Page 85 of Bound By Pain
Bea chose him, even if neither of them is ready to admit it yet.
CHAPTER 35
Orion wakesme with a cup of coffee and an orgasm on his tongue and fingers. My favorite way to start the day.
My mood quickly sours when I remember today is move-in day. The bane of my existence. These Alphas had better be prepared to live in Shiloh’s penthouse for the rest of our lives, because I amnotmoving again.
You’d think ,having as much help as we do, and my mates refusing to let me lift more than a toaster-sized box, I would feel pampered. Instead, I am overwhelmed. There are scents everywhere. On my boxes. In my apartment. In my new home.
I am ten seconds away from a meltdown.
“Come here, Sabine.”
Glaring over my shoulder, I intentionally step away from my Alpha. Maybe fresh air on the balcony will help.
Corded forearms cage me in. A warm body presses against my back. “You’re being extra bratty today. Did your other mates not take care of you last night?”
Shiloh’s words brush against my ear, sending a shudder down my spine. Creed and Lex had taken excellent care of me after a night of dancing.
Was I salty when Lex left in the middle of the night instead of staying with me? Yes. Does that have anything to do with my current mood? Maybe a bit, but not really.
“I hate moving,” I whine, leaning against the railing to let the cold metal steal some of the heat from my body.
He presses a palm to my cheek, brows bunching. “You have a fever. Mild, but still there. I’d like to say we can send everyone home and do this another day, but your key is due to be returned to your landlord Monday morning.”
Pursing my lips, I nod and turn to stare out over Starburgh. I’m well aware of the deadline we face. My instincts, however, do not give a shit.
“Go to your nest. No one will bother you there, and so many unwanted scents won’t surround you. I can corral the others into unloading quicker, and then we can join you. Maybe have a movie or game night.” His hands grip my hips, turning me so my back presses to the railing. He slides his jaw along mine, scent-marking me. “How does that sound?”
Words clog my throat, but I can’t seem to force them past. He always seems to know what I need. Nodding, I step into his embrace. My nose finds his scent gland, losing myself in his sun-soaked beach scent.
“Go,” he urges, voice tight with need. His palm cracks against my ass on my way back into the penthouse. My head snaps back to glare at him, outraged by his audacity, but he just smirks and walks away.
He’s lucky he’s so damn hot. I swear the sight of his ass alone is enough to make me forgive him for just about anything. Including smacking my ass in clear sight of my parents.
Ignoring everyone’s questions, I dart up the stairs and through my bedroom. The sanctuary of my nest greets me with the mesmerizing aroma of my mate’s scents. After last night, even Lex’s leather and sandalwood scent blends into the mix.
It’s a warm tropical storm on a sandy beach. A bungalow open to the weather, letting the scent of the storm blow in on the breeze. Hints of citrus from the drinks waiting on the counter.
A dreamy scene that immediately settles my agitated nerves.
Crawling to the center of my inner nest, I grab my favorite fluffy pink blanket and the newest stuffy Lex left for me. Carrying both to the outer room, I bury myself in cushions, leaving only my face free to stare up at the cloudy sky.
My thoughts wander. Riding a blissful wave in that area between sleep and wakefulness. Time passes in a blur of daydreams and longing.
The soft click of my nest door alerts me to someone’s presence. I know it is Orion before he peeks his head over my blanket pile. A soft smile stretches across his lips, and he bops my nose. “You look very cozy, butterfly.”
I shrug, ruffling the blankets.
“Everyone is gone. Shiloh is airing out the penthouse, and we’re going to order food. Are you craving anything in particular?”
When I shake my head, he leans down and pecks my lips. “We’ll decide then. I’ll get you after we have the movie room set up. You can force Shiloh to watch one of your cheesy teen dramas.”
My lips twitch, fighting back a smile at the mirth dancing in his golden eyes.
What feels like a blink of my eyes later, I’m lifted into Ridley’s arms and carried from my nest. Favorite blanket in tow. He deposits me half onto Shiloh’s lap and half on Orion’s. Both Alphas pull me against them, settling back against the charcoal gray sofa-couch thing Shiloh ordered for the movie room.
“Do you feel better now, my heart?”
