Page 82 of In Control

And I realise it is.

A lot more complicated than I ever imagined.

18

Sophia

A few days later,my phone buzzes and I’m somehow not surprised to see it’s Gabe.

“What you doing?” he asks as soon as I answer.

“Right this second? Stepping out of my spinning session and heading for the shower.”

“And what are you doing after your shower?”

“Why – what did you have in mind?”

“I thought you might want to come over here and hang out with me.”

“I’m not sure that is such a good idea. Esra–” After what Liam told me the other night, I’m more uncertain than ever about stepping between Esra and his omega. They should be working on finding a way back to each other.

“Is out for the day. And so are Roman and Liam which means I get to have you all to myself.”

“I thought you boys liked to share?”

“We do, but I’m in pre-heat and feeling horny as hell. And well, I’d like your undivided attention.”

“Pre-heat? Shouldn’t you be spending that with your alphas?”

“Don’t worry, sweetheart, they’ll be home before the main event. So what do you say?”

I’ve received plenty of booty calls in my time. Hell, I’ve made plenty myself. Usually they occur late at night. Not at – I check my watch – 10 in the morning. And I’ve never received a booty call from an omega, an omega in pre-heat. I’m curious. Very curious.

Damn it. My good intentions are going to go to hell. I can’t resist Gabe at the best of times. But when he’s asking me to help him like this? No chance.

“I say, give me half an hour and I’ll be there. Would you like me to bring anything?” I know my friend Rosie stocks up on all sorts of food before a heat and I’m also aware I’m coming without the one piece of equipment he needs: a knot.

“You’re all I need, pretty little thing,” he purrs.

A little over thirty minutes later, I’m on his doorstep with a box of condoms, massage oil, candles and more chocolate than you’d find in the Easter Bunny’s warren.

It takes Gabe a while to answer and when he does, his face is flushed, his golden hair dishevelled and his eyes glazy. His scent, which I usually struggle to smell, is so potent it makes my mouth water. If it’s this strong for me, no wonder alphas go fucking crazy when an omega is in heat.

“Shit, are you sure you’re not in heat already?” I say, as he grabs my wrist and yanks me inside.

“No, this isn’t the full-blown thing. No cramps, and I can still string sentences together. But fuck, I’m horny, and you, sweetheart, look incredible.”

I look down at my jeans and plain top and decide the heat is definitely warping his vision. But I’m not complaining as he starts stripping me off as he manhandles me through the house and into the garden.

“Where are we going?” I ask, as he tosses my top on the lawn.

“My nest.” He points to a cabin nestled at the back of the garden between the trees. “It’s soundproofed and heated and designed just the way I like it.”

“Wow.” I’m intrigued. I’ve never been inside an omega’s nest before. Not even Rosie’s. They are deeply personal spaces. Of course, I’ve seen them in magazines and movies. Stepping into a real life one is completely different though. Even my weak beta nose is overwhelmed by the aroma of the pack’s intermingled scents as well as the strong smell of sex. The room is lit in mellow lights with fairy lights strung over the ceiling and along the walls. There’s one giant fourposter bed positioned against the back wall, what looks like a sex swing, a chaise and several cushions scattered about the floor. The floor itself is covered in a carpet so soft I don’t think it would be possible to injure yourself with a carpet-burn no matter how hard you tried.

“Wow!” I repeat, this time with my eyes popping out of their sockets. “This place is beautiful.”

“Isn’t it?” Gabe says, nuzzling my neck, his skin scorching hot against mine, as he unbuttons my flies. “Glad you came?”

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