22. Calliope
Calliope
The woods open to an expansive beach blanketed in a soft layer of snow that shimmers like fine crystals under the moonlight.
Each step on the crisp, white surface crunches softly.
The lake sprawls out before me, its surface frozen solid, creating a vast mirror of the stars and moon that stretches endlessly to the horizon.
On the snowy beach is a large, transparent, igloo-shaped inflatable structure.
Through its clear dome, I can see a charming two-person table adorned with flickering candles and a vase of fresh flowers.
A queen bed, piled high with fluffy blankets and abundant plush pillows, sits in the middle.
A soft, handwoven rug is spread underneath it all.
The entire thing is a haven away from the biting cold outside.
The thought of a blow-up igloo is almost absurd, yet here it is, inviting us in. As we approach, Seth guides me gently, his hand lingering on the small of my back, igniting a warmth that spreads through me.
He opens the plastic door, and I step inside, immediately enveloped by surprising warmth.
A cordless space heater casts a soft glow, keeping the jaws of winter firmly outside.
The table is adorned with a tantalizing spread of snacks featuring cream cheese, crisp crackers, sweet raspberries and delectable finger foods wrapped in crispy bacon.
My eyes dance over specialty grilled cheeses paired with rich tomato soup.
Nestled among it all are Oreos, a playful touch amidst the elegance.
I turn to him, questioning. He chuckles. "I may have done some recon with Clara about your food preferences, since she did help you raid our café."
My omega feels an intense wave of jealousy at the thought of Seth spending time with any other omega.
Even though Clara is a lovely person, and a good friend, it doesn't help ease the knot in my stomach.
The idea of him sharing space with someone else eats at me.
Discussing my food preferences isn't wrong, but the possessiveness is overwhelming.
I've heard how omega's possessiveness intensifies with scent-sensitive matches, and I can feel it building within me.
It'll be a challenge until bonding solidifies our connection.
My thoughts must show in my face because Seth chuckles again and wraps his arms around my waist, hoisting me up against his chest so that my feet aren't touching the ground and I'm flush against him.
He scent-marks the top of my head, and I can feel his smile against my hair. "Don't worry, Precious. I've known Clara for a long time. We're not even remotely scent-matched." His purr revs up, and I relax against him, my hands resting against his chest and my head on his shoulder.
At that moment, my stomach gives a loud, unpleasant gurgle. I tense up, but he simply chuckles, sets me down, and pulls out a chair at the table. We sit facing each other, with an unobstructed view of the frozen water to my left.
The soft glow of several small lights twinkles around the igloo, creating a warm ambiance within the bubble while maintaining a perfect view of the world outside.
The food is absolutely divine, and I can't shake the feeling that Connor had a hand in some of the delectable choices, especially the grilled cheese.
Thick brioche buns, perfectly toasted to golden crisps, hug an array of specialty cheeses that melt together in a creamy symphony.
Vibrant slices of heirloom tomatoes wedged between the cheeses burst with sweetness.
The accompanying tomato soup is a revelation.
Its unique blend of spices dances on my palate, coaxing me to savor every last drop, and I have to keep myself from slurping it down out of sheer enjoyment.
I take small bites and cover my mouth as much as possible, trying not to let my self consciousness ruin the moment.
The food is excellent. I just wish we weren't directly across from each other, or that there was something else for him to focus on.
I've never been fond of people looking at me when I'm eating.
Even when I was a child. But when I was with Nick he made it so much worse.
Regardless, the meal feels like a warm hug on a chilly day, leaving me utterly satisfied.
And Seth doesn't seem to catch my unease or, more likely, politely ignores it.
"This was a wonderful surprise," I say once I've eaten my fill.
"This wasn't the surprise. Not really. It's a part of everything, but the real surprise will happen soon," he says. I cock my head. He moves to my side of the table and pulls me up, scooping me into his arms again.
Then, Seth gently uses one hand to pull back the soft blankets on the bed while using the other to help me slip between the covers and the sheets.
I'm surprised the bed isn't a blow-up mattress, as I initially thought.
Instead, it's a real queen-sized mattress with a wooden frame.
He'd actually assembled this bed inside the dome.
How long had it taken him to do that? All for me?
Seth slips around to the other side and joins me under the covers.
"Is the surprise your cock, because I have news for you: I've seen cocks." Based on what I'd seen at the last dinner we had together, his and the packs' are significantly larger than any other cocks I've personally experienced. I don't think Seth needs any ego-boosting in that area.
He chuckles and pulls me close. Thoroughly wrapping himself around my side.
Again, I feel a twinge of astonishment. I had to practically beg my ex to cuddle or for him to purr or show any physical intimacy.
He said he just didn't express himself that way, but by the end, he never expressed himself much beyond general distaste for my company.
Seth pulls out his cell phone, and my heart sinks.
Now, we're in more familiar territory when it comes to relationships.
My scent must change because he wraps his arm around me even tighter, holding me close with the arm that isn't holding the phone.
He keeps the phone in front of me so I can see what he's doing and opens an app with a light bulb icon.
He presses a virtual button that says OFF, and the ambient light around the igloo darkens.
When the lights suddenly flick off, it feels like the very cosmos has flung open its curtains, showering us in brilliance.
We're enveloped in dark solitude, far from the reach of any town and removed from the city's bustling life.
The Milky Way, which had previously appeared as a weak smear of light on the horizon anytime I'd seen it before, has transformed.
Every glimmer of light is its own form of mesmerizing beauty.
The heavens erupt into a symphony of brilliance, a stunning dance of individual points scattered across the infinite expanse.
Each star is like its own fiery gem. It's far more beautiful than I've ever seen stargazing.
The awe of it wraps around me, igniting a sense of wonder and insignificance as I gaze up from the comfort of the plush bed, lost in the beauty of the universe.
I inhale a sharp breath, heat rushing to my cheeks.
A luminous streak dances across the sky, leaving a shimmering trail that flashes and then dies.
"A shooting star!" I whisper in a voice barely louder than the breeze.
It feels like talking too loudly will shatter the delicate magic of the moment.
As if my voice will send the stars tumbling from their place in the sky like a soufflé collapsing under its own weight.
Seth presses his cheek against the top of my head, scent marking me, sending shivers down my spine.
"Make a wish, Precious," he urges, his voice low and sultry.
I close my eyes, feeling a warm rush of desire swirl within me, and I wish fervently that this isn't just an elaborate dream spun by my attention-starved omega.
I crave the reality of his touch, the heat of his body against mine.
"This is a perfect surprise," I say.
"Well, you said you liked the stars, and I didn't want to let that perfect idea go to waste. But, Precious, this still isn't the surprise."
I lean back from his embrace enough to look into his face.
A small smile plays on his lips. It's something both hopeful and fragile.
So different from the wide grins he usually wears.
His eyes meet mine, and, god, I could drown in them.
He brings his face down to mine. This time, his kiss isn't slow or gentle.
It's deep and demanding. His tongue roams over mine, and he palms my ass.
I press back into him. Allowing my hands to wander into his hair, pulling so that his bun falls out and his wild hair frames around our faces.
I forget about the stars as Seth's hard length presses against my thigh.
That nagging small voice of doubt within me tries to rear its ugly head but it's quickly squashed down by my omega.
She isn't having any of it. I perfume and slick seeps down my thighs.
I reach down and stroke him through his pants. He breaks off our kiss with a hiss.
"Cali, I brought the bed to watch the stars comfortably.
I'm not expecting—" He cuts off as I begin unbuckling the belt of his pants.
Seth groans and drops his forehead to mine as I slip my hand in and stroke up the velvety, hot length of him.
My fingertips barely touch together as my hand circles him.