Page 73 of Slick Handling

“Take your present, Omega. As much as I enjoy you looking at me, I want you to open your gift. Can I come into your room?” I take the bag and nod my head, letting him close the door behind us.

His hand is on my back, on that small strip of skin that is exposed. Vaughn’s hands are more rugged than Mickey’s and I like the way his thumb rubs up and down as we move together.

“You’re making me go a little crazy right now.I promise that I won’t lose my head. You’re safe with me, Clover. You’re safe with us. Always us.” I nod as I sit down on the couch beside him.

Vaughn runs his fingers through his hair, breathing out like he wants to gather all his thoughts before he talks.

“Open your courting gift, Clover. Then I want to talk to you about some things. It’s important to me that I tell you the truth about things so that we can understand each other. I don’t want to lie to you or lead you on about where I am at.”

Maybe it’s a talent with men. They must get taken aside in school, regardless of their designation. They must have a class where they learn about how to talk in circles and be as confusing as possible.

I am so confused as to how a minute ago I was watching him move his cock and now a courting gift is on my lap. Yet he is saying he doesn’t want to lead me on?

What in the cheese Louise is going on?

I shake my head, trying to clear it from all the craziness. Focusing on the pretty pink bag on my lap. It’s filled with sparkly paper that I want to pull apart.

Who doesn’t like getting presents?

“Pack Mathers is serious about courting you. I know you’re new to the Omega world and what this means so I wanted to be clear on what it means to our pack.” Things that are clear are good, “McKinley told us that if we didn’t take this seriously we wouldn’t just be losing you as a potential Omega, he would also leave the pack for you.” The present falls between us.

My mouth drops open as I look at Vaughn.

None of that heat is between us now. In fact, it seems like ice has dropped over me.

What had the sweet Beta been thinking? How could he say something like that to his pack without even talking to me first?

It was all too much.

Vaughn seemed to realize what was going through my mind.

“Shit, wait.” I could not wait. “He meant it like he knows what a treasure you are, Clover. He loves us all and wants us all to see it too. That’s why Griffin jumped on it. He trusts him. He knows that Mick is serious and that you are the right Omega for us. Apollo was worried that he wouldn’t be able to provide you with everything that he wanted to give an Omega. That was his biggest hangup. He wanted us to be able to make our dreams come true too. He’s a good pack lead. He cares about everyone so much. He also knew that my whole life fell apart this summer and that I’ve never been less ready for an Omega.” Vaughn rubs his mouth, his eyes squeezing closed.

I’m stuck. He’s saying too much. Being so honest with what is going on in his head. About how they feel about me.

I can appreciate his honesty. Appreciate him telling me about how serious everyone is now taking this. Part of me feels guilty about how I said that I wasn’t going to date them exclusively.

He’s making it clear that they’re solely focused on me.

“I’m not a good Alpha. I’m sorry, Clover. You deserve the best and me…I’m not it.” He’s hurt. I can scent the burnt sugar of his scent and I hate it.

Launching myself over the preset, I throw myself against his chest.

My neck marks his chest as I nuzzle into him. Trying to comfort the distressed Alpha.

His arms don’t come around me, but I don’t let that deter me. I’m all Omega cuddles. Nuzzling and scenting him. Trying to make that bad scent go away and have that sweetness come out again.

“I don’t deserve this. I don’t deserve having someone. Not after…not after what happened.” His arm finally comes around me. His head comes down so that his nose runs along my neck.

I’m glad some of his instincts have taken over to help him calm down.

“You deserve more than others have made you believe. Some people just take and take and take. They leave you feeling empty. But do you know what? There’s something still left inside of you. You just need someone to give you a little bit back.” I whisper to him.

As someone who grew up feeling like I was giving everything to my community, I know what it feels like to be empty. I’ve learned how to build myself up again and I want to have Vaughn do that too.

He always looks so sad. So broken. Like he needs a really big hug.

I thought Griffin was trying to hug him until he was better but, maybe he wasn’t hugging him hard enough. I give him an extra squeeze just in case.

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