12. Eleven
Eleven
Cozette
Nest ‘N’ Things is a much larger store than I was expecting. When we pull up, I can’t help but stare out the window with wide eyes because what on earth goes in a nest that requires a store this big?! Ripley and Mama Valley burst into laughter as I vocalize that very question, causing a blush to creep up my cheeks, a reminder of how silly that must have sounded coming from an omega.
While I lag behind them, I suddenly feel a subtle vibration in my back pocket, and fortunately their excitement shields them from noticing. When I see a message from Jeremiah, I can’t help but bite my lip as familiar butterflies stir up a storm within me.
My Ghost: What are you up to, Dove?
Me: Heading into Nest ‘N’ Things to get everything I need to finally assemble my nest. *hiding emoji*
I quickly type back my reply and stash my phone back in my pocket as I jog to catch up with Mama Valley and Ripley. Stepping inside, I suck in a deep breath as they each seize one of my arms and pull me further into a realm of cozy pillows, warm blankets, and an abundance of decorative items. Lost in the store, my attention is torn in every direction as the two omegas guide me through the aisles, their voices blending into a cacophony of suggestions and recommendations.
In the end, we start with blankets after both women run back to grab someone to help us with whatever I pick out. Thick quilts and comforters, soft minky throw blankets, chunky knit blankets, and so much more quickly pile high on the flat rolling cart the beta worker—Tatum—they found stands beside. If I touch it, Ripley or Mama Valley are right behind me, adding it to the ever-growing pile, even if I insist I don’t need it.
When I have enough blankets to rival a resort, Tatum leaves to empty the cart as we move on to pillows. Who knew there were so many types of pillows? By the time Tatum is back with an empty cart, we’ve already accumulated a nice little tower in all shapes, sizes, colors, and fabrics, but all incredibly fluffy.
When we make it to décor, I quickly become distracted by the area full of nothing but plushies and the like, so I leave them to browse after assuring them I’ll be fine on my own. I’m leaning over a bin stuffed full of squishy plushies like the one I’m obsessed with at home, head buried in an endless sea of soft fluff as I try to reach the teal bat buried deep inside, when I feel a large hand on my hip as an enormous body leans over mine and reaches past me. Familiar tattooed fingers grip the bat I’ve been reaching for, pulling it out as I slowly put myself upright.
His familiar metallic and floral scent surrounds me, reminding me of fireworks on the Fourth of July at Shadow Creek’s annual county fair, and I smile as I lean my head back on his chest and stare up into Jeremiah’s deep blue eyes.
“Hello, my Ghost. What are you doing here?”
He quirks a brow down at me and hands me the bat I was reaching for, making me grin as I hug it tight to my chest. I turn around, squishing the plush between us as I wrap my arms around Jeremiah’s hips after hopping down from the ledge I was standing on for leverage. I catch the subtle way he looks around to make sure nobody is around just before he pulls me off behind a tall shelf stuffed full of dinosaur plushies deep in the back. Once we’re tucked away, he wraps his arms around me and leans down to rub his cheek against mine as a rough purr rattles in his chest, making me sigh.
“I missed you,” he grumbles softly in my ear before pulling back. “I know I probably shouldn’t have come, but I needed to see you.”
My hands clench in the back of his shirt, hating this secret. I know I’ve told Ripley, and now Micah, but how do I explain him to everyone else? Ripley hasn’t even talked to River about what I’ve told her yet, still trying to figure out how to broach the subject. I just want to be able to be around him without hiding behind everyone’s backs. I want to know what it feels like to be his with nothing holding us back. To show him off and tell people he’s mine.
I nibble on my lip as a thought crosses my mind, but no, I couldn’t. Shouldn’t. But maybe…
“Are you busy tonight?” I blurt out, deciding that just this once I’m going to throw caution to the wind and be selfish.
His brows rise as he smirks down at me.
“I’m never too busy for you, Dove.”
My cheeks heat, but I still beam up at him.
“Do you… Do you want to come over tonight? I can leave my window open.”
I suck in a breath, the heat on my cheeks spreading down my neck and chest where my heart skips in. “I-I want to spend some time with you now that I can. A-and maybe we can… um, cuddle?”
I feel kind of silly asking this big—scary to some—man to come over and cuddle with me in my nest, but I want it. I want it so badly . I crave to feel his arms wrapped around me somewhere we can just… be. Together. Without Victor’s looming presence, we can finally experience some peace and tranquility together instead of stressing over when he could come back without us realizing.
I can admit I might have another ulterior motive, especially now that Jeremiah is standing in front of me. Micah gave me homework earlier, told me to try something new or something that scares me, and although I’m sure he didn’t mean what I have in mind, I can’t help but think this is the perfect thing. As long as I’m with Jeremiah, I know I’ll be safe and cared for.
“What time?” he asks, grinning down at me and I have the intense urge to push up on my tiptoes to press my lips against his… so I do.
His body stiffens against mine a second before he groans, closing his eyes and tightening his arms around me as he licks my bottom lip. I gasp, my lips parting as my eyes fall shut, and he nips my top lip before brushing the tip of his tongue against mine. I’m trembling in his hold, a cloud of my perfume surrounding us as he kisses me like a man starved and I practically melt against him. My body feels warm and tingly as his tongue rolls against mine and I’m completely lost in the void where only the two of us exist.
Until a throat clears behind me, which has my eyes popping open wide as I step back and whirl around so quickly that I nearly fall, my shoulders tight and nearly up to my ears until I see Ripley standing in front of me with her hands on her hips. I relax slightly, breathing out a sigh of relief that it’s her and not Mama Valley.
I smile sheepishly at her, tucking an errant curl behind my ear nervously.
“H-hey. I, uh, I can explain?”
“Uh huh.”
She glances at the alpha at my back and looks him over shrewdly, pursing her lips as she crosses her arms over her chest. Jeremiah’s body is wound tight behind me, his hands gripping my hips firmly, but he doesn’t move away from me. Neither of us relaxes until she smiles suddenly, dropping her arms and shaking her head.
“You know, you’re not as scary in the daylight, standing in the middle of a fuck ton of plushies in an omega nesting store. Do you prefer Ghost or is it okay if I call you Jeremiah?” Ripley asks with a snort, tilting her head to the side, and I can’t help but giggle when Jeremiah huffs at my back.
“Jeremiah is fine, please.” He shifts slightly at my back, and I swallow thickly when I feel something very hard pressing against my back, which has my cheeks flame brighter. “I suppose I owe you an apology.”
Ripley waves her hand in the air and rolls her eyes.
“Nah. I get it now, and I’m over it. But I can’t say the same about my mates. Especially my omega. He’s probably going to blow a gasket when he finds out about this,” she says, glancing at me apologetically.
“In any case, I am sorry.” He pauses and I look back at him, watching as he straightens his shoulders with a determined look in his eye. “Whatever it takes to make my amends, I’ll do it, but I won’t let her go. Not again. Not unless she tells me to.”
My breath catches in my chest when he glances down at me, eyes blazing with sincerity and so much more than I could ever put into words. He looks at me like I’m his beginning and end. Like I’m his downfall… and his salvation .
I have to blink several times to rid the tears trying to form, and when I glance at Ripley, she’s grinning like an absolute crazy person.
“Good,” she tells him, meeting his eyes without flinching before looking back at me and sighing. “As much as I hate to break this adorable little impromptu meet up, Ma’s looking for you. If you’re done, she’s wanting to stop for some food before we head home.”
I nod, noticing how hungry I am at the mention of dinner, and I turn around to wrap my arms around Jeremiah, squeezing him as hard as I can. Which isn’t hard at all because the man is as sturdy as a tree!
He presses a kiss to the top of my head before leaning down to whisper in my ear, “Tonight.”
With one last kiss to my lips, I reluctantly leave his arms to join Ripley. Just before we walk away, Ripley turns back around and nonchalantly tells him, “The trellis under the window is weak on the left side, so best to stick to the right as you climb up.”
My lips pop open as I stare at her wide-eyed and Jeremiah’s brows rise in surprise.
“Good to know,” he murmurs as she cackles, dragging me away.
We grab the cart I’d left by the bin I was digging in, and after tossing my loot of stuffed animals and plushies I’d found inside, we head to the front to find Mama Valley. Just before we make it to her, Ripley pulls me off to the side and wraps her arms around me, rubbing herself all against me. I stand stock still in her hold, confused and a little shocked, unsure of what’s happening. When she steps back, she leans forward and sniffs me quickly before nodding proudly as I stare at her in bewilderment.
“What the heck was that?”
“Oh, right. You smelled like him, so just covering that up with my scent. Might want to consider carrying the descenter spray we got you for times like these.” She winks, hazel eyes bright with mirth. “Now let’s go. I’m frickin’ starving!”
I follow behind the crazy omega as she runs off with my plush filled cart to checkout where Mama Valley is waiting for us. When I reach their side, Ripley immediately works to distract me, in turn, keeping me from seeing the total as Mama Valley pays for everything. The cashier tells her everything will be delivered in a couple of hours and we walk out, both women chattering at my side while I can’t help but get lost in thoughts about tonight as the nerves battle with my budding excitement.