Page 65 of Follow Your Instincts

Lucas shook his head. “I haven’t told them. So they’re probably blaming themselves for things not working out in thepast with other Omegas when it’s actually my fault.”

I wanted to ask why he hadn’t said anything, but I could guess the answer. Being an ace Alpha was probably not an easy thing to navigate.

“First of all, I have no issue with you being asexual,” I said firmly. “It might explain why my hormones are more chill around you, actually. And secondly, I’m really glad it didn’t work out with those other dumb Omegas because they didn’t deserve you. You’re incredible.”

Lucas finally met my eye again. He looked incredulous.

“Seriously,” I said earnestly, grabbing his hand. “I don’t need to have sex with you to appreciate how wonderful you are.”

“I don’t deserveyou,” he said. “I feel like I lied to you.”

“I mean, a heads up before I tried to kiss you would’ve been nice for my ego…” I said, smiling ruefully.

“Could I make it up to you with a kiss now?” he asked.

“Is that what you want?”

“I’ve wanted to kiss you from the moment I saw you, sugar. I just didn’t want to set any unrealistic expectations,” he said softly.

I swallowed, my throat suddenly dry. Lucas brushed my cheek with his thumb again, then tucked my hair behind my ear, tracing his finger along the outside until I shivered. “So can I kiss you, Maggie?”

“Yes,” I breathed. Lucas slid his fingers into the hair at the nape of my neck and pulled me close. His scent surrounded me, a calming cocoon, and then his lips were on mine. Soft and hesitant at first, but more confident when I wrapped my arms around him.

Even as the kiss deepened further and Lucas pulled me into his lap, my hormones didn’t kick into overdrive. It was like being a teenager again, when making out was the best thing ever. The kiss wasn’t leading us anywhere, it was a destination all by itself.

Lucas broke our kiss to trail his lips along the side of my neck, taking deep inhales of my scent. “Incredible,” hemurmured.

“Mmmm,” I hummed drowsily. I was so relaxed, I felt like I’d been drugged or something. I burrowed my face into the crook of his neck and we just sat, entwined and content, for a long time.

“I do want to clarify… Sex isn’t off the table for me. But this right here,” he stroked softly up my spine. “This is what I want, 24/7. I want to take care of you, sugar. Cooking for you, holding you, protecting you… I’ve got you.”

I sighed contentedly, and my inner Omega was doing a happy dance. “That sounds perfect.”

“Good. Now let’s change your bandage, which is what we were supposed to be doing before you completely distracted me,” Lucas said, pulling back to give me a disapproving look.

“Boooo,” I said.

“If you’re a good patient, I’ll cook you some breakfast,” he said, tugging gently on my hair.

“Ughhh, fine,” I said, smiling. “I guess you can feed me.”

After changing the bandage on my leg to a much less bulky version, Lucas and I wandered downstairs.

“Where is everyone?” I asked.

“Soren and Ben are at work,” he said. “And Lachlan is closed up in his office as usual. What would you like for breakfast?”

“I’d be fine with just one of those delicious mochas?” I asked, smirking at him. “Pretty please?”

Lucas laughed and went to start the fancy coffee machine. “Ben has taught you well.”

Thinking about Ben made me think about this morning and that possible preview of my heat. I trusted these men, but was I ready to bethatvulnerable with them? I’d been a mess that morning, begging for Ben to touch me. Was I ready to be that vulnerable with Lachlan in particular? Or would he not… participate anyway?

Lucas interrupted my thoughts by handing me the steaming coffee mug. “I added some whipped cream for you,”he said. “But you need some actual food too. What’ll it be?”

I wanted to protest and say that I wasn’t hungry, but that would’ve sounded immature. “Toast?”

“Toast?! No creativity,” Lucas said in exasperation. “I’ll make you something much better than toast,” he said and started pulling things out of the fridge.

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