Chapter 27
CHAPTER 27
KAYLA
I scoop Kayla up from the couch, her body curling against my chest, and I’m amazed she doesn’t wake. The weight of her in my arms is nothing compared to the heaviness settling in my chest. She’s so damn fragile, this Omega, with her dark blonde hair fanned out across my forearm and those pink lips.
I lay her down in her bed—where we had sex. The sheets still hold her sweet scent. I want her again, but it’s too soon. Shit, when did I start putting someone else before myself?
“Fucking lucky” doesn’t even begin to cover it. I’m a bastard covered in scars, inside and out, but she looks at me like I’m worth something. That thought alone has my hand lingering on her cheek just a second too long.
My throat tightens with words I don’t dare voice. I climb in with her and snuggle her. I’m growing fucking obsessed with her and can’t get enough. For a while, I hold her while she sleeps, but I can’t fall asleep. My cock is growing harder by the second, and she still has to be sore. I won’t push her.
I wait another hour, gritting my teeth, and trying to get my rock-hard cock to calm the fuck down before I quietly get up, so I don’t wake her. She looks like a goddamn angel with her blonde hair spread across the pillow, her lips slightly parted. Like Sleeping Beauty, who has my balls turning so dark blue, I can barely breathe.
Part of me wants to wake her—kiss her, make love to her—but I vowed to myself that I’d wait a bit longer.
So, I force my feet to walk away, to leave her.
The hallway feels longer on my way out, and closing her door behind me is like sealing away the part of me that’s learning to feel again. Fuck, I need air. I need distance from her softness, which threatens to undo my hardened edges.
Downstairs is dimly lit, the aftermath of our rom-com movie marathon. Dane’s in the kitchen, nursing a beer like it’s his lifeline. Liam’s passed out on the couch, snoring softly. If it weren’t for the danger lurking just outside our makeshift haven, I might laugh at the domesticity of it all.
The fact that Nexus was here not long ago sniffing around has the hairs on the back of my neck permanently standing on end.
“Beer?” Dane offers without looking up, his voice as rough as gravel. He opens the fridge, grabbing another for me.
“Yeah.” I snatch the cold bottle from him, the chill a welcome shock to my overheated skin. We lean against the counter, two soldiers on an unspoken night watch.
“Kayla still asleep?” he asks.
“Out like a light.” I tip back the beer, letting the bitterness wash over my tongue.
“We need to talk about Nexus.” Dane’s words are clipped.
“Fuck them.” The growl rumbles from my chest. “If we all claim her, they can’t do shit.”
Dane nods, the lines on his face hardening. “We protect our own. If they try anything, they’ll have to go through us.” Dane’s a medic, but I know he’s got as much fight in him as any soldier.
“Fucking right.”
Dane finishes his beer and gives me a nod.
“Night, Ryker.” Dane’s footsteps echo as he leaves, the house settling back into silence.
“Night,” I mutter, though he’s already gone. My beer’s empty, but my mind’s too full—of Kayla’s taste, her touch, her laughs like she did during the movies that I can’t get enough of.
I drag a hand down my face, feeling the stubble scratch against my palm as I head to my room. Tonight’s gonna be shit, but I can’t wait to see Kayla tomorrow.
In my bed, alone, I toss and turn, the sheets a twisted mess at my feet. My skin feels too tight, my thoughts fixated on Kayla—her soft lips, the tentative way she reached for me, how she sighed into our kisses, and the little sounds she made. Her scent clings to my nostrils, that sweet Omega fragrance that’s all her own.
“Fuck,” I curse under my breath, willing my body to calm down. The darkness of my room feels suffocating, pressing in from all sides.
When I finally emerge the next morning, the sun is already mocking me with its cheerful light.
Breakfast passes in a blur of eggs and bacon, but it’s not until Kayla slips into the room that I feel fully awake. She has that half-smile playing on her lips, and I’m hit with the urge to pull her onto my lap and bury my face in her neck.
“Morning,” she greets softly, her voice cutting through the fog in my head.
“Hey,” I manage, my usual gruffness softened by the sight of her. “You sleep okay?”
“Like a rock,” she says, her smile widening a bit as she helps herself to some food.
“Good,” I say, and there’s a whole conversation in that one word. I want to ask if she’s still sore, if I was too rough, but fuck, I can’t bring myself to do it. Instead, I lean back, trying to appear nonchalant.
“Want to go for a ride later on the bike?” It’s an escape I crave, the wind against my skin, the roar of the engine grounding me. But more than that, I want her with me, clinging to my back, her body pressed against mine.
“Sure,” she says, her eyes lighting up. “But what about Nexus? Won’t they be looking for me? I’m sure they’ve my pictures plastered up everywhere.”
“We’ll just wear helmets while we’re out. I can take you to a secluded park and as long as no one is there, we can lose your helmet. But at least it gets you out of here for a bit.”
“Wow, yes.” Her cheeks color. “I mean, it’s great here and way bigger than my home, but I am starting to get a little stir-crazy.” Thunder rumbles in the distance. “Um…maybe a rain check?” She bites her lower lip that’s distracting as hell. If it hadn’t been her first time, I’d have a whole lot of ways to keep her entertained in my bedroom.
“Of course.” A beat passes before I stand up, pushing the chair back with a scrape. “I’ve got some work to do on the car. You want to help?”
“Hell, yes,” she replies, her eyes sparkling with that mischievous energy I’m starting to recognize—and crave.
I lead the way out of the kitchen, trying to shake off the restlessness that clings to me like a second skin.
“Ryker.” She pauses as we reach the doorway, her hand brushing against mine, sending a jolt through my body. “Thank you for the other night. For taking care of me.”
“Anytime,” I say, but what I’m really thinking is how I’d do it again in a heartbeat. I’d do anything for her.
“Think you can help pull out a headliner? I gotta fix the sunroof.
“Challenge accepted,” she shoots back, and I grin.
The garage smells of oil and rubber, a scent that’s as familiar to me as my own skin. Kayla follows close behind, her dark blue eyes scanning the expanse of metal beasts I’ve spent countless hours taming.
Without even pointing out which car I was talking about, she heads straight for the Mustang.
“Damn, girl, straight for the classics.” I can’t help the pride swelling in my chest as she steps up to my ‘67 Mustang, her fingers tracing the lines of the hood with a reverence that stirs something possessive in me.
We work in tandem, the clank of tools and hum of machinery our soundtrack. She knows her shit every bit as much as any grease monkey I’ve ever met. It’s sexy as hell, watching her get lost in the guts of the car, her hands confident and sure.
“Look at you, all badass and knowledgeable,” I tease, handing her a wrench.
“Surprised?” She shoots me a sideways glance, the corner of her mouth lifting in challenge.
“Nah, I knew you had more going on than just killer looks.”
Her laugh is a spark that lights up the dim space, and without thinking, I close the distance between us. Her lips find mine, soft and inviting, and I can’t resist deepening the kiss, pulling her closer. My tongue dances with hers, and she moans. My arm around her, I press her into the side of the Mustang.
My hand drifts down, seeking the heat between her legs, but she flinches, a sharp reminder of the line I’m not supposed to cross yet.
“Fuck,” I curse under my breath, stepping back as if burned. “I’m sorry, Kayla. I didn’t mean to?—”
“Hey,” she interrupts, her touch light on my arm. “It’s okay. I’m not as sore, but... just need a little more time.”
“Right.” My nod is stiff, my body aching with unsatisfied hunger. I clench my fists, trying to shake the image of her beneath me, that sweet surrender in her eyes.
“Ryker?” Her voice is softer now, uncertain.
“Nothing.” I force the word out, hating how ragged it sounds. “Just gotta... cool off.”
“Okay,” she whispers, her arms crossing over herself and I hate myself even more for seeking the flicker of fear back in her eyes.
“Hey, it’s okay,” I manage to say, though it’s a goddamn lie.
I watch her walk away, her hips swaying with an innocence that belies the fire I know burns inside her. I’m left standing there, a hard man brought to his knees by a slip of a girl who’s become my fucking world.
Before she exits the garage, Liam strides in. For a split second, he stares between me and Kayla, then he says, “Dane has lunch on the table.”
“Can’t,” I bite out, the word like gravel. The hard edge in my gut tells me food ain’t gonna sit well, not while I’m full-cocked and hard.
“I’m starving.” She glances over her shoulder at me.
“Go ahead. I’ll grab food later. I want to finish this.” I jab my thumb in the direction of the Mustang.
“You sure…” She trails off at my nod, the soft tread of her shoes whispering across the concrete as she follows Liam out.
“Fuck,” I mutter once they’re gone, slamming my fist against the cool metal of the car hood. The echo bounces back at me, mocking and reminding me there’s no escape from this gnawing hunger inside.
“Get your head straight, Ryker,” I growl to myself, forcing my body to follow orders. But it’s a damn lie, and I know it. Right now, the only thing straight about me is the ache between my legs, the relentless pulse that won’t quit.
“Tomorrow,” I promise the empty garage, thinking of her shy smile and the tentative touch that set me on fire.
Shoving my hands into the pockets of my grease-stained jeans, I take a slow breath to steady myself. The smell of oil and metal fills my nose, but it’s her scent that clings to me—that’s driving me crazy with need.
Shit, get your shit together.
The garage feels empty without Kayla’s presence.
“Get your head out of the clouds,” I growl, slamming the garage door shut behind me as I head inside to find something to distract me until this edge wears off. Until I can look at her without wanting to claim her all over again.
Kayla
S trolling into the kitchen with Liam, I’m greeted by sushi, as though I walked into a five-star restaurant. I grin from ear to ear. “My favorite food ever!”
All types of rolls and raw sushi are spread across the counter. It’s all meticulously arranged, colorful rolls next to delicate slices of ginger. I bypass the raw fish—never really been my thing—and load up on the rolls. The extra ginger and wasabi make it perfect. Comfort in food form.
“Wow, you’re a sushi chef, too, Dane?” I tease, snagging a roll with my chopsticks.
“I’m full of surprises.” He winks.
With my plate overloaded, I pull up to the table. These guys sure know how to spoil me.
My chopsticks hover, debating between the vibrant pink and orange salmon roll or the one adorned with glistening black caviar. Finally, I settle on a plump California roll, the familiar combination of crab, avocado, and cucumber to start.
As I pop it in my mouth, the flavors explode. The cool, creamy avocado perfectly balances the salty sweetness of the crab, all wrapped in the perfect bite of seasoned rice. I dip another piece in the fiery wasabi, the sharp bite a delightful counterpoint to the rich flavors of the roll.
“So, Dane, the army medic turned sushi master,” Liam teases, his chopsticks hovering over a glistening piece of salmon. “Did you learn delicate knife skills patching up soldiers, or is this some secret army chef training they don’t tell us about?”
A playful jab, but it hits its mark. Dane gives a mock salute, a wry smile on his face.
“Army training honed my focus, but these culinary masterpieces? Top secret black ops sushi school, can’t tell you more.”
Laughter erupts around the table. I nudge Liam playfully.
“Easy there. Dane might unleash his secret weaponized wasabi on you.”
“Oh no, not the wasabi of doom!” Liam feigns terror, clutching his chest dramatically. “Whatever shall I do?”
“Seriously, Dane, tell us.” I give him my best puppy dog look, and he laughs, shaking his head.
“Fine. It’s honestly no biggie. A friend of mine in the army showed me. His dad owned a place in New York that made the best you’ve ever tasted. Puts mine to shame.”
“I doubt that.” I wave my chopsticks at him. “These are fantastic.”
“Glad you like them.” Dane beams.
“How come you never made sushi for me and Ryker?” Liam narrows his eyes at Dane.
“Because you two are happy with a slab of meat and potatoes.”
Liam throws his head back and laughs, a warm sound that fills the room.
We finish our food, and I’m stuffed. Liam wipes his mouth with a napkin.
“Hey, Kayla, I found a new area in the game. Looks like prime loot territory. You in?”
“Oh no, I promised Ryker I’d go for a ride on his motorcycle earlier, but the storm stopped us.”
Liam pulls out his cell phone and types for a few seconds before showing me the screen with a radar on it. “Another storm is coming and is ten minutes from here. Gonna be a short ride.”
“Bummer.” I frown.
“Ryker’ll get over it.” Liam types into his phone again. “Told him you are so heartbroken about not being his riding buddy, but that I got it covered, and you won’t get rained on or struck by lightning. So, you up for a few rounds?” He waggles his eyebrows, and I can’t help but laugh.
“Definitely.” My heartbeat picks up at the thought. “Just need to ditch these greasy clothes first.”
“Take your time,” he replies, but there’s an eagerness in his tone that matches mine.
The shower is a rush of hot water and steam, a chance to scrub away the grime of the morning from when I helped Ryker on the Mustang. Slipping into clean clothes after feels like shedding old skin—soft cotton clinging comfortably to my body, simple but so damn cozy.
I find Liam in his room, with the door open just a crack. He’s got that look of concentration that usually means he’s plotting his next move in-game. Pushing the door wider, I step inside, my pulse thudding in my ears.
“Ready for this?” I ask, my voice coming out steadier than I feel.
“Born ready,” Liam grins, patting the spot next to him on the bed. And just like that, we’re plunged into another world, one where survival is key, and every treasure found is a victory hard-won.
The tension eases from my shoulders as we navigate through digital dungeons, the outside world fading to nothing. It’s just me and Liam and the electric thrill of the game. But beneath it all, a different kind of heat coils low in my belly—a reminder that I’m not just any player in this game. I’m an Omega, and my heat is creeping closer, making it harder every second to focus on anything but the desire simmering under my skin, but it’s way too soon to have sex.
“Hey, Kayla.” Liam’s voice cuts through the haze of my thoughts. “You’ve been holding onto that controller like it’s a lifeline. You good?”
I nod, trying to keep my composure. “Yeah, just... into the game.”
He chuckles, his gaze not missing a beat. “Sure you are. Let’s take ‘em down then, partner.”
We dive back in, side by side, our avatars cutting through enemies and looting chests. With each victory, Liam’s excitement is contagious, and I find myself laughing more freely than I have in ages.
“Check this out,” he says, pointing at the screen where a hidden passage reveals itself. His arm brushes against mine, sending a jolt of awareness through me. Damn it, focus.
“Nice find,” I manage, even as my brain screams at me to jump him right here and now. But I can’t, not with the soreness still lingering from before and the fear that giving in could make it worse.
“Kayla?” His voice is low, concerned. He pauses the game and turns to face me, dark eyes searching mine. “What’s really going on? Talk to me.”
I swallow hard, feeling like I’m about to spill secrets I don’t even want to admit to myself.
“It’s nothing.”
“Uh-huh.” He doesn’t buy it, but he doesn’t push either. Instead, he shifts closer, his warmth enveloping me. “If you need a break, we can always just chill.”
“Thanks,” I whisper, grateful for his understanding yet aching for more.
“Kayla?” Liam’s voice is gentle, his hand reaching out to pause the game as he turns toward me, concern etched across his features. His fingers skim my cheek, pushing a strand of hair behind my ear.
I force a breath through my tightening throat. “It’s stupid,” I start, my voice soft, “but... I’m worried about being sore.”
His eyes soften, understanding flashing in them. “From earlier…with Ryker?”
I nod, feeling ridiculous because this is normal. The Omega Institute taught us that we’d be sore after our first time. But there’s something else, too, an edge, a familiar heat creeping up within me. I hesitate before adding, “My heat... it’s like a slow burn starting up again. I’m scared if we go any further, it’s gonna hurt or make things worse.”
Liam’s expression shifts, his eyes darkening—protective, maybe, or just filled with a raw need that mirrors my own. He leans in, his voice dropping to a husky whisper.
“You don’t ever have to be afraid with me. There are other ways to be close, Kayla. Ways that won’t cause you pain. If you’re willing to trust me.”
Trust . That word hits hard, stirring up a storm inside me. My heart races as I meet his gaze squarely, seeing nothing but sincerity there. I nod, unable to speak, desire drowning me.
“Relax,” he murmurs, his lips grazing my temple in a feather-light kiss that sends shivers over my skin. “Let me take care of you, little Omega.”
“Okay,” I breathe out, surrendering to the sensations, to the promise in his touch. The fear of pain recedes, overshadowed by the growing urgency of my desire.
“Good.” His smile is full of mischief and promise. “Kayla, I plan on making you feel so good, you’ll forget all about being sore.”
He holds my gaze, his fingers tracing patterns down my arm, igniting trails of fire along my skin. I lean into his touch, craving more, craving him.
“Seems like someone needs a little more attention,” Liam smirks.
My breath hitches at his words, the anticipation building within me. Every cell in my body screams for his touch, for the release only he can provide. As he shifts closer, I know I’m ready for whatever he has in store.
I’m caught in a haze of want, every nerve ending alive and thrumming with the promise of Liam’s touch. His lips trail down my neck, leaving a path of heat that pools in my already smoldering core. The way he worships my body, his hands exploring every curve, every dip—it’s overwhelming and exactly what I need.
“Tell me what you want, Kayla,” Liam whispers against my skin, his breath hot on my flesh.
“Your touch,” I manage to say, the words coming out as a desperate moan. “Please.”
“Shh,” he soothes, fingers dancing across my abs before sliding higher to cup my breasts. I gasp as he takes one nipple into his mouth, sucking gently, sending bolts of pleasure straight to my clit. I arch my back, pressing into his mouth, silently begging for more. My skin is on fire, each pull of his lips stoking the flames.
Switching to my other breast, he mirrors the action, and I’m lost in the sensation. His fingers are relentless, teasing my clit in a rhythm that has me writhing beneath him. He’s everywhere, all at once, and it’s almost too much but not enough at the same time.
“God, Kayla, you’re so wet,” he groans.
I reach down, my hand shaky as I fumble to return the pleasure, to give as good as I’m getting. He catches my wrist, guiding my hand to his cock, already hard and straining against his jeans.
When he unzips his jeans, I wrap my fingers around him, and his hips buck into my touch.
“Like this,” he coaches, showing me how he likes it. His eyes lock onto mine, dark with lust, as I stroke him, learning the shape and feel of him. He feels like velvet and steel. My heat burns at feeling how hard he is, how ready he is for me.
“Am I doing it okay?” My voice is shaky, but I can’t think about being sassy when I want to pleasure him, just as he’s doing to me.
“Perfectly,” he breathes out, his hips rocking into my touch. “Just don’t stop.”
I can feel him, hard and pulsing, I force myself to concentrate, yet it’s so damn hard when every stroke of his fingers sends a jolt straight to my core. I focus on him, on giving back the pleasure he’s pouring into me.
“Kayla,” he groans, and the sound of my name on his lips is like a spike of adrenaline. It’s empowering, knowing I can affect him like this, make him lose control, just as he’s unraveling me.
“L-Liam,” I stutter, my grip on him tightening as the tension coils within me.
“Let go, Kayla,” he urges, his breath hitching as my movements bring him closer.
I jerk my hand up and down his cock, tightening my grip, trying to focus on what the hell I’m doing and not that he’s driving me absolutely crazy with his hands, his mouth… Oh God!
“Don’t worry, I have plenty of ways to make you come,” Liam smirks, the glint in his eyes sparking a new round of butterflies in my stomach.
“Please,” I gasp out, the word barely a whisper but loaded with all the need that’s thrumming through me, electric and demanding.
His fingers tease me, bringing me closer to the brink again. The way he touches me, it’s as if he knows every secret part of me, every hidden desire I’ve never dared to acknowledge. His hand is steady, confident, while mine shakes as it explores him, learning the weight and heat of him in my palm.
The room fades away until there’s nothing but Liam, his touch, his scent—musk and desire—and the mounting pressure inside me, begging for release. My body tenses, ready to tip over the edge.
The world narrows down to the sound of our breaths mingling, the slick slide of skin against skin, the pulse-pounding rush that drowns out everything else.
“Kayla,” he rasps.
Him saying my name like that shatters through me just as I feel him tense. His grip tightens on me, possessive, as if he could hold us suspended in this moment forever. Then he shudders, a raw groan tearing from his throat as he finds his release.
He doesn’t let go, doesn’t retreat into post-orgasmic haze. He’s still here with me, lips tracing the line of my jaw, hands charting paths of fire across my flesh. His mouth finds mine again, and I’m swept away by the ferocity of his kiss, by how much I want this—want him—and how it feels as if I’m diving headfirst into something terrifying and inevitable.
The edge is right there, so close, I’m teetering on it, and Liam’s fingers are ruthless, coaxing me over. They dance over my skin, igniting every nerve ending until I’m nothing but a tangle of need and sensation. Every touch is a promise, every kiss a vow that he won’t let me fall alone.
“Please,” escapes me, half-moan, half-whisper.
“That’s the fire I want to see, little Omega. Don’t you dare go out on me yet.” His voice is a low rumble against my ear, sending tremors through me.
I can’t think, can’t breathe. I can only feel as he draws me inexorably closer to the brink. My body coils tight, pleasure spiraling out of control, and when the climax hits, it’s all-encompassing, ripping a scream from my throat.
“Liam!”
It’s a storm, a tidal wave, crashing over me, through me, and I cling to him, nails digging into his back as waves of ecstasy pull me under. I’m drowning, gasping, lost in the sensations that ravage my senses, and I don’t ever want it to stop.
Then, I shatter, waves of pleasure crashing over me, my cries mingling with Liam’s as we cling to each other.