Page 10 of Slick Handling

Her eyes are wide as she looks at him, not even faking a smile now. She just stares up at him in shock. This is going about as bad as one can expect it to be.

He sniffs the air. He must scent the burning lemon of her distress, and drops to his knees so that he isn’t towering over her. At least his instincts are trying to get him to calm Clover down. All of us are still as she looks from him to around the room then back to Vaughn.

She leans in close to him, sniffing like she is trying to see what his scent is. As if the room wasn’t pumped full of his scent.

“You smell like Coca-Cola.” Her smile is now so warm that even in his rut haze Vaughn smiles at her as she steps closer, “Are you in heat?” She whispers to him like it’s some big secret.

Does she not know about ruts? My brain is melting right now at the idea of how sheltered this Omega is and the need to call my mother and ask questions is riding me hard.

Vaughn swallows hard but nods his head. Clover looks serious now as she pulls my sweatshirt sleeves over her hands, seeming nervous to talk about this. The way her cheeks are flushed with color makes it clear she’s a bit uncomfortable.

“When I’m in heat I get cramped and feel really hot. Do you want to take a bath? I can make it a good temperature for you. Do you like your nest? When I nest I like really squishy things and soft blankets. I’m in a class, or I was about to learn how to nest…I could teach you what they taught me?” She’s so fucking sweet my teeth hurt.

Unfortunately, not everyone reacts like that.

“He’s in a rut. Unless you want to get on your hands and knees and present for an Alpha your introductory lessons aren’t going to cut it, baby weed.” The way Griffin snarls at her isn’t fair.

Clover instantly backs away, making Vaughn turn.

Griffin is his best friend. The two of them have always been a pair. They probably knew as soon as they presented that they would be pack together. I’ve never seen them not get along about things.

Maybe it’s the rut but Vaughn reaches out, his fingers gentle on Clover’s waist.

“Bath, please.” He rasps out.

McKinley comes around, smiling at her as he holds out his hand to the Omega.

“I’m McKinley. I’ll show you where the bathroom is.” He’s so gentle as he guides her away, making sure he sends a scowl towards where Griffin is still on the bed.

When they make it into the bathroom, Vaughn stands, snarling down at Griffin. The usual boyish good looks of the Alpha are gone as he stares at his best friend in shock. He isn’t used to seeing him upset and to have it directed at him is out of the norm.

“Get out.” Griffin blinks as Vaughn comes closer, his hand going around his neck and lifting him off the bed. “Out.” He tosses him towards the door.

He’s in a full rut now and Griffin must know that but it doesn’t change the way that his face still falls in shock. There is a look of such rejection on his face, but he covers it quickly. Eyes turning towards me like he wants to make sure I’ll look over him.

Whatever he sees makes Griffin leave. His body tense as he leaves Vaughn with us.

“Omega?”

The bathroom door opens and McKinley smiles but it drops as Vaughn shoves his boxers off, his cock bobbing free. The Beta’s eyes meet mine and we both are in a little shock.

“Clover, honey. Why don’t we let the Alpha take his bath alone? He’s in rut and it’s time he has a little privacy. Apollo will stay here with him to make sure he’s okay.” He’s so good with her and when I see her head pop out of the bathroom my heart gets stuck in my throat.

She sees Vaughn and realizes he’s naked. It makes her cheeks flush a pretty pink. Her hands fly up to touch her heated cheeks. She stares a second longer before she looks at me.

What sort of life has this Omega had that she’s never seen something like this?

“Tell her you’re okay, Vaughn.” I ask him and am relieved as he walks over bending down, rubbing his neck over her head.

Hefuckingscent marked her.

“Thank you, cherry girl.” She preens at the attention before Vaughn makes it to the bathroom, having the sense to shut the door behind him.

Well, this is going to be an interesting three months.

CHAPTER 5

CLOVER

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