Chapter 27
Chapter Twenty-Seven
The past few weeks have been a juggling act of keeping all the animals calm amid the loud construction noise during the day, and all of us finding our proverbial groove living together in the trailer.
Adam and Jasper have been visiting every day, staying long enough that it’s been sitting on the tip of my tongue to ask them to stay. But it’s not a decision I’m comfortable making on my own, especially in the trailer that’s been Ezra’s home for over two months now.
I feel like I’m invading his space enough as it is.
And, Ezra has been working much harder than any of us, as if he has something to prove.
He wakes before sunrise every day, cares for Pie and Gator, works with the construction crew all day, comes back to the house at night to shower and sleep, and barely has enough energy to eat the food I cook for us.
I’m just glad I got him to teach me what I needed to know about taking care of Pie and Gator in the afternoon and at night, even though he mostly insists on getting them ready for bed. He’s forged such a bond with these two that it’s a strain on me to argue he needs rest.
As I roll hay out for Pie and Gator, refresh their water and pour feed into their stalls, Gator follows me every step of the way, watching every move with his big brown eyes.
“Am I doing it right, buddy?” I scratch his fluffy head, and his eyes close with delight.
After a round of cleaning up manure to make sure their space is clean, I go back to the trailer where all the dogs greet me from inside the dog run with wagging butts and tails.
After a shower, I get cooking.
It’s time to make the cat and dog foods in bulk to freeze, which takes me several hours. Thankfully, while the foods simmer on the stove, I can move on to Ezra and my dinner: roast chicken, mashed potatoes, and roasted Brussels sprouts.
The two of us bonded over our love of roasted sprouts, tossed in olive oil with a little Himalayan salt and mixed pepper.
By the time Ezra comes back home, he’s covered in drywall dust, which he does his best to contain, taking off all of his clothes in the entryway, leaving them inside-out to toss into the designated spot we choose in the laundry area.
I watch his hulking muscles flex as he moves around the trailer in just his trunks, deep blue with a red elastic band, reminiscent of Superman.
I’d always found the character attractive, even if he’s a bit too good sometimes. I think I prefer the alternate version of him who’d let the world burn to save the love of his life, not sacrifice her to save the world.
Call me a romantic.
I hustle over to Ezra before he makes it into the bathroom, place my hands on his pecs and steady myself there, rising on my toes to kiss his lips softly.
He chuckles, his light green eyes growing hooded. “I’m all dirty, sweetheart. And not in the good way.” He winks. “Let me clean up and change. The food smells so good, I’m about to pass out.”
“Go, go.” I shoo him off with a grin and go back to the kitchen.
Not much later, we’re seated at the table, just the two of us tonight, all the dogs and cats chowing down on food and slurping their water loudly around us.
“Adley, your cooking is amazing. And much appreciated.”
My smile is wide as I look up at Ezra beside me, the corner of the table between us. “I want to be sure you’re well fed. You’re working really hard over there, and… I worry.”
His brow grows tight. “Why are you worried? I can handle the work.”
“I know,” I say quickly. “I’m not concerned about your quality of work or your ability, I’m worried you’re working too hard. Working too much.”
He seems to consider my words before responding.
“I was honest from the start. I’m working real hard because I don’t have the money to help pay, or the ability to get a loan.
I don’t like feeling I’m indebted to anyone.
So, if I can say I helped build the house, it will make me feel better.
I’m doing it as much for me as I am for my pack. ”
My heart feels tight as I place my hand on his on top of the table. “I know why you’re doing it. I respect why you’re doing it. But if you’re going to continue, I’d like you to lean a bit more on your pack brothers and me. We can pick up the slack everywhere else so you don’t have as much to do.”
A serious struggle plays out on his face after I finish. Then, he lets out a long breath, his head nodding. “I can do that. And, I’ll do one better.” He pulls his cell phone from his back pocket, taps away on it. Not a minute goes by before there’s a responding ding, and he puts his phone back.
“What was that?”
Ezra grins at me, his eyes sparkling. “I took tomorrow off. Three-day weekend.”
My laughter is pure elation as I jump out of my seat, straddle his lap and wrap my arms around him. “That’s fantastic,” I breathe against his shoulder.
His arms wrap around my middle, hugging me close. “Anything for you. But I’d like you to come with me somewhere tomorrow.”
I lean back to look at him. “Sure. Where are we going?”
He smiles, but there’s something hidden there I can’t decipher. “It’s a surprise.”
When I come outside the next morning, Ezra is right past the front door with Pie and Gator. Pie is all geared up with a blanket across his back, saddle and bridle secured, Gator wearing a matching blanket and bridle—in miniature, of course.
“That’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.”
Ezra chuckles and adjusts his hat. “Come on. We’re going for a ride.”
I look from Pie to Gator, then at Ezra. “I don’t think Gator would like it if I got on his back.”
Now, Ezra is straight-up laughing at me. “No, he definitely wouldn’t. Come here.”
My heart rate picks up as I move, knowing, yet still a little unsure of, exactly what he’s going to do. I’m not a fan of the sensation.
When I stand in front of him, Ezra puts his hands on my hips and lifts me effortlessly while a shout tears from my lips—okay, it’s absolutely a scream of terror. He places me gently on Pie’s back, and I grab the saddle horn in a death grip.
Ezra’s hand is on my thigh, calling my attention down at him and his gentle smile.
“Listen. We’re not going far, and I’m going to be with you literally every step.
” He gestures at Gator. “Little Chomp here can’t keep up on a long journey, and I’d prefer not to carry his three hundred-pound fuzzy body all the way back home. ”
I purse my lips against a grin. “I’d pay to see that.”
“I bet you would, cowgirl.” And before I know what’s happening, Ezra is behind me on Pie’s back, pulling my back into his chest. “Easy,” he murmurs against my ear. “Just a little walk and we’ll come right back. There’s something I want you to see.”
Heart still racing, I nod wordlessly, and Ezra makes a ticking sound and nudges Pie with his heel.
Then, we’re moving, my hands still gripping onto the saddle horn for dear life, Ezra’s arms around me to grip the reins.
It’s then that I realize that Gator is tied to the side of the saddle on a long rope, giving him space to move.
Beyond the back of the property is a wooded area. Trees grow high into the sky, creating canopies that shade the ground where grass and moss grow around their roots. Birds sing above us in a chorus with chirping insects on the ground and in the trees.
The day is bright and calm, and I find myself relaxing as we trot slowly through the woods.
“Have you taken these two through here often? I know you’ve ridden with them before.”
His hum vibrates his chest against my back. “We’ve come through here a few times. Had to scope it for safety alone before taking these two in with me.”
It’s not much further before another sound joins the birds and bugs in their melody.
Gentle running water.
Ahead of us is a small clearing with woods directly beyond it, a tiny creek streaming through the ground.
“Oh, wow,” I breathe. “I didn’t know this was here.”
Ezra climbs off of Pie’s back and lands on the ground with a thud, crunching some branches beneath his boots.
Then, he reaches for me like I’m a small child, lifting me off Pie and gently placing me on the ground beside him.
Our hands joined, Ezra leads me closer to the creek, and I look back at Pie and Gator, concerned.
“Are they okay?”
Ezra chuckles. “They’re just fine. They won’t wander off, I promise.”
Still a bit unsure, I let Ezra lead me closer to the running water.
Something about the air smells even cleaner here than it generally does in the pristine town.
I don’t know if it’s the water or the woods or a combination of everything, but serenity flows through me as I stand here, fingers laced with Ezra’s, feeling peace all around us.
“I wanted to share this place with you. I’ve been selfish, keeping it to myself.”
I grin up at him. “Well, you did share it with Pie and Gator. That counts for something.”
His laugh is more comfortable now, at ease. It’s been happening more and more lately, and I try to concentrate on the fact that he’s opening up now, and not on the fact that it hasn’t always been this way.
But his demeanor grows serious as his free hand comes up to palm the side of my face, tilt my head back.
“I can’t wait to officially move in together.
All of us.” When he dips his head down to capture my lips, my toes curl in my sneakers.
The intensity is something we’ve only shared in bed, but his desire presses hard against my stomach when he pulls my body against his, then speaks against my lips.
“I want to watch as they take you, Adley. I want all of us to take you together, but I can’t wait to watch Jasper and Adam ravish this tight little body of yours.
Watch your slick puddle on the bed as they knot you. ”
My brain short-circuits, an unbidden whine erupts from my chest, slick seeps from my core into my panties as I turn wide eyes up at Ezra.
“You like that, Omega? You like the thought of all your Alphas taking you at the same time? Fucking all your tight holes at once?”
My knees begin to shake at his words, my entire body flooding with heat as my whine grows louder.
Ezra's nostrils flare. “Yeah, you like that.” His words are a deep growl in his chest, and on the tail of them, he guides me backward until my back is up against a tree, his hand a buffer between the back of my head and the bark as he takes my lips with his again.
His other hand toys with the button on my jeans for the longest time before undoing it, and slowly unzipping my fly.
My scent rises around us and I whine again, hips absently undulating as more slick seeps out of my core.
Ezra’s purring now, the vibrations traveling through me as he growls.
“Didn’t plan this. No time to knot you here.
” He doesn’t sound as disappointed as I feel, but that’s when he slides his hand down the front of my pants, into my soaked panties, making me cry out in surprise and pleasure.
His fingers glide against my clit effortlessly, my slick providing more lubrication than necessary.
When two fingers slide inside my core and curl, I hiss.
His thick fingers scissor inside me, stretching me as he hums.
“Good time to help make sure you’ll take two cocks easier.”
Every nerve ending in my entire body is alight. His words, his touch, his scent—everything about Ezra is setting me on fire with want.
When his hand moves inside me, he presses his thumb against my clit, and I moan.
“Come on, cowgirl. Ride my fingers like you want it.”
That’s about all I can take before my body begins to gyrate, and I grind my pussy into his waiting hand, let his fingers curl against my g-spot, his thumb rub against my clit.
The pleasure builds into a deep pressure that explodes between my hips, sending an orgasm rippling through my entire body.
My mouth opens on a scream of ecstasy, and Ezra is there, his mouth against mine, swallowing my screams, my body convulsing as his hand holds my pussy tight.
As my strength dissolves into nothingness, my body slumps against his, and it’s all I can do to keep conscious long enough to think, I am the luckiest Omega in the world.