Chapter 24 – Kincaid
Chapter Twenty-Four
Kincaid
Iend up having to kick everyone out of the hotel suite, which isn’t surprising, but it is a pain in the ass. Although I was hoping Parish and Ten would handle it, since they were the ones who invited the random people from the bar, I went ahead and took care of it.
I wouldn’t be able to relax until the only people in the suite were Tennyson’s friends.
It took longer than I was hoping, but I finally let myself into the primary bedroom.
My nose wrinkles.
It smells like sex.
Lumen’s pears and roses scent is heavy in the air, and everything in me screams to find the omega, breed her, and bite her.
In that order, which is weird as fuck because I don’t even know if I want kids, but if I ever have them, I think the claiming part should come before the children.
Maybe that’s old-fashioned.
I don’t care.
I’m not going to bring kids into the world unless I have a stable relationship, and I know I’ll have the time to spend with them to raise them right.
I certainly won’t be able to count on my parents helping out or taking any nonexistent grandkids for a weekend. Which sucks because my favorite times growing up were spent with my grandma.
Malcolm hovers over Lumen. I can’t see exactly what they’re doing, but I do have an excellent view of Mal’s pale ass.
I think they’re kissing.
Riser spots me and scoots down the bed using his forearms and the heels of his feet. “I need a shower and a change of clothes.” He digs around the floor, and once he finds his shirt, he pulls it on.
Damn.
I missed a lot.
Last I knew, Lumen wasn’t aware of his scars.
The door opens and closes, indicating he left to do exactly that.
“Yeah, me too,” Malcolm says, pulling up his boxer briefs. “K is here. He’ll take care of you until we get back.” He crawls off the bed and stands to his full height. “Right, man?”
I nod.
Damn.
I missed all the fun, but I wouldn’t have participated, anyway. Not that I don’t want to explore every inch of Lumen’s skin—I do. I’d just rather do that when I’m not lit.
“He can help you take a shower in the bathroom in here,” Mal says. “I’ll probably beg to use Parish and Tennyson’s since I’m sure Riser’s sneaky ass is climbing into the one in our room right about now.”
“Ugh, a shower sounds like so much work,” Lumen grumbles.
“Yeah, but you’re covered in lotion and cum.” Mal chuckles. “Actually, I love that you smell like me. Feel free to skip the shower. Riser and I will be back to cuddle as soon as we clean up.”
He grabs his jeans off the floor and takes off toward the door without bothering to pull them on.
And that would be why I kicked everyone out.
If anyone Tennyson knows does something shady, like sell pictures, we would know exactly where to direct the label lawyers.
They’re sharks.
Locating the random people who followed us back from the bar would be a much different story.
“Are you going to cuddle with me?” Lumen pushes up on her forearms, studying my face.
I do a double take when I realize she’s completely naked.
She’s sweaty and looks wrecked, but she’s always beautiful. Her teardrop-shaped tits are peaked in tight nipples.
Jesus.
I recognize the scars on her stomach and hips, but I don’t let myself stare. I don’t want her to worry that I’m judging her.
She’s fucking stunning. Knowing she went through some shit doesn’t take away from her beauty. If anything, it makes me want to put in the work to get her comfortable enough with me that she’s willing to open up.
Being so close to her when she’s nude is dangerous, especially without an audience to keep me from doing something stupid. Still, I’m solid when it comes to self-control.
Peeling myself out of my jeans when I’ve got a hard-on is going to be a nightmare, but I’m not about to blow her off.
“Yeah, sweetheart.” I nod, clearing my throat. “I’ll be right there.”
Lumen smells even more heavily of Mal and Riser once I get up close and personal.
No one wants to snuggle in jeans, but I left my boxers on. Considering she’s naked, it would have been an unfair power balance to stay in all of my clothes. Not that I don’t enjoy that from time to time, because I do.
Being in control in and outside of the bedroom is a huge part of who I am. It took a while until I realized there was a name for that, outside of being a control freak. I know now that I’m a Dom, but a healthy dynamic requires discussions and negotiations that we haven’t had time for.
I am hopeful that she might eventually be open to letting me take the lead. That’s not something to undertake unless both parties are of sound mind.
Lumen lies curled on her side facing the middle of the mattress. I wrap myself around her back, bringing my knees under hers. My hand comes to rest on her abdomen, and I can’t help but notice the difference in our temperatures.
“Hey, sweetheart.” I move to hold my head up with my palm and pull her hair back from her face. “How ya feeling?”
“I’m good,” she mumbles.
“How about some water?” I suggest, rolling over to grab a bottle off the nightstand. “We’ll lie right back down after you drink.”
“No one has ever been so obsessed with how hydrated I am.” She turns onto her back and sits up with a grunt.
I frown.
Don’t push too hard too fast, I remind myself.
Lumen isn’t an omega.
Her genetics aren’t coded to find it endearing when a domineering alpha takes charge and makes choices for her.
“I’m not complaining. I’ve never had anyone to hover,” she says, trying to grab the bottle from my hand. “It’s kinda nice.”
Oh, she has no idea how good I can be at hovering and micromanaging everything. I thrive when someone is willing to hand over all control to me.
“Let me,” I murmur, bringing the water to her lips as my other hand moves to cradle the back of her head. “Slow and steady so we don’t spill any on the bed.”
She smiles around the bottle and drinks steadily.
Shit.
I’m in so much trouble.
If she didn’t admit that she likes being cared for, that little grin would have given it away.
Once she’s done, I take a long swig before twisting to place it down on the bedside table.
“All right, you can lie back down if you’re sure you don’t want to take a shower.” I nod to the pillows, and her long eyelashes flutter.
Lumen has a light dusting of freckles across her nose and cheeks that I’m developing an unhealthy obsession with. Actually, I think that fixation is just with her in general.
“I’ll shower in the morning, I promise,” she says. “Unless you guys are all trying to force me into the shower because I stink, and you’re too polite to say something.”
I snort. “Not even close. You smell delicious, sweetheart.”
“If you’re sure.” She sighs, like maybe she was thinking about something.
I keep my eyes on hers to avoid staring at her tits.
They’re really fucking nice.
I can’t wait to watch them bounce as I fuck her against whatever surface is available when that time comes.
She rolls over, lying on her side.
It gives me a perfect view of her ass.
I wonder if she would be open to letting me fuck it sometime?
I shove those thoughts away, settling behind her. My hand comes to rest on her stomach, and I tug her back into my chest.
I want her as close as possible.
“Wow, you feel so cool compared to me,” Lumen says, running her hand over mine. “I love it.”
“I hope you had a good night,” I say, kissing her shoulder.
Her skin is so soft, and she smells faintly of something… It’s hard to pick up under her natural smell, but she’s just covered enough in it that it’s impossible to miss, and that’s outside of Malcolm’s and Riser’s scents.
Ahh, it’s coconut.
She fits in so well with us that it’s almost scary.
“I did,” Lumen says, squirming in a way that shoves her ass against my pelvis.
“Are you okay?” I ask, chuckling.
“Um, yeah. I’m fine.” She nods dramatically, and her hair tickles my shoulder. “I’m a little warm, but that’s okay.”
“Sorry, I can give you some space if you’re hot,” I tell her, even though it’s the last thing I want to say.
“No, thank you,” she says primly. “I’d rather be able to smell hazelnut and chocolate as I fall asleep.”
I chuckle, and my chest starts to randomly vibrate, even though I didn’t focus on trying to purr. It feels strangely good, so I’m not complaining, but I wonder if my system is trying to put her at ease.
That must be it.
“Wow. That’s incredible,” she whispers, patting my hand. “I don’t even know if I’ll be able to fall asleep, but that is so damn relaxing.”
“Yeah, the best part of coming down is just being able to chill in one place and toast.” I’m really loving being able to touch her nude body with no expectations past a naked snuggle. “Unfortunately, we’re back to the grind tomorrow. Three shows in a row.”
“They’re all here, though, right?”
“Exactly,” I say, keeping my tone low and relaxing.
“We have a few more stops on the tour where we’ll get to chill in a hotel for a few days.
I think those are during the second leg of the tour, though.
We got almost no days off during the first leg, as I’m sure you noticed.
Luckily, they’re making it up to us by giving us a short break starting November first.” I continue teasing my hand over her soft skin.
“Wait until you see the Halloween masks they came up with for this year. The fans are going to love them, but I’m already cursing the days before Halloween. ”
“That bad?”
“Oh yeah.” I chuckle. “I won’t ruin the surprise, but it’s hard to see anything more than three feet away. I’m not claustrophobic, and they still freak me out.”
She laughs. “That sucks for you, but as one of those fans you mentioned, I can’t wait to see them.”
I grin, wrapping my arm around the top of her head as I bury my nose in her hair.
It’s an excellent sign that she’s planning on being with us when Halloween rolls around. It’ll be an extra special treat for Riser since Halloween is his birthday.
My phone has enough juice to wake me up the next afternoon, but it dies before my second alarm can go off.
Thank fuck it had enough battery for one hoorah.