Page 95 of Talk About… Rivalry

She, of course, had her back turned. It was only the back of her head and I almost wished that I had the skills to draw her so she could see herself the way she saw all of us.

“Sidney, this is incredible.”

“Do you really think so?” she asked. Even though I loved her, I wouldn’t lie to her. My answer was full of sincerity.

“I know so,” I corrected. “And you didn’t do this while we were sitting there, this was all from memory.”

She tucked a loose strand of her chestnut hair behind her ear and met my gaze.

“Yeah, I’ve studied you guys enough to be able to put it on the page. I worked on this over the course of a week so I was able to catch more details.

Her delicate fingers tapped on a freckle on the right side of Taylor’s face, and then moved to the little scar that marred Maverick’s cheek.

“We need to frame this and put it in the pack house,” I said. “And after this heat is over we’re going to go get some supplies so you can start working on some actual canvases to mix in, too. If you do the booth, I’d do a mix of these sketches as well. There are plenty of people who love the minimalistic approach.”

She blinked at me, looking torn.

“Oh, actually, the garage would make a perfect studio. There are windows so you have air flow and we could add ventilation. There’s plenty of space and it’s insulated so you won’t freeze in the winter. We just need to polish up the floors and make a few changes, but it would be safe for you to make messes without worry.”

Sidney stood up so abruptly that I started to worry that I'd overstepped. My eyes tracked every movement as she walked around to the other side of the bar, stopping just in front of me and pulling my face towards hers.

“Thank you,” was all she said before she locked her lips on mine. For once I let her take the lead as she deepened the kiss. A soft moan escaped her as she fisted my shirt, holding me as close as possible.

When she pulled away, both of our chests were heaving for breath as need built between us.

“No one’s ever seen me the way you guys do… like I matter.”

“You don’t have to thank us for that. You see us the same way,” I promised. And then it was me who moved this time, my hands going on either side of her face as I kissed her again, backing her up against the bar top.

“Are the doors locked?” she gasped out as I moved my kiss from her lips, to the delicate skin of her neck, teasing my tongue over the sensitive flesh behind her ear, making her shiver.

“It is,” I confirmed. “Tell me I can have you, Sidney?”

“Fuck me, Leo. Make me yours,” she begged.

That was exactly what I wanted to hear. With a soft growl I lifted her, taking her to one of the unfinished booths and shoving the table out of the way. She looked up at me, eyes dancing with amusement as I loomed over her.

“So impatient,” she teased.

“I’ve waited to taste you forever, I just didn’t know it yet,” I answered as I gently pulled her shirt over her head, tossing it aside, then did the same with her pants.

She was wearing a soft cotton bralette and matching, high waisted underwear. It was practical, yet sexy, and completely Sidney.

“So fucking perfect.” My whispered words were full of awe as I took in every inch of her toned, bronzed body, even loving the permanent tan lines she had from working on the ranch year round.

Her waist was tapered and she had wide hips that I wanted to sink my teeth into. Her ass was rounded and I couldn’t wait to see it without barriers.

The swell of her breasts over the top of her bralette was a teasing peek and I needed to see all of her more than I needed to breathe.

She squirmed under my attention but I didn’t let her shy from me. My hands wrapped around her thighs as I fell to my knees, pulling her closer and breathing her in.

My nose teased along the inside of her leg until I reached the apex of her thighs. She was damp with slick, so needy for me.

There was that hint of pure Sidney. Fig, jasmine, moss, and fresh mountain air. This time it was stronger, my cock twitching as I breathed it in, committing it to memory before it was gone again.

My entire body was on fire for this omega. She may doubt us, but I had no worry that she wasn’t mine. The way that scent sank into my bones was telling enough, and it wasn’t as strong as it would be during her heat, but these teasing bursts were happening more and more.

She gasped, arching against the touch as I teased my fingers over her pussy through the fabric, smiling at how reactive she was.

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