Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four
Arbor
B utterflies dance in my stomach like never before.
Morris has pulled out all the stops for an incredibly romantic evening. The ground is lined with fresh snow that fell this afternoon. The sidewalk is clear, but it’s cold as can be. That just gives me a good excuse to snuggle close to the massive alpha’s side as we make our way to the second part of our date.
I suck down deep hits of Morris’s scent, my breath fogging up the air with each exhale. He’s never worn cologne, at least not around me, but whatever he’s wearing tonight blends perfectly with his natural smell. We had a delicious dinner at a cozy little steakhouse, and I’m stuffed, but I have the irrational urge to devour him whole.
My hormones have been out of control the last few days, and with all three of them being more affectionate, it has my brain focused on physical intimacy pretty much all the time. I don’t know what I would have done if he hadn’t stopped our kiss earlier today in his office, but it wouldn’t have been very ladylike.
Gracie is with Hael and Hayes. It’s tough to be away from her, but having a short break to spend with one of the guys has done wonders for my mental health. No, what really made a huge difference on my ability to stay positive was when they started watching her so I could take a shower without having to rush. That, or hop out after only shampoo because she woke up wailing.
I wouldn’t have even minded bringing her with us, other than the fact I worry about her being near people and getting sick.
Morris’s huge hand slides up and down my side as we walk. I smile at him, leaning even closer. I’ll never be able to explain the feeling of safety I have when I’m with him.
“Ready for the next part of your surprise?” he asks, coming to a stop in the middle of the sidewalk.
I nod. “Yeah, but can I have a kiss first?”
He chuckles a low, throaty sound and bends to meet me in the middle. “You know I can’t deny you anything.”
I gasp against his lips as he pinches my ass. The material helps block some of the sting, but I’m not used to Morris being so playful. I love seeing a new side of him. No, actually, I love being able to feel his happiness.
It’s strange.
I’ve heard omegas are able to pick up the emotions of those around them, but it’s something I rarely experienced before meeting Morris, Hayes, and Hael. If I could sense someone’s energy, it was almost always when they were angry.
I lose myself to the kiss, to the point I chase Morris’s lips as he pulls back.
“I can’t let you distract me. Come on, pretty girl. This is my first real courting gift.”
My heart thumps against my rib cage. I’ve dreamed about hearing those words from him, and now that I have, I almost don’t know what to do with myself.
So, I let Morris take my hand and guide me down the sidewalk to whatever our next adventure is.
The Divine Omega is a specialty store for omegas. They carry heat supplies, clothing, and everything you could want to stock a nest. They even have food delivery options where you pick from a catalog, and they deliver easy-to-heat meals so you won’t starve when lost to the fog.
It’s a fancy concept that the rest of us make do without because that’s just life. If you know you’ll be hazy for a week during a heat, you can buy stuff for sandwiches or salads or even pre-made casseroles.
The store is lovely, though. It’s dimly lit and each section has its own little room. Before you choose to go into an area, there’s a sign plate on the wall chronicling what scents you’ll find, along with a lighting level and even a quick list of fabrics and allergens.
I’ve never seen anything like it, and my spoiled system wants to frolic and explore, but the rational side of my brain is stressed.
The guys clearly do okay. They aren’t hurting for money or struggling to pay their bills, but Gracie and I are added expenses they never had the chance to plan for.
Breastfeeding helps keep costs a little lower, but diapers and wipes are expensive as hell. Not to mention feeding me and all the things they’ve bought both of us.
Morris’s head tilts, and his thick blond bun bounces on the back of his head as he quirks an eyebrow.
Holy shit.
I don’t know what the right call is. Everything in me wants to assure him that I don’t need lavish courting gifts, but I’m afraid that would hurt his feelings, which is the last thing I would ever want to do.
“Are you doing okay down there?” he asks, pulling me to him with a hand on my ass. My fingers dig into the soft material of his T-shirt, and I ache to wrap my arms around him, so I can snuggle under his open jacket.
“I’ve never been in a store like this,” I admit.
“That makes two of us.” He smiles. “We can snag one of the brochures and browse whatever rooms tickle your fancy.”
It kills me that it took me so long to recognize reality. Even in the very beginning, Adam never courted me. He treated me like any of his past beta girlfriends. Sure, he took me out for dinner and to the movies, but he never even brought up courting.
Then I was staying at his place more than my apartment, and… None of it even matters.
Adam has a trust fund. He could have taken me places like this without batting an eye, but he never put in a single ounce of effort.
Morris works hard for his money. I’ve seen how tired he is after a busy day at the shop, and he still wants to buy me a treat that he knows will soothe my instincts. It makes the gift seem a thousand times more meaningful, simply because he works his ass off to earn a living.
The giant alpha bends down, marking my cheeks with his scent one by one. “If you’re overwhelmed, we can?—”
“I’d rather have you than everything in this entire store,” I tell him truthfully. “But this is an awesome date, and while we’re here, it couldn’t hurt to browse.” I shrug, fluttering my lashes and smiling up at him.
A devastatingly handsome smile breaks out on his face, and my knees get all wobbly.
“All right, pretty girl. Let’s see what they’ve got.”
Each separate area is set up like an individual nest. There are sample cards on the wall to test the fabrics, so an omega doesn’t saturate the room with their scent. If you like the sample, you bring the barcode with you to the checkout desk. If you don’t, you toss it in the trash before heading to the next area to prevent scent cross-contamination.
I’ve picked up a super soft pajama dress and a card for a throw blanket, but I’m doing my best to be mindful of the total. My instincts want me to go crazy, which is silly because I have everything I need. I figure if we leave this store spending less than two hundred dollars, that will be a win. It still qualifies as what I would consider an exorbitant courting gift, but it’s not so extravagant that I’m too worried.
At least, I think that’s a fair price.
I don’t know.
I want to make Morris happy, and it’s clear to me that he wants me to get things I like, but I grew up lower middle class. I’m fully aware there are wants and needs in life.
A want would be the cologne the sales associate is trying to talk me into for Morris.
A need is keeping that massive alpha indefinitely.
See, I’m rational enough to make that distinction. Although, damn, she’s right. The added pheromone enhancers in the cologne really do bring out the notes of his scent without overpowering it.
“Just these, please,” I say, smiling tightly at the woman behind the counter.
No way do we need a bottle of that stuff. I’ll be tackling the guys left and right if they wear it regularly.
My head tilts, and I’m sure I’m staring up at him with hearts in my eyes. I wonder if he’d let me lick him… Not where he applied the cologne, of course.
Morris chuckles, wrapping his arm around my lower back. “We’ll take the medium bottle, please.”
Oh, hell.