Chapter 29
chapter
twenty-nine
Jonah is every bit as comfy as he looks.
I lie in the crook of his bare shoulder, resting my head where it meets the broad expanse of his chest. Tracing a finger along the thick black lines inked over his heart, I turn and look up at the copse of oak trees swaying overhead.
He catches me peeking again, chuckling quietly over his purr and pulling me in closer. “I’m glad you like your garden, manamea .”
Sweetheart . He calls me that all the time. And, sometimes, when I’m feeling extra shy, hummingbird . Either way, everything he says is layered with undeniable fondness.
Which I still don’t understand.
He won’t let me do anything for him. Every time I offer, he just tells me we have time. Like there really isn’t any rush—like he actually wants… to get to know me?
I feel like we’ve made some pretty good progress on that. He quizzed me about all my favorite foods, the types of music I like the most, how I feel about all the clothes Tristan’s personal shoppers sent for me.
I’ve learned about him, too. The big man loves any sort of sporting event—even things most people don’t usually watch, like surfing and bowling. He’s passionate about cooking and spending time outdoors, which means he loves to grill on the enormous gas range the pack has in the backyard.
I’ve only been here for a week, but it’s already clear he’s the peacemaker of the pack, with a deep understanding of all the other guys and tons of insights he has no problem sharing with me. That’s how I learned that Spencer has a touch aversion and Avery used to be a tattoo artist.
He’s also been the source of all my Tristan intel. I haven’t had the nerve to ask many questions, but so far Jonah’s told me that their pack leader may seem fussy, but he’s really the least-picky eater of them all. He’s also not at all particular about what they do to spend time together as a pack and prefers making most decisions as a group.
Other than that, the other info I’ve gleaned is pretty useless. He likes to change into comfortable clothes the moment he gets home; he’s a bit of an insomniac; and, according to Jo, he has “a black thumb” that can kill any houseplant, no matter how hardy.
Something this big man clearly doesn’t struggle with, if this beautiful garden is any indication.
Every time I look around, I can’t control my smile. So I hide my face against his pec instead, scent-marking him before I realize what I’m doing. His purr deepens, his hand spreading wide over the small of my back.
Bearded lips graze my forehead before he nestles his chin against the crown of my head. We stay there, content, for a long moment before he rumbles, “I’ve been thinking about things we could do together. Places to take you. Things you might want to learn.”
No one’s ever been as kind to me as this alpha. In fact, I doubt anyone’s been this kind to another human, ever. And without expecting a single thing in return. Not even an explanation as to how I ended up here.
Why do I suddenly feel like I might cry?
“Jo?”
He turns his face into my hair. “Mmhmm?”
“I’m sorry it’s taken me so long to talk to you all. I know I promised I would. I’m sure you’re all getting frustrated…”
It isn’t really a question, but he hears what I’m asking anyway. Hitching me closer, his voice lowers into a soft murmur. “Serena, where you’ve been doesn’t matter to me. I only need to know where you want to go. So I can take you there.”
His words sink in slowly—their meaning and his absolute, mind-boggling sincerity.
“Jonah…”
Nerves flutter in my stomach, my scent smoldering while I fret over the phrase I’ve been thinking about all week. Every time he holds me or kisses me. Every scent-mark. Every kind word. I keep hearing what he said the first night and wondering what he meant.
This doesn’t have to mean anything .
Was he trying to give himself an escape hatch? I sort of assumed so, at the time. An out for both of us, I figured. Because I was clearly scared, and he was clearly too good for me.
But, then, why has he said such beautiful things; and gone to the trouble of making me gifts?
Is it possible he really just wants me to be comfortable ?
There’s only one way to know.
“I know you said this doesn’t have to mean anything. But what if—” I start and pause to swallow hard. “What if… I want it to?”
For a long beat, the alpha under me goes still. My mind races, trying to come up with some way to take back what I said. Play it off as a joke, maybe? Or?—
He rolls me faster than a man his size has any right to, putting us face-to-face. Lord, he really is handsome. All his strong, broad features perfectly balanced with his thick, dark brows and beard.
His rich amber irises shine in the afternoon sunshine. Dropping his forehead to mine, he flashes a grin that’s pure joy.
“I’d say thank God .” He nuzzles me sweetly. “Isn’t it obvious that I’m crazy about you, manamea ? Finding you is everything I’ve ever wanted.”
As soon as he says the words, it seems insane that I ever doubted him. He’s made it abundantly clear—just as obvious as Avery, in his own unique way. Cooking for me at every opportunity, holding me every time I seem even the least bit unsure. All of his scent-marks and forehead kisses. And now, this garden…
Am I really so broken that I didn’t think he could care about me? Even after all of that ?
This poor alpha.
I brush my lips along his and settle in, really kissing him for the first time.
It’s nothing like Avery in the best way. My tattooed alpha kisses with carnal intent, always making it abundantly clear just how much he wants more.
Jonah, though… He’s slow and soft, his lips teasing mine until I moan and arch up, desperate for more pressure. He smiles, then, his beard prickling my chin while his mouth pulls into a wide, pleased grin.
I feel his cock through the jeans molded to his lower half. I’ve spent the week mentally sizing it up every time it makes itself known, and I’m more than a little intimidated .
His dick can’t possibly be proportional to his enormous body… right?
Oh my God.
Right?!?
His scent thickens, sweetness bursting on my tongue while his smokey, toasted goodness gets deeper. S’mores , Avery told me. That’s the name for Jonah’s rich blend of chocolate and golden brown and gooey deliciousness. I’ve never had s’mores before, but they promised we could make them one night when the weather gets cooler.
I truly can’t wait. Maybe I won’t have to , some depraved piece of me thinks. Maybe his cum will taste like he smells.
I haven’t tried Avery’s yet to confirm. In fact, for someone so inherently sensual and spontaneous, my fighter has been alarmingly polite. He never demands anything from me, happy to get me off with his hands and his mouth and his pierced cock as many times as I want him to.
Sure, it usually ends with his cum glazing my belly… or my thighs… But still. He’s a giver .
Just like Jonah, he’s made a point to make me the main priority. Because, I’m beginning to suspect, they might actually… like me.
Me .
Not my scent or parts of my body that they can use. But… like me as a person .
I almost can’t believe it. Maybe that’s why my small voice asks, “What are the things you wanted to teach me?”
Will he say something sexual? Maybe he wants to teach me how to take knots. Or swallow them. I should probably figure out both if I really am staying here for my heat…
Jo’s large hand comes up to pet my head, stroking my hair back while he looms over me. “Well, I want to take you to the beach. That’s a must . Do you know how to swim? If you don’t, I can teach you. It’s not so hard.”
He wants…
To teach me to swim?
I blink at him. My Omega peers out at his face, nudging at me the same way she did with Avery, only this time I feel like she’s almost rolling her eyes at me.
If she could speak, she’d be saying, See? Told ya so.
When he sees whatever my face is doing, his creases in a frown. “I know it might not sound like much fun, but it really is a safety thing, hummingbird. We live in a place with a lot of water, and we have a pool. I should maybe get you professional lessons or?—”
I arch up, kissing him harder than before. He grunts, catching me against him and holding me there effortlessly.
When he pulls back with a bewildered blink, I start to shimmy out from under him. “Come on.”
He sits up and watches me stand. “Where are we going?”
I reach for the hem of my T-shirt and strip it off, flashing the nude sports bra underneath. For half a second, my usual shame starts to creep up.
Stupid little ? —
But Jonah purrs, the sound sinking into my center and unraveling any anxiety there. “ Manamea ,” he murmurs, his eyes skimming my bare torso with unrestrained adoration. “You are so damn gorgeous.”
It only makes me more sure of my decision. I hook my thumbs into my shorts and shove them down, leaving my lower half in a lacy pair of black briefs.
Jonah’s mouth actually drops open. I smile wider. “You want to teach me to swim, right? Well, we have a pool, but I don’t have a bathing suit. Is that a problem?”
His throat works as he reaches his brawny hand to his fly and grips the long, thick ridge there. Something that manages to be both dark and light flashes through his eyes as he quirks a brow. “You flirting with me, omega?”
I guess I am . And I don’t even feel ashamed of it.
A happy laugh bubbles up my throat. “ Yeah, I think so.”
Honest softness fills his gaze. “Then I’m the luckiest man alive.”
That look gives me enough confidence to reach for my bra. Just before I pull it off, I pause, looking around at the high brick walls protecting their property. Jonah follows my train of thought and stands, coming to block me from anyone’s view.
“We have cameras, and we own all the land around the fence,” he murmurs, reaching to pull his own shirt off. “No one will see us…except maybe the guys. If they’re home.”
Thick brows lower in consternation. “Is that okay with you?”
Again, I can just tell he means it. If I’m uncomfortable, we won’t do it.
As simple as that.
His sincerity touches me all over again, bringing back my bravery. I whip the sports bra off and toss it aside.
Even Jonah’s growl somehow sounds warm . Possessive and approving. “You sure, baby?” he roughs out, the inked russet skin of his chest shifting while his muscles bunch, hands reaching over to skim along my bare sides.
He drops his voice into a teasing rasp. “They could be watching right now… seeing your perfect perky tits bouncing. The way you’re pressing those pretty thighs together. All the naughty glances you keep sending down here.”
He cups himself, the motion just careless enough to make my breath catch. When I lick my lips and accidentally look down at the outline of his erection again, he laughs quietly.
But he isn’t laughing at me. Or mocking me for wanting him.
He doesn’t think I’m silly or stupid. Instead, he praises me.
“Such a good omega,” he murmurs, stepping closer. “You want to see what’s yours? Show whoever’s watching in the house that you like big alpha cocks?”
Desperate desire floods my core, pooling between my hips as I perfume. The thought of Avery—or one of the Thorne brothers, oh my God —seeing what Jonah does to me is enough to have me on the edge without even touching him .
When I nod, Jonah’s eyes flash. His scent gets sweeter than ever before, the burned, toasted outline of it adding to how mouth-watering he is. Not missing a beat, he unbuttons his jeans and shoves them off. Without any boxers underneath, his cock immediately springs free.
And it’s?—
A monster .
Holyyyyy—wow.
The wide wall of flesh juts from between his hips—so big, it manages to make the rest of him look narrow. Which would be incredible, if it didn’t also terrify me.
Tap out. Tap out, my thoughts squeak.
But my Omega? She’s proud . Sizing up this magnificent specimen with a cocky air I’ve never gotten from her before. Almost like, Yep. Nailed it .
Ma’am.
We really need to talk about your life choices .
This man will split us in half .
I have the thought, but then I see the look on his face. Warm amusement touches his mouth while his eyes take on an intent sort of heat.
“It’ll fit,” he murmurs, somehow soft and rough.
He steps closer until the thick, dark head smears pre-cum against the curve of my belly. “You were built for this cock,” he tells me. “My knot. Everything. You’re my mate, manamea . We’ll fit together.”
Jonah smooths his hands over my hair, leaning down to scent-mark my forehead. I smile into his bare chest, nodding at the crystal water behind us. “You’ll have to catch me first.”