Chapter 24 #2
River growls low at the thought, and he clears his throat with a sheepish look when my eyes widen. “We need to practice resisting barks.”
Jackson mentioned that being a possibility after the confrontation with my sister’s awful husband, but it fell by the wayside in everything that happened after.
“You can help me with that?”
River’s mouth curves into a lopsided smile. “I know I might not look like it, but I am an alpha.”
My eyes scan down his trim, slender body, and my face heats. The man may not have a typical alpha physique, but his energy leaves no room for mistaking him for anything else. “I know you are.”
“Ambrose would be a better teacher because he knows more about it, but—please don’t think I’m saying this to be a self-aggrandizing ass—” I snort and humor flickers in his eyes. “My bark is stronger than his. It’ll be better to train resisting one that’s powerful, just in case.”
I frown. “So what, you bark at me and I try to ignore it?”
He shrugs. “Pretty much. The more you encounter it, the better your brain gets at resisting. Like building up an immunity. It will also help your omega differentiate between a bark that’s meant for its intended purpose—to keep you safe—and one meant to potentially harm you.”
“Huh. Okay.”
“Do you want to try now?” River asks, voice soft.
His posture stiffens as if he’s bracing for me to reject him. To tell him I don’t trust him enough to let him bark at me. But it’s the fact that he’s asking and clearly cares about my consent that has me nodding. “Yes. The sooner I figure this out, the better.”
River nods. “Okay. I’m going to bark a few simple things at you, and I want you to try to resist. Do I have your permission to ask you to do something that you’d find embarrassing and something your omega would like from your alpha?”
As terrifying as the prospect of being barked at by a random alpha is, my blood heats at the prospect of this powerful alpha using his on me. It makes my omega want to submit and let him have his way with me. She’s a horny weirdo.
I clear my throat with a cough. “Uh, sure.”
His eyes lock with mine. “I’m going to start. I’ll bark five times, and between each, I’ll check in and you can tell me to stop if you don’t want to continue.”
“This sounds more like a kink negotiation than you teaching me not to be mind controlled,” I blurt, cheeks heating at my own words. God, why did I say that?
River laughs. “A little. I’m not about to do anything to you without your consent…” His smile flickers, eyes dropping to the bond mark peeking out of my shirt.
“I asked you for that,” I reply. It feels good to admit it after spending so much time pretending that the bond was his fault. Sure, I didn’t know what I was asking for, but he didn’t know that I didn’t know.
I can tell he wants to argue, so I narrow my eyes at him. “No more apologies about the past, remember?”
He shakes his head at me with a huff. “Fine.” A moment passes as he pushes away whatever apology he wanted to make. “Are you ready to begin?”
My heartbeat speeds up. “Yes.”
River locks eyes with me. “Stand up.”
I’m on my feet before I realize what I’ve done. “Shit.”
He reaches out and touches my arm softly. “None of that. You’re hard-wired to listen, and it was a very basic, non-threatening command.”
“Right.” I shake my limbs out and take a deep breath, tensing my muscles this time in preparation.
“Ready?”
I nod.
“Walk over to the fountain.”
His deep, powerful words wrap around my mind, a caress and a push that my omega is desperate to heed. There’s barely a moment of hesitation. My muscles tense to try to stay frozen to the spot, but I forget why I’m resisting and my feet carry me to the fountain.
“Better.” River smiles at me.
I scowl back. “Better? What’s better about doing exactly what you say?”
He shakes his head at me, amused by my frustration. “There was a moment when you didn’t.”
“Oh good, so when a creepy alpha barks at me to get in their van, I’ll hesitate for a second before letting myself get abducted,” I reply drolly.
He frowns at the thought. “We won’t let that happen. Ready?”
I sigh, trying to release my frustration and focus on learning to do what feels impossible. “Yep.”
River stands, his dark eyes boring into mine. “Get on your hands and knees and crawl back to me.”
There’s a flicker of indignation at doing something so demeaning in the middle of the park where anyone could walk by, but on the heels of that is a hot throb between my thighs.
The grass is damp under my fingertips, my knees getting dirty as I crawl, my cheeks burning as slick pools between my thighs. When I get to him, I look up, panting.
River curses, his tongue darting out to wet his lips. “I didn’t think…” He coughs, shifting his hands in front of his hips to hide the bulge in his pants. “I’m sorry. I thought you’d find that objectionable.” He reaches a hand down to me to help me up.
I blink up at him, the spell of his bark fading as I take in his surprise. Part of me wants to stay down here at his knees. Have him order me to suck his cock like a good, obedient omega.
“Camille.” My name sounds hoarse from his lips as I continue to gaze up at him, not taking his hand. “Are you ready?”
“Y-yes,” I breathe, anticipating his next order, my blood thrumming hot with arousal.
“Stand up.”
A wave of disappointment hits me. My weight stays heavy in my heels, my omega unhappy that he’s not demanding something wicked from me.
I wobble as I fight to stay on my knees, and River’s hand darts out to catch me before I topple over onto my ass as I hover between obeying the bark and holding my ground.
He hauls me up with a deep, surprised chuckle. “Interesting,” he murmurs as he gazes at me, slowly releasing his grip when I’m steady on my feet.
“I almost did it!” I cling to that fact and not the reason why.
“You were amazing.” His eyes burn bright as he continues to stare at me with a mixture of pride and heat.
When he doesn’t say anything, I step closer, the adrenaline and arousal thrumming through me making me bold. “We still have one more.”
He blinks down at me. “Are you sure? I think that might be enough.”
“I’m sure.” I lick my lips, and his eyes drop to watch the movement. “I want to.”
I trust you.
The unspoken words hang in the air, and River closes the space between us, chest brushing against mine. “Do what you want to do.”
It’s not a real command, but the power thrums through me, giving me the permission to take this step. I rise on my toes and press my lips to his. He groans against my mouth, and wraps his arms around me, his grip somehow both possessive and protective.
We kiss and kiss and kiss, bodies pressed together as we pour our relief and hesitant hopes into each other. When our mouths part, we’re both breathless and wide-eyed.
I speak first, a smile spreading across my lips as I look into River’s stunned expression. “Not too bad for a first lesson, huh?”
He laughs and squeezes my hip. “You’re a quick learner, but we might need to practice more.” His voice lowers. “A lot more if you’re willing.”
Desire sizzles through me. “I’m willing.”