CHAPTER TWO
Iremoved my noise cancelling headphones cautiously and listened for a moment. Silence, except for the sound of running water. I breathed a sigh of relief, grateful for the peace and quiet. Since Nova had mated with my brothers, they had only come out of Maverick’s bedroom to eat and go to work, and the constant sound of Nova’s moans and sighs from the bedroom down the hall was starting to grate on my nerves. It wasn’t that I didn’t wish her happiness with her new mates, because I did, but hearing her just broke my heart. Her cries of bliss when she came under their mouths and hands was like a knife to my heart now, especially since I knew how soft she felt under my hands and how divine her sweet pussy tasted. I couldn’t get her out of my head.
I understood why she’d chosen Maverick over me. He was the better choice, after all, as pack alpha and the strongest of us, except maybe Lucas, and she had him protecting her too. They were everything I wasn’t—assertive, decisive, and powerful. Why wouldn’t she have chosen them? It was logical, but that didn’t make it hurt less. I hadn’t wanted to admit it, but I’d fallen head over heels for Nova, like some daft teenager, and for a while, I’d thought she might have started having feelings for me too.
A part of me felt resentful of my brothers. I had always been the one who stayed in the background and watched as other people got what they wanted, but yet again, I was the one left behind. It made sense that Nova had chosen them, but I still wished she’d chosen me instead, or as well.
I sighed and got up from my desk, stretching. There was no point in dwelling on it. What I’d shared with her was over, and I needed to try and move on, starting with finding myself another place to live. For now, though, I needed food.
I wandered down into the kitchen, moving as quietly as I could. I really didn’t feel like running into my brothers right now. I pushed open the door and ran straight into Nova. She stumbled, and I grabbed her to stop her from falling, pulling her close to my chest. She was wearing one of Maverick’s T-shirts that hung to mid-thigh, her hair was damp, and her skin was flushed. She smelled of sex and something sweet, like honey and vanilla. I felt her breasts press against my chest as she breathed in and looked up at me, her golden eyes wide and her lips parted.
Her eyes dropped to my mouth, and I had the strongest urge to kiss her. I caught the scent of her skin and then her desire. My cock hardened in my jeans, and for a moment, I considered being the man she clearly desired—the type who wouldn’t care about anyone else and who would just take what he wanted. I could drag that shirt over her head and toss it aside as I pushed her down onto the kitchen island. I could suck on those hard nipples I could see peeking through the cotton fabric and spread her legs for me. I could taste her slick, then push myself into her, taking her again and again until she was hoarse from screaming my name.
I released her before she could feel the effect she was having on me, stepping back and clenching my fists at my sides to stop myself from grabbing her. That might be how Lucas did things, but it wasn’t me. I saw disappointment flit across her face for a second, and it confused the hell out of me. It must be the omega alpha thing, but I thought that she would be more than happy having mated two alpha males. I swallowed and pushed the thought of her naked body from my mind.
“Sorry, I didn’t see you. Are you okay?”
She nodded. “Sorry, I’m... I was miles away.”
“It’s all good. Were you after something?”
“I was going to make coffee. Maverick was going to, but he got a work call, so I came down to do it myself, and I can’t figure out the coffee machine.” She grinned at me sheepishly, but there was a shyness there too.
I laughed. “I’m not surprised. Lucas insisted on installing it for us when he lived here full time, and he’s so particular about his coffee he bought the most complicated thing on the market. Here, I’ll give you a crash course on making the most basic thing it can do.”
I walked her through the machine, showing her how to set it up and create a couple of different drinks before making her a vanilla latte with whipped cream. I tried to make small talk, and we managed, but there was definitely tension in the air.
She stood with her hands wrapped around her coffee mug as I made myself a regular cappuccino, and it was only when I’d wiped the machine down that she spoke again.
“Asher, I’m sorry about what happened.”
I tensed. “Which part in particular?” I asked carefully, wiping down an already clean section to avoid looking at her.
“Mating Maverick... and Lucas. I never meant for that to happen. It just did, and I—”
“It’s fine,” I forced out, setting the cloth down. “You did what you needed to. Anyone could see what was between you and Maverick, and he’s the best choice. He can protect you.”
“I guess,” she replied, falling quiet.
I tried to keep it in, but I couldn’t. “Why Lucas, Nova? If Maverick wasn’t enough for you, why choose Lucas too? Why not me? I thought we shared something special, that there was something between us, but then you took him. You didn’t even know him. I just don’t get it.”
“I gave him a mate mark too. I don’t even know how it happened. It wasn’t intentional. And when Maverick said he was going to take me as his mate, Lucas just said he was too, and I couldn’t think. It just felt right.”
I dragged in a breath, trying not to raise my voice. “It felt right? You know nothing about him, Nova. I love my brother, but he’s not a good match for you. I understand Maverick. He has power and status, but Lucas? He’s a killer, Nova. Did you forget that? He murders people, and not for the money either. He does it because he enjoys it. He likes the violence, and that’s the person you just bound yourself to for the rest of your life.”
She looked up at me, her eyes wide. “Lucas wouldn’t hurt me, Asher.”
I gave a bitter laugh. “He hurt the last girl he was with. She showed up at the healer’s place covered in blood and bruises. He tied her up and beat her until she was practically unconscious. Ethan had to step in to stop her family from killing Lucas, and this was a girl he liked, Nova. Do you really know him well enough to trust that he won’t do the same to you? He’s my brother, and I’d do anything for him, but I have no problem admitting he’s fucked up deep inside.”
She stared at me, running the tip of her tongue over her bottom lip as she processed what I’d told her. I immediately felt bad. It hadn’t been my place to say anything, but I was worried about her, and yes, I was angry and resentful she’d chosen Lucas over me.
“Maverick wouldn’t let it get that far,” she finally said.
“No, he wouldn’t, but he won’t always be around.” I sighed. “I guess it has nothing to do with me. I’ll just never understand why girls always go for the bad guys. Just be careful. I don’t want you to get hurt, and Lucas could really fuck you up badly.”
“Why’s he like that?” she asked. “What makes him so different from you and Maverick and... and...” She trailed off, her eyes darting away nervously.
“He’s your mate, Nova. Why don’t you ask him?”
“I don’t think we’re at that point yet,” she murmured, looking back down at her coffee.
“So he gets to make you come, but he doesn’t have to be honest with you. That’s a great match you’ve got there,” I scoffed. I was hurting her, and I knew it, but I suddenly didn’t
feel sorry for her. I was past that point, and my anger and resentment were bubbling under the surface. She’d made her choice, and now she would suffer the consequences.
“That’s not fair, Asher,” she replied quietly, her eyes full of hurt. “I didn’t mean for this to happen. We were pulled together... fated.”
“So you don’t have to accept any responsibility for your choices? Grow up, Nova. At least own what you did and what choices you made. The innocent little omega act doesn’t wash anymore.” I moved closer to her, pulling the empty mug out of her hand and setting it on the bench. “I’ve heard the moans from Maverick’s bedroom. I’ve heard you screaming their names over and over again as they make you come, and I’ve heard them too.” I leaned down, murmuring, “I’ve heard the way you beg and what you beg for. You can’t tell me you didn’t choose this and that you don’t choose them over and over again.”
Her scent surrounded me, and I could see the rapid rise and fall of her breasts. She didn’t smell scared, just turned on, and my cock jumped at the thought. I wrapped my hand around the nape of her neck, holding her still.
“Why couldn’t you have chosen me, Nova?” I ran my hand down over her breast, cupping it and rubbing my thumb over her nipple.
She gasped, and it peaked almost immediately. I bent farther down, sucking it into my mouth through the fabric, and she grabbed my waist, her hands twisting into my shirt. I felt her start to push me away, but just as I was about to stop, she changed direction and pulled me closer. Desire exploded through me, and I slid my free hand between her legs. She wasn’t wearing any underwear, and she was so wet. She moaned as I slid my finger slowly along her slit.
“Is this what you like? Someone just taking what they want? You’ve been fucking my brothers all morning, Nova. How are you this wet? What more do you need that they aren’t giving you?” I dipped my finger inside her, and she pressed her hips forward.
“You,” she murmured. “I need you, Asher.”
Her words thrilled me, and I straightened, bringing my mouth down on her as I fingered her, adding another digit as she gasped into my mouth. She was so wet under my touch, I couldn’t bear it. I slid my hands under her thighs, breaking the kiss, and lifted her onto the kitchen island. Without hesitating, I spread her legs wide and leaned down to taste that sweet pussy. She cried out and tangled her hands in my hair, urging me on, so I sucked and licked her until she writhed under my touch.
“Asher,” she cried. “Asher, please...”
I slid my fingers into her, curling them up to find that spot that had her moaning and arching her back, and pulled her clit into my mouth, sucking hard. She came, her sweetness flooding my mouth, and I lapped it up like a starving man. Dragging her up, I stood between her legs then kissed her, knowing she could taste herself on my lips. She clearly didn’t care, wrapping her legs around me and pulling me as close as she could. I felt her pussy pressing against my cock, and I groaned.
She reached down and started unbuckling my belt. “I need more, Asher. I need more.”
“I can’t,” I rasped, hating myself for saying it. “Not like this.”
She looked up at me, then nodded. “Trust me?” she asked.
“I do,” I murmured as her fingers pressed against my hardness.
She pushed me away, jumped down off the bench, and dropped to her knees. My buckle was undone in a moment, and she pulled out my cock, wrapping her small fingers around it.
I groaned at the sight. “Nova... Shit, that’s good.”
When her mouth encircled the head, I leaned forward and grabbed the worktop to steady myself.
“Fuck.”
Her tongue danced over my skin, tormenting and pleasuring me at the same time. I felt the warmth of her mouth slide down my shaft, and I fought not to come straight away. She worked me well, running her tongue down the sensitive seam underneath and pressing in at the base. I’d had some casual fumbles as a teenager, but I’d never let a girl get this far before, and it was so good, I fought the urge to pull her up and shove myself so far into her pussy that she screamed my name, but I couldn’t. I didn’t want to take her that way. I wanted it to be more, to mean more.
Her teeth grazed my skin, and I gasped, feeling the pressure build. “Nova, you should stop. I’m close. Nova... Nova... Fuck!”
I gritted my teeth to stop myself from shouting out as I came, my cum spilling into her mouth. I watched her in amazement as she swallowed it down, pulling back to clean my cock with her tongue and licking what was left from her lips. I stared down at her, breathing hard for a moment, and she met my gaze. Emotions danced across those golden eyes—desire, satisfaction, and a flicker of regret—and suddenly my lust faded and I felt ashamed of myself.
I tucked myself away and quickly did up my belt before reaching down to pull her to her feet. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that. I shouldn’t have made you do that. This is all wrong.”
“Asher,” she murmured gently, reaching out to grab my upper arm as I turned away.
“Don’t. This can’t happen again. You’re my brothers’ mate, for moon’s sake. This was so wrong.” I was horrified at myself, horrified at the pull she had on me that had made me act in such a shameful way. Maverick would be livid, and Lucas, fuck, he would certainly come after me for touching what was his. I’d seen the way he’d gone after Maverick, and he hadn’t been mated to her then.
“Asher, they won’t mind. They told me if it was you—”
Guilt, shame, and anger rose inside me, and I spun around. “Oh, so it was planned then? You decided it was okay to seduce me, and they even gave you permission? What, did they need a rest? Or maybe Lucas thought it would be funny for you to see how far you could get.”
“Asher, how could you even think that?”
She looked as though I’d slapped her, but I couldn’t stop. “I’m not some fling on the side, Nova. You can’t mate my brothers and think you can still keep this going. I want more than the occasional fuck when you get bored. I want you completely.”
There were tears in her eyes now, and my heart ached at the sight of them, but I was hurting too.
“Asher, it wasn’t like that, it wouldn’t be like that. I want you.” She reached out for me.
“Are you going to mate me as well then?”
She stopped, then pulled back. “I can’t do that.”
“No, I didn’t think so. I’m sorry, Nova. I want all of you, or I don’t want anything from you. This won’t happen again.”
I turned and headed for the door, grabbing the keys to my truck. I needed to find somewhere else to live. I knew I had to leave this place, find a new home, and start a new life, but with every step I took, I felt my heart grow heavier, knowing that I was also walking away from her. A part of me wanted to go back and fight for us, but I knew it would only hurt us both in the end.
I needed to get away from here, from Nova, before I completely lost myself in her.