I was shaking.
My cock was rock hard and had been since I’d walked through the door. But I knew I couldn’t just knot Sebastian straight away. He’d want it – at least, I assumed he would – but the more often I knotted him, the more tired I’d get, and I’d be at risk of being unable to satisfy him when the heat haze hit its peak. I’d have to pace myself, and work with Rose.
When I’d imagined a heat before, I’d always been by myself. It had always been me and Sebastian against the world. But now, Rose would be with us, and I felt a rush of gladness at the thought.
I towelled off quickly, pulled on a clean shirt and pair of shorts, then all but ran back to the nest, stopping still in the doorway.
‘Hey, alpha.’
Sebastian was awake, lying on his side. Rose stretched out beside him, her body a foot or so away, so she wouldn’t accidentally touch his skin.
‘Hey, baby. How are you feeling?’
Sebastian frowned at Rose. ‘Well, I think Rosebud might be right,’ he said grumpily.
‘What gave it away?’ Rose teased.
‘The rampant erection.’ Sebastian glowered, this time down at his cock, which was swollen and leaking precum on the blanket beneath him.
‘What do you need?’
‘Will you lie with us, alpha?’ he answered plaintively.
I stepped into the nest, then settled myself on the bed behind him, careful not to touch him. He was glorious like this, all flushed and rumpled. The scent of cherry was thick in the air, coating my tongue, and I caught a hint of Rose’s chocolate, too.
I looked around at the circle of cushions he’d arranged, at my neatly folded coverlet, and noticed a shirt of mine stuffed beneath a pillow near his head. ‘Your nest is so beautiful, omega. You did such a good job.’
‘It’s still not right,’ he said crossly, shifting his weight. ‘There’s something missing, but I can’t –’ He shuddered, his cock twitching. ‘I want to go to a proper nesting shop when this is over, Tris. I need to make it right.’
‘Of course,’ I soothed. ‘Of course. We’ll go as soon as we can. And we won’t stop looking until we find what’s missing.’
Sebastian sniffed, then stiffened as his body tensed and his cock leaked precum in a wave of sensation that looked painful, rather than pleasurable. ‘Fuck, Ihatethis.’
Rose’s brow creased, her expression equal parts stricken and understanding. ‘Can I touch, Seb?’ she whispered.
He hesitated, then nodded his assent. Rose didn’t touch anywhere but his cock, which she grasped with fingers both firm and gentle. Sebastian groaned, the sound half-pleasure and half-pain, as she moved her hand in a fluid motion. I rose up to watch, my own cock leaking at the sight.
‘Fuck, Rose,yes,’ Sebastian hissed, then came without warning all over her hand. ‘Urgh, sorry.’
Rose huffed a laugh. ‘Why are you sorry?’
‘For lasting as long as this sentence.’
She snorted. ‘When I had my heat, one of the heat alphas accidentally brushed mykneeand I came. Your body is all sorts of fucked up right now. Plus,’ she went on, grinning, ‘you’re still hard, aren’t you?’
‘I know romance novels make a big deal aboutsteel,’ Sebastian moaned, ‘but that’s exactly what it feels like.’ He shook his head and glared at her. ‘And please don’t talk about your heat alphas, especially now. You’remine.’
Rose’s smile went soft. ‘Silly omega. Of course I’m yours.’
Sebastian wiped her hand – and his cock – with a handkerchief, which he promptly stuffed under a pillow. In usual times, Sebastian was fastidiously tidy, but I knew he’d want the nest to smell like him – and likeus.
‘I want to talk about something,’ he said, rolling onto his back with a wince. He was so fuckingpretty, flushed and cross, and it took all my willpower not to reach for him. ‘And it needs to be now, while I’m still lucid.’
‘You’ll be lucid during the heat, Seb,’ Rose said, frowning. ‘You’ll know what’s happening and you’ll be able to make decisions. It will just be a little … fuzzier … than usual.’
‘Yes, but I don’t want the heat haze held against me.’ Sebastian’s eyes found mine, searching. ‘If I beg for a bite, and one of you is willing to give it, then Iwantit. I’m telling you now, when I’m not thinking about knots. Well, I’m not thinking about knotsevery moment, at least. I want your bite.Bites.’
‘Seb –’