Chapter 26
CHAPTER 26
KAYLA
T he pressure of Liam’s hands on my back sends waves of heat through my body, straight to my core.
His firm touch eases the tension from my muscles and leaves a trail of fire in its wake. I shiver, not from cold but from the sharp spike of desire that pools low in my belly. The scent of him—sandalwood and sea breeze—wraps around me and makes me want to turn over and pull him down to me.
But there’s this twinge, a reminder of the sensitivity between my legs, whispering that I should wait and resist the urgency building inside me. My heat is creeping up on me, teasing at the edges of my consciousness, begging me to just let go. I clench my fists into the sheets, trying to anchor myself to something other than the need.
“No one stole my bike, Liam,” Ryker’s voice cuts through the haze of my thoughts with a low growl that vibrates against my skin.
I stifle a giggle, pressing my face into the pillow to muffle the sound. There’s something absurdly normal about their bickering, a strange comfort.
“Must have been a mistake,” Liam shoots back, his voice threaded with laughter. His hands pause for a moment, and I’m willing to bet his eyes are rolling at Ryker’s indignation.
“Keep it up,” Ryker threatens, though the bite in his tone is dulled by the twitch at the corner of his mouth.
My chest tightens in a tangle of amusement, desire, and a fierce sense of belonging I can’t quite shake. These Alphas, they’ve wormed their way into my life, chaotic and demanding as they are. And hell if I don’t want them here, want them more than I’ve ever wanted anything.
Liam resumes kneading my shoulders. Desire spikes despite the dull ache reminding me to take things slow.
“Shut up and focus on our Omega,” Ryker grunts. “How are you, Kayla?”
“I’m good. A little sore.” My blush heats my entire face.
Liam fingers work their magic on my lower back, easing the tightness and fanning the flames both at once. I bite back a moan, caught in the push and pull of wanting and needing to hold back.
“Your scent’s getting stronger,” Liam murmurs huskily.
I swallow hard, the heat within me simmering dangerously close to boiling over because of his touch. I’m suddenly aware that I’m naked with two Alphas in my bedroom.
“Ease up, guys,” I manage to say, but it comes out breathy, betraying my inner turmoil. Visions of last night flash through my mind—Ryker’s hands, his lips, the way he made me feel—and now Liam, with his hands on my back, who promises so much more.
“Kayla?” Dane’s voice, drifting up from downstairs, cuts through the tension like a cold shower. “Breakfast is ready!”
Ryker snatches Liam’s arm, yanking him away from me. “Let’s go, man. Let her get dressed.” There’s a smirk tugging Ryker’s lips as he adds, “Stop ogling our Omega.”
“Wasn’t ogling,” Liam protests, but he doesn’t fight Ryker’s grip. “Just appreciating.”
Grabbing the towel underneath me, I force myself to sit up, ignoring the rush of blood that makes my head spin. My body’s screaming at me, craving the touch of both Alphas. It’s insane—I’ve barely stepped into this new world of being claimed, and I’m already thinking about round two.
“Go on,” I say, trying to sound stern. “I’ll meet you all in a minute.”
They leave, and I’m left alone, my heart racing. The twinge between my legs is a harsh reminder—yeah, I need to heal.
“Damn hormones,” I mutter under my breath, pushing myself off the bed. This heat is no joke, and I’m starting to realize just how much trouble I’m in with these three.
“Focus, Kayla,” I tell myself, shaking my head to clear it. “Food first. Then figure out how not to jump your Alphas every time they’re near.”
I shuffle through my drawers, yanking out a pair of underwear and some loose sweatpants that won’t rub me raw. A T-shirt follows, something baggy and comfy. After I get dressed, I run a comb through my tangled hair.
“Good enough,” I sigh, casting a critical eye in the mirror before heading downstairs.
The aroma hits me first—rich maple syrup and savory bacon, making my mouth water. The kitchen is alive with the clatter of dishes and the low hum of masculine voices, laughter bubbling over the sound of sizzling from the stove.
“Feeling better?” Dane greets me, his smile as warm as the plate of French toast he slides in front of me.
“Yeah. A bit.”
Ryker’s eyes flash with a knowing glint, but he keeps his mouth shut, pouring black coffee into his mug. Liam is at the counter, piling bacon and French toast onto his plate.
I dig into the food and moan. The hunger is real, though—not just for the guys, but for this hearty meal, too.
I belong here, with them. It feels right as though every crappy thing I’ve ever gone through was leading me to this weird, wonderful family.
“There’s plenty, so have as much as you like,” Dane urges, always the caretaker.
My three Alphas join me at the table, and for a while, everything is perfect.
S ince this morning was so much earlier for me, I took a nap and woke up a few hours later. The rest of the day passes in a blur of indulgence and care. They’ve taken it upon themselves to pamper me, and who am I to argue?
We sprawl in the living room, a marathon of rom-coms playing on the TV. Dane makes kettle corn popcorn for us to eat, my fave.
“You need to give me the recipe for this. It’s so addictive.”
“Only the best for you,” he says, winking.
There’s a ding on the security camera, and Liam disappears for a few moments and returns with pizza boxes stacked on top of one another. “Special delivery!”
“Damn, Liam, you trying to feed an army?” My complaint is hollow. I’m already reaching for a slice, the spicy scent wafting up, and suddenly, I’m starving.
“Got to keep our Omega happy,” he replies with a grin.
The wine comes later when my eyelids are heavy, and the couch has become my personal cloud. Dane hands me a glass, the red liquid swirling seductively.
“Here, this’ll help you relax.”
“Thanks,” I murmur, taking a tentative sip. The warmth spreads through me, both comforting and dangerous.
Thoughts of asking them to join me upstairs tease me, images of tangled limbs and shared breaths tantalizingly close. But every so often, a twinge of pain shoots through me if I move a certain way—a sharp reminder that I’m still healing from last night’s passions.
So, I snuggle deeper into the cushions with all three of us on the couch. Dane’s arm is around me, Ryker’s leg brushes against mine, and Liam’s shoulder serves as a pillow.
“Pretty Woman” wraps up with its happily-ever-after schtick, but who needs a stuffy billionaire when you’ve got three Alphas this hot right here?
I yawn so huge, I hurt myself. Yeah, sleep is definitely calling my name. My eyelids feel like they’ve been dipped in lead paint.
My Alphas’ voices are a low rumble, a comforting soundtrack to my descent toward dreamland. Dane’s got that serious undertone, even when he’s whispering. Liam’s voice is smooth as silk, probably spinning some outlandish story about scaling a mountain with his bare hands. And Ryker? He’s all quiet intensity, a low growl that vibrates straight through my bones.
The movie fades into a blurry mess, the edges of the world softening around me. I’m cocooned in safety, wrapped in the potent mix of their scents.
“Kayla’s out,” Dane whispers.
“Like a light,” Liam adds, and I can practically hear the smirk in his voice.
“Good,” Ryker grunts, “She needs the rest.”
They think I’m asleep, but I’m hovering in limbo, not quite awake. I want to stay here forever.
“Should we move her?” Dane’s protective tone seeps into my half-dreams, but the idea of leaving this spot, leaving their warmth, has me burrowing closer to them in silent protest.
“Nah, let her be,” Liam purrs, the sound sending shivers through me. “She’s perfect right here.”
“Yeah.” I can almost feel Ryker’s deep rumble in agreement.
Here, on this couch with them, I’m more than just an Omega—I’m a cherished part of their world. As my breath evens out, matching theirs, I surrender to the pull of sleep, knowing they’ll watch over me through the night.