Page 48 of Sweet Heat

Never breaking the loving embrace, he opens the door. It creaks on its hinges, swinging open to reveal mountains of nesting materials—made of a variety of my preferred fabrics.

“How did you… Why did you… When…” I break off at a loss for words. It’s all so much to take in.

“You’re it for me, Posie. And while I was waiting for the time to be right, I observed. Planned. Hoping one day we would find ourselves in this moment,” he explains.

“But… you could have anyone. Why waste so much time waiting for me?”

Miller twists me until I’m facing his chest. Somehow, I never realized quite how significant our size difference was before. I’m fairly tall for an omega, about five-five, but he’s got several inches on me. Not ready to meet his gaze, I fixate on the hollow of his throat, the two freckles dancing where his thick stubble ends. With each breath, they move up and down, and I follow the motion while trying to ignore the anxiety building below my skin.

“I wish you could see what I do, little omega,” he says, pulling me closer until he’s practically whispering in my ear. His words are soft, so quiet it’s like trying to hear secrets in the wind. “You’re smart. You’re fiercely loyal to those around you. You’re kind to everyone, even if they don’t deserve it. You’re passionate about your craft. You’ll bend over backward to help a friend in need. Your smile makes me feel like I’m basking in the sun’s warm rays. Those curves you’re rocking make me hard as fuck. And that scent…”

With every addition to the list, something tugs in my heart, building on the feelings I’ve always had for Miller Phillips.

“What scent?” I ask, curious because I’m unsure of my perfume due to the anosmia.

“You don’t know? No one’s ever told you?” He asks, pressing his face deep against my neck with a moan before a growl comes from deep within his throat.

“People say it’s sweet. Super sugary. But I can’t smell it,” I explain, licking my lips. My body is responding to his nearness; nipples hardening, heart rate spiking. I step closer and slide my arms around his waist, needing to be as close as possible. Wishing he was closer…

“You smell like the perfectpuffof cotton candy.” The rumble from his words vibrates against me, and it’s so sensual that it takes a moment to sink in.Puff—like my nickname.The second it registers, a startled laugh bursts forth. He was never talking about my weight. The sudden change in nickname happened after I perfumed. A way for him to acknowledge the scent match without me picking up on it.Oh, Miller.I melt a little more.

“The mouthwatering scent that’s currently hiding under all that lotion crap you put on.”

“It’s itchy, too,” I confess, glancing toward the white door that I’m pretty sure leads to the bathroom.

Hint hint, big guy.

The incomplete nest mocks me from the middle of the bed, and I’m torn between wanting to finish or getting all soapy with Miller. But the look of pure, unadulterated love on his face is all I need to decide.

“Wanna help me clean it off?” I ask, biting my lip until a sharp stab of pain pulls my focus from the nerves.

Even though we’ve been doingstuffall weekend, this is so muchmore. Everything until now has been heat spikes and instinct. This request is just me, an omega, standing in front of her Alpha—pure and untouched—hoping he’ll be my first.

Miller’s beautiful blue eyes darken, the pupils blowing wide until they’re nearly black with desire. His lips press together in a straight line, and his nostrils flare, making my nerves jangle.

“I’m on the edge, sweet girl. If we start, I don’t know if I’ll be able to stop,” he warns, and it thrills me. Knowing he wants me that badly.

Be bold, Posie.

Standing on my tiptoes until we’re nearly at eye-level, I stare into his darkened orbs.

“I don’t want you to. Because you’remine.” I dare to lay my claim, swooping in to nip the side of his neck quickly before spinning from his arms and darting toward the bathroom.

All the hair on the back of my neck stands up as a deep growl cracks through the room. I’m provoking the beast, but the warmth around my heart is abso-fucking-lutely sure that Miller won’t harm one hair on my body.

Even when I thought he hated me, there was always a safety that radiated from him. He’s always felt like home, even when it made no sense.

And now that it does…

Well, I’m ready to give my inner hussy exactly what she wants.

Omegas have a heightened sex drive, and while not being able to smell has kept me from going into heat, it hasn’t changed that fact. I’ve always wanted Miller.

My brother’s best friend. My stalker. My scent match.

He’s the only Alpha I can imagine losing my virginity to—to be so vulnerable with. And I’ll be damned if I let him overthink this in some act of chivalry. Before I can chicken out, I grab the soft hem of my dress and lift it over my head, revealing the curves of my back on the way to the bathroom.

Miller’s strangled moan makes me feel like a siren instead of a virgin, and I can’t help but play it up, letting the cotton material slide to the floor as I enter the room.

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