Page 42 of Slick Handling

I don’t feel judged by the way he’s looking at me, but I’m curious about him. Part of me also likes that I’m getting some attention. It’s been hard this week, trying to settle in with the pack and feeling like I didn’t belong.

Positive attention was nice.

“Is your pack not treating you right? You look like you need a hug. Have they been giving you enough touch? Hand holding and cuddles? You just…look lost.” I blink at him.

What do I even say?

“They’re not my pack.” He doesn’t hide his expression of shock well and lets it pass across his features before he settles it down.

“Oh good. Do you want to hole up in my room with me then? The Alphas have their own room the team pays for so I’m alone. They won’t be up for hours anyway so we could watch a movie or you can teach me how to braid because your hair is so good. I feel like I haven’t had a good day in, in forever and could just use it so much.” Marcus is open with his feelings.

Something about how he doesn’t hide from me and invites me to do things feels exciting. I like the idea of someone wanting to be around me by choice. It feels nice to be picked.

When I nod in agreement he reaches out, taking my hand in his and helping me stand up.

“You’re tiny. Oh my gosh, those idiots.” He mutters it out.

The next second he is leading me along to the elevators chatting about something he saw online with makeup but he can’t get the technique down.

I don’t really follow what he’s saying but he’s talking to me and I love that.

This is turning out to be the best day. I’ve needed a win and now I have it.

My day with Marcus flies by.

He explains the makeup tutorial to me and finally asks if he can do my makeup. Gently applying it on my face and giving me this full glam look that has me speechless. I look so different with all the colors he applied to my face.

I’m pretty and I’m embarrassed when I think it.

After that, he shows me this app where Omegas share videos and chat about their experiences and life. It’s a lifestyle app that has so much information about life as an Omega I feel like my brain is going to melt.

Since I don’t have my phone with me, Marcus helps me create a profile. He’s snapping my picture, and setting it all up for me to use. He makes sure we’re friends on the app too and texts my phone so I have his number.

This is what I wanted from my new start:friendship.

We’re watching a movie, curled up on his bed. His head is in my lap and my fingers brushing through his hair as we chat more than actually watch the movie. It’s so calming to have all my shields down and just be myself. Maybe that’s why when there is a knock on the door I jump.

The handle jiggles and I can hear frustrated male voices making me nervous.

“It’s probably the Alphas courting me. Don’t worry, lemon drop. They have a key to get in.”

Lemon drop.

My friend gave me a nickname.

The door opens and two men come in. They look shocked to see me in the room. Then I’m shocked when Griffin pushes them aside, fury written across his face when he sees me with a head on my lap.

Marcus doesn’t look bothered in the least.

“You boys finally woke up. Pity. I’ve already made a new friend and plans for the day. Tah-tah now.” It’s inspiring how much he doesn’t let the Alphas bother him.

Me?

I am currently looking at Griffin as my hand still moves through Marcus’s hair like he is my therapy animal. My fingers are thankful that his hair is so silky smooth so I don’t yank it in my current state of getting panicked.

Griffin’s jaw is tight and I watch the way his teeth grind together as he takes in everything he is seeing.

Nothing bad is going on. I’m just in bed with another man with his head in my lap.

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