15. Luna
Luna
James is an enigma that I can’t help find myself drawn to. I want to know everything about him, his likes, dislikes. But most of all, I can’t help but want James to like me. I don’t think I can fully commit to this pack until I know that James is one-hundred percent in.
Thank goodness I took that nap between working with Ezra and dinner. I slept a little longer tonight but set an alarm, so I could be out here. I do the same as I did the night before, putting my legs into the pool water and waiting patiently.
When I hear the lock clicking into place from the greenhouse, I try to tamper down my enthusiasm.
“Hey,” he says.
I smile and try to hide my excitement. “Hi.”
“Can’t sleep?” I lie and nod my head. He sits next to me, but I swear he’s closer than the night before. “Do you want to smoke?”
I shake my head no. As much as I liked the feeling yesterday, I need to keep my wits about me.
“Mind if I do?” he asks, and I shake my head no. He has a joint this time, and he lights it with a lighter before inhaling deeply. “How was work with Ezra today?”
I grin. “So good and exciting. I had a lot of fun.”
“He seemed really happy after work, thank you.”
My brows furrow, and I spin my calves in the lukewarm water. “You know you make him happy, right?”
He nods, the lit end of his joint lighting up his face. “I know, but he deserves the world.”
“So do you.”
He shakes his head and exhales. “You don’t even know me.”
“I want to.”
“When you have two perfectly capable Alphas inside?”
“Even then.” He inhales again and looks at me softly. He’s so handsome, in a lithe male model way.
“What do you want to know?”
“Everything.” He laughs, and my cheeks heat. “Mmm, have you always liked growing things?”
He nods. “Yeah, I like the solitude and simplicity of gardening. There’s a lot that goes on with making things perfect, but it’s calming.”
“What else do you like to do?”
“I like surfing sometimes, but I mostly like staying at home. Ian and Ezra are the only people I truly feel like I can be myself around.”
“I want to be one of those people.”
I’m nearly shocked to pieces when his hand comes across and lands on my thigh, squeezing gently. His other hand preoccupied with his joint. “I think I want that too.” He grabs an ashtray behind him and taps the joint a few times.
“What about you, what do you like?”
“I think I’m still figuring that out, but I know I like dancing, animals, plants. I guess I have a lot of hobbies but none that I could make a career out of.”
He laughs and shakes his head. “Who says you have to work?”
“Well, I guess nobody, but it feels like I have to.”
“Why?”
“Well, isn’t that what you’re supposed to do?”
“Who gives a fuck what anyone thinks? No one but Ian would have to work, and this whole pack could survive a few generations.”
I blink at him a few times and laugh. “But you work, Ezra works.”
“We got lucky, having passions that produce income. But if I wanted, I could just be in my greenhouse and never sell a single thing ever again.”
“But what would I do? What would I contribute?”
He shakes his head, stamping out the joint and exhaling one large puff of smoke. “You, you’d be contributing yourself. That’s all any of us needs.”
I blink at him and wonder how that’s even possible as he stands and holds his hand to yank me upright.
He’s quiet as we walk up the stairs, stopping at the same mutual point in the hallway.
“Goodnight,” he says.
“Goodnight.”
Yet again I find myself going to Ian’s room. He doesn’t wake up this time, but the comfort I feel sharing his bed lets me get some much needed sleep
There’s a tight pressure on my hip as I wake up and look down. Ian’s massive hand is touching me, will this ever get old.
“I’ve got a few things to do today. Your dress will be in your room, and the girl is coming over at three to do your hair and makeup.”
“Wha?” I say groggily. Surely he didn’t buy me a dress and set up to have someone do my hair and makeup in such a short time.
“Have a lazy day, go back to sleep if you want. Sharon will be here at three.”
“Um, okay.” He kisses my hair, and I wonder when the fuck this man is going to give me a real kiss.
I sigh and plop my head back on the pillow as he gets ready for the day.
I’m tired, but I don’t like the idea of laying here by myself in Ian’s bed.
I’m wearing pajamas as I pad down the hall, and I wonder if I’m crossing a boundary as I lightly tap on James’ door.
“The fuck?” I hear him mumble, and I crack the door open and peek in. It’s pitch black in his room. They must have gotten some serious curtains for his windows; the light from the hallway is the only thing that allows me to see where the bed is.
“Can I sleep in here with you for a little while?”
“Yeah,” he says softly. I shut the door behind me quietly and tip toe to his bed, which is stupid, he’s already awake.
“If this is a boundary for you, you can tell me. Ian has to work, and Ezra already went to the zoo, and I didn’t want to be alone.
I don’t want to seem like a needy Omega, but maybe I am, and I just never realized it.
I know you like your personal space, so if you want me to go to my own room I totally can.
” I keep rambling. It’s like it won’t stop spewing out of my mouth.
“This was dumb. I’m so sorry for waking you up. We can hang out later?”
“Luna?”
“Yeah?”
“Shut up and lie down.”
“Okay,” I say, glad that he can’t see how embarrassed I am. When I sit on the bed and scooch in, he puts the blanket on top of me. The room smells just like him, and it puts me at ease instantly.
I expect James not to touch me, and that would be fine.
Being around him is enough. But I’m happily surprised when he plops on his stomach and wraps his hand gently around my forearm.
It might not be the all out cocoon that Ian gives me and I imagine what Ezra wants to give me, but at this moment, it feels like everything.
Simply put, I feel like a goddess. Of course the dress that Ian got me fits like it was sewn specifically for my body.
It’s nude with a shiny gold overlay that sparkles every time I move.
The front dips low, showing just the right amount of cleavage, and the back dips even lower.
A long beaded chain at the back of my neck is the only thing trailing down my spine.
Sharon gave me loose curls and makeup that isn’t too over the top, but just enough eyeliner and lash to make me look seductive.
I’m not sure I’ve ever felt more beautiful than I do now as I hook the strap of my heel and stand to look in the mirror.
There’s a light tap on the door that startles me as I turn and see Ezra enter the room. I give him a soft smile. His expression is full of heat as he looks me up and down.
“Oh, fuck it, I’ll pay the ten grand for another plate.”
“Each plate is ten grand?” I say shockingly, and he waves off my question by coming closer to me and putting a hand on my hip.
“You look ravishing, love.”
I look up at him. He’s wearing contacts, but I can see his bright eyes so clearly as I smile. “Thank you.”
“Save me a kiss before this dress comes off?”
I swallow and nod.
Fuck, I need to talk to Ian.
Ezra tucks a loose curl behind my ear and leans forward. His scent is thick and heavy. Even if he didn’t tell me how beautiful I was, his scent would tell me everything I needed to know. This Alpha wants me, and I want him too.
“Make sure you put on some scent blockers tonight, wouldn’t want any of those bloody assholes to smell what’s mine.”
A shiver trickles up my spine, hearing the carefree and happy-go-lucky Alpha be so possessive over me.
“Yes, Alpha.” The words slip from my lips before I can even think.
“Fuck me,” he grumbles, his hand on my hip tight. “Let’s get you downstairs before I mess up your makeup like I want to.”
I lick my lips, ready to mess up hours of Sharon’s work just for that.
I grab panties out of the top drawer, and he watches as I shimmy them up my thighs.
If I somehow make it to this event without some sexual act happening, it will be a miracle.
He loops his elbow with mine as we walk down the hall and down the stairs.
I see James first, dressed in shorts and a tight T-shirt that should be a felony.
He smiles at me, and I think it’s the first time I’ve seen him smile so widely at me.
I feel like a goddess in gold having this Alpha on my arm and the most delectable Omega staring at me.
It’s the clearing of Ian’s throat that makes me look up.
Holy motherfucking Cuban James Bond.
He adjusts his cufflinks and tugs on the lapel of his tuxedo like he’s uncomfortable. His dark hair is pushed back, and I want to trail my hands through and mess it up the way I like. He smirks and holds out his hand.
“Ready to go, beautiful?”
I swallow and nod, looking over at James one more time. “James, are you sure you don’t want to go?”
“I’d rather stick a metal rod in my urethra than go to that event.”
All of us grimace, and he shrugs his shoulders.
“That was cute. I’ll keep him busy, love, go have fun,” Ezra says. I give him a small smile and place my smaller hand in Ian’s. He smiles down at me, and it’s like a current of electricity flows through me. Is this how everyone feels about their Alpha? Or is this truly something special between us?
I expect him to take me to the garage, not out the front door where a car is waiting for us. We both slide into the backseat, and his hand is already tracing the hem of my skirt and kneading my thigh.
I clear my throat, orange peels and cedar nearly choking me as I look down at how large his hand is against my thigh. In general, Ian is just a large person, and I like how small I feel next to him.
“So what is this event for?”
He pulls out his phone and scrolls. “The environment.”
“Oh, is it just dinner?”
He squeezes my thigh. “I sure as fuck hope so.”
I feel out of my depths with him this close. The sun is still out. It’s fucking daylight, and we’re about to be in public. I’m about to be in a room full of people with my stepbrother… and we’re what, exactly?
“Ian?”
“Hmm?”
“Am I going to this event as your stepsister or as your…”
“As my Omega?” he says plainly like I’m stupid.
“Yes, which am I tonight?”
He leans in his nose, swiping it against the side of my face. “Whatever you want to be, little sister.”
I shiver. We’re so messed up in the head. Why does him saying things like that turn me on?
“Mmm. Good call on the scent-blocking panties. Wouldn’t want anyone to know how turned on sweet little Luna gets for her stepbrother, do we?”
I swallow, not knowing what to say or what to think. “Probably for the best I’m just your stepsister tonight, in public.”
“All right,” he says calmly but doesn’t move his hand from my leg. Just perches his palm under his chin and looks at the coastal view as we make our way to the venue.
It will be just like any event we’ve been to previously as a family, right?