Page 35 of Omega Alliance

“Our best option is to stay low,” Dani agrees. “And to stay alert.”

“I’ll take first watch.” Kieran pushes the door shut and claps a hand on the other alpha’s shoulder. “You look like hell, man. Get some rest.”

Kieran heads outside to patrol the area, and Levi glances toward me and Dani with questions in his tired eyes.

“Sleep, sleep. We’ll be fine,” Dani insists, even going so far as to pull down the comforter and pat the bed.

And Levi is asleep within minutes. His soft snores fill the room. Poor guy was exhausted. All because of me and my stupid failed plan to run away.

Dani pulls down the comforter on the other bed, arranges the pillows against the headboard, and then climbs in. "Come sit with me," she whispers, and I love the sound of the soft syllables spilling from her lips.

I scoot in beside her, and she wraps us both in the thick downy blanket. I love the feel of her skin on mine, her soft breath mingling with mine. I love knowing that I don't ever have to be alone again, unless I choose it.

"What are you thinking?" Dani asks, tracing her fingertips along my arm and sending a delicious shiver right through me.

"How much I like being here with you," I admit, surprising myself with this sudden burst of candor. "The guys, too," I add, even though it's not quite the same with them. Not yet.

"I know I'm your favorite," she teases, pressing a finger to my nose and smiling. "But that's okay. I won't tell the others."

I hum a happy beat as Dani's fingers continue to explore my skin. I realize now that she’s tracing the delicate lines of my tattoos, most of them put there by Dani herself.

"I want to see yours," I say as I glance at her with shy eyes shielded behind long lashes.

"My tattoos? How do you know I've got any?" she teases, but then reaches down and pulls her sweatshirt over her head.

My eyes widen as I take in her newly exposed flesh. She wears a thin bra that leaves very little to the imagination. Even now, I see her nipples poking through the fabric to greet me.

Dani grabs my hand and places my palm near her belly button where a long-stemmed rose rings her navel. "This was my first. I did it myself while I was still learning. That's why the line work is a little shaky."

She picks up my hand again and moves it to her shoulder where a burst of watercolor flames forms a cap sleeve. "This one's my favorite. I've always liked how fire can both nourish and destroy."

Now she pushes my hand into the waistband of her jeans. I suck in a deep breath as she settles my hand between her legs, just to the side of her most private area. "I have one heretoo. That's why I knew how much yours would hurt. I've been through it too. Do you want to see?"

I lick my lips and nod eagerly.

Dani smiles at me as she pulls down her pants and spreads her legs.

"It's my name," I breathe out as I take in the beautiful script adorning her upper thigh.

She nods and leans in close. "That way I always had you with me, even when I didn't."

I stare at my name on her skin for a long time, trying to decide how it makes me feel. And when I look back at Dani, I still don't know, but then she leans forward and brushes her plump lips against mine.

I can feel the warmth radiating from her and the electricity sparking between us. In that moment, I realize I don't need to look for answers.

I already have them all right here, in Dani's arms.

seventeen

DANI

I'm kissing Sin! Holy fuck, I'm kissing Sin!

It's slow and tender, our lips and tongues exploring each other in a way that feels natural despite this being our first time. Our hands wander aimlessly and then eventually find their way to lock together tightly, as if to prove we're never letting go.

We both pull away from our kiss at the same time, giggling nervously at our newfound intimacy. My heart races and heat blooms all over my body as Sin smiles up at me bashfully, her cheeks tinged with a light blush. The sight of it fills me with a burst of joy and I let out an involuntary laugh, like my smile is so big that it needs a sound to express the full happiness of this moment.

"That was my first kiss," she says softly, her lower lip plump from where I've claimed her, where I'll soon claim her again.

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