Chapter 14
CAELIA
“No, I promise it’s not turning over,” I sigh as I talk on the phone with my Dad. “I got in the car and tried to start it just now. Should I call roadside assistance?”
“Shit. We’ve been driving so much, I suppose it’s not a surprise. It could just be the battery,” Dad says. “I’m sorry this happened while you’re driving the car. Is there anyone with you?”
“I just said goodbye to the guys,” I reply, glancing in their direction. To my surprise, they’re out of their vehicle and walking toward me. “Ah, they’re still in the lot though.”
“Hmm,” Dad murmurs. “At least they’re gentlemen.”
Rolling my eyes, I blow out a breath. I really hate having car issues when I’m away from home.
“It won’t start,” I call out to them. “I’m about to call roadside assistance.”
“That’ll take ages at this time of night,” Miles says, holding out his hand for the phone once he’s close enough to take it.
“I have a feeling Miles is about to get bossy,” I mumble to Dad.
“I know you hate that,” Dad chuckles. “Hand him the phone, Cae.”
Making a face, I do as I’m asked.
“Hi,” Miles says, rubbing the back of his neck. “I suspect this area doesn’t get the best service late at night. I think she should stay here tonight. I’ll grab her a room at the hotel the team is at if that’s alright?”
The question is directed at both my dad and I, and his icy blue gaze meets mine as he asks.
Leaning against the car, I nod. I’ll sleep in my underwear I suppose at the hotel and then wear the same clothes back.
I’ll have to try to wash off my makeup too because it’ll look awful after sleeping in it all night.
I’d rather not look like I’m taking a walk of shame back to my car if I’m not. Addie would tell me to own it only if I absolutely deserve it. Damn, I really miss her.
She’ll never believe this.
“Yeah? No, no. I’ll pay for the hotel room,” Miles says, shaking his head.
“I’ll take that back now,” I mutter before they begin to argue. I’m getting paid very well for my work with the Dragons. I’ll pay for it myself.
Plucking the phone from him, I say goodbye to my dad and grab my small messenger bag before closing the SUV up.
“Shall we?” I ask, pushing the lock button on the key fob.
“Absolutely. Sorry you’re stuck with us,” Miles says, looking anything but.
“Mmhmm,” I smirk, walking beside him. I’m still trying to figure out how I feel about Miles. His scent of oranges and cloves drift toward me on the wind and my eye twitches. This man should not smell this good.
If I’m really being honest with myself, he’s also gorgeous with his blonde hair and thick thighs. I feel awkward around him in my attraction.
“We borrowed a car and it’s really small,” Santo explains. “I’m apologizing now in case you end up in my lap.”
“I doubt that’s a real apology,” Levon snorts.
He’s the only one in a full suit, and I expect it’s because he had to do something after the game. Miles is wearing a pair of jeans and long sleeved shirt, looking completely comfortable off the ice as he is on.
I’d almost prefer it if he showed any nervousness around me. Miles acts as if this is any other day, and while I do tend to spend a lot of time in hotels, dating and then getting stranded are not normal for me.
“Whose car is this?” I ask, gazing at the small sedan.
“I borrowed it from a staff member since we travel on the buses,” Miles explains, unlocking the car. “It’s a tight fit.”
Crawling inside, I find that I have to curl my feet close to my body since the passenger seat in front of me is pushed so far back. Santo gets in beside me, and hums under his breath as he sees my issue.
“Let’s try this,” he says, picking me up and pulling me toward him as he shifts in the seat so his legs are sprawled out. This leaves me with my ass pressed against his groin, and my head on his chest. I don’t know if I should move or not because Santo is unapologetically hard.
“I guess this is better,” I rasp.
“Are you sure?” Levon asks. “It looks like you’re scared to move.”
I meet Miles’ gaze in the rearview mirror where he’s trying to hide a smile. Wiggling to try to escape Santo’s dick, I gasp when his arm wraps around my waist.
“God, please stop moving,” he groans. “I can’t help what my dick does, Caelia. You’re going to make me come in my pants if you keep rubbing your ass against me like this.”
“Seriously?” I hiss.
“Mmhmm,” he says in a strangled voice.
Tilting my head back to look up at him while Miles drives, I have to admit that he’s comfortable to lay on despite the monster in his pants.
“Fine,” I murmur.
Santo offers me a smile and kisses my upturned forehead without a thought.
“Good girl,” he says mildly, making me squeeze my thighs together in an attempt to keep from perfuming. Attraction isn’t something I’m lacking here. “Fuck, you like that, huh?”
A shudder runs through my body and he groans as he buries his face in my throat.
“Watch yourself,” Miles murmurs. “I’m trying to make sure I don’t crash, and all I can smell is something I can’t say.”
Ugh. He can smell my slick.
“I can’t help it,” I sigh.
“You’re not supposed to,” Miles says. “If I had my way, my head would be between your thighs licking all that sweet smelling cream up, baby. I bet Santo would hold your thighs open—”
“Damn, Miles,” Levon chokes out. “Where did that come from?”
“Why do you think I’d talk to you like that in any capacity?” he asks.
I don’t know why, but that strikes me as really funny.
“I can see how that may be inappropriate during practices,” I giggle.
I can feel the curve of Santo’s lips against my skin as he smiles.
“And he says I’m inappropriate at work,” Santo says teasingly.
The car smells like the four of us, and I have a really hard time not squirming.
“You’re not going to stop moving, huh?” Santo asks. “Would you like to help me out with something?”
“Is it going to distract me from how good you all smell?” I ask, feeling a whine threatening to claw its way out of my body.
I don’t do this. My omega tendencies are negligent, I’m very low key, but my body is being really rude at the moment. My nipples are rubbing uncomfortably in my bra, I’m about to ruin these panties, and my tights underneath my jeans aren’t doing a thing to dampen the scent of my slick.
The advertisements for these definitely lied to me.
“Not at all,” Santo rumbles, making me start to pant.
“Santo,” I whine, making him hold me tighter.
“Fuck,” he breathes. “I really want to kiss you, but that’s not going to help cool you down, huh?”
“Not at all,” I gulp.
“Lips and hands to yourselves,” Miles says, turning into a hotel.
Santo and I laugh because it’s a very grown up thing to say.
“I’m not making this any better for myself, am I,” Miles grumbles, looking for a parking spot. “Damn, it’s really busy tonight.”
Turning my head, I notice that he’s driving toward the back of the hotel as he circles the lot. This doesn’t look very promising for me, but I refuse to jinx myself by voicing it. Miles finally finds a spot in a corner of the lot, and even then I can tell it’s a tight fit.
Scooting away from Santo, I miss the heat of his body as he struggles to sit up. Opening the doors, we get out of the vehicle, and I shiver since it seems to be getting colder tonight. New Orleans weather is fickle in late January.
Walking together, I let Santo pull me closer and Levon glances over with a secret smile as I allow him to keep me warm. The sliding glass doors at the front of the building open effortlessly to allow us entry and I sigh.
“I’m going to go see if they have a room for me,” I say.
“I’ll go with you,” Miles says in a tone that doesn’t allow any argument. “Guys, you should make sure to get to bed early. Levon, don’t let Santo keep you up too late.”
“Yes, because I’m the problem,” Santo snorts. He surprises me as he mutters something in Spanish to himself.
“Oh, please talk dirty to me in Spanish, I’ll happily take the punishment from Coach,” Levon groans.
The longer I get to watch them together, the more it amuses me. I’m not jealous, I do believe that you can care about more than one person at a time. Multiple scent matches for an omega happen more often than not for a reason.
I think they’re really cute together. Can I see myself in the middle of a filthy kiss with them? Maybe. I really need to stop thinking about anything in the least bit sexual so I can talk to the front desk person without stumbling over my words.
“Good night again,” I say, waving as I walk to the desk.
I can hear Santo and Levon talking to Miles, a low rumble as they argue with him about something. They can figure things out between themselves.
“Hi,” I greet the woman who looks tired and bored. “I was wondering if you have any rooms for tonight?”
She gazes at me as if I’m insane and shakes her head slowly. The guys get a little louder and she sighs as if I’m the worst thing that’s ever happened to her.
“The entire hotel is booked for tonight due to the game,” she explains. “Good luck finding anything. Maybe you can sleep in your car.”
“If my car was working, I’d just drive home,” I grumble. “I figured staying the night would be easier than waiting for someone to come out and give my battery a jump.”
“Oh,” she says. Her name tag states that her name is Yvonne, and her eyes widen when Miles walks over and leans on the counter.
“Is there a problem?” he asks. “Her car broke down and we need to get her a room, please. I’m paying for it.”
“Miles,” I groan. “She says the hotel is full. Keep your money, you oaf.”
“Oaf? Really?” he laughs. “Well, you’re really not going to like this, cupcake.”
His arm lifts me up and I squeal when I find myself over his shoulder.
“What the hell!” I yell.
“Shh, you’re fine,” he says. “Caelia, you need to sleep somewhere, and you’re just stubborn enough to attempt to sleep in the lobby.”
“That’s not allowed,” Yvonne says in a bored tone.