35. Ava
Chapter 35
Ava
I watch from my plush leather chair as I glance out of the window. I’m not looking at the clouds in the sky. I’m looking at Max's reflection in the window as he works on the table opposite, giving me the space he promised.
His jaw clenches as he reads the paperwork in front of him. But when he scratches the stubble on his chin, I’m reminded of him between my legs. Sucking my clit as his stubbled chin scraped over my pussy.
I cross my legs to stop the slick gushing down my legs.
It’s been too long since I’ve been touched, but I refuse to join the mile high club. Plus, he’s still on a good behavior warning until I speak to Seb.
He turns and catches me watching him.
“Are you okay, Ava?” Max asks as concern furrows his brow.
“Yep,” I squeak, trying to ward off my growing need and hoping I’m not sending dirty thoughts through the bond.
That’s probably difficult. His mere presence is magnetic, but he just nods his head and goes back to his paperwork. Though I’m sure I see a small smirk lift on his gorgeous face.
While he works, I keep stealing glances at him. He’s so much older than me, but his age doesn’t bother me. Not when he looks like that. And not when he loves me.
He told me he loved me.
He told me he wanted Silas and Seb in our pack.
He actually told me he loves me.
And I’ve told him I’ll give us a chance, but my heart is torn as Seb’s face keeps flashing in my mind.
I need to talk to him and explain. I understand now, with a pang of regret, how scared he must be of losing me.
It’s only now that I truly grasp the depth of his feelings. I’m an omega and being pursued by two alphas, pregnant with their child. I should’ve thought more about his concerns.
“Are you sure you’re okay? You’re sending too many mixed emotions through the bond. Do you need to talk about it?” Max says, his voice is low and soft.
“Just thinking about Seb. How difficult it’s going to be for him,” I say.
“You’ll need him.” He nods and then grins. “Someone with a level head when I’m being a pain in the ass, Silas is being moody, and you’re being ... you.”
I poke my tongue out at him.
He laughs and gets back to work.
As the gentle hum of the jet’s engines provides a soothing backdrop to my thoughts, I flatten the chair to a bed and close my eyes. My mind drifts to Seb, and a knot of worry forms in my stomach again.
I know how jealous he can get, how protective he is of our relationship.
Will he be able to accept Max and Silas as my alphas? The thought of him feeling left out makes my heart ache.
But then I remember how he accepted I’d need a pack one day, how he would find them for me. How he’d pushed me to have my first heat. Seb had always been there for me, even when I pushed him away.
Maybe he’ll surprise me.
I wish worry would stop kindling in my gut, but I suppose the doubts linger.
What if he can’t accept it?
What if he decides it’s too much and walks away?
My stomach churns with an aching sensation at the mere thought of losing Seb.
I can’t lose him.
As the jet carries us closer to Italy, closer to the moment of truth, anticipation mixes with dread. I can only hope that Seb’s love for me will be enough to help him accept whatever I choose.
Have I chosen?
I glance at Max, still working hard at his makeshift desk. He hasn’t a clue about these conflicting thoughts swirling in my mind.
Max’s phone rings, breaking the comfortable silence between us. I watch him as he answers, his expression shifting as he listens.
“It’s Silas,” he mouths to me, and my heart rate starts to race.
After a brief conversation, Max turns to me with a smile that’s both warm and slightly hesitant. “Apparently Lily loves Seb,” he says softly.
The relief washes over me as a smile, genuine and bright, spreads across my face. I lift the bed back to a chair, swing my legs until my feet touch the floor, and rush to sit on the opposite side of the table to Max.
“Really?” I ask, leaning forward in my seat. “Is Silas in Italy?”
I’m more surprised he knows where the boat is moored.
Max nods, his own smile growing at my positive reaction. “They’ve been getting along remarkably well, according to Silas.”
Contentment settles over me.
This is exactly what I had hoped for, but was afraid to expect. Lily bonding with Seb means that we truly can be a family—a pack.
“That’s wonderful,” I say, my voice choked up. “I was so worried. But if she and Seb are getting along.”
Max reaches across the table, tentatively taking my hand. This time, I don’t pull away. “It means we can all be a family, doesn’t it?” he says, echoing my thoughts.
“It means we can try again.” I squeeze his hand.
He rises from the chair. I watch as he walks to the front of the plane and talks to a steward. Then he returns, his eyes twinkling with mischief as he approaches.
My heart flutters when he smiles and stands beside the table.
“Mind if I join you?” he asks, gesturing toward the empty seat across from me. The one he just vacated.
I see his nose twitch slightly, and I know he’s trying to catch my scent. I no longer mask it, and the slick between my legs is flowing strongly.
I accept I’m an omega, and I’m never hiding again.
“Please.” My voice is coated in confusion, but I hold out my hand, gesturing to the seat opposite, appreciating how he pulls in his alpha instincts, respecting my boundaries.
I hesitate for a moment, then realize he’s reenacting our first real meeting. Not the one in Monaco, that was far too brief, and I was more focused on the job I was planning.
The one in Majorca where we discussed the perfect scent.
I smile. “But I’m leaving soon.”
“Well, today might just be my lucky day,” he says, flashing me that irresistible smile.
“Have you won the lottery?” I quip. If only I knew then he was a multi-billionaire and had more money than any lottery winner.
“I dare say I have,” he replies in an exaggerated British accent that makes me chuckle.
“Why did you put on a British accent?” I ask.
“Don’t ruin the moment, Ava.”
I grin as I meet his gaze. “And what exactly have you won?”
“The privilege of your company,” he says with a wink as he settles into the chair.
My heart skips a beat, just like it did the first time. “Well, aren’t you charming?”
“You should have remembered that.”
I purse my lips before saying, “Now who is steering away from the script?”
He laughs. “I must admit, it’s not every day that I encounter someone as intriguing as yourself.”
I raise an eyebrow. “I agree.”
He narrows his eyes and grumbles, “You didn’t say that the first time.”
I giggle, liking his toned down alpha. “You don’t know me.”
“I don’t, and that is something I’ve always regretted. Not getting to know you. The real you. I let my ego get in the way, but I'll never do that again.”
My lungs seize.
His sincerity catches me off guard, and I pause for a moment.
I smile, breaking character briefly. Quickly recovering, I lean back and cross my arms. “You’re quite the smooth talker.”
“I try my best,” he replies with a smirk. “So, what brings you here? On this plane?”
I quirk my head to one side, considering how to continue our little game.
Max leans forward, his eyes pleading. “Please indulge me. What made you join me?”
I know he wants to end this conversation, at least the one we’re playing. He wants more from me.
I’m not sure that I’m ready.
I lean forward, lowering my voice. “I’m here on a mission. I’m searching for the perfect scent.”
Max smiles as he leans closer, his voice matching my hushed tone. “I can tell you that for a price.”
“Oh. Please tell me.” I glance around the plane, pretending to check for eavesdroppers. “I need to know. I’m an omega who never had a scent for years until a magical potion brought it back to life.”
“Maybe you share the same scent with someone who knew your scent, despite it being hidden. Maybe the magician couldn't wait any longer for you to find him and wanted you to know you were his.”
Blood rushes in my ears as I watch him. His eyes pleading as our gazes lock. I don’t know how hard his heart is beating, but mine is frantic.
“I am yours,” I state, suddenly serious.
And when he sends love through the bond, tears fill my eyes.
“You are. And I'm yours,” he whispers.
I see a flicker of possessiveness in his eyes. He hastily reins it in as his expression softens, and he reaches across the table to take my hand.
The playfulness quickly fades, replaced by a deep, sincere love that flows through our shared bond, and it takes away my breath.
“You gave me my freedom and then took it away, and I’m happy about both. But I can’t fight you anymore, Max.” As the plane soars high above the clouds, I feel every one of my words. “Because I know you’re mine.”
In an instant, Max is on his feet, two long strides around the table, and closing the distance between us.
His hands find my waist, lifting me effortlessly from my seat. Instinctively, I wrap my legs around his waist, my arms encircling his neck.
Max’s heart races against my chest, matching the rapid beat of my own. Our gazes meet for a moment before our lips slam together in a passionate kiss.
As his tongue slides into my mouth, his intoxicating scent envelops me, and I lose myself in him. Lose myself in my alpha.
Breathless, we finally break apart. Max rests his forehead against mine. His eyes, dark with desire and love, search my face.
“Good,” he says, a smile playing on his lips. “Because Ava Darling, you’ve always been mine. You just never realized it, but I always knew.”