Page 60 of Pack Scratch Fever
I roll my eyes. “You know you are.” I motion between the two of us. “But I’m not looking for someone to just share a Heat with. I can’t be something you use and be done with. I’ve had my share of that.”
There. I said it.
His smile falters. “Who did that to you?”
I shake my head, the shitty memories of that night threatening to take over. “It doesn’t matter. I just refuse to have a repeat of that. Ever.”
He studies me, and a low growl sounds from his chest. “That’s not my intention with you,” he says. “That’s never been my intention, sweetheart.”
I remain silent.
“Neither has it been Avery’s. Or even Poe’s, for that matter. I’m not interested in just any Omega,” he adds, and he takes a step toward me. “I’m interested inPiper.In the woman that saves cats and gives a shit about making the world a better place because of it. That’s who I’m after.”
My breathing quickens. Pepper and ginger swirl around me, and it becomes harder to stay level-headed.
He reaches out and caresses my cheek, and I don’t shy away from the touch.
“You don’t believe me,” he murmurs. “I don’t expect you to just yet.”
I close my eyes, delicious tingles racing down my spine.
“Maddox—”
“Shh. It’s okay. I’ve got you.”
Strong arms envelop me, and when he pulls me to his chest, I don’t resist. I bury my face in his shirt, rubbing his scent on me and sighing.
I want him. I want him desperately, all rational thoughts be damned.
“You’re perfect for me,” he promises. “Perfect for us.”
His words wash over me, leaving me in a trance.
Perfect. He thinks I’m perfect.
“I don’t know what happened to you yet,” he adds. “But when you finally tell me,” he presses a kiss to my hair, and I sigh, “when you do, I’ll make his life a living hell. All three of us will.”
Tears fill my eyes.
“It’s not that big of a deal,” I mumble into his chest.
“If it hurt you, it’s a big deal,” he growls. “Don’t downplay your pain.”
My head swirls with contradictions, my inner Omega arguing with my rational self.
We can trust him.
I can’t trust him.
He’s a good person.
I don’t know that.
He wouldn’t hurt us.
I don’t have proof of that.
But I let Maddox hold me in the cat food aisle, focusing on the strong rumble of his purr. His hand runs up and down my back, soothing me as I inhale his scent.
