Page 44 of The Flavor of Us

“She deserves this,” Carleen says, her voice cracking slightly before she clears her throat. “She deservesus.”

Ryder hums low behind me, his voice deep and steady. “And she’s going to have us. Both of you will.”

Chapter twenty

TATI

Waking up in Ryder’s arms feels like being wrapped in a weighted blanket dipped in pure comfort and safety. His body is sowarm, solid in a way that makes me feel protected, cherished even. The scent of something sharp fills my lungs with every inhale, grounding me instantly. But it’s not just Ryder—it’sallof them. Ashton’s rich citrus scent lingers faintly in the pillows, bright and familiar, and Carleen’s peaches-and-rain sweetness clings to the blankets wrapped around me.

I shift slightly, nuzzling my face against Ryder’s chest, and it hits me—the bourbon.That deep, heady scent that makes me want to crawl closer, bury myself deeper in him. My hands fist into his soft shirt, clutching it like it’s my only lifeline.

Then I hear it—the low, vibrating rumble coming from deep in his chest.

Ryder ispurring.

The sound rolls over me in waves, deep and soothing, lighting somethingwarmin the pit of my stomach. My body relaxes instantly, melting against him. His arm tightens around me, one massive hand smoothing slowly up and down my back. I feel his head dip closer, his nose pressing into my hair as he takes a deep breath.

“Morning, sweetheart,” he murmurs, his voice gravelly from sleep, vibrating low in his chest. The purring doesn’t stop; if anything, it gets louder, like he’s content—no,happy.“How’d you sleep?”

I can’t stop the way my fingers curl tighter into his shirt or the way I let out a soft, content sound against his chest. His scent fills every part of me, wrapping around me like a cocoon, and his purr seems to echo inside me, like it’s resonating in my very bones.

“Good morning,” I mumble, my voice muffled against his chest.

He laughs—a soft, deep chuckle that makes the purr vibrate stronger and I feel it everywhere.

“Waking up with you in my arms is amazing,” Ryder says softly, his hand still moving along my back. The words hit somewhere deep in my chest, and I press my face further into his shirt, trying to hide the flush creeping up my neck.

“How are you so warm?” I mutter against him.

His chest rumbles with another laugh, and he presses a soft kiss against the top of my head. “Not sure, sweetheart. I’ve always been like a furnace. Ashton says the same thing.”

I hum softly in response, soaking in every second of this moment. Ryder’s arms feel like a shield against the world, like nothing bad can touch me as long as he’s holding me like this. But eventually, curiosity starts to creep in, and I glance up at him, my cheek still pressed against his chest. “Where are the others?”

Ryder’s lips quirk into a soft smile as his sharp blue eyes meet mine. They’re softer now, warmer than I’ve ever seen them before. “Carleen wanted to get the contract signed and delivered,” he says, his voice still low and soothing. “But she didn’t want you waking up alone. Ashton went with her.”

I nod slowly, letting the information settle. Of course, Carleen wouldn’t want me waking up by myself—not after last night. “She didn’t have to do that,” I mumble.

Ryder’s brow raises slightly and he tilts his head down to look at me more closely. “Tati, sweetheart, you’re important to her. Tous.Don’t downplay that.”

Ryder doesn’t push. He just holds me tighter, his big hand cradling the back of my head as his purr continues, steady and unrelenting. Eventually, Ryder shifts slightly, his hand sliding down to gently stroke my arm. “Do you want to get up or do you want to stay here for a little longer?”

I know I should probably move—get out of the nest, have some breakfast, maybe text Carleen to see how things are going. But the thought of leaving this bubble of safety feels impossible right now.

“Just… a little longer,” I whisper.

I probably should have just gotten up as Ryder shifts beside me, his thigh moving between mine. My breath catches in my throat as I cling to him, eyes widening as he presses his thigh against my heat. “Stop or keep going, sweetheart?”

“Keep going,” I push out, gasping as he slides his leg against my pussy through the thin shorts I didn’t change out of. Goddess, I’m going to be ruined between these Alphas. My face heats as Ryder repeats the movement, the rough brush of his leg just the right amount of friction that I need. “Holy shit,” I breathe out as he grips my hips and grinds me down on his thigh.

He pushes himself closer to me, widening my thighs to make room for him as my hips move of their own accord, seeking more friction. He moves slowly, torturously, directing the pace until my body is shaking with need.

His purr heightens, thrumming through my ears. “That’s it, sweetheart. Let go for me. Drench me with your scent.”

I whimper, my body trembling as pleasure coils tight within me. Ryder's thigh moves in a steady rhythm, his dominant gaze holding me captive as he watches me fall apart. My breath comes in short gasps, my hips bucking against his thigh as I ride the wave of pleasure.

"Ryder!" I cry out, my voice hoarse as I climax, my body convulsing around his thigh. This isn’t embarrassing, I tell myself. Nope, not at all as I come all over my Alpha, my scent blooming throughout the room.

I’ll just give myself a few seconds before I slink off into the bathroom and not look back to see the wet spot I definitely left on his pants. I take it back. Thisisembarrassing.

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