Chapter 7 #3
He sighed with a laugh. “I’m not being very articulate. You’re in the boat with us, and the storm is everything else about to hit us once we announce you as our scent-matched omega to the ballet world.”
“Oh,” I said, looking further at the storm. After thinking through his thoughts for a moment, I added, “At least you don’t view me as the raging storm coming to destroy your boat.”
He turned to me and gently caressed my cheek with his hand.
“Quite the opposite, in fact.” His touch against my cheek was so tender.
I closed my eyes and enjoyed the sensation, breathing in his dark chocolate and roasted coffee bean scent.
The moment lasted for just a few seconds before Isaac approached us.
“I’m getting hungry,” he said.
Opening my eyes, I looked at him. “Hungry for food, right?”
“Food too,” he said with a wave to me. “Should we get some food outside?”
“Lead the way.” Demetrius gestured us forward. He placed his hand at the small of my back, sending that needed warmth throughout me. Isaac held my hand on the other side, and together we made our way outside to the food court.
“Is everyone okay with some hot dogs? I’ll go get us some food,” Isaac said, leaving Demetrius and me alone at our standing booth. Silence settled between us as we waited at the table. My mind searched for something to say when he broke the awkwardness.
“Ivy,” Demetrius said. “We were planning on having a barbecue at our house this Saturday. Would you like to come over, maybe get a tour of the packhouse, hang out, and relax a bit?” He leaned against the table, looking at me with a hint of hopefulness in his eyes.
“I’d love to. Could give us all a chance to get to know each other more, too,” I said. I was very curious how the pack lived together, plus I found myself wanting more and more time with each packmate. My initial resistance to all this seemed to be slowly fading away. “Do I need to bring anything?”
“Nope,” he shook his head as a small smile emerged on his face. “How about I pick you up at eleven?”
“That works for me,” I said before shaking my head. “I’m sorry. I feel like a mooch making you drive me. Maybe I should invest in a car soon.”
“There’s no need to,” he shook his head as his expression turned serious.
“The pack owns four different cars, plus I…” His thought trailed off as he covered my hand with his.
His rich, brown eyes lifted as he looked at me.
“I like to drive you around. It fulfills this alpha need to take care of you. Stupid, I know.”
I laughed a little. “I get it. I’m supposed to enjoy being pampered as an omega.”
Tilting his head a bit, he looked at me more closely. “Well, do you?”
I sighed. “It’s hard to go from being self-sufficient to suddenly very reliant on people.”
“Hmm.” He grinned at me. “Sounds like we need to do a better job of pampering you.”
The cool night air breezed by, sending a shiver through my body. I tried not to look like I was cold, but quickly I saw Demetrius take off his jacket and wrap it around my shoulders.
“I’m fine,” I lied, not wanting to inconvenience him.
“You think I'm giving you my jacket because you're cold? That's way too cliché. I’m too hot, and I just want you to carry my jacket for me,” he shrugged, lowering my arms and placing the jacket on me.
“Oh, I see, just using me,” I laughed as I inhaled his jacket. It was absolutely covered in his scent, which was very intoxicating to me.
“Did you have fun tonight?” he asked, gently rubbing my back underneath his jacket. I was pretty confident I’d never get tired from the feel of his hand on me.
“I had a lot of fun. It was really nice to get to know you more,” I replied.
“Agreed.” He said. His eyes studied me with a growing hint of impatience behind them when, suddenly, he leaned into me and rubbed his cheek against mine while inhaling my scent. “I’m sorry, I’m trying to fight a lot of these urges, but the one to scent-mark you is so difficult to ignore.”
I giggled slightly, enjoying the contact. “It’s fine, I’m getting used to it, and it’s nice.” He continued to rub his cheek against mine before moving down to my neck. I thought I felt the faintest touch of his lips brush against me, and my neck leaned more and more into his nose.
“Here we go!” Isaac set down a tray in front of us. His eyes glared at Demetrius, who pulled back almost instantly from me. “Scent-marking her?”
“Not anymore,” Demetrius said. “I can feel the beta blockers wearing off. Ivy’s scent is stronger for me.”
Isaac came around the table and buried his nose in my neck, inhaling deeply. “Mmm, yep, her delicious scent is starting to come through.”
“Isaac…” Demetrius growled.
“What? You can rub against her, but I can’t smell her scent?” he scoffed, returning to his food.
“I was at least subtle, right?” Demetrius looked to me for confirmation.
I laughed, shaking my head. “Not quite.” After taking a small bite of my hot dog, I looked at both of them with a suggestion. “How about when we get back to my building, you both can scent-mark me up as much as you want.”
“Deal,” they said in unison, those wicked grins returning to their faces.
Suddenly, Demetrius and Isaac were eating as fast as possible, making me feel like I had to eat fast too. Within ten minutes, we’d finished and were back in the car, driving toward my apartment.
We enjoyed small talk along the way, but there was a sense of impatience from them. Once we arrived at my building, they rushed up to my apartment and waited for me to catch up outside my door.
“You promised, gorgeous,” Isaac grinned wickedly as I approached. I could sense eagerness in Demetrius as well, though he was hiding it better. There was a certain glint in his eyes as he watched me walk up.
I giggled softly. “Fine, but if anyone shows up down this hallway, you have to stop.”
“Deal,” Isaac said as he wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me into him. “Keep a lookout, will you?”
“No way,” Demetrius said as he stepped closer to my other side, pressing himself against me. Isaac buried his nose in my neck, rubbing his cheek against mine. Hands were rubbing up and down my body, doing their best to be respectful, though the occasional brush grazed the edge of my breasts.
“Wait…” I whispered, but I didn’t push them away. Instead, I leaned my head back against my apartment door; the sensation of their bodies against mine was heavenly, and their scents were starting to overwhelm me. Occasionally, I felt a brief press of their lips on various parts of my arms and neck.
Every instinct in my body screamed to let them claim me right here, yet my mind was still fighting hard against it. This wasn’t me. Why was I letting them do this? We were moving too fast…My body tensed as my mind started to win.
Suddenly, Demetrius pulled back, grabbing Isaac with him. “That’s enough, we’re done now,” he said sternly. Isaac was breathing heavily as his eyes were fixated on me with a fierce hunger in them.
The loss of contact with them brought out a little whimper from me, which I suddenly covered with my hand. “Yep, that’s good for now!” I breathlessly replied.
I began to take off Demetrius’s jacket, but he stopped me. “You can give it back to me later.”
Something inside me flipped with joy; I didn’t want to part from this jacket. Smiling, I pulled the jacket tighter around me. “Thank you, I’ll take good care of it.”
“Good night, Ivy,” Demetrius said, squeezing my shoulder.
“We’ll see you tomorrow. Sweet dreams.” Isaac brushed his hand against my cheek one last time.
“See you both tomorrow,” I quietly spoke before entering my apartment and locking the door behind me. My heart pounded in my chest as my entire being longed for them to return. I had to get control of these urges, or they would completely take over me. But wasn’t that what an omega did?
My emotions were all over the place as I poured myself a cup of tea and sat at my kitchen table. The gentle rise of the steam helped my mind to focus and reflect on our date tonight.
I expected to become closer to Isaac, but surprisingly, I understood Demetrius a little better, too. He seemed so guarded at times, but he slowly started to let himself have fun. And there was a strong desire to protect those he cared for.
That was such a weird thought to have. Here I was, planning on how to become more romantically involved with my boss.
I hadn’t viewed him as my boss all night long, though, and the more time I spent with him, the less I viewed him in a professional manner, not that he didn’t act professionally.
There seemed to be a natural attraction between us; he was, after all, exceptionally handsome, and who wouldn't fawn over his confidence?
It was difficult to imagine how our relationship would progress from here, though.
Isaac, on the other hand, continued to be sexy chaos, which was very alluring. I loved getting caught up in his energy. He didn’t bother to filter his thoughts, but still had a way of showing his care and compassion.
I sent a text to the pack, wishing them all a good night as I changed and got ready for bed. Each one of their replies made me smile.
***
Isaac
My mind raced in the passenger’s seat next to Demetrius as he drove us back to the packhouse.
Ivy was so sweet tonight, and spending time with her was more fun than I had imagined her to be.
I was still surprised at how well she managed both Dem and me with our strong personalities.
It was like she was made specifically for us.
Those words were heavy. Yes, she was our scent-match—but it was deeper than that.
“Her scent is still on me,” I murmured, lifting my jacket to my nose. “I can’t believe she let us rub up against her. I know she enjoyed it as much as we did.”
Demetrius nodded as the car stopped at a red light. “She’s getting more comfortable with us.”
“You had a lot of fun with her, too—don’t deny it,” I said to him. His mouth perked up into a smile.
“I did have fun. She’s my scent-match, why wouldn’t I?” He shrugged.
“No, it’s more than that. You like her. I like her. She’s ours. She was made for us.” Soft purring sounds came out from my chest—yes, even the thought of her pleased me. “You talked to her a lot tonight.”
“I did. She’s very calm with me, unlike when she challenges you,” Dem said. “It’s very interesting to watch her with each of us.”
“Preston’s been bragging about her licking him these past few days.
He’s going to be so jealous when he learns we got to rub up against her body.
” I smiled, pulling out my phone and sending Preston a text.
She made me feel electric—like I could stay up for a week straight, choreographing pieces just for her.
Demetrius chuckled softly next to me, but my eyes were still on my phone. I had to know more about her. She was mine to keep.