10. Don’t tell me no
CHAPTER 10
DON’T TELL ME NO
Sadie
I hate sleeping somewhere new.
It’s the feeling of not being safe, the uncertainty of what is lurking in the dark. I have the lamp on and my usual upset stomach is calmer but I still can’t get comfortable.
Most omegas don’t do well in new spaces alone. Hotels sometimes have nests and even some houses have a nest for guests.
There has never been a nest for me.
My heats are spent in my bathtub and when I need to nest it’s in my tub, where I put a fitted sheet over the top and curl up inside. It’s not perfect but it’s my safe space.
Right now I don’t have a safe space here.
I should be more frightened.
I’m in a house with four alphas I absolutely do not know. I have rolled my eyes at book FMC’s for less but here I am, risking it all ... .and for what?
Scent mates? Pack?
All things I don’t believe in.
Blinking away the sleep that tries to take over, I roll over, texting my boss to call out and slipping from the sheets of the bed as I give up on sleep .
I send a quick text to Clarissa so that she knows I’m alive too because we may be online friends but we still have a bond.
I hug my arms around myself, a shiver running down my spine because I’m never warm enough.
If Paxton knew how I always ran cold he would have probably really taken me over his lap and spanked me. And that shouldn’t send a warm delight through me.
I am still in Cameron’s sweatshirt, tugging it over my knees, as I sit down on the window seat and try to warm up. They definitely had someone decorate the house for them because no grown man would think to buy this many throw pillows.
Reorganizing the pillows, I try to make myself comfortable and give up on the idea because I just can’t seem to get them the way that I want them. Maybe because I know it’s a borrowed space so I can’t let myself relax.
My head leans against the cool glass, looking over the backyard. They were in the part of Hawes where the backyard was situated on a hill. It overlooked a forest with skyscrapers from Boston looming in the distance. With the sun rising it bathed the backyard in golds and peachy orange hues. Softly waking up everything it touched with the gentle nudging of light.
The bedroom they had put me in was just a little bit smaller than my studio apartment and it made me wonder why four guys lived in a house together without a few betas or any omega.
It was common for packs to have a beta live with them to help during ruts or an omega that they were courting could also be used in those situations.
But these alphas just had each other.
Did they even want an omega?
How the heck did I end up in situations like this?
My anxiety peaked, wishing it was later in the day so I could text Clarissa and have a back and forth with her. Give her some sort of proof of life as she sent me a string of laughing emojis and simultaneously checked in to make sure I was okay.
But I had no one. I was alone. Like usual.
How long can a person be alone before it fundamentally changes who they are? When does omega nature shift? Because I’ve been alone for so long that it’s harder to be around people than not.
Until these four bozos .
My mind reminds me and I shiver again as I think about it.
It’s so easy being around them without feeling like I’m going to be murdered. Which isn’t easy for me.
A soft click as my door opens makes my head turn from the window to look at the hulking figure taking up the space. He looks like he is trying to sneak in and check on me. So careful in his hulking form that it’s almost cute.
Paxton is handsome.
He’s clean cut, no tattoos showing or piercings. Soft blonde stubble and blond hair pushed back, almost like Charlie Hunnam but more muscles. Thicker in a way that makes me know he takes care of himself.
The way he carries himself is sure, like he knows exactly what he’s doing. It's the raw confidence mixed with masculine energy that radiates off him like power. How he smells less like alphas with their harsh liquors and instead smells so calming to me.
His scent washes over me as he enters, spiking for a second when the shock of seeing me awake and in bed hits him. All that black tea and cardamom making me want to nuzzle his neck to breathe him in from the source.
They should bottle this alphas scent for the spray people use for their pillows to make them feel less lonely at night. It would make so much money.
“You’re awake.” The low gruff grumble of his voice feels like a seductive whisper as he stands in the doorway not coming all the way in. He’s giving me space and I appreciate the thoughtfulness of his gesture.
I shrug, keeping my eyes on him as he glances in the hall and then back at me, “Can I come in?” My head bobs in a nod without recognizing what I’m doing.
Paxton steps inside and moves to the side. It’s a small gesture but it makes me feel like I have a way out. He’s not blocking the door or trying to keep me here and I feel that same safe feeling I did when Cameron held me.
He’s looking around, trying to think of what to say. But what can he say? He was creeping around and came in here to watch me sleep. Jokes on him because here I am wide awake.
It’s probably just his alpha needing to see the omega in his house. The need to see me and probably scent me is most likely over riding him.
Instincts between alpha and omegas can be a real bitch.
He stuffs his hands in the khaki colored work pants that hug his thick thighs. Someone didn’t skip leg day. My eyes gaze down as I wonder if every part of him is thick and big. My tongue lands between my teeth as I nip it and train my gaze up over his plaid flannel shirt and back to his face as he tries to read me.
I can smell my perfume in the air and watch the way his hands fist in his pockets but he doesn’t comment on the fact that I just perfumed for him.
“Are you having trouble sleeping?” I nod again, my tongue aching from nipping at it, and watch him rock on his heels. He wants me to feel safe and is containing himself from grabbing me, like most alphas would do in this situation.
It’s clear that he wants to have a conversation and here I am, quietly looking at him, tongue tied around him for no good reason other than the pack alpha makes me horny.
So very, very horny.
I bet he is just as horny. And I’d love to take him in my mouth and help him out.
It’s powerful to make men feel like this but it’s dangerous and the danger is something I’m very aware of.
But Paxton doesn’t feel dangerous.
“Do you need anything?” He means it too.
He isn’t just asking to fill up the conversation or seem polite. If I told him I needed something I could tell he would go and get it for me. No questions asked.
And I like that real quality.
“I don’t like being in new spaces. I don’t like being around new people. And I don’t like not knowing what you all want from me. It feels like I’m floating and not tethered to anything. Which makes my anxiety act up and I start thinking of doom scenarios in my head.” His eyes soften as he looks at me, all honesty in his eyes.
Moving to sit on the edge of the bed he is far enough away that I feel safe but close enough that if I wanted to I’d be to him in just a few steps.
Paxton is good at reading my social cues. He’s good at seeing what I need and staying calm and clear in the way he presents himself.
It’s calming to have his presence here. His scent wafting around the room and hugging around me like a blanket.
“If you don’t know already, Sadie, we all find you attractive. But beyond that there is something that is pulling all of us to you. More than just your scent but there is a bigger pull to our mate than just that.” My heart is hammering in my chest as I feel the soft burn of a blush on the apple of my cheeks.
He called me mate .
“We all want to court you, together. I don’t know how that will work but I think it will be whatever you’re comfortable with. If you don’t want us all that’s fine but you need to tell us. Use your words now, little omega princess. Let me know what you’re thinking.” His eye contact never waivers but mine does.
I rest my forehead on my knees.
Pro : I understand their intention. He laid it out even if there wasn't a plan. It’s about my comfort in the situation.
Con : What he is saying requires feelings and I’m not sure about mine work anymore.
“Are you okay, princess?” My hand shoots out to do a thumbs up in a mock gesture as I still stay wrapped up in myself. “C’mere, Sadie.” I look up, his arms are open as I contemplate what the hell to do.
His arms look so nice when he is beckoning me to go into them. And I try to fight my omegas instincts and need to be held because I don’t want to complicate things or be more confused than I already am. But my feet slid to the floor walking over to between Paxton’s legs. Even sitting he’s eye level with me because he’s one of those massive alphas .
His finger reaches out, slowly so that I’m not surprised by any movement as he cups my cheek, his thumb stroking the skin in a reassuring move.
For a giant he’s so soft with me.
My hands fist around the sleeves of the hoodie because it feels nice to be caressed like this.
Soft and gentle.
I like this.
I like this so much that I let out a purr, my perfume filling the air as he makes a sound at my reaction to him.
Can’t stop now.
This is the sort of touch that doesn’t scare me but soothes me and I want more of it. It makes my omega whine out with the need of more contact.
Without thinking, I throw my arms around his middle, a soft oof, leaves him as he catches me, falling back on the bed as I bury my head against his chest.
I scent mark across his chest, knowing my perfume is jumping, and filling the room as I get more comfortable but the alpha lets me do what I need to do to calm down the greedy omega that I’ve turned into.
Paxton’s hand slides into my hair rubbing my scalp with his rough hands, the other slides under the hoodie, rubbing soothing circles on my back.
It feels so good.
Safe .
Paxton understands quiet.
He is so good as he shifts us so he’s laying against the pillows. Toeing off his shoes as I lay between his legs using his chest as my pillow. I don’t want to move. I just want to sleep right here, like this.
The purr rises in his chest, his scent thick in the air as my eyes feel heavier the longer that I’m against him. Breathing him in with greedy gulps.
“It’s okay, Princess. I have you. Close your eyes and rest now, little omega.” His gravelly voice reassures me, makes me think this is okay. His lips kissed the top of my head.
I’m safe.
I can sleep.
It will be okay.
And I close my eyes and believe it.
“Shut the door and get out.” The rattle of a chest wakes me up and I instantly whimper, trying to nuzzle into the warm body that purrs for me for a second to try and lure me back to sleep. It almost works but someone trips over something and I jolt against him, “I’m going to kill you.” The voice states with a menacing growl.
Paxton tries to purr again to calm me down but I’m awake now.
“Me?” I question as a yawn slips from my lips. “Five minutes and then you can kill me.” My nose crushes against skin and I know it’s Paxton under me so I lay a soft kiss on the exposed skin, nuzzling into his neck to breathe him in.
I want him to scent mark me so I can always carry the comforting scent of him.
His hands shift, both of them under the sweatshirt now as he presses my back so our bodies seem to get closer together. His neck runs over me and I get the blast of his scent wafting over me.
Yes .
It’s comforting until I shift my legs so they’re not between his but draped around his hips. The press of his erection into my panties makes my eyes open as I hear his soft intake of breath.
“We have the walkthrough today at-”
“You can handle it.” Paxton cuts him off as I wiggle my hips, my perfume starting to come out without me even thinking about it. Slick is already starting to leak from me as I choke back a swallow of a whine. My hips want to rock and I shimmy a little, “Easy, princess.” The soft warning whisper is only meant for me but he’s so hard and big under me that I can not stop myself from getting more.
I lift my hips, ass rising in the air so whoever is behind me can see the way my panties are clinging to me. It has to be one of his pack mates or he would be way more furious at someone seeing me. The hoodie I’m wearing is pushed up before I press back down, sliding up the line of Paxton’s never ending cock.
His big hands come down, gripping my ass, squeezing it as I turn my head up, looking at him with sleepy eyes.
“Play hooky with me today?” His blue eyes are on me and I move my hands to his shoulders, shimmy up and lay a kiss on his jaw as I try not to think about how I am begging a man right now. “Please?” His fingers cup my chin, our lips inches apart.
He wants me. I know he wants me.
“Please, who?” His eyes are showing that we’re about to play a dangerous game but I can already tell exactly who Paxton is to me.
“Please, daddy.” Paxton’s lips twitch in a smile and I’m lost in the warm feeling of him looking at me with such a pleased expression across his face.
Bust out the gold stickers now and I’m done for.
“I like when you’re a good little omega, princess. It’s so sweet.” His fingers stroke my cheek as I melt.
That’s me.
I’m a good little omega.
It goes straight from my brain to my clit and Paxton reads me with a smirk. He can definitely scent me, my arousal thick in the air all around us.
It should be embarrassing to melt so easily with just a simple term but I’m not embarrassed in the least bit. I want to hear it again and again and again, spoken in that deep voice of his.
Want to hear my alpha praise me.
“Sadie is not a good girl.” My head turns as I glare at Anthony who is standing beside Jace in the doorway, both of them looking at my ass and then they meet my eyes.
I do not stick my tongue out at him, despite wanting to do it.
“She is playing hooky because she was too tired to go to work. And why were you tired, little bro? Oh yes, you walked around your no good neighborhood with a dead cell phone and just your little panties on. I think that makes you a very bad girl.”
At that moment Anthony becomes my mortal enemy and from the way my eyes narrow in a glare I hope he can see that he crossed the wrong omega.
Paxton shifts under me, sitting up against the headboard as I pout, my arms crossing as any hope I had for a mind blowing orgasm vanishes.
Slick is making my panties stick to my skin and I want to take a shower to cool off from the heat of being so aroused.
I never get this wet outside of heat. Usually my slick comes out and I get wet but never gushy like this. Even sometimes during heat I have to use lube to work my toy inside of me.
But these alphas bring out something in me.
“Sadie didn’t know she was ours last night.” Jace comes to my rescue as I turn plopping down on the bed next to Paxton.
No more cock between my thighs to ride on. I wish I could put a quarter in Paxton and ride him. That could be a real money maker outside of grocery stores for omegas. Also a good way to get arrested for public indecency but some things need a little risk for a reward.
My mind is all full of sleep and the almost orgasm that I almost forgot that Jace came to my rescue.
Three points for Jace for trying to get me out of trouble. We love an alpha who stands up for his omega.
“Are you ours now, Sadie girl? Our good omega?” he asks as Cameron steps behind him, looking in the room to see what is going on.
Am I theirs?
Do I want to be theirs?
We’re already scent matched but what would it be like to be courted by them? Maybe bonded with them? Packed up with these four hot alphas.
“I’m scared.” And I feel two inches tall as I admit it. There is something so vulnerable about honesty. Sometimes, I understand why people lie.
Jace comes into the bed sitting beside me as Cameron and Anthony come in so they’re surrounding me again.
All their scents melding together in the perfect alpha perfume. I’m going to go into heat again from them. The way my clit is throbbing makes me feel lost.
My heart is hammering as I look at the alphas. “I don’t want to get hurt. And it’s four times the risk for me now. It’s not just one of you realizing you don’t like me. It’s four rejections and I’m not strong enough for that.”
It’s too vulnerable and I feel sick as I pull at the hoodie, feeling the guys exchange looks with each other.
My fingers go to my mouth as I suck the tip of my finger in an attempt to calm myself.
“Paxton had an idea.” Cameron offers, his hand wrapping around my ankle, stroking it softly with the pad of his thumb as he draws my gaze to his.
It’s so soft and gentle, I like the way he touches me, “We try this for a month. One month of courting and after that we sit down and see what is working and what isn’t. We communicate the whole time and if we decide after a month this isn’t for us you can walk away.”
It’s logical but I’m a Cancer and I know that in two weeks I’m going to be in love with them all.
But one month doesn’t sound too bad.
There is a small risk but having it not be this no end date thing makes it harder. After one month everything will make more sense after a month and it can either be what we want or not.
Jace reaches out, his hand finding mine as Paxton’s hand finds my hair, Anthony reaches forward for my ankle and I kick at him with a glare.
All my omega senses tingle as all the touches, which would overwhelm me most days, makes me melt, wanting to be in a big puppy pile of alphas.
Ant tries to touch me again and I kick him and he frowns at me.
“You ratted me out.” He shrugs his shoulders sitting on the bed and laying my legs over his lap as I frown at him.
He’s so comfortable touching me, like he has been doing it his whole life and I enjoy how easy he makes it for me.
“I think it would be hot to see you get spanked.” He doesn’t apologize and I think about kicking him again. But stop, thinking about what we were talking about instead.
What if one of them doesn’t want me? What if it's just fun now?
One month and I’m sure we can figure all that out.
One month and I can walk away with an experience to talk to my friends about.
It’s no pressure.
It’s fine.
“What are the expectations before I agree to this? Like are we having rotating date nights? Are we all having sex together? Can I have more details about this?”
“You’re freaking yourself out, Sadie. It’s just like other relationships except you have four people who are going to care for you instead of one. We move at your comfort. You tell us what your limits are. Of course we have some things we would like to talk about but we can talk as it comes up or about it now. You decide, Sadie sweetheart. And if you say no that is also okay. No harm.” Paxton explains, kissing my temple. “We do want to court you properly. Register that we are courting and have you move in with us. We can talk about when your heat is coming and things like that if it’s an issue.” He takes it all so seriously.
He is petting my hair as he talks to me and I’m struck by how I should be running from this conversation but I’m not. I feel fine and safe with him.
With all of these alphas.
I know my answer but it’s still terrifying.
“I want you all. One month. I don’t have a heat coming up. And I won’t have sex without a condom and I’d like STD checks, please.” It’s quiet for a second before Paxton turns my head, our eyes meeting and I know he’s about to kiss me.
His lips are warm, soft and powerful.
He doesn’t kiss like Cameron, it’s almost like he’s trying to let me know I’m okay. His kiss is holding back something, almost like he’s afraid to give me too much. I’m not sure if he's afraid that I can’t handle it or he can’t. But he is here now and he’s showing me that as his lips massage mine .
As his mouth leaves mine Cameron comes to kiss me, his body pressing me back, half onto Paxton and the pillows as his open mouthed kiss makes me groan. He kisses me like he wants to consume me and I shiver as he pulls away, thus thumb pressed to where my lips just were. I can taste the faint mint of his toothpaste as his tongue slips around mine, tasting me and mixing us so we’re one mixed flavor.
“Hell, it’s so hot watching you kiss them.” Jace’s southern drawl has me turning my head to look at him with half hooded eyes. I can feel the wetness from Cameron’s mouth still clinging to my lips. His thumb pushes my chin up as he gives me a small smirk, leaning in to kiss me.
Mixing all of us together. Our scents are spinning around us as I whimper out in the way we all smell together.
Chocolate. Oranges. Cardamom. Burnt marshmallows. Peaches.
It starts so soft, little lip nuzzles before he’s pulling me to him and his tongue is tasting me. Just as demanding as Cameron with the soft tenderness of Paxton. It’s intoxicating and as he goes to pull away I fist his shirt holding him to me.
I could kiss him all day.
A hand wraps around me from behind and the scent of cologne and ink makes me turn, in a lust fueled haze as I look at Anthony. His smile flips my stomach as his lips press to mine. Open mouthed and passionate. It’s the type of kiss you share on a dance floor knowing you’re going to get fingered to a techno beat. It ends with us smiling against each other's lips as I sit on the bed with four men.
“Well, I need a cup of coffee now that I’m awake.” They’re all looking at me like breakfast is the last thing on their mind but I know better. I know we need to spend time out of bed to enjoy our time in it, “Coffee, please?” And just like that they snap out of whatever trance they’re in.
And I realize they’re going to be hopelessly wrapped around my finger.
And it terrifies me.