Page 34 of Stella

“Madge is cool.” Evan climbed out of the Jeep. “Besides, you need some toys.”

“How do you know I don’t have everything?”

He gave me a knowing look. “I’m sure you have some decent vibrators, but you spend too much time denying you’re two seconds away from jumping me to have all the good sex toys.”

I blushed. He was right, damn it. I couldn’t help perfuming for him. His grin made me feel like I was safe to explore every wicked thought that came to mind.

Blistering heat scorched me. Evan spent the day touching me, little loving caresses. Between the slow burn and the new thoughts of Evan and a sex shop, it felt like I was going up in flames. I pressed my thighs together. “Seriously, I’m too…close to go in there.”

“It’s a sex shop,” he said calmly. “Pheromones are all over the place. It’s okay.”

I sighed and gave in to my curiosity.

Evan opened the door for me. I went inside, the scent of sage and eucalyptus overwhelming. It was a natural way of getting rid of scents. We used it at Cosmic Bonds all the time.

Even still, alpha, beta, and omega scents filled the shop. It was laid out chaotically, with tables of vibrators and dildos next to DVDs of pornos. In the back corner were three sex swings, swaying gently, next to a big chair looking thing.

I froze. I didn’t think I was a prude, and my family was really open about our bodies and the joys of sex.

But it was one thing to talk about with my sisters and cousins, but in public, with other people around, I suddenly felt like I was under a microscope.

“Are you okay?” Evan asked softly. “We can leave if it’s too much.”

I shook my head no. An older woman walked over to us and smiled. “Evan, so nice to see you again.”

“Does everyone know you?” I snapped.

Evan laughed and put his arms around my waist. I sank into him, his beachwater scent calming and arousing at the same time. “I get toys here for Jerrick and Simon.”

The irrational jealousy settled down. “Okay.”

“Madge, this is Stella. Stella, this is Madge.”

“Nice to see you happy again.” Madge looked at me and Evan.

I blushed and wanted to tell her it wasn’t like we were a pack. But I didn’t want to hurt Evan, like I didn’t want people to think I wanted him.

“We’re gonna wander around,” Evan said.

“Smart choice.” Madge looked at me. “I’ll get you some oils. They’ll be at the counter.”

“Oils?”

“For the cramps, and soreness. You’re about two days away from your heat?” She said it so matter-of-factly, like it was about to rain.

“Uhhh, yes.”

“You’ll need them.” Madge walked away like that was the end of the discussion.

I browsed the shop, not sure where to look. Hyperaware Evan was watching me, I crossed my arms over my chest, and decided that was too confrontational. I shoved my hands in my pockets, trying for carefree omega in her prime.

The last time I bought vibrators I ran into the shop, grabbed what looked good, and left in a flood of embarrassment. It seemed wrong somehow, like I should be satisfied by alpha knots so why was I buying dildos?

There was a man and woman near the sex swings, and two guys near the pornos. I was vaguely aroused but also feeling too exposed.

“So, sex in public is a no,” Evan whispered in my ear.

I swallowed hard. “I don’t know. I’m confused right now.”

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