Page 62 of Stella

“Great.” I glanced at them. “What up?

“Nothing.” Jerrick gave me a quick kiss. “You should check your nest though. Make sure we didn’t ruin it with our clumsy, oafish hands.”

I turned the corner and went into my bedroom and then stopped.

In the short time I was on the phone, they turned my bed into a blanket fort with twinkle lights. A light gauzy curtain hung from the ceiling and draped down. Thick, plush blankets covered the bed and the floor, and the TV was cued up to my favorite cheesy action flick.

Squishmellows of all shapes and sorts covered the bed. I squealed, running over and picking them up. They were perfect, a cuddly friend and a soft pillow all in one. I whirled around. “I love it!”

“It was Simon’s idea.” Evan elbowed him. “He wanted to make sure you were properly pampered.”

I threw my arms around him and kissed his cheek. “Thank you.”

“Of course.” Simon said, hugging me back cautiously. “I wasn’t sure if you were okay with us disturbing your nest.”

“It’s perfect.” I climbed onto my bed, and they climbed in after me.

Evan massaged my feet while Jerrick and Simon cuddled me. We watched cheesy action movies and joked about the bad special effects.

Simon stroked my back and arms, and Jerrick kept his hands on my legs. Halfway through the day I stopped thinking about the movie and started thinking about Jerrick’s hand slipping between my legs again, and Simon’s hands cupping my breasts.

Movie time turned into sexy times on the couch, until I slipped into the rhythm of sex, craving them with every fiber of my being.

It felt like it wouldn’t be enough, and I wondered how deeply they would sink under my skin. And how I would ever let them go when my heat was over.

Chapter17

Luna

“Come on, Luna, this is your happy place. Cheer up.”

I let out a small breath as Ember pulled into Full Moon Nursery parking lot. Nestled right against the hill, the sprawling nursery boasted three separate buildings and long rows of plants, trees and flowers between them.

If I had to leave the sanctuary of my own garden, at least it was going to be for another garden.

Ember pulled into an empty parking space and jumped out. Her red hair shone in the early morning sunshine as she slung her boho bag over her shoulder. She was the picture of a carefree, beautiful omega in her prime.

As I climbed out of the car, a light breeze shifted the scents of dirt and grass toward me.

The tension in my chest released.

“There it is.” Ember linked arms with me. “We’re in your happy place now and we actually need plants. What could be better?”

“Nothing.” We wandered over to the first array of plants. They’d moved the dahlias to the front, their blooms a sea of reds, pinks, whites and the deepest purples. Skip, one of the regular workers, waved. “I was thinking about refreshing the flower gardens in the welcome center.”

“Also, can you do that bee thing in my cottage garden too?” Ember gestured at the dahlias.

“Dahlias aren’t pollinators.” I laughed. “We can get some columbines. And the asters.” I glanced around the nursery. “I want to pick up some milkweed, too, it’s good for the gardens.”

“You’re the boss lady.” Ember grabbed a large dolly.

“We don’t need the big one today.”

“Sure we don’t.” Ember laughed as she twisted the dolly around a row of succulents.

“Seriously.” The parking lot was mostly empty, with a few alpha men by the young oaks.

“I believe you.” Ember picked up a deep purple dahlia.

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