Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
RHETT
Carys melts into me, her body going boneless as the last of her third orgasm fades way.
Her hair falls over my shoulder and tickles my back while her lips press into my neck, not quite a kiss.
I trace shapes along her spine as I work to catch my breath and remember how to see, how to talk, how to function.
Her hands wander over my skin. First my shoulders and neck, then my ribs, then my hips.
She doesn’t rush to fill the comfortable silence between us, so I let it linger.
After several minutes, she shivers. I blindly grab one of the blankets from out impromptu floor seat, draping it over her shoulders.
She hums and snuggles closer. Softness wells in me.
I press a kiss to her temple, smiling as she scents, way fainter than before.
She’s on the edge of sleep, her muscles relaxed and her eyes fluttering closed, when my knot finally releases.
She gasps, startling in my arms. A moment later, our combined mess drips onto my legs.
Her cheeks flush, but I just shrug. My legs wobble as I slowly ease to my feet, adjusting my hold on her so my other arm cradles behind her knees and she’s pressed against my chest. I don’t dare put her down as I finally get to my bathroom across the house, tapping the controls to turn on both showerheads without having to step into the shower quite yet.
Once they’re on, the steam from the water starting to gather on the windows, I carefully set her on the large counter between the two sinks, making sure the blanket keeps her thighs from touching the could stone.
“You okay?” I double check, unnerved by her sudden drop into silence.
Her pupils are blown wide, her cheeks flushed pink, her pulse fluttering in her throat.
She slowly nods, licking her lips. I finally step away from her, grabbing one of the washcloths and wetting it with the warmest water I have the patience to wait for.
She doesn’t say anything as I wipe away the blood and cum from between her legs and across her hips.
“Carys?” I ask. She starts, her eyes finally focusing on me. “You’re sure you’re okay?”
She nods again, a small smile curving her lips this time. “Yeah, promise. Just those same feelings as before. Terrified of not having you right up against me. My body’s pretty convinced I can’t exist without you touching me. I’m trying to persuade it that everything’s fine.”
I run my thumb across her knuckles. “I’ll be right back, all right? Just a quick minute.”
I head back into my bedroom at just short of a run, grabbing the bag she’d packed at her apartment. It takes only a minute to find the shampoo and conditioner. I grab both bottles and then a new set of boxers and one of my softest undershirts before hurrying back into the bathroom.
Carys is still perched on the counter, her eyes wide, her hair a disheveled mess around her shoulders, love bites covering her breasts and stomach and neck.
Smug pride rips through me at the sight of those, and my scent pulses with it.
Her eyes lock on me, her nostrils flaring.
Without a word, I carry her into the shower, helping her stand.
I work the shampoo through her hair and then two rounds of the conditioner, quickly getting myself clean while I wait for the final round of conditioner to sit.
Her eyes flutter closed halfway through the final rinse.
I band an arm around her waist, taking most of her weight, then turn off the water.
I dry her hair with the towel as best I can, then her body, before guiding the shirt over her head and then slipping into my own boxers.
She’s nearly asleep when I get her into my bed, her damp hair spread across the pillow.
As I turn to clean up the bathroom, she grabs my wrist, her grip unrelenting.
“Stay,” she whispers, her eyes bright and a bit unfocused. A command, not a request.
“Give me just a minute,” I tell her, tracing her lips with my thumb. “Let me get the lights turned off, and I’ll be right back.”
She stares at me for a long moment, almost seeing through me entirely, and then she nods, settling deeper into the sheets.
I rush through getting the towels picked up and the lights turned off.
There’s a smear of blood on the counter, and I wipe it down, too, dumping the washcloth with the first one in the sink.
She’s a beacon in my bed when I step back into the room, a temptation I’m unable to resist. I gently get into the bed, pulling her into my chest. A contentment I haven’t really ever felt roars up in me when she turns toward me without opening her eyes.
I press a kiss to her forehead, and she smiles.
CARYS
Rhett kisses me the moment he has the car pulled into the alley just behind the space Marilyn picked for the Thanksgiving dinner, his eyes scanning for anyone nearby. By some miracle, my heavy duty lotion holds, and none of my scent surrounds us.
“Billie’s good for the cover?” he asks as he pulls away.
I nod and swallow down my growing nerves.
“She’ll say I was at the shop this morning if anyone asks, but I doubt they will,” I say, dropping my phone into my bag and readjusting my hair so the ponytail’s a bit tighter.
The two French braids aren’t my best work, but not all that bad considering I only had my brush and a single hair tie, and I’d fallen asleep with wet hair.
My makeup is better, simple but present.
Both visible hickeys are properly covered this time thanks to a crash course with a Reddit sub-thread over the weekend.
Praise all the people who have had to cover tattoos for whatever reason because their methods are phenomenal.
Rhett squeezes my knee before pulling away.
“I’ll give you about five minutes before I head inside,” he says. “Text me if you need it to be longer.”
A lump forms in my throat, a blend of emotions I don’t have the bandwidth to decipher right now. I press another kiss to his lips, needing one more taste, one more moment with his skin against my own. He huffs out a laugh.
“You’re playing with fire, baby girl,” he whispers. “I just saw Timber’s truck.”
That has me hurrying out of his car. It takes everything in me to not look back, to not get one more look where I can drink him in and picture every single inch of his skin like I’d seen it just a couple hours ago.
There’s a tenderness between my thighs that only strengthens that desire. But I manage. Somehow.
Instead, I make my way up the alley, stopping just in front of the venue doors to quickly pull out my favorite perfume from college and spritz it onto my wrists.
It doesn’t quite cover Rhett’s lemongrass, but it blends it enough nobody will notice it’s an Alpha’s scent and not part of the perfume. Hopefully.
“Hey, ‘Rys,” Timber says.
I flinch, dropping the perfume to the ground, the bottle cracking. I barely manage to swallow a very embarrassing squeal. He’s quick to grab the broken glass, his hands way more steady than mine. I shove them into the pockets of my dress, trying to calm my racing heart.
“Hi,” I manage as he stands back up. “I didn’t see you there.”
He shrugs, but his eyes are angry. “You should have told me you needed a ride. I could have picked you up.”
My entire body freezes on instinct at the anger lacing the words. I force a swallow, trying to breathe despite the sudden band tightening around my ribs. My voice shakes. “A ride?”
He nods, glancing over my shoulder with another glare. A brick drops into my stomach so fast it’s a shock I don’t get sick. Is Rhett still there? Had he seen him as I got out of the car?
“You just got dropped off by a rideshare,” he says it like it’s obvious. “I told you last month you could call me for help. Why the hell are you paying for rideshares?”
I swallow all that panic, shoving it down until I only feel it pressing against my ribs and not closing off my throat.
“Oh, right,” I manage. I lick my lips. “I had a last minute order I had to put together, so it just ended up being easier.”
“Easier.”
He shakes his head, his scent spiking with a sudden, visceral anger that has my stomach flipping.
“Timber?”
The shakiness in my voice cuts through whatever has him so upset. His face falls, and he runs a hand through his hair.
“Fuck, I’m sorry, ‘Rys.”
He grimaces, and his eyes flash to someone behind me.
An arm snakes around my shoulders a moment before the faint smell of coconuts overlays the dissipating coffee scent of Timber’s anger.
Dad pulls me into his side, frowning as he realizes I’m trembling.
His gaze flashes to Timber, his mouth flattening.
Dad reads whatever’s going on with him better then me, grim determination replacing his confusion.
“I’d rather you go home than start a fight here,” he says.
Timber tenses. “Why the hell—”
Dad just shakes his head and cuts him off.
“Don’t try that bullshit with me, man. There’s Omegas here now.
” Timber grimaces again like he’s just been told to drink something awful.
Dad’s arm tightens around my shoulders. “Omegas that won’t just brush off you lashing out at them for shit that isn’t their fault with packs that will absolutely fuck you right up for it.
I don’t want any of you injured. If you don’t think you can hack it in there, I’ll personally take you to your place to sleep off whatever this is. ”
Timber glances to me, and some of the rage dissipates.
A blast of lemongrass has my heart climbing my throat, my shaking getting worse.
Dear God, this is possibly the absolute worst this entire arrival could go.
I chance a glance over my shoulder, desperately sending a wordless plea to the universe that Rhett doesn’t freak out as my eyes lock with his.
I try and give a subtle shake of my head, but I’m not sure he understands the message.
Dad doesn’t look away from Timber, not noticing the undercurrent to Rhett’s scent.
It takes me a minute to remember Timber won’t be able to smell it, either.
If I can de-escalate this before Rhett makes it those fifteen feet, I might be able to avoid an outright disaster.
My panic subsides enough I can move without fear of my own scent breaking through and creating an even bigger mess.
I carefully ease out of Dad’s hold, grabbing his elbow instead. Timber blows out a breath and nods.
“Sorry, I’m just tired,” he says.
I frown as memories from a decade ago stir, of when he lived with us while picking up the pieces of his life. Before either of us say anything, Timber disappears inside.
“That’s not good,” I admit.
Dad nods and then sighs. “Definitely not.”
“Should we do something?”
“Not here. I’ll chat with him in a few days if he’s still off.” Dad shakes his head. Then he gives me a proper hug, his smile warming. “How are you? This dress is beautiful, darling.”
I flush as I pull away.
“I’m good,” I manage to say, my voice almost back to normal. “Billie working at the shop has helped a ton.”
His smile widens. “Marilyn is really impressed with how well you two have settled in together. I’m warning you now that she’s probably going to ask about helping with another one soon.”
Before I can come up with any kind of response, Rhett closes the distance, his lemongrass scent no longer holding that edge of warning. I school my features into a polite smile, careful to not let my stare linger too long.
“Ah, Rhett! Nice to see you!”
“You, too, Ares.” He shakes Dad’s hand and turns to me. He holds out his hand like I’m any other person. “Carys, nice to see you. Happy Thanksgiving.”
It feels so weird to shake his hand after he had his knot inside me last night, but I do it anyway. The flash in his eyes tells me he’s thinking about it, too. I shiver as a bolt of lightning races down my spine just as Rhett releases my hand.
“Oh, there’s no reason for us to freeze out here,” Dad says, misinterpreting my movement.
Rhett holds the door for us both, his Adam’s apple moving as he swallows.
Most of the team is already here, chatting in small groups.
The six players who’ve recently packed up are here, their Omega partners slowly mingling with everyone, too.
Billie catches my eye from across the room, her gaze flicking from me and then to Rhett, the panic clear in them.
I try and shake my head, but Dad notices.
“You all right, Carys bug?” he asks, low enough not even Rhett can hear him.
“Just a hair that tickled my neck wrong,” I tell him. It disgusts me how easily the lie slips off my tongue. “I’m fine. Promise.”
“Oh, there you are!” Marilyn beams as she crosses the large open space of the rented venue. “You look beautiful as always. I was curious if you wanted to grab a drink with me.”
She shares a look with my dad, and my stomach twists. She quietly eases me away from Dad and walks me toward the bar.
“Before everything gets super hectic, I wanted to ask a favor of you, Carys,” she says, squeezing my elbow. “You were so much help with making Billie feel welcomed here. You’ve become fast friends, right?” I nod, and she smiles. “I was curious if you’d be willing to help another Omega settle in.”
I swallow and tuck my free hand into the pocket of my dress as we close in on the bartender.
“Of course, as much as I’m able,” I say. “When are they getting here?”
Marilyn clicks her tongue. “I’m not sure yet.”
“What can I get you two?” the bartender asks.
“A bourbon apple fizz,” I say with a smile, pulling my wallet.
Marilyn’s quick to shake her head. “I’ve got it. A single malt whiskey, please.”
She pays as the bartender makes both drinks, setting them on the bar top with a professional ease as we both offer our thanks. She guides me deeper into the room, avoiding any of the established groups.
“This was told to me in confidence, but I know I can trust you with it,” she says once we’re at least ten feet away from everyone else.
“Rhett James has found a scent match. I’m not sure when he’ll bring her in, but I was hoping you’d be willing to help her feel welcome.
It’s going to be a shock to everyone when he’s been such a cowboy the last seven years. ”
Her eyes flick to Rhett where he laughs with a few of the other players.
I don’t know how I manage to keep my smile from fracturing.
Marilyn squeezes my elbow as I take a drink.
Rhett told her about me, and yet… not. Had she tried to set him up on a date with someone else and he’d admitted to having a scent match to get out of it?
My heart warms at the thought even as more panic sets in at our lying to the entire team.
“Of course,” I agree. And then I lie through my teeth for the second time in fifteen minutes. “Just let me know when.”