Chapter Fifty-five — Trinity
CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE
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TRINITY
Theo curled around me, pinning me to my bed even though I was already fully dressed. “You have lunch with them an awful lot.”
I snorted a laugh. “First, they’re my best friends. Second, we all now have these pesky things called packs which usually occupy our evenings.”
“Still.” His teeth grazed my ear. “You could stay here with me instead.”
“I will be here with you tonight after I have lunch and go to the office for a bit so people don’t think I’ve died.”
He sighed over dramatically. “Fine. Be that way.” Then he laughed. “I’m teasing about lunch.”
“I know.”
Sitting us both up, he reached for the nightstand. “Let me lock you in before you go.”
The little click of the tiny locks made me shiver. His touch was tender, but not hesitant. That could be said about most of them. They created space for the softness I needed without sacrificing their dominance. I’d never felt safer than when I was with them.
“I love you,” I said, sucking in a gasp, shocked that I had the bravery to say it.
Theo looked up, startled, but with eyes filled with awe. His scent strengthened around me, the purest almond. Fuck, he smelled like a cookie and now I was actually considering skipping lunch. “I didn’t mean to blurt it out like that, but it’s true.”
He kissed my lips, then my forehead before leaning his head against mine. “The night we met, I’d gone to the bar for a drink when they called me over. I was mid-sip when I scented you,” a brief smile, “and I choked on that sip.”
“What?”
“Logan had to pound me on the back to help me breathe.” He chuckled. “About a minute later I dropped that drink back on the bar, because the thought of tasting or smelling anything that wasn’t you was impossible.”
My eyes burned with emotion, tears threatening. “Why are you telling me this?”
“Because I want you to know that I was yours from the first moment. But it wasn’t the scent match that made me love you, Rin, it was you.
Everything about you. The way you press your lips together when you’re thinking hard about something.
How you’re not afraid to tease us and push back when it’s needed.
That little moan you let out when you’re getting overwhelmed with pleasure.
“You could never have said those words, and it wouldn’t change a fucking thing. I love you. But hearing you say it—” Theo took a shaky breath that mingled with mine. “It’s everything.”
There was nothing else to say. We breathed the moment in together, and I wondered if this was what peace felt like. It wasn’t familiar to me. My eyes still burned, but I managed to blink the tears back.
Slowly, he locked my other bracelet.
“Are you sure you’re not just saying that so I’ll stay home?”
We both burst into laughter, easing the seriousness of the moment.
“I can’t say it didn’t cross my mind.”
I made sure he was looking at me when I rolled my eyes. “If you want me in your bed tonight, just ask.”
Standing, he pulled me to my feet. The air changed instantly when he spoke. “I’m not asking. I’m telling you that you will be in my bed tonight, and that I expect you naked and in first position beside my bed at nine. You may leave your bracelets on.”
Arousal curled low in my belly. “Yes, Sir.”
Theo kissed my forehead again. “Such an obedient Omega.”
I let out a strangled moan and danced away from him. “Okay, now I know you’re trying to get me to stay home. It’s not going to work.”
One side of his mouth tilted into a smirk. “Can’t fault me for trying.”
Sticking out my tongue, I escaped before he could lure me further.
I was already going to be late. Theo was right.
Isolde, Ocean, and I were having lunch close together this week between us being gone this past weekend and Isolde leaving for the next one.
Her Alpha Hawk had a concert a few hours away, and they were making a weekend of it. Hence, lunch.
And we were having pasta. After the scene in the arena and recovering yesterday, I needed carbs. My sugars were fine and even a little on the low side, so I was in the clear.
I still ached like I’d run a marathon, but I would take it again in a heartbeat because that night was amazing. They were all amazing.
Isolde
We have a table.
Trinity
Be there soon!
The only bad thing about this restaurant was the parking. It was downtown, so it was always a nightmare. One of my least favorite things in the world was driving around blocks in circles looking for parking, but it came with the territory.
Thankfully, since it was a weekday, it didn’t take too long. I was only fifteen minutes late, and I would fully blame Theo for that. He ambushed me with cuddles. How was I supposed to resist?
It was a beautiful day. Pity we couldn’t go spend it on the beach.
Maybe that was what we could do this weekend.
On the beach with no surfing competition.
I wanted to see my Alphas build a sandcastle.
Maybe I could bury one of them up to the neck so they knew what it was like to be restrained for once.
The thought made me snicker.
The restaurant was just around the corner. I could smell it from here.
“Trinity Crawford?”
I turned automatically. A tall man in black jeans and t-shirt walked casually toward me. “Depends on who’s asking.”
“Brian. My name is Brian. I’m a big fan. Always read your articles.”
Weird. I didn’t usually write the kind of articles that made people fans. Maybe after the conservation project story. But now? My main claim to fame was my interview with Isolde’s pack back when they were anonymous.
I didn’t like his vibe, so I took a step back. “Oh, that’s nice of you. Always nice to meet a fan. I’m sorry, I’m afraid I’m running late.”
Taking another step, Brian didn’t stop striding toward me.
Too fucking fast. I didn’t like it. I turned and didn’t make it another step before he grabbed my arm and yanked me backward.
One hand was over my mouth before I could scream, but I did anyway, hoping someone heard the muffled sound.
I kicked at him and dug my nails in, causing him to grunt in pain.
It didn’t make him release me. “Sorry. You’ll have to miss that appointment.”
Pain pricked my neck, and the world went fuzzy and soft. My body limp.
No.
I couldn’t keep my eyes open.