9. Claire
Things were looking up, but I was frankly, frustrated as fuck.
Which was why I found myself readily agreeing to girls night with Autumn and Lindsay the night before the Dates Delicacies auction.
To say things had been interesting around the house the past couple of days would be putting it lightly.
Ever since Riley had confessed to being in love with me, we’d been dancing around each other and it was driving me crazy. Sure we still snuggled on the couch, and held hands, our touches lingering longer than before, but at the end of the night we still went to our separate beds…him with a hard on and me with another restless night of using my toys to take the edge off.
All I wanted was my best friend to fuck me senseless.
Was it really too much of a stretch for us to Netflix and chill already?
Usually, I was pretty okay taking care of my own needs, having done so most of my life, because, frankly, every alpha I’ve ever smelled had my nose wrinkling. And the couple betas I dated, I ended up comparing to Riley, which of course they never measured up. Unfair? Absolutely. But I also wasn’t going to settle for anyone I didn’t want or be driven by my heats.
Maybe it was Holiday Hollow or maybe it was my parents, but I grew up with a very independent outlook on what I could do, regardless of my designation or not.
Which was why I was out tonight, alone, well, besides the girls. Something I could not get away with as an omega if I was in a different city. Damn, I really did love this town.
“Hot damn, girl, the triplets are going to have to bat the tourists off of you tonight,” Lindsay said, pulling me in for a hug.
“Yeah, you’re putting off some serious vibes,” Autumn said, as I moved to greet her too. “Ollie just brought us the first round, which means we’re about to be properly hydrated for you to spill. I’m assuming because your bestie isn’t here tonight, this might have something to do with him. He’s been acting kind of off the past couple of days.”
“Off how?” I asked.
Autumn owned Cedarwick Orchard and had made Riley a partner there last year after she’d found her pack and settled down back here in Holiday Hollow. While they handled different sides of the business it was a bit concerning if she noticed the difference too.
“Preoccupied maybe?” She said, tapping her finger against her lip. “Not as sassy?”
“Lord forbid if the beta loses his sass,” Lindsay said before taking a drink of her beer. “I’m pretty sure it’s one of the things I look forward to every time I see him. Is Riley without attitude, even Riley anymore? What happened?”
I took a drink of my cosmo, and then another, my two friends waiting patiently.
“He loves me,” I said when I finally set my drink down.
“Wait?” Autumn said freezing and leaning closer. “Loves you in what way?”
“As in, when we were at dinner with Vance and his partner the other night, he told me he’s in love with me and has been for a while.”
“I knew it!” Lindsay said, with a grin, the beta doing a little happy dance in her seat. “The looks he gives you when you’re not looking sometimes are way more than friendly.”
Autumn grinned as well, clearly pleased the suspicions I knew she’d had were true.
“So why are you here and not underneath the covers making up for lost time?” Autumn asked after a moment.
“I’d love to know that answer as well,” I said, finishing off the rest of my drink, enjoying the warmth of it flowing through my system, my shoulders relaxing slightly. “He hasn’t even kissed me yet.”
Gasps wrung out from my friends. “No way.”
“Yep,” I said with a sigh. “I mean, I could go ahead and jump him, but I’ve wanted him for so damn long, been in love with him so damn long that part of me still believes I’m going to wake up and this won’t be reality. Is it too much for me to want him to take that first step? To show me he really does want me as desperately as I want him? Is that some omega thing I don’t know about?”
“Definitely not an omega thing,” Lindsay confirmed. “That’s a friends to lovers thing, and there’s nothing wrong with you wanting that.”
She cast a look behind the bar, two of the triplets seeming to feel the weight of her eyes as they looked up from what they were doing. She quickly looked back towards us with a small shake of her head and I knew we weren’t going to be diving into all of that tonight.
“What about Vance and his partner?” Autumn asked. “I know you’ve been tight lipped about the whole thing and I won’t pry but I assume if y’all were having dinner with them, that might be a thing too.”
“There’s interest for sure,” I said. “But we’re all getting to know each other right now. They want to take it slow and build up. That doesn’t have to mean me and Riley though.”
“Well maybe what your beta needs is a nudge,” Lindsay offered. “Admittedly, it’s not for everyone, but it’s worked for me a time or two.”
“Oooo,” Autumn crooned, bouncing up and down in her seat excitedly. “Tomorrow at the auction. He’s helping you transport the goodies right?”
Adam, one of the triplet owners of the bar Lindsay had been not so subtly staring at, came over to the table this time, giving us another round.
“I’d ask if you ladies are behaving, but you all have that look in your eye right now. I’m not going to have to break up any fights tonight am I?” he asked with one eyebrow cocked up in question.
“That was one time, Adam!” Autumn said, narrowing her eyes. “And they didn’t even get into a fight, it was just a misunderstanding.”
“Well, they’re in the back booth again so have fun, but don’t wreck my bar, okay? That goes for all of you,” Adam said, looking towards me before looking intensely at Lindsay.
“No problem, boss,” she said with a twitch of her lips.
With fresh drinks in our hands we got back into our conversation at hand, scheming on ways I could drive my beta insane. In the most delicious ways of course.
“He’s going to stop by the bakery and transport the majority of them in the morning for me with the van. I’m going home after the morning rush and getting ready and I’ll be meeting him there.”
“That’s perfect, you can get all tarted up as sweetly as your desserts and make him come begging to you on his knees,” Lindsay said with a large grin.
“Please tell me you have a dress,” Autumn said.
“I was planning on wearing that black and pink suit I wore to the distribution meeting we had,” I said with a shrug. “I’m donating to the auction so it’s kind of business related.”
“But it’s a Dates Delicacies auction, it’s all about sweets and seduction, romance and ravishing betas we need to step up to the plate,” Autumn beseeched.
“I see now why you’re in marketing,” I said with a laugh. “I have a few dresses but I don’t know if any of them would work.”
“Hold that thought,” Lindsay ordered as she went to the counter, and negotiated with Ollie before returning with three small glasses. “Shots first.”
“To the auction!” Autumn cheered. I clinked my drink against theirs before swallowing down the fiery liquid. The warmth spread through me and I found myself giving into the little fantasy they’d created.
Me, dressed up in a dress that hugged every curve, red painted lips, and my curls falling down my back. Riley seeing me and his eyes darkening with lust. Then he would whisk me away, unable to resist my charm. A couple of dashing alphas trailing after us.
“There’s way too much thinking going on, you clearly need another round,” Autumn joked before turning to the bar. “Another one, bartender!”
Adam didn’t look amused and instead carried over three waters while Ollie, the triplet who was totally scoring the most points tonight, came over a moment later with a fresh round.
“I’ve got a red dress,” I admitted. “It’s a sweetheart neckline and I always get self conscious because of how much it shows.”
“Then it’s perfect,” Lindsay protested. “You’ve got amazing boobs, use them!”
Autumn cracked up at that but agreed. “Exactly.”
“It’s not super sexy outside of that. The sleeves are sheer and the skirt flows, but it hugs my hips before flaring out.” At this point I was just rambling, letting their excitement and the gentle buzz keep me going.
“Red lipstick is a must, play up to that theme,” Autumn said firmly. “You’re going to be absolutely irresistible.”
The attention that was on me was starting to overwhelm me so I changed the subject to them and the auction.
“Are you participating in the auction tomorrow?”
Autumn grinned wickedly. “Yes and they don’t know it. I’m going to see just how crazy I can drive my guys. Poor Jack and Hunter will both be bickering and I have a feeling that Boone will be the one to win.”
“I’m still not sure, Janice has me down as a maybe still,” Lindsay said with a sigh. “The last thing I want is a pity bid.”
“Girl, you’re gorgeous. You’d definitely get more than a few bids,” I protested. Autumn and I both instinctively glanced at the triplets but didn’t point our suspicions out. The trio of brothers that owned Holiday Brews, and looked at our friend like she hung the moon, definitely wanted more. But pushing a pack together never worked. Even if we all thought it was obvious how into each other they were.
“We’ll see,” was all she said before ordering us to enjoy the next round. At this point I was really feeling the buzz and all I could think about was the men who’d overtaken every fantasy and daydream.
Girl’s night was amazing, but what I really wanted was for Riley to step up and take me. Hell, I could even imagine the two alphas joining in. My thighs pressed together in an attempt to relieve the ache but I was ripped from my thoughts as the song changed and Lindsay dragged us out to the dance floor.
It was busy tonight as it was most pre-festival nights. The floor was filled with dancing bodies and we had to fight our way in, huddling together and ignoring the dancers around us as we laughed and swayed along to the song. Usually I’d be joking about my awful dance moves but tonight I didn’t care.
Just as my thoughts drifted back to Riley a hand wrapped around my hips. For a moment I smiled, imagining it was him then reality caught up and I spun around, nearly knocking Lindsay and Autumn over when I jumped away from the stranger. It was hard to find someone you didn’t know in this small of a town, but tourist season was truly never ending.
“You want to dance with me, darlin?” he asked in a husky voice as his eyes traveled down my body. My stomach churned in protest but Autumn was shoving me behind her and getting in his face, her finger poking his chest.
“That’s not how you treat a lady. We don’t take kindly to demanding alphas here in Holiday Hollow! And she’s spoken for, buddy,” she thundered. The alpha put his hands up in protest but smartly backed away. I wouldn’t tell Autumn it was the other alphas in tow standing behind her, including the triplets, backing her up that scared them off.
“Thanks,” I yelled over the music and gave her a quick hug. She waved it off with a smile and grabbed my hand, urging me to dance again.
Every time I closed my eyes I couldn’t help but picture my men here with me instead. Vance dancing behind me, body pressed to mine as he told me how sexy he thought I was. Adrien’s intense stare as he watched us together, loving every second before demanding we go home. Riley right there with me, hands trailing over my sides and down to my hips.
“I need some air!” I called out before practically shoving my way through the crowd and grabbing my phone out of my purse.
“Another water,” Adam demanded as soon as I reached the table, putting the full glass in front of me. I also noticed he dropped off a basket of fries.
The girls didn’t let me get far and joined me at the table, but I was already texting as I absently chewed on a salty fry.
Claire: The bar is packed tonight
Riley: That bad? Are you having fun at least?
Claire: Maybe
Riley: You’re drunk, aren’t you?
Claire: Maybeeee
Vance: How are you getting home?
Oh shit… this was a group chat? I didn’t even remember adding them all but my mind was buzzing with alcohol and thoughts of them.
Was it hot in here?
Riley: Don’t worry, she won’t be driving
Claire: It’s a quick walk and Autumn’s pack is getting us home
Adrien: Good. Drink water.
Claire: I do what I want
I giggled at my words to the alpha, knowing it would have him narrowing his eyes if he were here. I wondered if he would be the type to take me over his knee and…
“Oh she’s got it bad,” Autumn teased as she popped a fry in her mouth and gave me a knowing look.
“Stop,” I groaned. “I’m just saying hi.”
“Drunk texting,” Lindsay corrected me. “Now tell them something to drive them crazy. You can regret it tomorrow.”
Claire: I am drinking water like the good omega I am. I had to cool off after dancing and turning down alphas
Vance: I’m not surprised. I find it hard to keep my hands to myself when I’m around you. Be safe for us so I can make good on that, Peach.
Claire: Don’t worry, I didn’t dance with them. I just pictured dancing with you guys. Hence the need to cool down. My thoughts got a little carried away ;)
Vance: I like where this is going
Lindsay was right, I’d likely regret this tomorrow, but tonight it was nice to not overthink and say what I felt. They’d all told me they were interested and I tried to make it clear. If our talk didn’t, this definitely did.
Maybe with a little red lipstick, a sexy dress, some confidence, and a little Hollow magic, I could convince them I didn’t need to take baby steps.