Page 31 of Cause Of Death

“Sorry about that, Adam, but I couldn’t resist. The look on your face, though… I didn’t think I’d be able to keep mine straight! You looked like you were about to shit your pants. Anyhoo, as Kieran and Henley have said, I’m Kimberly. It’s true about the coffee, and Henley’s threats are most vicious and underhanded, because I amnota morning person, an exercise person, or someone who was in any way photogenic before I hit my twenties. However, when it comes to technology, I’m your girl. I’ve yet to meet a system, server, or network that I can’t hack, reprogram, or subvert in some way. Unfortunately, there’s very little in the way of legitimate work that isn’t overseen by big brother—and I don’t mean Henley in that respect—so I have to settle for dealing with people who will be the first casualties in the war against the machines, should they ever rise up against us.”

I chuckle and shake her hand, the sweetness of her nature echoing in her scent, the aroma a refreshing blend of strawberries, rosemary, and mint. She’s a tempting little morsel, and I’d be a liar if I didn’t admit that I find her attractive. She’s the type of girl I always imagined myself pursuing when I was younger, before I met Kieran and left my heart as an offering at his altar. But she’s also a dozen years younger than me, and I have no right to ask her—or anyone else in this pack—to do more,bemore, to me than a friend. I’ve always been a bit of a loner, and I don’t really know how to play well with others.

“I’ll keep that in mind, Kimberly. Now, I’d really appreciate it if someone would point me to the nearest bathroom, otherwise I’m likely to embarrass myself and create a mess nobody wants to clean up.”

The others all snicker as Kier grabs my hand once more and tugs me behind him. We walk through an open-plan space that combines a large living area with a formal dining space and foyer. Just off the foyer is another hallway, and it’s here that Kieran deposits me in front of a door, waving his hand in presentation.

“Here you go. Do you want me to wait for you to finish, or should I leave you to find your own way back to us once you’re done?”

I smile softly before drawing Kieran into my arms again,finallygiving into the urge to kiss him that I’ve held back for so long.

It’s soft and tender, a shy meeting of lips after an eternity of waiting and pining. I don’t let it devolve into anything more passionate or demanding than that, because I promised Leslie I’d sit and talk with Henley before starting something with Kieran.

I reluctantly pull back, a smug smirk on my lips at the dreamy expression flitting across Kieran’s face as he chases my mouth for more.

“Go on, now. Go back to the others. I’ll be along shortly, once I’ve relieved myself.” I urge, and with a small moue of disappointment, Kieran does as he’s told.

Good omega.

I waste no more time and step inside the bathroom, impressed with the gleaming fittings and modern finishes. My cock is heavy in my hand as I piss, the relief of pressure on my bladder immense as it empties in a torrent loud enough to drown out the traces of conversation I can otherwise hear through the closed door.

Bladder empty, I give myself a good shake to remove any lingering droplets before tucking myself away, hit the flush, then turn to wash my unencumbered hand in the sink.

The smell of the hand soap has my dick inflating, and I glance down at the label as I try and figure out why I’m reacting this way.

Sweet Alyssum.

Still trawling through my memory banks, trying to pinpoint the reason for my burgeoning arousal, I open the bathroom door and step into the hallway.

Straight into someone else.

I pull them into my arms so they don’t fall as I spin and thump my back against the hallway wall, seeing nothing but thick, copper hair, pale skin, bee-stung lips, and golden eyes.

Their scent slams into me, sending lust spearing through me as I drown in smoky vanilla, ozone, and petrichor.

It’s her.

The woman who’s been haunting me.

The omega vying for my attentions.

Wisp.

Dressed in a pair of comfortable, flowing bamboo pajamas and no longer in danger of becoming a slip hazard, I take my time to dry and brush out my hair. My skin is super sensitive right now, and I don’t like the tight way it feels when I pull my hair back into a braid or ponytail, so I leave it to tumble down around my shoulders in loose waves.

Multiple deep voices rumble from the other side of the house, which most likely means that Steve and Leslie have returned, and therefore so has Adam. I don’t want to go out there just yet, so I play with the ends of my hair for a few minutes before giving up and biting the bullet. I may as well get this greeting over and done with, because the longer I wait, the less time we’ll all have to discuss boundaries and the like. The last thing I want to do is make either Kieran or Adam uncomfortable, or coerce them into a relationship they have no desire to participate in.

I leave my feet bare as I pad down the hallway toward the main living area, distantly registering the toilet in the bathroom just around the corner flushing. My mind is completely focusedon how I’m finally going to navigate a heat with Henley, so my awareness of my surroundings is pretty much zero and my reactions are delayed when I plow into a warm, hard body only to bounce off and almost fall to the floor.

Strong arms wrap around me, drowning me in the scent of warm leather, tobacco, and the dry, aromatic fragrance of wood smoke. My head spins—or is that my body?—until I’m resting up against a broad chest, the muscles heaving beneath my splayed hands. My reaction is so visceral that my knees grow weak, and it’s only this man’s hold on my body that prevents me from slipping to the floor in a wanton puddle of lust and hormones.

It’s him.

Adam Knight.

And he’s looking at me as if he wants to devour me.

One hand slides down my back, stopping just above the swell of my ass. The other slides up and tangles in my hair, tilting my head back so he can stare down at me.

---