Chapter 17
Jason
A peace settles over me as I hold Noelle snuggled in my arms under heavy blankets. This is right where I want to be. Nowhere else. I long to stay wrapped in this cocoon of solitude where only she and I exist.
Unfortunately, based on her brother’s normal schedule, I need to wake up my sleeping beauty soon if I want another bout with her before we start the day.
A shiver of lust and contentment slithers down my spine to make my balls clench up in anticipation.
Reaching around, I cup her breast and tease her nipple, my cock rising as the small, taut peak hardens beneath my touch.
She gives me a small groan, and nothing else. There’s barely even a shift in her breathing as she lies in my arms, still and quiet. That is, until the soft snores start back up.
Poor thing is still so exhausted.
A wick smile curves across my lips as I slide down her body and gently turn her over.
Still, soft snores pour from her mouth. I ease her legs open and stare down at her glistening pussy already dripping with slick.
Unable to resist, I arch my neck so I can lap at her, drinking in her honeyed arousal. I’ll never tire of her taste and smell.
She rouses a bit, but still sleeps. Spreading her open with my thumbs, I slip my tongue inside her entrance, fucking her with quick, shallow thrusts. Only then does she finally wake.
Pulling up from between her thighs, I put a finger over my lips and wink. “Unless you want to give your brother quite the education, you need to make sure you stay nice and quiet for me. Can you do that? Can you show me how well you can take my tongue and cock without making a single sound?”
Her wide eyes blink a few times as she gives me a sleepy nod. Satisfied, I go back to my task and continue to eat her like she’s morning breakfast. Though she twists and turns, I have to give her credit, hardly a sound slips from her lips.
I hover at her clit, teasing her with my breath before darting the tip of my tongue out to flick against the swollen tissue. Noelle shoves her hand over her mouth and groans so softly I barely hear it. Through the bond, however, I feel every bit of her arousal as if it’s my own.
Precum leaks from my tip and smears against the sheets as I hump against them, desperate to be inside her once more. Enough games. I need to make her come so I can lose myself in the comfort of her body.
Applying my attention to her clit, I slide three fingers deep inside her, filling her up as I tease her. Her breath quickens as her hips rock up in the air. With each quiver of her inner walls, I can tell she’s close.
God, but she’s gorgeous in the throes of passion.
Her thighs clamp around my head as her fingers grip my hair.
Still, she contains her noises like a good little omega.
When she finally explodes around my tongue and fingers, she yanks the pillow out from under her head and slams it over her mouth so any sound that leaves is muffled and not heard by young ears.
“Good girl,” I groan as I ease myself from between her thighs.
“I knew you could do it for me. Now, keep being a good girl for me while I fuck you into this bed. Here, I’ll make it easier for you.
” With my one hand, I line my cock up at her entrance.
With the other, I clamp it over her mouth.
“Now you can be as loud as you want. Within reason, of course.”
I surge forward, filling her up with my cock as her eyes roll back into her skull. Pleasure lines every inch of her body as she bows up and wails into my hand. I barely hear it, yet my soul screams with her pleasure.
Through the bond, we meld into one. I can feel just how I hit that spot that drives her wild, how her toes curl when I drag out and slam back in. Her arousal amps my own, heightening it until I can’t tell us two apart.
I dig my fingers into her hips as I pound into her, impaling her, invading her with every long stroke of my thick cock. God, but I’ll never grow tired of seeing her body pinken with arousal, how her breasts bounce as I fuck her, or how her eyes glaze over as she nears another orgasm.
Ripping my hand away, I lean down and capture her lips with mine and revel in the feeling of her lips quivering against me as I smother her screams. Her inner walls ripple and clamp down, squeezing me so tight, I nearly forget to breathe.
As my knot swells, I slam home again. One thrust, two, three. Groaning into her mouth, I slide in one last time as I hook behind her pubic bone. The instant I lock into place, she shudders beneath me as another orgasm rocks through her.
Once her breathing returns to normal, I hold her close and turn over, letting her lie on top of me as we stay joined. Her breathing deepens, but she never goes back to sleep. Instead, we both lie there, panting, speaking only through the bond.
Her life is finally laid bare to me. I can see and feel the anguish she had to endure after her parents died. I see just how hard she works and how little it covers really anything. In turn, I show her my life, allowing her to get a glimpse of how we’re the same.
It’s a bonding moment I never dreamed I’d have. As she draws lazy circles on my chest, our love and affection grow. Unfortunately, we both know we can’t stay like this forever. As soon as my cock softens, I pull out and slip away to her bathroom to clean up before wiping her down.
By the time her brother comes out of his room, we have a simple breakfast for him and some hot coffee for me. Just one look at the boy, and I can see why Noelle was so concerned. As an Alpha, he’s about half the appropriate size.
This ends now.
Now that Noelle is mine, that means her family is mine too. And I take care of what’s mine.
The young man interrogates me, and I have to admit, it’s a bit endearing. Try as he might, he’s just not intimidating. Not yet, anyway. When he’s older, he will be a force to be reckoned with. But that’s another problem for another time.
Now, all I care about is making sure my new family is well taken care of and tended to. And that starts with Christmas. My lips curl into a large smile as I close off my end of the bond and formulate a plan. No sense in spoiling the surprise.
Noelle snores softly as I pull away from her on Christmas Eve.
Time for Santa to work a little magic. It’s only been a two days since bringing her home from the clinic as my mate, and yet I feel as if we’ve been together forever.
I guess that’s what happens when two wandering souls finally become one.
Easing away from her is like torture, but picturing the look on her face is worth it as I slip out of the house and into the night. Normally, by this time, it would take a true miracle to make things happen. Luckily, money makes the miraculous mundane.
It takes several trips between my car and the small apartment before everything is in. Though they had some decorations up, it’s not nearly the magic I want them to experience.
By the time I’m ready to assemble, the tiny living room is near bursting as I pull out a pre-lit tree, boxes of ornaments, and other Christmas decorations. Hours tick by as I get everything hung up and ready for them. Thankfully, I have coffee in a never-ending supply.
The early dawn rays seep in through the window by the time I nestle the last present under the tree. And not a moment too soon. Soft sounds come from Daniel’s room as he stirs awake.
Granted, I don’t know what traditions he and Noelle have, but based on the few memories I’ve seen, there’s never really been a mad dash for presents or stockings. Hiding my grin, I tiptoe back to the room I share with Noelle and slip back under the sheets.
How I long to pull her into my arms and just sleep, but I know any minute, her brother will see the display and sound the alert. Just as I thought, the instant I snuggle into my mate, his voice booms through the door.
“Oh my God!” he screams. “Look what happened to our living room!”
The strident noise makes Noelle pop out of bed as she forces the sleep from her eyes. Panic laces her haggard breath as she feels around to find me. Through the bond, I see her fear of intruders, death, murder, or mayhem.
“Shhh,” I murmur as I hold her close, willing her heart rate to slow down. “Just a little Christmas magic. Nothing to be alarmed about. Breathe with me.”
She takes a minute or two to process before she turns and looks at me. “What did you do?”
“Do you want to ask me that, or do you want to see for yourself?”
Tearing out of bed, she throws on a pair of worn pajamas as she continues to look at me. Excitement creeps in through the bond, but I can also feel her need to tamp it down. It’s still too soon. She doesn’t know she can trust me yet. Hopefully, this is one step in the right direction.
“You gotta see this,” Daniel cries out again. “I think we’ve been robbed, but like… in reverse.”
At that, she stills and tilts her head. “Okay. Please tell me you didn’t do anything illegal.”
“Me?” I ask innocently as I place a hand on my chest. “Do something illegal? You wound me, madam.”
And that’s when her gaze drifts down to my chest. “You’re already dressed. Have you been at this all night?”
“I’ll neither confirm nor deny. Now come on, sleepyhead. Let me show you how a Locke does Christmas.”
I practically drag her out of the door until she sees the glow of the lights. Then, like a moth to a flame, she drifts forward until she reaches the living room. The soft tears of happiness that shine in her eyes as she clasps her hands over her mouth is all I need.
Through the bond, I feel the conflict. On the one hand, she’s deliriously happy. On the other, she’s guilty.
Why guilty, my love? I ask through the bond.
She turns her tear-stained face to me. Because I have nothing to give you. You’ve done all of this for Daniel, and I have nothing to give you in return.
Oh, don’t worry. I’ll be using your body later today.
I’m serious.
So am I.
/Jason…/
I’m not transactional. I don’t view love that way. I want to give you everything I couldn’t have. Especially Daniel. It heals my heart to see him so happy. Besides, there will always be next Christmas when you transform my house into a home.
You… You mean that?
With all my heart. It will never be more than just a residence without you and Daniel to fill it up with your happiness and love.
Sliding to her side, I press a button so sappy Christmas music fills the space. Noelle leans into me as I wrap my arm around her waist and hold her close.
“Are these really for me?” Daniel asks as he looks at all the loot surrounding the tree.
“Is your name on them?” I laugh.
“Well yes, but…”
“But nothing. Tear into them.”
Through the bond, I can still feel the shock as she watches just how happy her brother is. Despite all the new clothes and fancy things I have for her, I know that will be the gift she will never forget.
As he rips through the paper, sending the festive bits everywhere, I rock Noelle back and forth as I sing along with the song, changing the word Christmas to Slickmas. Aghast, she smacks my arm and whirls around.
“What?” I tease. “He didn’t even notice. He’s too busy opening his gifts.”
“It’s so much,” she murmurs as she looks at the carnage and destruction. “Where are we going to put it all?”
A heavy sigh slips through my lips as I bend down on one knee. “Remember when I said you’d be making my penthouse a home?”
This time, when she turns around, she gasps, drawing Daniel’s attention. He stares at me, wide-eyed as I take in Noelle’s shocked expression.
“Wait!” she cries out. “Y- you can’t be seriously proposing right now. I- I don’t understand. We just met.”
“Well, yes…” A frown pulls down at my lips. “And you wear my claiming mark. You’re already mine forever. I’m just letting everyone else know. It’s an outward show of what our souls have already decided.” Her eyes glisten as the bond lights up with her joy. “Does that mean it’s a yes?”
“Yes,” she screams as she nearly tackles me.
My heart swells, nearly bursting as I slip the ring on her finger.
A ring to show my love, and a collar to show my possession.
Standing, I reach into my other pocket and pull out a slim box. Redness tints her cheeks as she turns, allowing me to slip it on. Daniel, none the wiser, simply shrugs and goes back to his toys. But then, he doesn’t really need to know how depraved his sister is. That’s for my heart and eyes only.
It’s funny how fate works. At first, I was dreading the holiday, despising the idea of spending it alone. But with an overdrawn account and a desperate omega, I found what’s been missing all these years. I finally found my reason, my purpose, my home.
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