Page 47 of Slick Handling

For a second I wonder if she is going to ignore me. Mick is making hand signs at me to let me know that he is going to maim and kill me. It’s cute how he thinks that he could take me when his rage out is more like a feral raccoon finding trash.

Blowing him a kiss, I see the exact moment he snaps.

He’s going to choke me again.

The only thing that stops him is when the sheet is pulled up and Clover is looking at me with her sad eyes.

Did I make her eyes sad?.

“Are you really sorry or did Apollo make you say it?” I want to laugh at her words.

As if Apollo could make me do anything.

She’s being serious. I can see her sincerity and how what I say next matters. So I swallow down the several jackass remarks that I could say to her and give her some truth.

“I haven’t talked to anyone since you left the room when I mentioned courting you.” Mick makes a strangled sound because I was absolutely not supposed to tell her about the courting plan without them. “I’m here for you, baby weed. After seeing you all cuddled up with Marcus I may be a little jealous and in need of some sweet cuddles of my own.”

Goddess.

The way her eyes widen like it’s a cartoon makes my smile widen.

Does she feel reassured? Or do I look like the wolf trying to be let into Little Red Riding Hood's house?

Her hand reaches out, untying one of the sheets so she can emerge fully from her bathtub nest. My eyes skim over everything and nod in approval.

“You made this nest for yourself? What a good job you did. All those pillows must make the tub more comfortable for you. And you tied it so well. I’m proud of you, Clover. Such a good Omega.” Her scent perfumes the air so hard I almost tip over.

Mick is frozen in place, looking at me like I’ve had a full body transplant.

“I like when you’re nice to me.” The soft words hit me right in my stomach.

I’ve been an asshole.

A huge inconsiderate asshole.

Mick should have strangled me harder earlier. Next time I’ll show him where to put his hands so he can get the job done.

“He should always be nice to you.” Apollo’s voice booms around the room and Clover dips deeper into the tub.

When did this jerk show up?

He moves closer, looking over Clover as she stares up at him with those big eyes of hers. She’s so laser focused on the Alpha in front of her I can take a few extra seconds to allow myself to appreciate her beauty.

She’s tiny. Even for an Omega she’s on the smaller side. But she still has full cheeks and her body has something for me to grab onto when I hold her.

Which I will be holding her.

Her blonde hair is trying to fight its way out of her braids and for some reason all I can think about is Vaughn helping her undo them as I hold her in my lap. I can see the smile he used to have as he falls into bed with us for a puppy pile movie night. How Clover would be a wiggly mess who would have to change positions a thousand times, but it would just be an excuse for everyone to hold her.

How did I not see it before? McKinley’s right. She is perfect for us.

“Are you okay?” Apollo finally speaks, bringing me out of the fantasies of the pack life we’re going to have. She nods her head a little. “Griffin talked to you about courting?” He doesn’t look at me. I already know he’s not happy with how I handled that.

Not my greatest moment, but I don’t want to hide things from her. How can we ask her to be part of our pack but keep secrets? Seems counterproductive.

“I didn’t say yes.”

“You didn’t say no.” I counter, making her look at me. She sits up a little in the tub and I realize that she feels a bit more comfortable with me than I thought.

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