Chapter 23
Damien
The best Christmas gift anyone could have given me is my father telling me that my stepmother wasn’t coming back from her work trip, but instead taking a three-week vacation with her friends.
Not going to lie, I asked him what friends because who the hell would want to be friends with an evil witch like her?
I know Addie has been anxious about her mom coming back, and I don’t blame her. She has enough going on right now. She doesn’t need her mother’s bullshit added to her plate.
It’s only been a few days since the guys and I came clean to Addie. After Carson and Reid left, Addie and I just hung out around the house. We didn’t get into any deep conversations, and I kept my hands to myself, even though it was insanely hard to do so.
Every time I see my mark on her neck, it takes everything in me not to throw her over the nearest surface and fuck her like my life depends on it.
I’ve had a taste of my Omega, and now I’m hooked. Not that I wasn’t already, but her scent is enough to be my undoing.
I still can’t believe this is really happening. After all these years of being a dumbass, she’s finally mine.
I wanted to give her time to process everything and not push my luck. I fucked up, I know it, and I still plan on making it up to her the best I can. Just because we’re bonded now doesn’t mean I’m forgiven. Even if she said I was, I wouldn’t let it go. I don’t deserve it. Not yet.
Going to bed knowing she was just down the hallway was hard. I didn’t want to be alone. I wanted her in my arms, snuggled up close to me, breathing in her scent like a comforting drug.
I might have stepped over the line because the only way I could sleep was to sneak into her room and sit in the pink fuzzy chair like I did the other night. I made sure to wake up before she did, so I wasn’t caught being a stalker.
What I didn’t take into account was the possibility of her waking up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom. I have no idea if she has yet, but if she’s seen me, she hasn’t made it known.
It’s Christmas morning, and there’s not a single decoration in the house. We’ve never celebrated before, so it didn't even cross my mind. It wasn’t until Addie told me about how she and her bestie Cae started their own Christmas traditions that I realized Addie cares about the holiday now.
Knowing she wasn’t going to have the Christmas she’s grown used to over the years made me feel like shit. Thankfully, has two-day delivery. I might have gone a little overboard, and none of the things I bought were traditional Christmas decorations, but it sure is very Addie-coded.
Last time I checked, she was still sleeping. That gives me enough time to get everything together.
By the time her sleepy, adorable butt is walking down the stairs, I’ve made sure the kitchen looks like someone threw up Pepto Bismol Christmas all over it.
“Morning.” Addie’s sleepy voice makes me smile as she rubs her eyes. It takes a moment for her to process what she is seeing, but when it hits her, her lips part, and pure surprise crosses her face. “What is this?”
She’s holding onto her bunny FooFoo, and my heart damn near bursts.
I remember the day I gave that to her. It was the first week after she and her mother moved in with us.
She looked so nervous and scared from all the changes in her life.
Wanting to help, I asked if she wanted to hang out for the day, and we spent hours doing fun things at the mall.
As we were leaving, Addie stopped to look at something in one of the shop windows.
It was an adorable pink bunny, and I saw the way it made her face light up.
I wasn’t sure why, but I knew then that I had to get it for her. When she went to use the bathroom before we left, I went into the store and secretly bought it for her.
Just like I do with Christmas gifts every year, I left this one on her pillow with a note. One that said, “You’re never alone. Whenever you need a hug, I’m here.”
Corny for a sixteen-year-old boy to do, maybe, but I couldn’t stand seeing her sad.
Still can’t to this day.
“Merry Christmas.” I grin like a fool, even though I’m very aware of the unnatural amount of pink glitter.
“Damien.” Her hand covers her mouth as she looks around. I bought a five-foot pink tree, pink garland, and a ton of pink ornaments. A lot of which, unfortunately, has glitter.
“I would have gone bigger and better if I had enough time, but most of the stuff wouldn't have arrived until after Christmas. Sorry.”
“Sorry?” She looks at me with her big blue eyes. “You have nothing to be sorry about. This is amazing. Thank you.”
Relief fills me, and the happiness on her face settles the nerves inside me. Since when did I get so nervous when it comes to this girl?
I just want to make her happy, and the idea of disappointing her eats at me.
“Of course. Anything for my Cupcake.”
She bites her lip, smiling. “You hide behind this cocky, big deal hockey player persona, but you really are a sweetheart, you know that?”
I cross my arms and shrug. “No idea what you’re talking about.”
“Yeah?” she giggles, and fuck me, the sound goes right to my dick.
“I’m pretty sure I know exactly what I’m talking about.
Don’t think I don’t know who’s been leaving me gifts on my pillow every Christmas.
" She holds up the one I placed there this morning.
“Thank you for this by the way. I love it.”
It’s a rose gold Pandora charm bracelet filled with pink diamond charms. “I’m glad.
” I snatch the box, take the bracelet out, and place it on her wrist. “This one, I had specially made.” I run my finger over the gaming controller.
“You know, they don’t have any charms of any color like this.
Shame. And I had these specially made as well.
” I point to the pink bunny and pink hockey stick.
“And, you should be proud of me, because I even left room for two charms for your boy toys to add to my gift for you,” I say it in a teasing way so she doesn’t think I’m being an asshole.
“That was so sweet of you.” She laughs. Her ocean eyes swim with tears.
“No crying, Cupcake. Not because of me, never again.” I reach up and brush the fallen tear from the corner of her eye.
She huffs out a soft laugh, rubbing at her eyes. “Happy tears, I promise. Really, Damien, this is the best gift ever.”
“Even better than FooFoo?” I ask, flicking at the rabbit’s ear.
“No. Nothing could beat FooFoo.” She brings the bunny up to her face and cuddles into its worn fur. “Speaking of FooFoo.” She reaches up, pulls the neckline of my shirt down, and places FooFoo inside my shirt so that only her head and arms hang over.
“And why, might I ask, is FooFoo here?” I ask, raising a brow.
“If you can steal my pillows for my scent, you can carry FooFoo around for a little bit so she can smell like you.”
Chuckling, I shake my head. “Fair point. But I hope you know, I still plan on switching out pillows while you’re visiting your boy toys.
Need my Omega’s scent drowning me all the time.
” I grin, pulling her into my arms. “Although, I’d much rather have something else that has a stronger scent. ” I wiggle my eyebrows.
She gapes up at me. “You are not talking about used underwear, are you?”
“Maybe.” I shrug.
“Oh my god. You’re so gross.”
“Really?” I chuckle low and deep. “Is that why I can smell your sugary sweet cupcake scent coming off you in waves?”
She glares up at me, but it really is the cutest thing ever. “And stop calling them my boy toys. They’re not toys, they’re my Alphas. Just like you,” she says, ignoring my question.
“Fine,” I huff, rolling my eyes.
“You can act as if you hate them all you want, but don’t think I haven’t seen you texting them the past few days.”
“Oh no. You caught me.” Grabbing my phone, I bring up the camera app and take a photo of the two of us.
Then I bring up the group chat I have with the two of them and send the photo with a note that says Wish you were here.
Just kidding. She’s all mine today, suckers, then slip my phone into my pocket.
“You’re right. We’re just the best of friends now. Can’t help it, I guess.” I shrug.
“Mhhmm.” She narrows her eyes, not buying my bullshit, but I give her the best innocent eyes I can muster.
“Now, let me feed my Omega. If I can’t give you sustenance, what good am I as your Alpha?”
“I mean, you do have a nice cock. That gives you a few brownie points.” Cheeky little thing, she is.
“Keep talking about my cock and how nice it is, I’ll take it out right now and show you just how bad it can be,” I growl low, leaning down to run my lips along her jaw.
She lets out a soft whimper, and I hear her breathing pick up.
“Let’s not have a repeat of the other day,” she says in a breathy tone.
Grabbing her thighs, I lift her into my arms, thanking the gods that my dad went to Vegas for the week and Alfred has the holiday off. “I think I’d very much like a repeat.”
“Are you okay?” I ask, rubbing Addie’s thigh. I’m watching my Omega, and I think she’s on the cusp of an anxiety attack.
“Yes. No. I don’t know. I’m fine with flying. I do it all the time now. But today I just feel more nervous than normal.”
“You know.” I grin. “I know exactly what helps with settling nerves.”
“What?” she asks, her big blue eyes always taking my breath away.
Leaning in to whisper so only she can hear, “Orgasms,” I murmur low and huskily, nipping at her earlobe as my hand inches up between her legs. “We have this cabin all to ourselves. Just lie back and let me take care of you.”
While I didn’t get us first class seats for this reason, I feel like it’s fate intervening, right?
“What?” She hisses. “You are not fingering me here. What if someone walks by?”
“Then we will need to be very quiet.” I bite my lip, trying not to smile.