45. Red
Chapter forty-five
Red
Fear crawls up my spine, leaving me sweating as I stare into the nest. I can’t see any windows in here, leaving only downlights to slather the room in a sickly yellow ooze, highlighting the huge canopy bed. Fairy lights rim the ceiling, glistening on huge glassy photos of the night sky.
In every movie and daytime TV soap, this is the part where an omega squeals, declares it darling, and talks about how the big bed in the center needs more satin pillows.
I want to take a chainsaw to the whole glittering mess.
Feathers would float through the air; the bed canopy would drop as I sawed off the posts. Maybe I’d set the whole thing on fire and watch it all combust, imagining the licorice bastard and the twin bitches burning with the wood.
A voice from far away disrupts my imaginary murder spree. “. . . think, Red? We don’t know what you like, but we can change the room however you want.”
My breath catches in my chest and won’t run smoothly again. Sure. We can change the room, but we can’t change me. I shudder.
“I’ll sleep with Rickon.” I turn my back on the hideous dark box.
I get a few steps down the hall before I realize no one’s moving with me. “Which way?” I ask, turning back.
Both Rickon and Callisto hover in the nest doorway, looking from me to the room in silence. I try to block out their shock, but I can’t. Of course they wouldn’t understand how an omega could turn her back on a nest. It’s ingrained into our DNA.
But someone broke my DNA.
I open the next door, finding a small, neat office space with a desk, laptop, and filing trays. Beyond that is a hall cupboard full of linens.
Rickon recovers first. “Next door down is mine.” He rushes past me to open it. It’s clearly a guest room, emitting minimal personality except for a mannequin with a half-finished corset on it. I touch one of the boning strips under the peppermint satin. It’s a lighter color than I’d expect Rickon to wear.
“I sure hope you’re going to make one of these for me.”
Rickon grins but doesn’t answer, making me wonder if this one’s mine.
I drop a kiss on his cheek just because he’s kissable, and then turn to take in the room. Big glass windows reach most of the way to the floor, half hidden behind sheer curtains and open roller blinds. The wide bed features a plush gray headboard in a diamond pattern, and the covers sport mixed tones of white, gray, and sea green. A framed print above the wall reads Let’s Get Cozy .
I chuckle. “Now this is more like it.” Opening my arms wide, I drop onto my back on the bed. The plain white ceilings don’t dredge up any shadowed memories and my breathing settles into peaceful normality.
“Oh, I got you a little welcome gift,” Rickon says, opening the drawer on the far side of the bed.
I sit up. “You did?”
“Just a token, really.” He hands me a narrow white case with a red ribbon tied around it, grinning like he knows a good joke.
“Curiouser and curiouser.” I pull the ribbon loose and open the plastic case. Inside rests a fork, spoon, and steak knife set with matching colored-glass handles. I laugh.
Rickon chuckles. “Since the fabulous McStabby got confiscated as part of what happened at my house, I thought you could do with a replacement.”
I nod, stroking a finger over the pretty blue-swirled glass. “I like them very much.” Not only will I feel safer with a weapon in my handbag, but I think this might be the first gift I’ve ever received. An uncontrollable smile spreads over my face as I set the case down on the side table. I was already itching to hold my alpha, but now I want him even more.
I point to the feature piece on the wall with Let’s Get Cozy in pretty cursive script. “Should we follow the road rules?”
Rickon laughs. “Is it the modus operandi for this room?”
“That’s how I read it.”
He grins and drops down to lean over me, arms extended. “I think I like your interpretation.”
“Me too.” A need blossoms inside me as I take in his gorgeous face framed by sultry liner wings and shiny purple eyeshadow. “You look a million dollars.”
“Mm.” He drops a kiss on my lips and nuzzles down the side of my face. “I can barely move, though.”
I giggle. So that’s why he’s holding himself so stiffly above me. “I think I can help with that.”
“Oh, really?” His breath whispers across the side of my neck as he kisses all the way down to my collarbone. He pauses as his mouth catches on my scars. “Do you want to talk about the nest?”
I shake my head.
“Okay. Help me out of these clothes, then?”
“No, I have a better idea.” I surge up into his embrace and spin us around, reversing our positions. Rickon flops on his back, one hand thrown up above his head. He’s so beautiful, my pussy throbs, almost orgasming on the spot. I slide out of my three-quarter pants and peel his black jeans off. I gasp as the movement reveals his underwear.
“Holy shit, Rickon!”
He grins and lifts his hips to show off the black thong. I should have known Rickon wouldn’t half-ass his outfit today.
I swear again softly as I run my hands up his bare thighs, plucking at the narrow strings over his hips.
“See something you like, Biscuit?”
That bulge in the front calls to me. “Very much so,” I murmur, straddling him and carefully settling his hard-on against my covered pussy. Heat radiates between my thighs even through the thin layers of fabric.
Rickon slides his hands around my waist, thumbs toying with my hem.
“I’ll put your case—” Callisto catches sight of us and grabs the doorframe with a loud slam. “Oh, fuck me!” He reels and tenses. “So sorry! Didn’t mean to see.” With that he slides my suitcase into the room and slams the door closed.
I look down at Rickon to find he’s holding in a laugh while blushing. “That was fun,” I murmur with a giggle.
Rickon covers his eyes with one hand. “He doesn’t swear often either.”
I pop open his top buttons and loosen his shirt, although I can’t get it right off because of the corset. “Really?” I noticed Callisto speaks pretty formally but hadn’t understood why.
“Yeah, says he can’t risk it slipping out in court.”
“Makes sense.” I rub my hands across his beautiful skin above the corset and Rickon shivers. Lust demands I touch more, everywhere, and I gently grind my hips forward.
“Red,” he gasps as I brush across his cock. He likes it, his vanilla scent blooming across the room. “More,” he demands softly.
“Only if you put your hands above your head.”
His brows pop, and then he slides his hands up the bed.
“Good,” I murmur. I like when my alpha takes control, but the skeletons emerging from that nest linger too close to the surface for comfort today. I can’t risk feeling restrained or I’ll freak.
I lean over Rickon, balancing my weight on his shoulders while I thrust gently. “What do you think he’s doing right now?”
Rickon moans softly. “He’s got eyes, so probably waddling with a third leg.”
This guy cracks me up. I smile and press into his erection. “Is it a big third leg like yours?”
“Red!” he gasps. “We shouldn’t be talking about that now.”
“Why not?” I tilt my head, listening to each of his broken pants as I grind into him, the delicious friction sending molten heat pouring through my nerves.
“Because—”
I thrust into him, as firmly as if he was lodged inside. The resistance of his hard cock is delicious. Rickon grunts, his body spasming. His hands close into fists above his head and he tries again. “Because I’m here with you.”
I click my tongue and trail my fingers down his chest. His nipples peek out just above the corset rim, like they’re playing peek-a-boo with me. I roll them with my thumbs and Rickon arches off the bed.
“We should do anything and everything that makes us hot,” I whisper, loving the way he writhes like he can’t control himself.
He growls softly, liking that idea, and reaches for my knees. I smack his hands away. “Nuh-uh. Keep ‘em where I can see ‘em.”
He squirms, slowly obeying. Putty in my hands. I want his knot, want all of him, but this rubbing sensation has its own profound beauty and I’m going to enjoy it for as long as possible.
“So, is he big?”
“Yeah,” Rickon murmurs, blushing prettily. “Nearly as big as me. Girthier.”
“You take peeks in the bathroom?”
His lips snap together, and his eyes widen, as if silently begging me to stop tugging on his secrets. But his quivering body tells me he’s also enjoying permission to think about his childhood crush.
I chuckle. “My naughty alpha. Do you imagine him thrusting into you with that cock?” I grip the boning around his waist and press myself down, moving in small circles.
“You’re gonna make me come,” he murmurs, and the look in his pale green eyes sets my soul on fire.
“Good.”
I sit up and run my fingers down my body, toying with my hem. His burning gaze tracks my movements as I lift my shirt a little higher with each thrust. Rickon’s chest vibrates with a hungry growl as I pull the fabric clear of my bra.
“Oh, fuck!” he breathes out, taking me all in.
I grin. Rickon’s not the only one who prepped for this day; I was like a kid in a candy store when Samantha showed me the catalogs and told me to pick what I needed to move out with.
Honestly, the bra’s more strap and lace than support, but I’m lucky I have gorgeous, perky boobs that hold their shape. My nipples strain against the small circle of black lace, the curves nuzzled into the space between straps crossing over my chest in diamond patterns to connect with two rings down the middle. I feel sexy as fuck, and the look on Rickon’s face confirms it’s true.
“I wanna touch,” he moans, thrusting his hips up on the bed.
“Not yet,” I pant out.
Pressure builds deep in my belly, and the more I deny him, the more he mewls like a needy kitten. My kitten. Rickon clenches one hand around his other wrist as if he’s physically holding himself back. I arch forward, giving him a clear view as I rock into his trapped cock.
His lids shutter and he stiffens, his entire body trembling. I double down, thrusting and feeling his dampness spread through our panties. I moan loudly as a hot rush cascades from my core.
A couple of jagged breaths and a rustle of bedcovers is all the warning I get. Rickon surges upright and rolls me over, flinging me down on my back. “I’m sorry,” he cries. “But I need you. Please?” He settles between my legs, catching sight of my panties. “Fuck, Red!” He drops his mouth to the little ties and his teeth graze across my thighs as he pulls the strings.
The tugs shoot through my body, squeezing moans from me, as the black lace falls away. Rickon’s thumb drives straight inside me, and I moan as I’m filled, lifting my hips in welcome.
“Watch, Red.”
My eyes snap open. He lifts the lacy panties to his mouth and sucks on my juice, a sly smile spreading across his lips.
“Alpha!” I whine, burning with need. I don’t care that he turned the tables. I just need him to have his way with me.
Rickon adjusts his grip, driving three fingers in, plunging through my slick. “You’re so wet for me, Biscuit,” he murmurs in awe.
I’ve got no breath left to speak because everything narrows to that electrifying pulse. I moan, writhe, and finally scream, arching up to cling to any part of him I can reach.
“More, alpha!” I beg shamelessly as I shatter all over his hand.
He growls, a fierce, dark, claiming sound and I shiver with delight. The alpha who lurks deep within surfaces, and he’s glorious. Rickon rises over me, pushing me back onto the bed as he frees his cock from his tiny G-string. He’s so beautiful, my breath catches.
The brilliant daylight streaming through the window catches on the outline of his shoulder and the pale skin of his straining dick. It shines off his platinum hair and lights up his eyeshadow, painting him as an otherworldly fae prince who’s stolen me.
He spreads my legs, nudges his cock against my pussy lips, and then sinks in.
I let my head fall back, giving up all pretense of sanity as he consumes me, filling me to overflowing. “Alpha!” I scream, not caring if the whole city block hears me. In fact, I hope they do. Hope they know how amazing my alpha is.
His knot massages my opening, making my cry stutter. It feels so good, and he doesn’t make me wait. With heavy, purposeful thrusts, Rickon lodges his alpha heritage right inside, where it belongs.
Instant orgasm breaks over me, a hot rush that leaves me trembling and arching with a silent scream. He braces on my knees and thrusts.
Whatever laws of physiology say the alpha knot is supposed to remain in one spot don’t seem to apply to Rickon. He continues thrusting, his knot dragging through my pussy. I burn, in the best of ways, and fall apart, begging him over and over, but for what, I have no idea.
“I’m not letting go, Red,” he growls out. “Ever.”
The promise lodges in my soul and I collapse, shivering uncontrollably. He’s mine, and I’m his. I want him to possess me, body and soul. “Bond me,” I say.
Rickon stiffens. His fingers dip into my knees as he shakes his head. “I want to, but I can’t, Biscuit. You know that. We can’t give the Center any excuse to take you away.” He lifts my leg up and nuzzles my ankle.
I cover my eyes with one hand, shutting out the light. “All right.” Just this once, I’ll let it slide, but I hate those assholes even more for getting in the way.
“Be patient a little longer, Red,” he soothes, kissing my leg.
“Hold me,” I say, looking for the short-term way to fill my heart.
Rickon grins down at me, his knot still lodged deep inside me. Instinct says we’re going to be like this for a few hours. “I would, but I can barely breathe.” He waves at his chest.
His corset’s cutting into the front of his heaving chest. I chuckle and reach up. “Let me help with that.”
My fingers tangle in the laces, but Rickon shows me a row of hooks hidden down the front that allow him to put this piece on solo. The satiny material falls away and he takes a deep breath before leaning down to kiss me again.
This alpha’s easy to free from his cage. The other ones, well, I’m not so confident about them.