Chapter 3 #2
We step forward again, and I realize we still have a bit of a wait.
Snow begins falling around us, and I’m thankful we are bundled up.
“Right now, I work a couple of odd retail jobs, but someday I want to open an online toy shop of my own. I love making little figurines, charms, and keychains. Mostly animals, both mythical and normal animals.”
“Do you have any photos?” He smiles. “I’d love to see.”
I don’t ever show my designs to the alphas I’m attracted to anymore.
They usually think my little hobby is immature, but something tells me I can show Thorne.
I tug my good luck charm out of my jacket.
It’s a lion keychain. “This little guy is named Flare. He’s my favorite design so far.
He’s made with a heavy-duty clay, and patches of material, so he’s kind of a cross between a tiny plushie and a figurine. ” I hold it out for him to see.
He gasps, eyes wide. “A lion? Why a lion?” He reaches for Flare. The little lion looks tiny in his palm. My heart warms as he studies it with interest. He doesn’t seem annoyed or like he’s faking it.
“Most people know lions symbolize bravery. It’s why you might find them on family crests or medieval things like shields. But did you know a lion also represents leadership, wisdom, and strength?”
He nods, so I continue talking. “They also represent protection. It might seem silly, but this guy offers me that. Whenever I feel nervous, scared, or intimidated, I can reach into my pocket and touch his soft fur. He’s tiny enough to hide so others can’t judge me, but still a big comfort.”
We reach the front of the line, where there are only a few people ahead of us.
He’s silent for a moment, and I wonder if I made things awkward.
I replay my words in my head. Before I can ask what I said wrong, he turns me around and cups my face.
He pulls me into a sweet kiss that’s oddly tender for strangers.
For some reason, I feel like he’s thanking me for something, but I have no idea what. This time, he tastes like hot chocolate. If we weren’t in public, I’d be tempted to see what else he tastes like.
Something soft grazes my cheek. My lion’s keyring is wrapped around Thorne’s thumb, and Flare dangles between us, tickling my face.
“I can’t believe you made this,” Thorne says when he pulls away from my lips.
“This lion is adorable. It’s beautifully made.
Unique. I think you should do it. Open your online shop, even if you have to start small.
Your designs should be shared with the world.
Hell, I’ll be your first customer.” Determination laces his tone.
A wide grin spreads across my face. He doesn’t have to say any of this, I realize. I think he’s doing it just to encourage me. Not only that, but I can hear his sincerity. He means it. A snowflake lands on his cheek before melting away.
“Hey, you two.” I glance over to see one of the volunteers who works for the city. “If you want to hang your wish on the tree, make sure you write it down now and get ready to find that perfect spot.”
Thorne nods. “We should write our wishes down.”
“Do you know what you’re wishing for?” I ask.
Thorne’s chocolate-brown eyes sparkle. “I do.” He reaches for his phone before using the back of it to prop his paper on.
He writes his wish down, then hands me his phone to do the same.
Goddess, would it be wrong to ask him for his number?
He doesn’t even live here in town, but maybe we could still talk?
I jot my wish down on my paper and hand him his phone back, deep in thought. Most of the tree is covered in lights and ornaments, but the bottom portion of the tree already has thousands of wishes decorating its branches.
Thorne and I walk the perimeter before finding the perfect spot and placing his wish on a branch.
Usually, I’d hang my own wish, but there’s something magically charged about this moment, and I know I want him to do it.
I hand him my wish, and he doesn’t even have to ask.
He reaches over and hangs the piece of paper next to his.
Twinkling Christmas lights make snowflakes shimmer as they fall around this gorgeous alpha. In this moment, he looks magical, and I know, deep down, I will remember this night forever.
The elevator door slides closed. A wicked, tempting smirk crosses Thorne’s face, and suddenly he moves. Stalking forward with that predatory gaze he seems to possess. He towers over me, and fuck. I love it.
“Tell me this is okay,” he growls.
I nod frantically. “This is more than okay. Kiss me, alpha.”
Then his lips are on mine, and just like our first kiss, it’s all passion. Almost… primal. We can’t seem to stop ourselves with each other. The feeling of the hotel elevator moving, combined with our kiss, only adds to the sensations.
“Goddess,” he pants against my lips. “I don’t do this. I don’t ever have one-night stands.”
I nod again, chasing his lips. “Neither do I, but I want you. Don’t stop. I need you.”
The elevator chimes, and the door slides open.
Rather than pulling apart, I jump on this sexy alpha and wrap my legs around his waist. Thorne catches me easily, and I wrap my arms around his neck.
He makes me feel tiny and cherished. We continue kissing; him carrying me like this.
I close my eyes and grind my hard cock against him.
If he wants me, he can navigate the way to his room.
He maneuvers me around, pressing me against the door of a hotel room.
Damn, I really hope this is his room, or else we might give someone a show if they were to open the door to see who is making all this noise.
Thorne must have fished his key card out of his pocket, because the next thing I hear is the beep of the door before he’s carrying me inside.
It’s so hot the way he doesn’t stop our kisses, like he can’t get enough. I unwrap his scarf before tossing it to the right. He chuckles against my lips. “So desperate for me,” he murmurs.
I slide down his body and begin peeling my clothes off, one layer at a time. Thorne swallows hard, and I smirk. I point to the thick erection in his pants. “Just like you’re desperate for me.”
He growls. I laugh, tugging the last of my clothes off and running into his bedroom. He chases after me, and suddenly I wonder what it would be like to have him chase me down somewhere I can really move. Would he entertain the idea, maybe chase me through the snow and fuck me where we land?
I push the ridiculous thoughts away. This is just one night. One night with my perfect alpha. Plus, I’m pretty sure neither of us needs frostbite in our naughty places.
“What’s got you smiling like that, Hayden?”
I shake my head, heat rushing to my face. “Nothing.” I drawl out the word in a teasing manner. Thorne must have stripped while chasing after me, and I have to admit, I’m impressed. Maybe I should have let him rip the clothes off me as well.
Thorne is muscular. And when I say muscular, it’s as if his abs are painted on, only they are definitely three-dimensional and defined. His arms are just as impressive, and dear sugar cookies, that V of his groin leads to a deliciously beautiful cock.
My eyes land on the nightstand, where a beautiful vase is filled with fresh roses. “Romantic,” he murmurs behind me, and I hum my agreement.
Crawling onto the bed, I give him a show as I wiggle my ass. Fuck, I’m so turned on, he can probably see all the slick. A part of me is sad that my heat isn’t quite here. I’m half tempted to get into the traditional mating pose anyway. It would have been a fucking dream to spend it with him.
But no. ‘One night. One night,’ I chant internally, trying to remind myself not to ruin this moment.
Thorne rushes forward, hands grabbing my hips, and flips me over. I gasp. My hard cock slaps against my abs, and slick leaks from my hole. Goddess, the strength of this alpha. He moves my body so easily. It’s fucking intoxicating.
Thorne climbs on top of me, his thick, hard cock dragging against mine. His lips settle over a sensitive spot on my neck. Automatically, I tip my neck to the side, not understanding why the need to have him mark me there is so strong.
He inhales deeply, his fingers tilting my neck further to the side to give him full access. “Fuck, omega. You smell so good. Like coffee with a hint of… something else. Cookies?”
My heart races. He shouldn’t be able to smell my scent through the scent blockers. Not unless he’s… I shake my head. Wishful thinking. There’s no way this Greek god of a man is my fated mate. I’m not even sure I actually believe in fated mates.
‘One-night stand. One. Night. Stand.’ I remind myself again.
But with every kiss, and every touch, it gets harder and harder to tell myself this isn’t something more.
His teeth graze that spot before he groans.
I’m panting now. Fucking hell, why do I want him to bite me?
To claim me like this? It doesn’t make any sense.
“Alpha, please.”
“What do you need, sweet Hayden?” he teases. His fingers trail down, caressing my chest before trailing across my nipples.
I whimper, not knowing how to answer. “Please,” I beg. I know he must be as desperate as me. I’ve never been this turned on in my life, and I know alphas don’t like to wait. “You can take me now, Thorne.”
Thorne pauses, and I’m afraid I somehow ruined the moment.
“No omega,” he finally says, voice rough with need. “Let me take care of you. Let me prove that I’m not like them. I’m not like the others.”
At first, I don’t know what he’s asking. Then, he starts kissing a path down my body until he’s between my legs. He kisses my cock. Oh fuck. It feels so good. Right as I think he’s about to suck my length into his mouth, he trails further down, lower. He licks at my hole, tasting my slick.
I gasp. “I-I-I never—” I’ve never had anyone taste me there. As an omega, I’m very sensitive down there. More slick gushes from me as I grip the sheets in tight fists. Shock and lust vibrate through my whole body. I never…
Thorne groans while lapping me up. And suddenly, it’s as if my taste lights him on fire, because he’s eating me out like I’m an actual delicacy.
His mouth is everywhere, teasing, licking, sucking. Greedy masculine growls and grunts rumble in his throat, and I’m lost. Fingers join his tongue until he’s fingering me. Pumping and thrusting until I’m a mewing mess.
I’m thrashing now. “Oh, goddess. I never,” I say, like it’s the only words I know. “I never. I never.”
He adds another thick finger and fuck; the stretch is so good. Some omegas talk about the prostate, but I’m a slut for the stretch, and he’s giving me everything I need. “Alpha,” I pant. “Please give me your knot.”
Thorne groans, shuddering hard. Did he…no.
No, that’s not even possible; I’m not even touching him.
Before I can contemplate whether he’s just as gone as I am, warm heat surrounds my cock.
I cry out, a raw, desperate sound filled with need.
My body locks up, going completely rigid as my hole clenches around his fingers. Then, I’m coming. Hard.
Ropes of cum shoot down his throat. I gasp, body shaking from the sheer force of my orgasm. I tremble and tremble until I feel like I tremble completely apart and black out from the pleasure.