Page 13 of Vegas Baby!

“How are you doing, sweetness?” Jesse settled on the bed next to me.

“Better.”

“Good. Your scent is way softer, hardly a hint of distress anymore. The pizza’s here. Would you prefer to eat in here or out in the living room with everyone?”

“I know that I should eat with everyone to start getting to know them, but that feels overwhelming.”

“I promise not a single person has any expectations of you,” Jesse said. “You don’t have to talk to anyone, eat with anyone, or do anything you’re not comfortable with. Scent matches don’t really take your situation into account, so there’s no need to rush. There’s all the time in the world to move at your own pace.”

“I’ll eat in here.”

Jesse nodded. “I’ll get you your pizza.”

He returned a moment later with one slice on a plate and I raised a curious eyebrow.

“You’re welcome to eat as much as you want, but one slice at a time to make sure your stomach isn’t going to rebel after your panic attack. They make a lot of people nauseated, so best to play it safe. I’ve got the rest staying warm in the oven.”

I gave the tip of the slice an experimental nibble, relieved when my stomach remained steady. Jesse turned to leave and I grabbed his wrist. “Can you stay?”

“Of course.” His smile warmed every inch of me. “Let me grab my food first.”

I hadn’t even swallowed my next bite before he was back, a pizza box in his hands. I followed the sudden compulsion to settle on his lap, dragging the blankets with me, awkwardly holding my plate aloft with one hand so I didn’t spill.

“Hello there,” Jesse said with a laugh, planting a kiss on my forehead.

My cheeks warmed with embarrassment, but the compulsion disappeared now that I was where it demanded, the heat of hisbody and the boosted potency of his scent draining my stress away. “Sorry.”

“You don’t have to apologize for needing a cuddle. I would need one too if I’d had your day.” He wrapped one arm securely around me, his purr buzzing. “I’m glad you feel safe enough to get comfort from me. I know how hard things are for you right now, and I’m not taking this for granted.”

Even though I didn’t want to think aboutwhythings were hard right now, having him acknowledge it that way made it easier to accept comfort from him.

Jesse wolfed down three slices in the time it took me to eat my one. I listened to his heartbeat while I ate, the steady rhythm soothing. It helped me understand the appeal of a scent match now that I’d experienced the instant sense of connection with Jesse, and the comfort that came from proximity.

Of course, comfort wasn’t the only thing I felt curled up on an alpha’s lap, but I chose not to think about the little whispers of desire. If I paid them any attention they would get louder, and at least for the moment I couldn’t entertain it. Food first, maybe a shower, and some sleep. Who knew what tomorrow might bring?

I made it through a second slice before I called it quits for the time being. Jesse finished a whole pizza himself.

I avoided all the curious eyes when Jesse got me set up for a shower, and staunchly ignored them all again when I padded out of the bathroom, freshly clean, and wearing one of Jesse’s T-shirts that came to my mid-thigh. The other alphas in this apartment were a problem for tomorrow-Ava. Today-Ava was only going to worry about Jesse. Luke should have been the obvious choice to stay with tonight, but I was way too embarrassed over everything to be around him now that I had settled. He knew me from before, and somehow a complete stranger was easier to tolerate. Bryce was staying the night ontheir couch, refusing to leave me alone in case I needed him. I didn’t mind. It was sweet, even if I couldn’t really look at him right now, and Luke had immediately capitulated when I said it was all right for Bryce to remain.

Roasted chestnut was thick in the air, coming off of Jesse in clouds when he saw me in his shirt. I watched the bob of his Adam’s apple when he swallowed hard.

Those little whispers turned up the volume as I took in his pajamas—a simple black tee that hugged every muscle and matching lounge pants that seemed like they were designed to be loose but couldn’t manage over the thickness of his thighs.

“Ready for bed?” he asked.

“Yes, please.” I set my dress and bra on his dresser, only a bit self-conscious to be wearing so little around him. It was barely scraping nine-thirty, but I felt like I had been awake for days.

Jesse pulled back the covers for me and slipped in on the other side. I wiggled back into his arms, bundling the blankets up to my chin, wishing I could get some extra oxytocin with skin-to-skin contact, but not being brave enough to ask for it.

Maybe I should have been disconcerted by how natural it felt to want that from him, but I was just relieved not to have all of the agony from the Andrew situation drowning me. If my omega instincts wanted to let this alpha soothe me, I was going to let it happen.

“Want to know a stupid thing I’m really mad about?” I asked once it was audibly evident everyone else had retired for the night.

“Tell me.” Jesse held me tighter and I shifted deeper into his embrace.

The words felt like an offering as they formed in my head, gliding to my tongue so slowly I wasn’t sure if I would be able to speak them at all. With a sigh, I said, “I hate that the only man who’s ever touched me turned out to be awful. It doesn’t seemfair. He got me hooked on him the hot second I turned eighteen and I never let anyone else get near me.”

I realized the irony of saying that while nestled in Jesse’s bed, but I was pretty sure we both knew what I actually meant.

---