Chapter 22
Chapter Twenty-Two
NOVA
“Hi?” I ask, gazing at Lars at my front door. I’m wearing pajamas and he looks fucking gorgeous in a pair of black pants that hug his thick muscles, a black long sleeved shirt, and a taupe colored coat.
I think my spit just packed up and left, my mouth is so dry.
“You’re going to attract flies, beautiful,” he murmurs, stepping forward to cup the back of my head and kiss my lips.
Something has changed in the last few weeks. There’s less hurt feelings, more dates, and definitely more kisses. Both Caleb and Lars like to rile me up though. I mind less because it means that I get orgasms now. I haven’t slept with either of them yet, but I think we’re headed that way.
I had a check up last week, finally breaking down and finding a gynecologist because my heat was so rough.
He suggested that I take heat suppressants along with birth control for at least the next three months to give my body time to recover.
He’s worried that overloading my system when my pack is only semi-formed will cause me to have another seizure.
“Mmm,” I moan as he comes up for air. “Are you just swinging by on your way home, or is there something special I forgot?”
“I want to take you out for dinner,” he says, gazing over me. There’s no judgement, just him assessing. “You can change or I’ll take you out in your pjs, baby. Whatever you want is fine.”
A few weeks ago, he might have teased or been mean to me about my clothing, and I blink at him slowly. Lars smirks as he wraps his arm around my waist and lifts me, walking into the house before closing the door with his foot.
“What’s that look for, Nova?”
“You’re…nice,” I murmur, head tipping back as he presses me against the wall.
“Nah, I’m not nice. I’m selfish. I get to have you all to myself, and I’m planning to take full advantage of it,” he murmurs, his gloved hand warm somehow as he squeezes the back of my neck as he comes back for another kiss.
“Now, do you want to throw on some shoes and a coat or do you want to get dolled up?”
“You look too good for me not to change,” I breathe.
“I can’t change that part,” he says, winking. God he’s so sexy. My body shivers as I perfume, reminding me that my body will do all the normal things it typically does, I’m just free from my heat for a while.
I haven’t had a chance to bring it up to the guys yet. I’ve also filled the prescription for birth control pills, but haven’t taken them yet. I don’t know what’s stopping me from it. Not everyone only gets pregnant during their heat, so I’m currently playing with fire.
My hands push against his chest, my lips unable to hide my mirth. Now that I can appreciate his heavy handedness, it bothers me less.
“You’re going to have to let me down to do either,” I insist.
“But you smell so good,” he murmurs, kissing over Tyde’s bite mark. “That still looks fresh, Nova. Did the Neanderthal bite you again?”
“Not there,” I say, cheeks flushing. Tyde has a thing for biting me, and since it makes me come so hard I see stars, it doesn’t bother me. However, those all heal quickly. “I don’t know why this hasn’t healed yet.”
“Hmm,” Lars says. “Maybe we should ask the doctor when he gets home. Off you go.”
He puts me back on my feet and I escape to my room, my cold hands pressed against my cheeks. I got into my pajamas immediately after seeing clients. My interviews all went really well. I can’t believe that all four clients want me to be their midwife, but that’s the outcome.
I saw two of them today, and they heard their babies' heartbeats for the first time. This is one of my favorite parts of what I do. One of the alphas cried, and another spoke to his omega’s belly. I love supportive partners. It simply makes this entire process so much more magical.
Holding my hand to my own stomach, I shake my head as I pull my clothes off, leaving a trail behind me as I close the bathroom door and take a quick shower. My hair is under a cap to keep it from getting wet, and I also shave my legs and underarms before deciding that’s good enough.
Glancing down between my legs, I remember the way the guys love to stare at my curls. It’s not out of control by any means, but something keeps me from shaving there.
Drying myself quickly, I walk back into my bedroom and pull out a green, bohemian long sleeved dress that has a flounced, fun skirt to it. Getting ready, I fix my push-up bra and smile at how much I love this dress.
I made this one just to see if I could, and think I should buy some materials to sew another soon.
It’s a sage green, and I cinch the waist with a light brown belt.
Fleece tights easily go up my legs to keep me warm, and aren’t very noticeable either.
Removing the shower cap, I spritz my hair lightly with a water bottle, work some curl reviver through it, and then scrunch until I find the volume I want.
Jewelry and a light hand at makeup finish off my look, and as I pull on a pair of brown boots, I see that I managed to do it all in fifteen minutes. My phone gets tossed into a bag along with my keys, and I open the door to find Lars leaning against the wall waiting for me.
“Wow,” he says, standing. “Damn, did you make this dress?”
“I did,” I say proudly, swaying back and forth. “It made me think about how I haven’t made a new dress in months, and that I should soon.”
“It’s gorgeous,” he says. “I shouldn’t be surprised, though. I think you can do anything. Where’s your coat?”
My lips part at how quickly he changes topic while giving me a compliment.
“Thanks, ah, this is the coat I’m wearing.” Lifting my coat off the hook, I put it on. Mittens are already in the pocket, so I pull those on as he watches.
“I’m bringing you over some new gloves,” he murmurs, taking my hand. “Caleb and I have gotten very spoiled by heated gloves and coats. It’s so damn cold here. While we both grew up in Minneapolis, it doesn’t change the fact that it’s nice to not freeze.”
“My gloves are fine,” I remind him, watching as he frowns.
Lars drags me out of the house, watching as I lock up. He walks me to his truck, lifting me into the passenger seat, because while I’m tall, this vehicle is ridiculous. I’ve noticed that his brother tends to drive, and that they usually take the SUV.
Watching as he gets into the truck, I pull my seatbelt on. I know Caleb is at the bar working, and he mentioned that he was helping to train someone new. If he’s staying till closing, I probably won’t see him tonight.
“Caleb says he’s cutting out at the bar at eleven,” Lars murmurs, as if he’s reading my mind. My eyes fly up to look at him as he backs out of the little driveway. Shrugging, he adds, “I don’t need to be bonded to you to be able to read your face, Nova.”
“Are you saying my face is loud?” I ask, brushing my curls off my shoulder.
“Something like that,” he agrees. “There’s a new restaurant that I’ve been wanting to try. Some people I know are expanding from the club business into fine dining.”
“How fancy is this?” I ask, glancing at my worn boots.
“Nothing crazy.”
His cryptic words have me worried, but there’s nothing I can do about it now. Leaning back, I take a breath as Lars puts on some music.
I keep myself busy by humming along, and later singing as I get comfortable. Lars’ hand sits on my thigh, not squeezing or trying to hush me, simply there. His bare hand warms my body, and I swallow hard as I wish that I’d thought to wear thicker panties.
The parking lot is busy as he parks, and he pats my leg before he gets out and walks around to help me out. I can smell the food as my boots hit the pavement, and my stomach growls in hunger.
“I’m going to have to make sure I feed you more often,” Lars grunts.
“Does cock not count as a food group?” I tease him as he shuts the door.
Snorting, he picks me up so I can wrap my legs around his waist, and he devours my lips. I didn’t wear any lipgloss on purpose because I knew it wouldn’t last long.
“Little brats get spankings,” he says. “I know you like them.”
“Are you going to give me one?” I ask, pushing my fingers into his hair. “Are we going to keep dancing around it?”
My mood is officially spicy. I’m enjoying going forward, I don’t want to go in the opposite direction. If I have to start pushing for what I want, I think I’m finally ready to.
“I think Mondays are about to be maintenance spanking day,” he murmurs. At my wide eyes, he chuckles. “I’ve been doing some research, and I’m not above giving you something to ground you. There will be rules, though. I need your words, okay?”
“Okay,” I murmur, and he kisses my lips again before letting me slide down to the ground. His erection digs into my body as I do, and I whimper as I squeeze my thighs together.
“You’re just going to have to be patient,” he murmurs. “No orgasms until after food.”
Lars walks to the restaurant entrance beside me, his arm around me to tuck me against him. Snow is falling lightly around us, and I drop my head back to catch a snowflake on my tongue before winking at him.
“You’re so cute,” he rumbles, opening the door for me. “There are so many things about you that I shouldn’t want, but I do. I’m done talking myself out of this.”
“I thought you were done before this,” I tease him, feeling his hand move to the small of my back.
“I think I was done when I watched you suck Tyde’s cock and wished it was me,” he says, his lips against the shell of my ear as I whimper. “I want things I didn’t think I could have. It’s an odd feeling.”
I can understand why he thinks that. Slowly, Tyde, Caleb, and Lars are experimenting together. I meant it when I said that I wanted the Finnegan brothers to court both Tyde and I. There’s no reason to prolong happiness when life has a way of changing so quickly.
“No sad thoughts, baby,” Lars murmurs, nipping at my ear before straightening. “Hi, I have a last minute reservation under Finnegan, please.”