Chapter 16
Brielle
I notice the warmth of a body against my back, the scent of freshly cut apples and a sense of safety I’ve never experienced before.
My body feels like a bucket of goo, and when my eyes flutter open to see the brightness of the sun shining through the window, I wonder how long I’ve slept.
All I know is that it may have been the best night of rest in a long time.
I push the heavy arm resting over my waist and sit up, locking into a direct gaze with some of the brightest blue eyes I’ve even seen. And that’s saying something since Dallas’s and Duke’s eyes are like the crystal blue of the Caribbean Sea.
Delilah gives me a warm smile. “You two are bed hogs.”
A blush works up my cheeks, and I glance down at Duke, who is still sleeping soundly.
“Sorry,” I mutter, clearing my throat when it comes out super groggy.
She shrugs, flicking her long black hair behind her. “I should be the one saying sorry. I crashed your date.”
I push off the bed, hugging myself when I realize I’m still in my dirty clothes from yesterday. She points at a pile hung over a chair across from us. “Some sweats and a shirt if you want to take a shower. I notice I feel better when I start my day washing off the night.”
She probably means that literally, but I don’t ask her about it.
Instead, I gather up the clothes and follow her pointed finger to the bathroom.
After I take a quick shower and change into her clothes, I steal some toothpaste and use my finger to slather it on my teeth.
It’s not glamorous, but it helps with the grossness of sleeping without brushing my teeth last night.
Duke is up, cooking us some food when I return to the main room.
This cabin is as small as it looks from the outside, but a perfect size for a single person living here.
Or maybe a couple. Even after knowing what he told me, my stomach clenches at the thought of how many nights they must have spent under this roof together.
I’m not sure how I feel. It’s not exactly jealousy, but something similar.
Delilah smiles as I walk up to where she’s sitting at the counter, her hand curled around a cup of coffee. Duke glances over his shoulder and grins as well.
“Morning. Want some breakfast before I drive you home?”
Another rock in my stomach. Am I being kicked out so they can spend time together?
Duke’s brows furrow, and he waves the spatula toward the kitchen window. “I gotta get to work soon. We’re preparing for the rodeo circuit again.”
Delilah frowns, setting her coffee cup down. “I didn’t know you were leaving again.”
He nods, turning back to the stove. “That’s why I got you that stick, remember? You need to put it under your door when you sleep.”
She chews on her lip. “I don’t run every night.”
Duke looks at her over his shoulder. “No you don’t, but there’s no use in hoping that the random night you run is a night you put the stick on the door.”
“What stick?” I ask curiously, because all I can imagine is a small tree branch that’s been broken off.
Delilah sighs, sliding off the chair and grabbing something behind the couch.
It’s just a long black solid looking tube with two prongs at the end.
She moves to the door, sticking the two prongs under the handle and then propping the stick up.
“It’s supposed to prevent people from breaking in, but Duke thinks it could help keep me in. ”
I stare at it a little longer before I blink and look away. Would it be too obvious if I got myself one of those? I give her a small smile. “Not a bad idea. Unless your unconscious mind is smart enough to kick it away so you can leave.”
She shrugs, moving back to her coffee. “Want some?”
I shake my head. “I’ll grab some at the café later. Need my extra, extra caramel syrup.”
Duke snorts. “I swear the people on this ranch keep that place in business.”
“Plus, I’m sure you two are ready to get back to your date.” Delilah’s words land a little awkwardly, and there’s a tense silence before she laughs nervously and her cheeks flush a little. “I’m sorry you had to witness that. Duke says it can be terrifying.”
I shake my head. “More haunting than anything. Those screams…”
She wraps her arms around herself. “I know. Maverick is setting me up with a therapist.”
“I didn’t know. That should be good for you, Dee,” Duke says.
She gives him a small smile and then looks back at me. “Thanks for staying with him last night. It means a lot that Duke found someone as kindhearted as you. Most omegas would want to scratch my eyes out.”
I did want to do that, at first, before I understood how much Duke cared about his friends.
I look over at the man who is staring intently at the breakfast he’s finishing up with a flushed face.
“No need to thank me. Us girls have to stick together. You should meet my friend, Kinsey. If you think I’m kind, she’s like sickeningly so. ”