Chapter 10
chapter
ten
Underwear?
Check.
An actual bra ?
Also check.
Clothing??
Check and check.
After I panicked and ran out of my foyer like my butt was on fire, Jesse awkwardly spoke through my bedroom door, telling me to take as much time as I needed to get ready. Assuring me they would wait.
Presumably, for me to calm down.
As if that’s even possible.
I run my hands down my lavender skirtall, smoothing it over my tight white T-shirt.
Pretending I can’t hear them in my kitchen, voices low and serious.
Underscoring the fact that there are four of them here.
And that—despite each of them wearing a polite layer of de-scenter—they are still positively filling this place with alpha .
Jesse, in all his Golden Boy, sugar-spiced, kettle-corn glory.
Colt’s general saltiness.
Dante’s sticky-sweet mango.
And…
Adrian .
Simply thinking his name is enough to have me perfuming.
It’s taken the last thirty minutes for me to process him .
So strong and sexy, distinguished but still young enough to pull off his trendy haircut and the three open buttons framing his bare chest. Showcasing how all his skin is, in fact, the same clear, bronzy color as honey…
I only got a bit of his musky scent when he walked into the foyer. He probably put on extra neutralizer before they came over here. That’s considered gentlemanly when visiting the home of an unbonded omega; and despite being sex on a stick, Adrian seems like he minds his manners.
I hope not , the little voice inside of me whines.
My Omega.
Guys, she is—and I cannot stress this enough—an absolute lunatic.
Which is why I don’t trust her with this situation one bit.
Thinking this, I reach for my scent-canceling spray, muttering to myself, “They’re already in my damn house—it’s not like they can’t smell me all over the place.”
It’s still embarrassing, knowing how unappealing my aroma can be. But you know what? Better safe than sorry.
Ignoring my trembling limbs, I slip into pink Chacos and creep down the hallway. Hoping I’ll be able to eavesdrop on their conversation a little. Get the lay of the land before they?—
“Bridget?”
It’s Adrian. I know the others’ voices, but his is new to me. The rough rasp around the edges sends a melty ache to my core.
It only gets worse when warm amusement seeps into his tone. “We can smell you, little blue,” he chuckles. “Do you want your coffee cake? I have it here for you.”
Damn him. I do want my coffee cake.
And who the fuck is “little blue”?
Surely not me ?
Blushing all over and annoyed about it, I wander around the wall separating the kitchen from the hallway.
The small, sunny room is one of my favorite spots in the house.
I painted the cabinets myself, matching them to the soft, buttery yellow on my front door.
I thought the color went well with the dark hardwood floors and white countertops.
Plus, it adds a little brightness to all the meals I eat by myself.
Now, four huge alphas fill my upbeat kitchen and living room.
Jesse leans against the wall between my pink Smeg fridge and the island.
Dante is on one rosy couch, his legs and arms spread like he owns the damn thing—while Colt sits opposite him, his good knee bouncing in agitation.
Adrian is perched on one of my orange barstools, waiting for me to look at him.
When I do, cool azure eyes beam fondly. He waves me toward him, an undercurrent of alpha power lacing his casual, “Here, omega.”
I really wish he would stop calling me that.
I could do without the reminder of what I am—and what he is.
Which brings me back to: Who the fuck is this guy, and why is he in my house?
Their house.
Adrian’s chiseled lips quirk up slightly. “I’ll explain,” he promises. “But you should eat. Come on.”
Dumbfounded, I follow the pull in my middle across the room. When I start to slide into my own stool, he hums. The sound is quiet, but disapproving. I freeze on the spot.
Then I shake that shit off because who cares what this literal stranger approves of??
Not me.
Nope.
Shut up.
Whatever manly musk I barely picked up on before is stronger directly beside him. Actually, I think it’s just stronger in general. Some dark, smoky sexiness that reminds me of new cars and an old club chair next to a fireplace…
Holy shih tzus.
It’s leather. Warm and supple, as if it’s even possible for a scent to have a texture . His does, though.
What the hell is happening today?
Focus , Bridget .
Worldly blue-green eyes snag mine, his thick black brows drawn up. He nods at the coffee cake, served perfectly on a chipper yellow plate, with a folded napkin and everything. “Aren’t you hungry, little one?”
Alright, that’s it.
Whatever this is stops now.
I shoot him a dirty look before dismissing him entirely, turning to face forward and pick up my fork. “My name is Bridget,” I correct as breezily as I can manage.
My focus shifts to Jesse’s guilty grimace. “Are you going to explain who you brought to my house?” I ask, expression expectant. “I assume you’re all here because of the news that broke yesterday.”
Jesse’s wince tightens. He opens his mouth, but it’s Dante who answers, his dark eyes glinting across the room. “Oh, did we forget to tell you, cupcake? He’s your new pack alpha.”