Page 40 of Escalating Alpha

“Yeah, the ring is on,” I told him. “And yes, you’re making sure—yes, I know where your mind was. Thank you. I need the out too sometimes to just have quiet without being all alone.”

“Okay, good, glad—”

I shut him up with a kiss and put my keys in his hand, making it clear to get us in the apartment.

He was happy to oblige, setting me on the counter once we were inside. He cupped my face and kept kissing me for several minutes before gasping for air. “Tell me what you want, Sera.Tell me what you need. You always give it to me, but I can’t see what you do, and sometimes it drives me—”

I moved my fingers over his lips but then had a cheeky idea to break the tension since he was getting upset. I spun around and slid off the counter on the other side, and, to his confusion, opened the huge extra freezer I had. I gestured up and down the empty door. “Refill this. I want my chocolate-covered fruit back. Others ate it too and I want more.”

He blinked at me for a full minute before letting out something between a laugh and a growl. He darted around the counter and pressed me up against the open freezer. “You are seriously too much, woman. I give you a blank check for any fun you want, but instead you ask for food and…” He trailed off and studied my eyes.

And probably saw a lot. It wasn’t just about the fruit. It was the care and time he’d put into it. Really paying attention to my tastes and even how they’d seduced me that night and pampered me. I’d felt special and spoiled.

When mostly I felt too torn down and walked all over.

“I really have been blind,” he whispered as he ran his fingers through my hair. “He was right.”

I hadn’t seen that response coming. “Huh?”

Hagan brushed his lips over mine. “My therapist said you’ve been telling us all along what you really want, but I just had to start paying attention. That I grew up with loving parents and could ask for what I wanted and they would try their best to give it to me. You were always turned down. It taught you not to ask—not to be vulnerable.”

“That’s fairly standard,” I mumbled, trying not to feel called out.

“I said he was wrong because you aren’t so closed off and do tell us when you need stuff. He said there was no way you alwaysdid and you had to have some sort of defense mechanism in place. That I needed to look for it.”

I didn’t brush him off or deny it. “Sarcasm and being a smart ass is my first language.”

“I think it’s charming, and I’m glad I’m finally paying attention better.” He gave me another kiss. “I’m also jealous that Reagan has a term of endearment for you. My wolf really doesn’t like it but isn’t pushing for us to be sirened. I don’t get it but just so you know. I didn’t want to give you one because I was jealous.”

“And now?”

“I want to call you my sexy little fruit tart.” His eyes went wide at whatever he got off me.

Mostly that I didn’t hate it. I hurried to change the topic. “If I’m getting my chocolate-covered fruit, then all I really have is a blank check back for you.” I ducked under his arm, ignoring when he asked me what that meant. I undressed on the way and was naked when I reached the far back bedroom that was now sort of a play room.

The naughty kind.

I had my wrists locked up overhead by the time he caught up, and the way he moaned probably echoed throughout the building. “Let’s see what you’ve learned in therapy, huh? Sharing is caring?” I cleared my throat when he frowned. “Sorry, I wasn’t mocking it. I mean, I’m in therapy too.”

His eyes snapped to mine. “No, yeah, I get it. I was just thinking I wish that I’d had more sessions so I could keep this act up. I’m just drawing a blank and my dick is too hard to think.”

I laughed. That was such a Hagan answer. I gave a half shrug. “Well, then just do with me what you want.”

He licked his lips. “I want to do alot, fruit tart. And the full moon is kinda riding me hard.”

“Could you ride me hard too?” I whimpered, actually and totally meaning it. I moaned when he nodded and slowly peeled off his shirt for me. Hagan’s body was so damn sexy. He was six-five and muscular, his pecs and arms always immediately drawing my attention with their implied strength.

He didn’t grow out his auburn hair like Reagan did. He liked it shorter and—not quite a mop cute, but cute like that. He would put gel in and style it for functions, but just for every day it was sexy adorable and a very hometown QB look. His gray eyes were full of heat as he moved closer and licked my nipple.

Then he turned and showed me his back, flexing a bit but not like poses and being a twit. No, it was more reaching and stretching on the doorframe and adjusting his back like he was preparing to give me his best performance.

Except then he walked out of the room.

Huh?

“I can get out of these and beat your ass,” I reminded him, rolling my eyes when he just laughed.

“I’m getting snacks,” he called back.

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