Page 26 of Wild Card

Lennox’s nose is red, and her hair hasn’t dried fully from her shower earlier.

She’s still beautiful, but the aura of sadness is unmistakable.

She sniffles, tilting her head as she takes me in. “I thought there was no room service.”

I chuckle. “Technically, there’s not, but I made an exception. Can I come in?”

She nods, pulling the door open.

She’s in an adorable pair of cotton pajamas. They’re green with red candy canes, penguins, and reindeer. It’s a very festive pattern that reminds me the holiday is just around the corner.

“You did pack for the cold, after all.” I step over, setting the tray down on the table and spinning to face Lennox once again. “Any lingering damage from the walk this morning?” My gaze falls to her feet, and her toes wiggle.

She laughs awkwardly. “No, but I did spend the last few hours snuggled under the covers while trying to warm up.”

“I can turn the heat up for you,” I offer, tossing a thumb over my shoulder and toward the door. “This whole floor has one thermostat?—”

“No, I’m fine.” Her cold hand lands on my wrist, pulling my arm down. “I think I was just stuck in my feelings, and without a real nest…” She shrugs. “I’m apparently complaining nonstop.”

“I brought you lunch.” My hand twists to wrap in hers, since it’s still within reach. “You hadn’t come down, and I guess I was looking for any excuse to check on you.”

She beams, and my heart beats funny in response. “That’s very sweet.”

“You don’t even know if you like what I brought.” I grin.

Goddamn.

She’s really pretty all the time, but when she smiles, she’s fucking stunning.

Well, Thorne and I might agree on fuck all else, but we’re definitely in agreement about Lennox not stepping foot inside The Exchange.

That dick has his own plan, but I have mine.

Bear doesn’t care about anything or anyone enough to call and check in, but he called to make sure Lennox is okay. That’s more interest than I’ve seen him show in someone…ever.

Now we just need to coordinate, so we can sweep the little omega off her feet. She’ll be over Thorne in no time, once she sees the way a real alpha courts an omega he’s interested in.

Chapter Nine

Lennox

Rush is dangerous. There’s no doubt about it. He’s a charmer. The fact he came to check on me seems to turn my entire day around.

It also doesn’t hurt that he keeps me company while I eat. I’m not even upset when he indicates he has to leave to get back to work.

I wipe my mouth with my napkin and toss it on the tray. He brought me a turkey sandwich with fries, and it was the perfect comfort meal.

He stands, glancing at the makeshift nest I made on the bed.

My cheeks heat as I push my chair back and move to my feet. The pillows are piled up on the sides, and I only kept one under my head, so I could toss the blanket over the pillow walls and feel safe and closed in.

Omegas nest when we’re close to our heat but also when we’re upset or overwhelmed.

My gaze falls to my feet as my toe dances around the carpet. He can clearly tell how much it bothered me to see Thorne.

It’s very tempting to step a few feet away to try to block the nest from his view, but he’s so much taller than me that it wouldn’t help, anyway.

“That looks cozy,” Rush says, making a grab for my hips. The contact is unexpected but not unwanted. His massive hands cradle me from my backside to my hip bones, but it’s the way his thumb brushes over my pelvis that makes me feel strangely melty inside. “Are you struggling without a nest?”

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