Chapter 4 Kade #2
"Kade." His voice comes out breathy. "What happened to not wanting to get arrested for public indecency?"
I grunt and pull away, though it takes more effort than it should. He's right, again. We're still in a public parking lot where anyone could see us. I grab his hand and drag him back toward the truck. "Get in."
Dustin climbs into the passenger seat, his grin turning wicked. "Where are we going?"
"Home." I start the engine and peel out of the parking lot faster than strictly necessary. "I'm going to fuck you senseless when we get there, and then we're going to find our Omega."
"You're that sure?" Dustin watches me, something vulnerable flickering across his expression. "You haven't even met her."
"She tastes like ecstasy on your lips, Dustin.
" I reach over and thread my fingers through his, bringing his hand to my mouth.
I kiss his knuckles, then the center of his palm, breathing in his scent mixed with hers.
The combination is perfect in a way I didn't know I needed.
Hay and honey and vanilla and orchids, all blending together into something that feels like home. "Yeah, I'm sure."
Dustin's scent sweetens further, happiness and arousal creating a heady cocktail in the confined space of the truck. "Harmony is going to ask a fortune for her."
"And we'll pay it." There’s no hesitation in my choice because I don't care what it costs. If this Omega is everything Dustin says she is, if she's the missing piece we didn't know we were looking for, then no price is too high. "Whatever they want, we'll give it to them."
"She's a little older." Dustin settles back in his seat, his thumb stroking over my knuckles. "Late 20s, early 30s? Most Omegas get claimed younger. I wonder why no one's taken her yet."
"Maybe she was waiting for us." The thought feels right as soon as I say it even if I know it’s not true. I can’t imagine the horrors she’s experienced in a place like Harmony.
It’s one of the few Omega centers that holds onto Omegas until they’re mated, regardless of their age. "Tell me more about her."
Dustin lights up, his whole face transforming despite the bruising.
"She's about a head and half shorter than me and has all these gorgeous curves that I wanted to spend hours exploring. Her hair was in a braid but they’re individually braided, I think. There was some white in there too, like highlights? I don’t know but it was perfect.
” Dustin continues to ramble, his entire face alight with excitement.
The anger from earlier is gone, completely replaced with the determination that we’re going to rescue her from her present hell.
“She was wearing this simple green dress but even in that she was stunning. God, Kade, I want to dress her. You know? Make sure she has everything. There’s that little shop.
..” He trails off, his nose scrunching up and even as an Alpha, he’s fucking adorable.
Dustin abruptly changes direction. “And her eyes, Kade.
When she looked at me, it felt like she could see right through all my bullshit straight to everything underneath. "
I navigate through traffic, pushing the speed limit as much as I dare. Every mile between us and home feels like too many. "What did you talk about?"
"The horses." Dustin laughs softly. "She said she'd never been that close to them before.
That they were beautiful. There was this longing in her voice when she talked about freedom.
Like it's something she dreams about but doesn't think she'll ever have.
" A somber emotion trickles through the bond, dragging my attention to his face for a few seconds before focusing back on the road.
"She'll have it." It’s a promise I intend to keep. "If she wants us, if she chooses to come home with us, she'll have all the freedom she can handle."
"I kissed her in a public parking lot after knowing her for five minutes.
" Dustin shakes his head, obviously confused by his own enthusiasm, but he's still smiling.
"I've never done anything like that before.
Never lost control like that. But I couldn't help it.
Being near her felt like breathing after holding my breath for years. "
I know the feeling. When I met Dustin, it was like something clicking into place that I didn't know was missing.
The recognition was instant. My Alpha. My mate.
Mine. If this Solana makes him feel even a fraction of what he makes me feel, then she's already ours. We just have to convince her of that.
And convince Harmony House to let her go.
The ranch comes into view as I turn onto our long driveway, acres of land stretching out in every direction, the house sitting at the center of it all. This is what we can offer her. Space and safety and the kind of freedom that Harmony House will never provide.
I park the truck near the barn and turn to Dustin, a wicked smile playing on my lips. He returns it, waiting for my command as he always does in moments like this, in moments where I’m fully in charge and he submits beneath my touch. "Inside." I lean across the console and kiss him again. "Now."