat, retaining his usual composure.
Sabs pops her hand on her hip, a sly smile playing on her lips.
I have to say that it’s entertaining to see her messing with him.
She’s only been in our life for… what? Less than an hour?
And already, the stale alpha air in this house feels like it’s buzzing with life and excitement, a fresh pop of cherries adding to it.
I’ve never particularly liked this mansion. Sure, it comes with the added perks of privacy and being away from some of the chaos of the Alpha Quad, but it’s like living in a shrine to the SVU Foxes, providing a daily reminder of what I can’t have.
“I’m glad the nest is to your liking.” Orin finally regains the ability to speak.
“Make yourself at home, firecracker,” Adler tells her. “I’ll be back soon.” Although he said he’s leaving, he doesn’t move.
“Go shower!” She shoos him. “I can still smell the beach bonfire on you. I’ll be right here.”
“I’ll be with her the whole time,” I promise. “And I put some of your hockey jerseys in the nest, so your scent is everywhere.” Hopefully, this will ease any anxiety he has about them being separated.
“The offer to join me still stands?” Adler questions hopefully, flashing her his bedroom eyes, which usually make girls go weak at the knees. “My shower is more than big enough for two.”
“Luca and I have a nest to perfect,” she tsks, the corner of her mouth twitching upward. “Maybe another time.”
A sniff of her perfume has me searching for something boring to think of in an effort to stop myself from getting a hard-on.
My mind lands on a map. Yes, the map of the trail I just walked.
Anything to help distract me from how fucking amazing she smells.
I don’t want her to think I’m some horny teenager who can’t control himself.
She’s already been through enough in the last twenty-four hours, and despite her acting like she’s okay, she must be struggling, considering she ran away.
“I’ll hold you to that.” Adler kisses her on the cheek. I expect her to have a sassy reply, but she only grins, making me wish she’d smile at me like that.
As he pads down the corridor to his room, Sabs turns her attention back to Orin, who surprisingly, is still rooted to the spot. “Aren’t you going to be late?”
He flinches, like he’s been pulled from a daydream, then undoes the top two buttons of his shirt. He’s trying to hide it, but her scent is obviously having an effect on him too. How can it not? It’s like being presented with the most delicious dessert when you’re starving.
“I’ll bring up your suitcases and leave them by the nest door before I leave.” Orin’s tone is gruff. “I’ll see you this evening.” He nods in a businesslike manner before turning to me. “Keep an eye on Adler and Drax.”
“I will.” I nod before he heads off, leaving me and Sabs alone. “Are you sure you don’t mind if I come in—”
She seizes my arm and yanks me over to where the bed is positioned, wasting no time in ordering me to move various items around.
She picks up a cushion that’s shaped like a pink flamingo.
I thought Drax was crazy when he spotted it in my room, but he insisted she’d love it.
I don’t know why I kept it. Adler bought it for me as a gag gift when we played against the Florida Flamingoes, not knowing that game would be the one where I’d get injured and rendered unable to play professionally.
My hand reflexively flies to my shoulder, rubbing the joint and feeling a phantom twinge.
“The flamingo can go,” I offer as she turns it over in her palms. “If you don’t like it.”
“No.” She hugs it tightly to her chest. I guess Drax knows her well. “I love it.”