Page 109 of Scent to the Feral Cowboys
So.
Damn.
Slowly.
Made me want to yank my hair out.
I counted passing time not only by the sun’s movement outside which shifted the light in the room, but also by the soft ticks and formidable bongs of an old clock living somewhere in the house.
Often, one of the men would walk past the bedroom. Their footsteps would almost always pause right outside the door, a fresh spray of Alpha cologne snaking under the door. If I could make a deliberate choice, I’d greet the scent with nausea. But I couldn’t choose my body’s response, so the smell filled me with unwanted desire, my Omega nature hungry for its matches.
Around noon, someone asked if I wanted lunch. I’d refused.
When Wyoming was on the cusp of early evening with the sun hanging low outside, I fell atop the bed, slammed one of the pillows against my face roughly, and I screamed.I needed to get out of here! I needed to get back to Seattle! One fucking day already felt like a lifetime!
Moments later, someone was running in the hall, skidding to a stop just outside the bedroom.
“Nelly, are you okay?”
I didn’t want to say anything.Maybe I’d just suffocate myself.
With the pillow…
Permeated by Cooper’s Alpha scent…
That was making my stomach heat and my lower parts clench.
“I’m going to come in, Nelly.”
I still didn’t recognize the voice. Which guy was it?
Not that it mattered, I didn’t want anyone to come into the room. Not right now, not ever.
Pulling the pillow away, I quickly swallowed down air so that I could expel it again. “I’m fine! Don’t come in!”
My eyes locked on the door. Its knob had turned, held in the release position as the man outside debated.Shit, I’d forgotten to lock it after racing to the bathroom. Stupid.
“Are you sure, Nelly?”
“I’m fine,” I repeated. “Just leave me alone.”
“Okay, but we’re here if you need us.”
“I don’t need any of you,” I bit out.
Silence followed my bitter response.
I watched as the knob rotated, latch bolt clicking back into place. Rolling off the bed quickly, I locked the door again. I leaned against the barrier, feeling like I’d finished a marathon, heart racing. How many hours had passed since I used the bathroom? And I’d left the fucking door unlocked like an invitation for any of the stupid Alphas to barge right inside. Pressing my ear to the wood, I heard him retreat.
Tick.
Tick.
Six firm bongs from the clock.
Tick. Tick. Tick.
The ticking grew increasingly louder, like Poe’s telltale heart.
