Chapter 14
Brielle
My nose crinkles, and I have to swallow down the searing jealousy scorching my throat as I catch the faint scent of roses on him again.
His blue eyes follow me as I walk past without a word, and a low chuckle follows me.
Duke spins on the stool, keeping his attention on me as I load my tray up with a few beer bottles.
I grace him with a glance as I uncap the tops, narrowing my stare with feigned disgust before my inner omega ruins everything by blurting out, “I can still smell her.”
Duke’s eyebrows raise, then he taps his nose with a smirk. “I think it may be a little broken, darlin’.”
I stand up straight. “Are you calling me a liar?”
He holds his hand up in a fake surrender. “No, I just think you should smell a little deeper.”
Because my pride wouldn’t let it go, I swing around the bar and march up to him, grabbing a handful of his shirt and pulling it up to my nose as I inhale deeply.
Duke shudders with a quiet “Oh fuck.” I know if I glance down, he’ll have a bulge that will tempt me to abandon my job.
The faint roses sting my nostrils, a beta with a hint of distress, and then I get more of his soft apple scent, causing my mouth to water.
It clicks in my mind what he’s saying without saying.
The sweetness that lingers around after sex is missing. I frown, stepping away from him.
“So what? You two are just cuddle buddies or something?”
He shrugs, catching my waist before I can leave and pulling me between his legs. “Or something. Not to say I don’t have a reputation, but I promise I haven’t looked at another since the day I saw you.”
My heart soars, banging against its cage and demanding to be let free and claim the alpha before me.
His fingers trail down to my hips, squeezing tightly once before dropping his arms to his side.
“You know I haven’t thought much about a pack, but if you’re sure on Maverick, I wouldn’t mind him as a pack lead. ”
I blink, his words registering a little slow, and my lips part in stunned surprise.
“M-maverick?” Pack? It should scare me, the thought of joining a pack with men I barely know.
Especially after my less than stellar experience with the last pack that courted me.
Every day I grow stronger, putting the past behind me.
Before the Westin pack attacked me, I had been eager to become part of a pack, but it took a while for me to realize I had been settling for my parents’ decisions.
These three cowboys may be strangers, but they were my choice; men I’m attracted to on a cellular level.
It makes it easier to toss my anxiety aside and jump at the potential of being something more.
Duke nods. “I mean, I already follow his orders any other day, so not much different.”
My tongue sweeps across my lip, and his eyes follow before I clear my throat. “And you’re so sure you’d be in my pack?”
Duke grins, and it’s so blindingly charming that a flush works up my neck. “Oh, darlin’. You’ve been mine a lot longer than you want to acknowledge. I’m sure Cooper will be here the minute he gets wind of where I am.”
I calm my excitement as I reach up, my fingers tracing the collar of his plaid flannel and moving down to unbutton the top button. “The rodeo star, right?” I ask with feigned confusion.
“Bull rider,” he corrects with amusement. “Rodeo star has a bit of a racy undercurrent, don’t you think?”
My cheeks heat, and I know he can smell the tendrils of my arousal peeking through my panties. “What if I wanted to be fucked by a cowboy? Hats, chaps, and all.”
His teeth dig into the lip. “That can be arranged, and it doesn’t have to be from the rodeo star.”
My eyes roam over his face. “Are you offering?”
Duke chuckles. It's a low husky sound that goes straight to my pussy. “Offering? Darlin’, I’m fucking begging.”
A small shudder tickles up my spine, and I cross my arms to stare at him intently. “And nothing happened between you and that beta?”
He sighs, shaking his head once. “No. She’s just a friend. Scout’s honor.”
I raise an eyebrow in a surprise. “Were you really a scout?”
His lips pull into a smirk. “Dallas was, and we have the same face, so that counts, right?”
Batting his chest, I laugh and push away from him. “I have an hour. How about you wait around and then take me for a bite?”
Duke’s grin turns a bit feral. “A bite? Oh, I’d love that.”
I waggle a finger at him. “Of food, you naughty boy. I have to make sure you know how to work that snake in your pants before those chompers go anywhere near me.”
He catches my wrist, pulling me closer. “I can promise you. No complaints in that department, Princess.”
My eyes roll. “Don’t call me a princess.” It’s a reactionary tease because if I’m being honest with myself, I don’t really mind it coming from him either. Damn these cowboys and the way they’re working their way under my skin.
“Why? I’d like to treat you like one.”
Something flutters inside me. “Okay, Cowboy. That was smooth, but men are known to make promises they can’t keep.”
Duke raises an eyebrow. “Maybe I’m not like other men, Princess.” His lips quirk, and I don’t remind him what I just said.
We both startle when Marley suddenly appears before us.
Duke gives her a tense smile. “Marley.”
“Cooper’s friend,” she says back, then turns to me. “Tracy said you can leave for the night, only because y’all’s tension is catching too much attention.”
I blush. “I can stay. He’s just going to wait.”
Marley shakes her head. “Nah. Slow night anyway. Get out of here.”
Duke slides off the stool, squeezing my waist gently. “Well, I’m not going to turn down a nice gesture.”
“Yeah, you don’t turn down much,” Marley mutters before walking away. He glares at her but doesn’t say anything. I giggle and then pat his chest. “Okay, give me a few minutes to freshen up and I’m all yours.”
Duke turns back to me with raised eyebrows and a mischievous smile.
I snap my fingers. “Not like that, Romeo.”
His laugh follows me as I walk away to use the restroom.