Chapter 24 Delilah
TWENTY-FOUR
Delilah
I wake up groggy, my eyes gritty and a menthol-like taste lingering in my mouth, which I sometimes get after using heat patches. While they did finally work, their effects weren’t quick enough to avoid me becoming a needy mess around the men I should be avoiding.
I’m squeezed between Tae and Nash, a thin blanket draped over us. I carefully shuffle out of my position, trapped under Nash’s massive arm, trying not to wake him. Unfortunately, I’m not stealthy enough.
Nash sits bolt upright, his crystal blue eyes laser-focused on me. “Are you okay?”
Sunshine streams through a tiny crack in the curtains, casting his skin in a warm glow. On my other side, Tae’s eyelids flutter, drawing my attention to his crazy-long lashes before he rolls over and continues sleeping.
“I need to…” I pull the blanket up to cover myself, realizing that we’re all still naked. “I need to shower.”
He scrubs a hand over his light stubble that resembles sparkling diamonds in the light. “Second door on the left upstairs.”
I scamper up, taking the blanket with me and leaving Nash and Tae completely exposed.
Holy shit. My eyes seem to have a mind of their own as they stray over to Nash’s cock, which is already hardening at the sight of me.
How did I even take something that big? It’s no wonder I have a satisfied ache between my thighs.
I blink and hastily turn my head in the opposite direction before grabbing my clothes from yesterday, which have been carefully placed over a chair.
I bite back a giggle as Tae mumbles something in his sleep, reaching out. His arm lands on Nash, who shrugs him away.
Thankfully, there’s no sign of Jagger as I make my way through the house, sparing me from having to face him. Inside the safety of the bathroom, my mind reels, trying to process what exactly happened last night before hopping into the shower.
I groan as I wash their scents from my skin, a mix of relief and… disappointment coursing through me.
Despite being squeaky clean a few minutes later, I can’t wash them away entirely.
My clothes are still layered with their individual scents, making it hard not to think about how good they made me feel.
This is when I’d usually call my friends and get a pep talk from the Stellas, but in my rush to leave, I left my phone downstairs.
“You can do this!” I hype myself up, mustering up the courage to leave the bathroom. “Now or never.”
I fling the door open with vigor, and it slams into a hard object. Oops.
Jagger rubs his shoulder. “Ouch.”
Why did I push it open so forcefully? He looks like total shit—well, as shitty as someone who may be one of the sexiest guys on the planet can look. Dark shadows ring his eyes, his hair is extra messy, and he’s still wearing last night’s crinkled clothes.
“Morning, Del.” His voice is slightly hoarse.
I throw my shoulders back, choosing to ignore the fact that I almost knocked him out as I nod in cold acknowledgement. “Jagger.”
“I made breakfast.” His strained, thin smile doesn’t reach his eyes. “It’s waiting for you downstairs.” He turns to head back into what I presume is his bedroom. “I’ll stay here so I don’t bother you while you’re eating.”
Just because I didn’t want him to join me during my heat spike doesn’t mean I want to be held responsible for him starving.
I let out a deep sigh. “Have you already eaten?”
“I…” His stomach gurgles loudly, answering my question. “I can eat later.”
“You need to eat too.” I cross my arms, unable to ignore my caretaking instincts. “This is your house.”
“I don’t want to make you feel uncomfortable.” He doesn’t move, his eyes on the floor. “I want to respect your wishes.”
“And you can by eating your food on the other side of the table,” I snap.
“Just sitting at the same table as you will make my entire week.”
I fight to stop the corners of my mouth from twitching into a smile. Ugh. A few words from him can turn my insides to mush, which is so wrong. How can I ever trust Jagger means what he says again?
He gestures for me to go down first, waiting until I’ve taken a few steps before following to keep his distance.
“Wow…” I declare when I see the spread across the dining table.
It looks like he bought the contents of an entire bakery.
Beyond the table, Nash stands behind an ironing board, frowning as he tries to steam the wrinkles out of a well-worn plaid shirt.
His muscled torso instantly has me salivating, so I pretend to look inside more of the unmistakable pink boxes from Springflour Bakery before he notices.
They’re much safer to look at than the ripped alpha who cares about housekeeping.
My eyes land on golden flaked deliciousness. “Are those…?”
“Dora’s special almond croissants.” Jagger beams proudly. “Yep. I warmed them up, so they should be the perfect temperature to eat.”
Heavy footsteps clomp down the stairs. “Something smells good!” Tae joins us, shaking his hair like a wet dog and spraying water everywhere. “These look unreal. Great job, Jag.” Tae eyes an almond croissant then goes to grab one, but Jagger slaps his hand away.
“Ladies first,” Jagger scolds him, pulling out a chair for me.
I harrumph in disapproval, but I’m too hungry to point out that I can do it myself.
“These are the best.” I virtually inhale the croissant, sending pastry flakes flying across the table.
Going through a heat spike drains your body’s energy, so I need to refuel.
Jagger sets a green smoothie in front of me. “You should hydrate. I also have some key lime pie, if you’d like a slice?”
The croissants were a fluke, but green smoothies and the pie too? I eye him in suspicion. “You seem to have picked up all of my favorites.”
Unless he’s suddenly psychic, there’s no way he could have known all this.
“Kady may have given me a few pointers,” Jagger shrugs.
“You spoke to Kady?” I arch an eyebrow.
“She wasn’t exactly happy to hear from me, as you’d expect.” He slumps down into a seat, picking a muffin apart on his plate. “But she was happy to help. She’s a good friend.”
Once upon a time, this would have been my dream morning—three gorgeous men, surrounded by all of my favorite foods, after a wild night of passion. Instead, I feel like I’m a contestant on a game show where I’m being shown all the prizes that I could have won but didn’t.
“What’s wrong?” Jagger frowns as I push my smoothie away from me. “I can make you something else if you’d prefer?”
“The smoothie is fine.” I stand up. “But I should get going.”
Nash’s head pops up, spine straightening as he clutches the iron mid-air. He holds it in place for so long that Tae has to intervene.
“There’s something I have to say before you go,” Jagger calls out. “While we’re all together.”
“I think we already covered everything yesterday.” I brush myself down. “Thank you for your help. I’m sorry to have been an inconvenience.”
“You could never be an inconvenience,” Tae rebukes firmly.
It’s hard not to succumb to his endearing words and expression, but I shouldn’t be here.
“It won’t take long.” Jagger exudes desperation. “Yesterday changed things, so I want you all to hear this.”
I hold up one finger. “Five minutes.” I sit down again. “That’s it.”
“You’re our scent match, Delilah.” Jagger’s tone is matter-of-fact, like he’s stating that the sky is blue. “Not just mine but Nash’s too. And you’re perfect for Tae.”
“I told you yesterday that being drawn to someone’s scent doesn’t necessarily mean we have to be together,” I remind him, ignoring my base instincts and remembering how much he hurt me.
Nash winces, making me feel like an asshole. It’s not his fault that Jagger fucked everything up.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to sound so harsh...” I soften my voice. “It’s just… This whole situation is...”
“Complicated?” Tae squeezes my knee in encouragement. “We get it. You and Jagger have history.”
That’s one way to put it.
I fixate on the stack of golden muffins to avoid looking at the guys. “If last year had never happened, things would be different.”
“Exactly,” Jagger sighs. “I know I fucked up, and I’ll never be able to apologize enough for what I did.
It’s the biggest regret of my life, but I’m not going to let you and my pack suffer because of my mistakes.
” He takes a deep breath. “I’ve decided to leave the Ward Pack.
I saw how happy you looked last night without me, and I won’t stand in your way. ”
All the blood seems to drain from my body. “W-what?”
“I’ve already packed my bags.” Jagger’s chair scrapes across the floor. “You don’t have to say anything else.”
“Dude, you’ve got to be kidding!” Tae grabs his arm. “A pack is for life. We’re family!”
“I’ve made my decision.” Jaggers pulls away from Tae’s hold.
“I’ve already caused you enough pain, Delilah.
” His sad gaze meets mine, and everything else seems to fall away.
“When I’m gone, you’ll be free to get to know Nash and Tae without any complications.
They’re great guys—the very best. They’ll make you happy. ”
“But…” I croak. “W-what about you?”
“People like me don’t get happy endings. And quite frankly, I don’t deserve one.” He shrugs. “You were the only bright spark in my life, and I snuffed that out.”
“You’d seriously leave your pack?” I ogle him. “For me?”
He smiles wryly. “I’d do anything for you, rainbow.”
If him staying away from me is what I wanted, then why does it feel like I’ve been sucker punched?
A fresh wave of anger has my hands curling into fists. “So you’re just going to leave again.”
“I thought that’s what you wanted.”
“I don’t know what I want, Jagger!” I throw my arms up in the air.
My feelings for Jagger are infuriating—the way I’m drawn to him is so tied up with the pain of him leaving.
“I’m confused, okay? I need space and time to think, but I don’t want you to leave your pack.
” I make sure my voice is firm. “I’m sure of that at least.”
“But scent matches should—”