Page 57 of Heat Hesitation

"Mmmmh, what time is it?" He grumbles, voice heavy with sleep.

I woke up when Enzo got up for his run. It's still dark out, so I don't bother answering. Instead, I press back against Theo, and it isn't long before he slips inside me. It's lazy, and we're both half asleep, but anytime they make love to me or fuck me, it deepens our connection, making us stronger and more in tune.

Enzo and Theo waited impatiently for their invitations to sleep with me when I claimed the nest and started settling in. The bed is massive, the size of two kings pushed together, low to the ground, the perfect height for all sorts of sexcapades.

But I like these slow, sleepy fucks too. When they take me from behind, it's little effort to build me up—and it isn't long before I'm shaking against him. Theo shudders moments after me. Sometimes he likes to leave his cock, long and thick, settled inside me until he gets hard again.

Sometimes it happens after I've fallen asleep, and I wake up to him shallowly thrusting, and I like that too.

This morning, though, I pull away and turn to face him, resting one hand under my cheek. He's smiling, sated, his hand never leaving my body, running up and down the curve of my hip.

"What's wrong, crumpet?" He asks.

"Nothing's wrong. But I did want to talk to you about something. How'd you know?"

I'm not distressed or worried. I'm happy, content in a way I'd never felt, but I love that Theo's tuned in enough to notice there's something on my mind. Bond or not, we can read each other. I never thought the asshole would grow on me, but I adore him.

Unfortunately, my two missing mates—no longer not-mates—were weighing on me. As good as this was, it didn't feel complete.

Theo yawns, "Give me a little more credit, hmm? What's on your mind, sugar plum?"

I groan, making him laugh. He still loves to fuck with the names; it's his new favorite game because he knows how much it annoys me.

"How would you feel if… umm." I sit up, letting the sheet fall away from my bare chest. Theo looks down distractedly, giving me a crooked grin when I catch it, causing me to roll my eyes.

"I need to spend more time with Asher. Tonight, I mean. If he'll have me, anyway."

Theo snorts and crawls out of bed, "Yeah, I think you're okay on that front." Now I'm the one distracted as he bends over, pulling sweatpants over his perfect, muscular bare ass. He turns, leaving his glorious chest on display, sweatpants hanging low like his cock is so heavy it drags them down, displaying a tease of hair trailing from his otherwise smooth chest. All of the Constantine men are beautiful, but Theo, gah, he's so pretty, I have to tear my eyes up, and when I catch his bright crystal blue eyes, they're dancing in delight that I've noticed all his hard work.

"Anyway," I drag the word out, "I was also thinking…" I sit up straighter. It’s been on my mind for a while, but I don't know how to talk about it. Maybe they teach classes on this kind of thing at the OFA, but I know very few bonded packs, personally. "I want to bond with Asher. With both of you, eventually. But if he wanted to, sooner… I don't know. I don't know what I'm saying. I shouldn't be talking to you about this."

Theo's wry smile softens and he crawls back onto the bed with me, wrapping his hands around the back of my shoulders, kissing my lips with a quick peck.

"I think that would make him the happiest fucking alpha in the universe."

"You wouldn't… you know, be jealous or mad if we bonded before you and I did?"

"We're going to bond. We both know it's going to happen. I'm not in a rush because I like looking at your beautiful body and imagining where I'm going to bite you. Sometimes, when I'm knotted deep inside you, my teeth ache with the urge, and sometimes it's less strong. I think that means I'll mark you when the time is right, and we'll know when that is. But if your omega feels like it's time with Asher, then it is. It won't hurt my feelings if you bond with him before me."

"Don't packs usually want to do it together, though? It's unconventional to bond outside of heat, isn't it? Or group…"

"Sex?" He bounces his eyebrows, so I smack him with a pillow. "Does it really matter? Nothing about us is conventional. Most packs find someone mutually scent-sympathetic, they go on a few dates, they shower the omega with gifts—"

"Hey! Where are my presents?"

This time, he smacks me with the pillow, making me laugh. "Your gift is right here," he grips his dick suggestively.

"You're a pig."

"I'm your pig, honey pot. Look, we're getting off track. Maybe this is one of those things you're all crusade-y about. Like there's this mold of how packs are meant to behave and everyone just follows it. Our A/O population is so small that we stick to the rules because it's easier and safer than breaking that mold. But who cares? Let's just do what feels right. Fuck what most packs do or what the OFA might expect of us."

I lean forward and kiss his stupidly pretty face, marveling at this beautiful, insightful man.

"Now get your beautiful ass up," he smacks my thigh. "We've got errands to run."

"Errands?"

I rifle through my closet and find a pair of fitted jeans and a tank top. I debate taking a scent-blocking pill, but I've been using them less and less, something I never thought I'd do. I try not to overthink my decision not to take them. Just as I slip a cardigan on, I find Enzo returning from his workout, showered and fully dressed in a suit, ready for work. I didn't notice him standing outside the closet watching me dress.

---