Chapter 19
Chapter nineteen
Kade
Fifteen Minutes Earlier
I've been hard all morning, my cock straining against my jeans in a way that's becoming genuinely uncomfortable.
Every time I try to focus on the spreadsheet in front of me or the supply chain documents that need reviewing, my mind drifts back to the kitchen.
To the sight of Solana spread out on our table, her dress bunched around her waist and her thighs trembling as Dustin worked her over with his mouth.
To the taste of her on Dustin's lips when I kissed him, sweet and musky and absolutely addictive.
To the sounds she made when she came, those desperate cries that echoed through the kitchen and went straight to my cock.
Adjusting myself for what has to be the hundredth time this morning, I force my attention back to the laptop screen. Work. I need to focus on work and stop thinking about our Omega and how badly I want to bury myself inside her.
My phone buzzes and I answer it without checking the caller ID, already knowing who it is. "Morrison."
"Jameson." His voice comes through rough and irritated. "We need to talk about the shipment coming in next week. My buyer is getting antsy about the timeline."
I lean back in my chair, rubbing my free hand over my face.
Morrison runs one of the larger underground gambling operations in the tri-state area, and we've been working together for years to move high-end items that fall off trucks or appear in warehouses without proper documentation.
Nothing too illegal on the surface but enough gray area that we both make a comfortable profit while keeping things quiet.
"Your buyer needs to learn patience," I say, keeping my voice level despite my irritation. "The horses don't move on anyone's schedule but mine. They're not widgets I can ship overnight."
"These aren't just horses, Jameson. These are thoroughbreds worth six figures each. My client paid good money for the connections to get them across state lines without the proper paperwork, and they expect delivery when promised."
The ranch is the perfect front for moving expensive horses that may or may not belong to the people selling them. We have the facilities, the reputation, and the breeding program that gives us plausible deniability for why expensive animals are constantly moving through our property.
Most of our business is legitimate, but Morrison and a few others like him pay extremely well for us to look the other way when horses with questionable ownership appear in our barns for a few days before being transported elsewhere.
"They'll get their delivery," I assure him, making a note on the pad beside my laptop. "Friday morning, same as always. Have your transport ready at dawn and we'll have them loaded and gone before the sun is fully up."
Morrison grunts his approval. "And the documentation?"
"Stefan is handling it. Forged registration papers, health certificates, the whole package.
Your buyer will have everything they need to claim legal ownership once the horses are delivered.
" I pause, considering my next words carefully.
"But Morrison, this is the last shipment for a while.
We're going to need to cool things down for a few months. "
"Why? You getting nervous?" There's suspicion in his voice now, the kind that comes from years of operating in spaces where trust is a commodity more valuable than money.
"We have an Omega now," I explain, knowing that will make sense to him in ways that a vague concern about increased scrutiny wouldn't. "She's adjusting to life here and the last thing we need is a bunch of strangers coming through the property at odd hours or horses appearing and disappearing overnight.
It raises questions we don't need her asking right now. "
Morrison is quiet for a moment, processing this information. "An Omega? Didn't think you were the type, Jameson."
"Neither did I," I admit, surprising myself with the honesty. "But she's ours now and that means protecting her comes first. Business comes second."
"Fair enough," Morrison concedes. "We'll make this last shipment count then. I've got three more buyers lined up who want in before you go dark. Can you handle five horses instead of the usual three?"
I do quick mental math, calculating space and risk and logistics. "Five is pushing it but manageable. Same price per head?"
"Double," Morrison counters. "Since it's the last one for a while and I'm giving you five instead of three. Call it hazard pay for the increased risk."
Double means this one shipment will bring in close to two hundred thousand dollars. Enough to cover Solana's needs for months, buy her anything she could possibly want, and make sure she never has to worry about money or security. The temptation is strong despite the increased risk.
"Deal," I agree. "But Morrison, after this, we're done until things settle. No exceptions, no matter how much someone is willing to pay."
"Understood. I'll have my people contact Stefan about the paperwork." He pauses. "And Jameson? Congratulations on the Omega. Hope she makes you happy."
The line goes dead before I can respond.
I set my phone down and stare at the notes I've made, my mind already working through the logistics of moving five horses instead of three.
We'll need to coordinate with Stefan on the documentation, make sure the timing is perfect, and keep everything as quiet as possible.
But first, I need to deal with this persistent hardness that's been plaguing me all morning.
Thinking about Morrison and horse trafficking and forged documents did absolutely nothing to dampen my arousal, and now that the call is over, my mind immediately returns to Solana and the way she tasted on Dustin's lips.
The office door opens and Dustin walks in, sweaty and flushed from working in the barn.
His scent hits me immediately, that hay and honey combination now mixed with the musk of physical exertion and something else underneath.
Something that smells like vanilla and orchid, like he's been close enough to Solana that her scent has transferred to his skin.
"Solana's grabbing a shower," he says, dropping into one of the chairs across from my desk. "I'm going to figure out lunch after I clean up a bit. You want anything specific?"
I stare at him, taking in the sight of my Alpha all disheveled and smelling like our Omega.
His shirt is sticking to his chest, damp with sweat.
There's a smudge of dirt on his cheek and his hair is sticking up in different directions like he's been running his hands through it.
He looks thoroughly debauched already and I haven't even touched him yet.
"How was your walk?" I manage to ask, my voice coming out a little rougher than usual.
Dustin's face lights up, his dimples appearing as he grins. "She's a natural with the horses. Thunder loved her and she actually laughed when he was looking for treats in her pockets. A real laugh, Kade. Not forced or nervous but genuine. It was beautiful."
The image of Solana laughing makes my chest feel tight with an emotion I'm not ready to examine too closely. "That's good. She needs more moments like that."
"She does," Dustin agrees. He leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his expression shifting to something more serious.
"We need to talk about Morrison's shipment.
Stefan called me earlier about the documentation and mentioned Morrison wants to increase the number.
I told Stefan we'd discuss it first before confirming anything. "
"Already handled," I say, gesturing to my phone. "Morrison just called. I agreed to five horses, double payment, but I made it clear that this is the last one for a while. We need time to settle with Solana before we risk bringing that kind of attention to the property."
Dustin nods slowly. "Five is a lot. We'll need to be careful about timing and keeping her occupied while the transport happens."
"We will be." I stand from my chair, unable to sit still anymore. The combination of Dustin's scent and the lingering arousal from this morning is making it impossible to focus on anything resembling rational thought. "But right now, I don't want to talk about Morrison or horses or shipments."
Dustin's eyebrows rise, a knowing smirk playing at his lips. "Yeah? What do you want to talk about then, Alpha?"
"Nothing." I stalk toward him, watching his eyes darken as he tracks my movement. "I don't want to talk at all."
I reach the chair and roughly grab his neck, hauling him to his feet and dragging him into a kiss.
He tastes like sweat and coffee and underneath it all, that faint sweetness that's pure Solana.
I lick into his mouth, groaning at the flavor and the way he immediately submits, letting me take control without any resistance.
Dustin laughs when I pull back, his face already flushed. "I was wondering when you were going to break. Do you know how hard it was being out there next to her, smelling like a whole flower shop? My cock has been hard for the last hour."
"Why do you think I didn't go out there with you?" I growl, my hand tightening on his neck. "I only got a sliver of her taste on my tongue, Dusty, and I want to devour her. So in an effort not to scare her, I'm going to devour you instead."
Dustin's laugh is darker this time, full of want. "Alpha, we don't really have that much time. Solana's shower won't take forever and I still need to make lunch."
"I don't need a lot of time." My eyes rake over his body with clear intent. "Strip for me."
His grin falters slightly, surprise flickering across his face. "Shit, you're serious?"
I squeeze his neck a little harder, just enough to make my point clear. "Deadly."