Page 17 of No Strings Attached
Goddess, this feels amazing. I’m going to have to tell Olivia to dry my hair like this. It’s intoxicating.
I drink in his honeydew rain scent, relishing in his touch as he continues. “I shouldn’t have touched you, Alpha. I’m sorry.”
I wait until he’s done, Elias setting the dryer down on the counter before I take his face in my hands. “Maybe you’re not ready to name what this is, but I’m giving you permission. You are always allowed to touch me.”
He offers me a smile and then helps me to my feet, leading me to the bedroom. I hadn’t really been able to take anything in before but the place has a cozier feel than most of the houses in our business have. Everyone is so twisted up in how expensive their homes are that they forget to enjoy the simplicities.
Olivia is already there, sitting cross-legged on the bed, steam curling into the air from three bowls on a tray. Her hair’s loose now, one of her straps falling to the side. Elias moves to sit beside her, the size difference both adorable and shocking. The tension in his shoulders has shifted but there’s still an uneasiness lingering about him.
Her lips curl up as he presses a kiss to her cheek before pulling back, a pout on his lips. “I wish I could have at least danced with you.”
Olivia laughs, a light sound that we all desperately need. “I’ll make you a deal,” she muses, a playful edge to her words. “Eat and get some rest, and I’ll put this dress back on for you tomorrow for that dance.” Elias nods as Olivia hands me my own bowl and then takes a spoon to the second one before lifting it to our Omega’s lips. He hesitates and then accepts it, both of them losing themselves to the moment.
I curl up against the headboard, content to watch until Elias drags Olivia into his lap. He starts running his nose along her hairline and down her neck, my wife biting back a smile as he scents her. “Hey,hey,” she purrs, waiting for Elias to pause. “Can you tell me what happened, baby?” Elias' shoulders fall, his head falling to her shoulder.
I hate that.
“Sweetheart, we don’t want to ask,” I offer, “but we’re worried that something is really wrong. I’ve watched your videos over the years, but whatever’s going on is taking away that beautiful smile of yours.”
Olivia reaches up to cup his face as he strings an arm around her waist. “So, it isn’t me?” Olivia asks.
“No, it’s not you,” he pushes out. “I just didn’t want to get his scent on you.”
Olivia’s brown eyes narrow, her hand still cupped against his cheek. “Whose scent?” she asks. “At one point, you were mumbling ‘he owns me’. Who ishe? Tristan?”
Elias shakes his head, his fingers tightening on her wrist. He looks at me, then back at Olivia, a haunted look in his eyes. “No, I mean, yes, but my new boss,” he says, his voice barely above a whisper. “He… I came to the gala with him.”
A growl rumbles in my chest, the idea of Elias' new boss leaving his scent on him twisting my gut. My hands clench around the hem of my shirt, the fabric bunching under my fingers. “What did he do to you?”
Elias hesitates, his lips parting, then closing. “He… nothing,” he whines, his voice and scent betraying him. “I just… Warren isn’t as nice as everyone says he is.”
We both stiffen at the mention of ‘Warren’ but it’s Olivia who addresses it. “Baby, are you talking about Warren Hart? Like Hart Entertainment?”
Elias chokes up and nods, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. I wonder, for a fleeting second, if this is because of us, because of what happened in the motel this afternoon. But that’s impossible—no one knows, not even Tristan. Still, the thought of Hart’s hands on Elias, his scent marking him, makes my skin crawl.
Olivia’s scent hardens further, a protective edge to it, and Elias lets out another small whimper. “Don’t do anything,” he pleads as he holds her closer to him. “Please. I’ll figure it out. I just… can we just sleep right now?”
Olivia’s eyes soften, but I can see the fire behind them, the rage she’s holding back. “You really don’t want me to do anything?”
Elias slowly releases her and it’s obvious that his instincts are making it hard for him to continue this conversation. “My entire livelihood is wrapped up in this. I’ll… figure it out. It won’t happen again.” I also realize that he probably hasn’t had someone in his corner the last few years. An Omega would gladly give in, letting their Alpha take care of a problem like this.
My heart breaks a little, watching him try to be strong. Maybe, in time, he’ll let us shoulder some of that weight for him.
Olivia
With dinner finished, the three of us curled up together, I can finally relax. Both of my mates are here and safe, well-fed and resting. I would have never imagined that we’d finally get our own moment, an Omega of our own, and definitely not one as strong as Elias.
Elias lets out a soft purr, a low rumble that vibrates through his chest as he tugs Jamie closer, his strong arms wrapping around my husband’s waist. Jamie faces me, his hazel eyes meeting me with the same knowing look I’ve been sporting all evening. He threads his fingers through Elias’, my heart swelling at the tenderness Elias so easily shows Jamie.
A tenderness Jamie has been so desperate for.
I lean forward to kiss my husband, loving the way he melts against me. A few strands of hair fall into his face and I brush them back behind his ear, taking in the fact that they both cared for each other in that shower. Jamie’s skin is red in places buthe’s dressed in Elias’ shirt and his hair is dry. It’s amessbut dry nonetheless.
Jamie lets out a soft sigh, bringing me back to the moment as Elias drags his nose up and down the side of Jamie’s neck. It’s a testament to how strong Elias’ instincts are and how, even in sleep, they are forefront and center. They’re so beautiful together that it makes my heart hurt because until I deal with Warren and Tristan for that matter, I feel like I can’t truly enjoy this.
Not when they both disrespected my mates.
I sit up, careful not to disturb them as I start filtering through all of the contacts I need to call—most importantly, Reginald, the family lawyer who can help me sift through Elias’ contract at his earliest convenience. Hopefully, bright and early tomorrow morning.
