Page 256 of The Omega Exchange: Omnibus
This penthouse is beautiful, but it’s not really homey. I always imagined being able to take my kids outside to run and play to burn off some energy.
Christ, Mel. How ungrateful can you be?It’s like I find something good and still have to pick it apart.
Nik blinks down at me with his head tilted.
“Sorry,” I whisper, taking his outstretched hand. “Let’s go.”
“If you’re not up for gifts then we can settle into the nest. I promised we’d be around to take care of you.” He pulls me into him. “I’m feeling like I’ve failed you in that.” His head shakes. “I’m never this busy, and it couldn’t have come at a worse time.”
“It’s okay,” I tell him truthfully. “I have a job too. I understand that there are times when things come up.”
“All right, gorgeous,” Nik murmurs, brushing his lips over my cheek. “Let us court you properly.”
I clutch at his forearms, giving him a nod because my mouth feels too dry to speak. His calloused fingers link with mine and he leads us out to the main living room.
My jaw falls open as I get a look at all the boxes.
“Those cannot all be for me,” I whisper before I can hold back the words.
“They are,” Oliver says helpfully. “This set I bought before your heat, but because of the storm they weren’t delivered on time.” He nods to a smaller set on the end table at his side. “These are the ones I picked out after.”
“You don’t have to open them all today,” Miller assures me.
Nik guides me to the couch and nods for me to have a seat.
“Can I sit in your lap?” I ask Miller. He lights up, uncrossing his legs, and I sit on his thighs. The way he immediately wraps a thick forearm around my middle makes me feel melty inside. His hand brushes over my stomach, and I almost don’t know what to do with myself. After our conversation, it’s clear he and I have the same goals in life.
“I love holding you. You never have to ask. Next time you just plant your ass right on me,” Miller murmurs, nuzzling his beard to my cheek.
I smile like crazy, giving him a shaky nod. Goodness, he knows just how to make me feel wanted.
“Okay, these are from all of us,” Oliver says, grabbing two boxes off the top of the pile. He hands me the first, and it’s kind of heavy.
This one isn’t wrapped, and I pull off the lid to discover a super soft knit blanket. It’s the chunky weave style that I’m obsessed with, but I would never actually pay as much for a blanket as I know this cost.
I squeal, pulling it out and bringing it to my face to test the feeling.
“Oliver, I love it,” I assure him, staring into his dark blue eyes.
“Good.” The boyish smile that crosses his face makes my heart race. He’s so sweet. I’ve never known anyone as off-the-charts smart as he is. Over the last few days while the guys were gone, we’ve spent a lot of time together. Hearing him talk about tech and computer programs, it would be impossible to miss how intelligent he is. It was a little intimidating when I first realized it, but he’s so authentic it’s hard to feel uncomfortable around him. “How about the next one?”
I nod as Nik takes the blanket and wraps it around my middle. I do an embarrassing little wallow back into Miller’s chest.
“You know how you always try to give the furniture an ass groove?” Nik chuckles, swiping a hand over his face. “I think our omega is trying to make a permanent claim on your lap.”
“I’m good with that,” Miller says, squeezing my middle.
“Can we get back to the gifts?” Oliver asks.
“Sorry,” I mouth the word, stretching out a hand and wiggling my fingers. “Give me all the goodies.”
Oliver grins, shaking his head, and passes me the next box. I grab it and settle back into Miller’s chest.
The lid comes off easily, and I snort a laugh when I get a look at what’s inside.
“You got me an avocado stuffie?” I hiss, pulling it out and snuggling the foot-and-a-half-long fluffy avocado.
“It’s microwavable,” Oliver says, shoving his glasses up. “Well, the heating pad in his abdomen is. I originally got it in case you had cramps, but?—”
