Page 57 of Begrudgingly Yours
“Maybe we can give him a late birthday present,” her friend replies conspiratorially.
I feel a tiny omega growl come up my throat at their scheming confession. I thought maybe I was being obtuse, but they are definitely talking about Dax. Disrespectfully so.
“He practically told us to get lost earlier though.”
“I don’t care. Rumor has it that he’s been celibate for months. I bet I can get him to end that streak.”
“What about his new pack mate? He has hair that I’d love to stick my fingers into. Do you think they’d be up for a three-way?”
The desire to punch the churlish beta comes on strong. Iturn and walk away quickly, not wanting to be anywhere near that conversation.
Is Dax celibate? I remember him telling me at that party a month ago that he couldn’t touch anyone else, that he needed my scent to have any relief. I squeeze my thighs together at the thought of it, at the thought of him waiting for me.
I’m not sure about Everett, but Jett said he would wait on me to catch up, and Dax said he couldn’t be with anyone else. Will they tire of waiting? Maybe I should be more wary of those girls and the probability that he won’t wait forever. They’re offering him something he can havetonight. A late birthday present, they said. While the omega that’s destined to be his mate is downstairs, refusing to speak to him over stubbornness and unrelated trauma.
I can’t stand the thought of him touching anyone. My omega childishly makes me think of the possibility and it makes me hiss in the middle of this hallway. “Oh, dude, I fucking get it. No need to play mind games,” I whisper to myself.
A person nearby gives me a weird look. I scowl at them and then rush up the stairs, desperate to get away from literally everyone. This house suddenly feels too constricting, like all the air is being stolen from my lungs as I search for a place of reprieve.
Am I feeling jealous right now? Is there a green monster invading my chest? I don’t have the right to be jealous, not when I keep pushing them away.
But the thought of giving in, to bonding to alphas, makes my head spin uncomfortably. The barks, the dominating, thecontrol. I hear my mother’s voice in my head.
I won’t ever be over this, and they’re going to find someone else. They’ll find a mate and that person won’t be me.
It’s almost empty when I get upstairs, but there’s still a fewpeople lingering, going in and out of bedrooms. A few frat dudes look at me weird but don’t say anything.
Good. I’m not in the fucking mood.
I open up the closest door, hoping it’s a bathroom. And itis, thank god.
But I’m also not alone.
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” I say as the heavy door shuts behind me.
“You’re not who I expected either, love.” Dax wipes off his hands, having just washed them. “Do you normally burst into lit-up bathrooms without knocking?” he asks, a beautiful smile taking up most of his face.
His tone is playful, but the embarrassed—and panicked—side of me bites back. “Do you normally forget to lock the door?”
He gives a low laugh, the deepness of it going right between my legs. “Considering this is the upstairs bathroom and non-members aren’t allowed up here during parties, I didn’t really think it’d be an issue.”
I stick my nose in the air, trying to hide how bothered I was moments ago. “You should definitely still lock the door. Are you frat guys really so considerate that youalwaysknock?”
Dax grins and something flutters in my stomach. I hate his blond hair and how model-esque he always looks. I especially hate the way it looks in that stupid fucking hat.
“I think you forgot thatSamruns this frat. We’re a little bit better than the stereotype.”
“I was referring to you all beingmen,” I retort.
Dax walks a little bit closer, and the proximity of his dark cherry scent sends me into shock. It’s pouring out, soaking us in its bitterness. He reaches behind me, leans over so we’re face to face, and turns the lock. “Better?”
His eyes stay on mine, and I’m willing myself to not do itbut I lose the battle and look down at his lips. They’re pulled into a smirk, and the cockiness of it should turn me off but the omega inside me is beside herself with joy.
I freak out over the feeling of being out of control and unlock the door again, but keep it closed. He gives me a tiny nod, subtly telling me that he will respect my boundary.
Shit,Idon’t even want to respect my boundary.
“Are you okay, Rory?” he asks sincerely.
