Page 56 of Wild Card

“Talked my grandma’s ear off about you.” He grins. “She’s probably going to video call sometime soon. She’s awful with technology, but that doesn’t stop her from using it.”

I laugh, shaking my head.

He told me about her one of the few nights we spent together in a hotel. He didn’t get many days or nights off, but he found a way on rare occasions.

It just never felt like enough.

Thorne takes another step closer, pulling his hand up to brush his fingers over my cheek.

It’s such an intimate moment that I feel like I have to talk to break the silence. “Thank you for the silks.”

“I told you I was going to court the hell out of you unless you told me to get fucked.” He smirks. “The aerial unit and the book about alphas and omegas are the first gifts of many. Just give me the chance to prove to you who I really am. That’s all I’m asking.”

God.

Brooklyn is going to think I’m such a fool…but also, this is my life.

I’m the one who has to live with the repercussions of my actions. And if I don’t at least try to make things work with Thorne, I feel like I’ll regret that choice for the rest of my life.

“You can stay during my heat, and we can see how it goes,” I finally say.

“I love you so fucking much,” he growls, bending and capturing my mouth. My hands land against his stomach as he wraps an arm around my lower back.

His electric scent floods the air, and my nostrils flare as I breathe him in. He kisses slow and sensual, like he wants to consume me whole or maybe light my body on fire with need for him.

My thoughts shift to what Bear said in the shower this morning. He made it clear he had no opinion on Thorne joining us, outside of if he hurts me, Bear said he’d kill him.

A warmth pulses in my chest as Bear’s scent tinges my mind. It’s not like the way I’m smelling Thorne, but I can’t think of another way to describe it.

Bear might not be in the house, but he’s close enough to pick up on my thoughts and feelings and send me comfort in return. It’s like he’s assuring me that he’s in my corner, and he wants me to be happy.

That’s what it feels like, anyway.

Thorne growls, finally tugging his mouth from mine. “You need to eat and stockpile some calories. Just based on your scent alone, I’m expecting your heat to hit at any time.”

“Yeah,” I agree as my heart pounds rapidly against my ribs.

I also really want to spend some one-on-one time with Rush.

Chapter Eighteen

Rush

Lennox bounces into the kitchen with swollen lips. My entire body aches with the urge to beat Thorne to death with a hockey stick. There are several in the hall closet by the front door.

“Her stomach was growling,” Thorne says, nodding to the omega in question. “And she doesn’t eat eggs. At all. Ever. Under no circumstances will you force an egg into her, unless it’s baked or cooked into something.”

Lennox twists, looking at him over her shoulder with her mouth slightly parted. While she’s distracted, I shove the plate I was going to offer her into the microwave and start loading a new one with waffles, bacon, and hash browns.

Why the hell did he help me cook eggs if she hates them? That motherfucker could have mentioned that before I made her a plate, but he clearly wanted to earn bonus points for remembering something about her.

I’m going to stab him with a fork.

The ketchup, syrup, and orange juice are already on the table.

“There’s a plate for you in the microwave,” I tell Thorne, taking Lennox’s food to the table. Placing it down, I take a few steps and grab her hand. “I would love it if you would sit in my lap while you eat.”

Her eyes widen, and I start to worry it’s a stupid idea.

---