Chapter 8 #3
She laughs and I can feel her eyes on me as I sing along to the song, dancing and flicking random colors on the canvas.
“Fuck it,” Willow says.
“Hey, that's what I said,” I laugh.
Willow is grinning ear to ear as she starts to do the same thing I’m doing.
We start to become louder, laughing, dancing, singing. Paint is flying and we even go over to each other's canvas to help the other out.
“Briar.” Willow says my name, making me turn around. That's when she flicks paint right in my face.
I gasp, blinking at her in shock.
She bites her lip, trying to hold back a laugh.
“Oh, it’s on.”
She lets out a squeal of laughter as I grab a paint brush and slap it across her face, leaving a blue steak on her cheek.
“You little brat,” she giggles, and does the same to me.
The next thing you know, we’re rolling around on the ground, covered in paint, laughing until I feel like I’m going to pee my pants.
“You’re a bad little thing, aren’t you,” Willow says, pinning me to the ground, the both of us panting.
“When I want to be,” I whisper.
Electricity crackles between us, my core growing hot. I want her to kiss me, but she doesn’t, rolling off me so we lay there, side to side.
“This was an amazing date, Briar. Thank you.”
I roll to my side and smile. “Thank you.”
“For what?” she asks, rolling to face me.
“For being so easy to be around. I like you, Willow. And I want this to work.”
“I like you, too,” she smiles softly, reaching over to brush some of my hair out of my face. “I think we’re going to be just fine.”
“Yeah,” I smile back. “I think so too.”
ATLAS
“Are you going to stare at me all day like you want to fuck me, or are we going to go do something?” Jude asks me. He’s trying to sound snarky, but I can hear the tremble in his tone. I love how easily I affect him.
“I don’t see why we can’t do both?” I chuckle.
He rolls his eyes. “Come on big guy, time to wine and dine me.”
My brows furrow. “Is that what you want? To go out to eat?”
“No,” he laughs. “I mean, let’s go have some fun. I’m sure the girls are already having the best time. Now it’s our turn.”
“That I can do. But first, what do you like to do?”
“I’m not picky,” he shrugs. “I like to do whatever Willow likes. We’re outdoorsy people.”
“How do you feel about motorcycles?” I ask.
He gives me a curious look. “They look cool, but I don’t see myself ever owning one.”
“How about riding one?”
“God no. I’d crash the thing.” The wrinkle to his nose is adorable.
“Let me clarify,” I chuckle, grabbing his hand and pulling him towards the garage. We stop in front of my sleek, black Harley that I drove today. “Would you be okay being a passenger?”
“You ride?” he asks, eyes widening as he looks up at me.
“I have a truck, but on nice days I like to go for a ride. Thought it would be nice to go for one today.”
We’re in the early days of spring, and I’ve been dying to get out and ride more. Plus, having Jude’s arms wrapped around me sounds like a good time.
“Here.” I go over and grab the extra helmet Briar has. “You can use Briar’s.”
“Oh, do you two go riding often?” he asks, taking it and slipping it on.
“Not yet. She has her own bike.”
“Really?”
I nod, “It’s in the shop right now, but yeah, it’s kind of better than mine. I’m jealous. But don’t tell her that. She’d rub it in that her baby is better than mine.” I roll my eyes.
Jude laughs, “My lips are sealed.”
“We will have to all go for a ride sometime.” I slip my own helmet on.
“I’m sure Willow would love that.” Jude is quiet for a moment. “Do you think they’re okay?”
I step closer, lifting the visor to his helmet as I do the same to mine before wrapping my arms around him, pulling him to my body.
“Briar is an amazing woman. She’s kind, loyal, and can hold her own. If Briar didn’t feel comfortable doing this, she wouldn’t have agreed.”
“I just worry you know? Willow, she’s different. She’s amazing, bubbly, but also protective. But I know sometimes she feels like she can be a lot. Her brain works differently than most. It’s the thing I love the most about her, but I know not everyone feels that way.”
“Wanna know the best thing about Briar?”
“What?” he asks, eyes searching mine.
“As long as you have a good heart, she doesn’t care about how someone's mind works, their likes or dislikes. She adapts, enjoys experiencing new things. We might have only been going on dates for a few weeks now, but I’ve known her a lot longer.
Whatever the two of them are doing, I know they’re both having a good time.
So how about we stop worrying about them, and go and enjoy ourselves. ”
“Yeah,” he nods, smiling. “Let’s go.”
I want to lean in and kiss him, but I have a feeling if I do, we’re not going to leave this garage.
“What?” Jude’s brows furrow.
“Sorry,” I shake my head. “I was just wondering if we should leave, or if I should just bend you over my bike and bury my cock deep inside that perfect ass.”
On cue, his sweet fudge scent fills my nose, making me growl.
“Behave,” he scolds me, but it comes out in a breathy tone. “We promised to be good.”
“Fine,” I grumble. “Get that sexy ass on my bike.”
“Yes, Alpha,” he teases, and fuck me, my cock is so damn hard right now.
I get on first, then Jude gets on after me. “You know, driving with a hard-on is just cruel,” I say before starting up the bike.
Even though it’s loud in here, I can still hear Jude’s laugh, his chest shaking as he wraps his arms around me. “You’ll survive.” And then the brat grabs my dick and squeezes.
He deserves a spanking for that. But, I’m not sure if that's something he’d like. We’re going to have to figure that out.
“You’re not taking me into the woods to murder me, are you?” Jude asks when I bring the bike to a stop.
“Nah,” I laugh. “I’d never hurt you. You’re always safe with me. Plus, I bury the bodies on the other side of the mountains,” I grin, shooting him a wink.
He thinks I’m joking, but the funny thing is, I’m not.
Turns out, Briar and I have been sharing the same dumping ground for years and never knew it.
We’ve got about a total of ten bodies up there.
What I didn’t know is that Briar owns that land. And here I just thought it was a good secluded spot where no one would think to look.
Jude just rolls his eyes, but I see the hint of a smile on his lips. “But really, where are we?”
“We’re at the archery range. But, they also have an axe throwing section and a shooting range.”
I watch as his eyes light up. “Okay, now this sounds like a good date.”
“Yeah?” I ask with a hopeful grin. “This is something you’d be into?”
“Oh yeah.” He grabs my hand and pulls me towards the building. “Come on, let’s go.”
I chuckle at his eagerness, happy I chose this as our date. With the change in plans, I wasn’t sure what we could do at the last minute.
“Hey,” I greet Tom, the owner.
“Hey, Atlas. Good to see you back. Who do we have here?”
Wrapping my arm around Jude, I kiss the top of his head and smile proudly. “This is Jude, my omega.”
His smile drops. “Your omega?” He raises a brow. “Does Briar know?”
“Yes.” I feel Jude stiffen under my hold and I give his shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “She’s actually on a date with Jude’s other alpha right now.”
“Oh.” Tom’s smile comes back. “That sounds like fun. What did the two of you feel like doing today?”
“An hour on the axes please.”
Tom nods, “You got it.”
After I pay, I lead Jude to a free space.
“What's wrong?” I ask when I realize he’s quiet.
“Are people going to be upset?” he asks, wrapping his arms around himself. “Briar is a big deal in this town. And I’m guessing people know about the two of you?”
I let out a little huff. “It’s been a running joke for a while that even though Briar and I never made things official, I was her alpha because it was obvious to everyone else how we felt for one another yet said nothing about it.
But the thing about Widows Peak is, even though they look out for their own, they’re also very welcoming as long as your intentions are good.
They’re good people, they’re just extra protective of Briar and her friends.
They’re the reason we have Widows Peak and some feel like they owe them their lives. ”
“I understand. I just hope they know Willow and I would never do anything to hurt Briar.”
“I’m sure once they get to know you, see you with her, they will. Now, stop worrying,” I chuckle. “Today is about me and you.”
“You’re right,” he nods. “Let’s throw some axes.”
“Okay.” I walk towards the axes placed on the table. “Do you need me to demonstrate what to do?”
“Looks pretty simple to me.” Jude steps up, takes one of the axes and goes to the line. I lean against the fence and watch, waiting to step in if needed. He pulls the axe back over his head and with a grunt, he lets it fly.
My lips part in shock as I watch it sail through the air and hit right into the middle of the target.
“Holy fuck,” I blink at him. “You're good. Are you sure you’ve never done this before?”
“I don’t recall saying I haven’t.” He gives me a smug grin.
“You sneaky little shit,” I chuckle. “There's a lot I need to learn about you.”
“Just because I look small and delicate doesn’t mean I don’t know how to use these.” He flexes his muscles. “How else do you think I can hold myself up on that pole? It’s not easy work.”
“No, it’s not,” I growl, my eyes growing lidded as arousal floods through me. “That was fucking hot.”
He bites his lip, arousal in his own eyes shining brightly back at me. “Thanks. It's your turn.”
Flexing my hands, I resist the urge to grab him and shove him against the fence, to kiss him until he’s nothing but a puddle of slick.
This whole being good thing and taking things slow is going to be hard. But, as much as I want to go all alpha on Jude, I’m going to respect what I have with Briar, and what Jude has with Willow. Until everyone is comfortable with our arrangement, I’m going to keep my hands to myself.
I know kisses and hand holding, the little stuff, is fine, but I know if I kiss him, I’m going to want more.