Page 107 of Laurels and Liquor

I swallow and nod, squeezing Lucas’s shoulder in reassurance. “If this is what you want, baby, then I’m in,” I say into the silence.

Rhett sighs, and then he turns to kiss Lydia’s palm. “Okay,” he says simply.

I don’t need a bond to tell me how much it’s paining him to agree to this. Even with her permission, forcing a woman, especially one he cares so deeply about, to do anything, goes against his very nature. I reach out with my other hand and take his, lacing our fingers together. He looks up at me, and I give him a soft, understanding smile and a little dip of my chin. I won’t let him beat himself up over this, not when there’s so much on the line.

“We won’t let your trust go misplaced, sweetness,” Lex says with a short nod.

Lydia looks to Lucas, but his expression is distant. Reaching out, Lex puts a hand on his shoulder, making him jump. I see the shadows under his steel-blue eyes as he looks back through the rearview mirror. He’s not looking at me, but at Lydia, and something shifts between them. Some sort of silent exchange. But thankfully, it’s enough.

“We’re going to have to be careful with this,” he sighs at last.

Rhett nods, and I look down at Lydia. Our bond is little more than a few hairs stretching across an endless void, but her trepidation is written across her green irises. I give her the most reassuring smile I’m capable of, but I’m not sure she buys it.

But we’re pulled out of our bubble as Lex opens her door, flooding the car with light. Lydia sets her shoulders, and my chest fills with pride. And as we pile out of the car, I follow her example. She’s facing her greatest fear for us, and it’s our job as her pack to see her through this.

Chapter fifty-seven

Lydia

Mystomachtwistsoveritself into ever tightening knots as my pack waits at the door to my room, watching me. I’m standing at the edge of my nest, looking down at the carefully arranged blankets and pillows lining the edges of the mattress, leaving enough room in the middle for all of us to fit. Sudden nerves hit me, and I swallow. I’d been so sure of this in the car, but now that the moment is here, old fear is resurfacing.

A hand on my lower back makes me jump and I turn to face Lucas, who’s looking down at me with concern pulling his brow low. I lean into his touch, his presence a comfort, even without any bonds. He doesn’t hesitate to hold me close, rubbing in slow, up-and-down motions on my back.

“You’re in your head, aren’t you?” he asks, soft enough for only me to hear.

I nod, flushing with embarrassment. I thought I was ready, but I can’t shake the fear my past has instilled in me at the mere thought of an alpha barking at me until I go into heat. But I don’t want to lose the bonds I have with my wonderful, extraordinary pack.

“Look at me, sweetheart,” Lucas says firmly.

I obey, locking onto his intense blue-gray eyes. I couldn’t look away now, even if I wanted to. His hands slide down to the hem of my borrowed shirt, slipping below the fabric and pushing it up and up until it’s over my head and then on the floor. I shiver as the cool air glides over my overly warm skin, and Lucas hums his approval.

“You are so beautiful, Lydia. God, I can’t get over how fucking perfect you are,” Lucas whispers, almost speaking to himself.

I suck in a sharp breath as his hands come up to cup my breasts, massaging them with just the right amount of pressure to melt the knots in my stomach and turn my core molten. His thumbs roll over my nipples until they’re hard and aching for more. I cling to his biceps, nails digging into his skin and making him moan. He guides me backwards until my knees hit the edge of the bed and I ease onto my back, bringing him with me. He slips a leg between my thighs, his knee pressing against the apex. I grind against him, my thin sleep shorts and his jeans the only thing separating us, and that suddenly feels like too much. I try to pull my shorts down, but Lucas growls at me, and I freeze from the ferocity of it.

“Don’t move, not until I say so,” he says, low and husky.

I nod and whimper, going completely still. I don’t get to see the dominant side of Lucas very often, but I wish he would show it more. And in this moment, when it would be so easy for me to slip over the edge of anxiety, having his strong, steady guidance is a Godsend. The intensity of his gaze stokes the fire in my belly higher and higher, but he won’t do more than touch my breasts and grind his thigh into my soaking pussy. I don’t even dare roll my hips anymore, hoping my obedience will be rewarded.

“Such a good girl for me,” he purrs, dipping his head to nuzzle against my breasts before he finally takes one of my nipples between his lips.

I gasp and arch into his mouth, my hands going to his hair and pulling just like I know he loves. He groans and shifts, slipping my shorts off before nudging my legs apart so he can press the hard bulge at the front of his jeans against me. Despite everything I’ve been through tonight, my body still reacts to his touch, his scent, his everything. I want more, need to feel him completely. I try to wrap my legs around his hips, but I’m met with a sharp, chastising bite to the swell of my breast, making me whine.

“If you want to play games, we can play games, but I’m not sure you’ll like consequences for your naughty behavior,” Lucas says, a strong warning tone coating his otherwise playful words.

I blink, swallowing. His gaze is so stern that I almost forget that this is just a game, part of the plan to get me into the right headspace. My heart flips and I want to apologize, but then I remember myself. So, I let my lips pull up into what I hope is a sly, seductive smile.

“Maybe I deserve a bit of punishment,” I croon, trying to pull his face to mine, but he refuses to budge.

The fire flares hot in Lucas’s eyes, and his dark chuckle makes me shiver. “If that’s what you want, then I know some alphas who would be more than happy to oblige you. What do you say if you want to stop?” Lucas prompts, finally looking me in the face.

“Red. And yellow if I need a breather,” I reply automatically.

Lucas nods and leans down to kiss me tenderly. “Remember, Lydi-bug, I’m right here, and I’m not going anywhere. I’m going to hold your hands the whole time. If you can’t speak, I’ll squeeze your hand to check in. If you’re okay, squeeze twice, and if you want out, just squeeze my hands three times in a row and I’ll call it, okay? You’re safe with us. Never forget that,” Lucas whispers against my lips.

I nod, heart swelling a little with affection. Lucas is my lifeline, always has been, and I’m grateful beyond words to have him here with me. His kiss is soft and sweet, but not lacking in heat. The taste of him, marshmallow and pine smoke, is like coming home, and my eyes burn from the sudden surge of emotions inside me. When we pull away, he rests his forehead against mine.

“I love you, Lydi-bug,” he whispers.

---