Chapter 8
Chapter Eight
Kei
I wake up slowly. For a split second, I have no idea where I am. I breathe in slowly, the scent of raspberry tea hitting me full force. That’s when realization sinks in, the memories from last night coming back all at once.
Holy shit.
Not only did I sleep with Sookie but it was probably the best sex I’ve ever had. My entire body hurts in the most wonderful way. I’m going to be sore for days. My skin stings where Sookie bit me and I know I’ll have to disinfect everything when I get home to make sure they all heal properly.
I turn onto my side, staring at Sookie while he sleeps. His body is just as marked and bruised as my own. My hand clenches in the sheets to help me resist the urge to reach out and touch him. He’s so beautiful and he smells so good.
If I thought my feelings were confusing before, they’ve become crystal clear now that we’ve met.
I like him.
Not only do I like him, but I want him. Desperately.
With one last look, I carefully get out of bed. I start to pick up my clothes from where they’re trailing through Sookie’s apartment. Finally I find my jeans, sliding them on and checking my phone. It’s just a bit after 5am, the perfect time to make my exit.
At the last second, I pick up one of Sookie’s shirts, stealing it for myself. I know it’s fucked up and I shouldn’t but I want one thing with his fresh scent on it. Something to remember him by, just in case this is the only time we ever do something like this.
I close the door behind me and start heading down the stairs. I can feel my heart breaking with every step I take.
Of course I figure out my feelings right when Sookie decides he doesn’t want me. I bring his shirt to my face, breathing him in. My inner alpha is a mess. He wants us to march back up the stairs and declare our interest. He wants us to win Sookie over, one way or another.
I can’t do that. I have to respect his wishes. Maybe I can convince him to give the two of us a real shot, if for nothing else than because we’re compatible as fuck when it comes to sex.
My head is such a mess that I don’t notice the door at the bottom of the stairs opening until I run right into another person.
“Shit,” I hiss out, looking up. “I’m so sorry.”
Apparently, there are two doors down here. One straight in front of me that leads to the alleyway, and one to the right. That’s where the person just came from.
“No worries,” he says right away, suddenly grinning from ear to ear. The beta looks at me for a long time before grabbing my shoulder and steering me through the door on the right. “Come sit down. Let me make you a cup of coffee. You look like you need one.”
I’m so shocked that I can’t argue. Suddenly, I’m being led to a table, pushed down into a chair.
“Darlings? Come meet Shiloh’s gentleman caller!”
Two people burst into the area and I realize with a start that one, this is a bakery coffee shop. Two, that these people are obviously Sookie’s family. And finally, the most important thing, is that I now know Sookie’s real name. Shiloh.
“Shiloh?” I say, barely above a whisper.
The beta tilts his head to the side, watching me.
An alpha jumps in, snorting. “Gentleman caller?”
The omega, on the other hand, narrows his eyes at me. “What do you mean ‘Shiloh’? You didn’t even know his name?”
All three of them stop and look at me. I rub the back of my neck, suddenly feeling flayed open and exposed. Their eyes dart around my face, taking in my broken lip, the numerous bite marks, and scratches across my skin. No doubt they can smell their kid on me.
Oh fuck my life.
If it were possible, I would throw myself out the window and into oncoming traffic. I wish the earth would swallow me whole. Going and getting each of my teeth pulled would be better than this.
“Umm,” I start to say but the beta cuts me off.
“Let’s start over,” he says quickly, holding up his hands. “We’re Shiloh’s dads. I’m Reggie. The alpha over there is Cal. Our omega is Scotty. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
I lick my lips, trying to get my voice to work. “I’m Kei.”
“How do you know our son?” Scotty asks, his eyes still narrowed. He starts working, putting things together for the bakery. Cal hands me a cup of coffee and I take it gratefully.
“I’m a streamer. Shiloh is one of my moderators. We’ve known each other for years but last night was the first time we met in person.”
“And what are your intentions with our son?” Reggie asks. He says it seriously but there’s a glint in his eye that tells me he’s just fucking with me.
“That’s a great question,” I say into my cup of coffee. “If you’d asked me that a few days ago I’d have said nothing, but now? Now all I know is that I’m going to work my ass off to convince him into giving me a chance.”
My body freezes and I look around. Gods, I must be tired. I cannot believe I just said that to Shiloh’s dads. What the fuck is wrong with me?
“Fuck,” I say quickly, holding up my hands. “Pretend I didn’t just say that. This is so embarrassing. I’m not someone who talks about feelings and shit. You caught me off-guard.”
A big hand clasps me on the shoulder and I look up, finding Cal standing over me. He gives me a small smile.
“If you want to prove yourself, none of us are going to stop you,” he says seriously. “Shiloh has been through a lot. Sorry if we come across as over-protective asshole parents but we won’t see Shiloh hurt again.”
“I can’t promise I won’t hurt him,” I say right away because it’s the truth.
I’m probably gonna fuck up. Everyone fucks up.
“But I’ll never hurt him intentionally.” Hmm, that phrase doesn’t truly work either.
We hurt each other so good last night. I clear my throat.
“I’ll do my best not to hurt him emotionally,” I say with a wince.
Scotty snorts, shaking his head at me. He gives me a knowing look that makes my cheeks flame with embarrassment.
“Good enough for me,” Scotty finally says. “Here, have something to eat,” he says, passing me a muffin.
“Thank you.” I take a bite and smile at him. It’s really fucking good. “This is the weirdest morning after I’ve ever experienced. Fuck my life.”
Cal chuckles. “Yeah, we’re right there with you, buddy. Could be worse though. You could have been an asshole.”
“Normally, I am,” I say softly. “That’s why Shiloh and I get along so well.”
Just then, the back door opens and Shiloh steps inside. He looks rough, like maybe he was crying before he came down. He looks up and freezes when our eyes meet.
My chest aches for him. He’s the one who asked me to leave. He doesn’t get to look so upset that I left. At the same time, all I want to do is wrap him in my arms and tell him everything is going to be okay.
Fucking hell. I am so far gone on him. What the hell is wrong with me?
“Shiloh,” I say softly. I watch as his eyes widen. He looks around the room at his dads, rubbing the back of his neck.
“Fuck,” he finally says. “This is really awkward.”
“Couldn’t have said it better myself,” Scotty says, coming around the table so he can wrap Shiloh in a hug. The two of them talk softly before Scotty pulls away and pats Shiloh’s back.
“Can we talk?” Shiloh asks softly, nodding his head towards the back door.
“Yeah. Of course,” I say, standing up. I look around at Shiloh’s parents. “Umm, thanks for the coffee and breakfast.”
“You’re so welcome,” Cal says with a grin. “I hope we’ll be seeing you around, Kei.”
“It was nice meeting you,” Reggie says, waving at me as I walk towards the back door.
Instead of going up to Shiloh’s apartment, we step outside. The cool morning air helps clear my head. Shiloh stares at his feet for a long time before he lets out a shaky breath and meets my eyes.
“Last night was,” he starts to say but stops. He bites his bottom lip. Then he shakes his head. “Fuck me sideways. Fuck, this is hard. Really, really fucking hard.”
“Hey,” I say, reaching out and touching his arm. He stares at the place we’re touching, his brows wrinkled. “It’s okay. We don’t have to talk about it right now if you don’t want to.”
“No, I want to say it,” he finally says. “I’m not good at this.”
“This?”
“Anything that happens outside of sex. I thought I could get you out of my system if we fucked once. I thought I would feel better in the morning.”
“But you don’t,” I say softly, my heart picking up speed inside my chest. I do my best not to hope, but it’s hard. Especially when he’s looking up at me with those watery, brown eyes. Gods, I want to give him the world.
What a sappy fucking thing to think.
“I don’t trust easily. I don’t like opening myself up to people.
I’ve done everything in my power to keep people at arm’s length.
I don’t do love.” Shiloh looks away for a moment before looking at me again.
“You’re different. I fucking hate it, Kei.
I hate you so much. I hate you because I can’t hate you. ”
I squeeze his arm before tugging him forward, folding him into a tight hug. His hands clench against my back, holding on just as tightly. I can feel him shaking and I hold him through it until his body starts to settle.
“You’re such a dick,” I breathe out, burying my nose in his hair. “I can’t stop thinking about you. You’re different too,” I tell him seriously. “I have time. Let me prove to you that I’m worth trusting.”
“I don’t know how much time it’ll take,” he admits softly.
“That’s okay. You’re worth it.”
Shiloh makes a little noise, something like a snort of disbelief. It makes me smile just a tiny bit. “Whatever,” he eventually says, shoving me away. He turns away to wipe at his face.
“Come here. Give me a kiss before I leave.”
“In your dreams,” he says, looking over his shoulder and grinning before walking into the back door, leaving me alone in the alleyway.
I stare up at the sky, allowing myself to smile. I have no idea what any of this means, only that Shiloh is giving me a chance. I’m not gonna fuck this up.