Page 40 of Filthy Beginnings

“I admire that.”

“We do whatever we can for family.”

“Right.” She blinked up at him, the tender expression in her eyes stealing his breath. He wanted to see that look forever. “I think, Alpha Damien Skolov, that under all that toughness, you’re a softy.”

He pulled back, pretending to scowl. “You calling me soft, omega?” He took her hand and slid it down the planes of his stomach to the hard bulge that was always present when he was with her. “Want to reconsider rephrasing that?”

She laughed out loud—and his heart tripped over itself.

He’d always thought his value lay in his fists, but when she made that sweet sound and looked up at him with that mix of fire, mischief, and joy in her eyes, it felt like his greatest achievement yet.

“Hmmm.” The stroke of her thumb over his balls was pure invitation, especially when she backed it up with that sweet soft purr that drove him wild. “How about hard in all the right places and soft in the one place that matters most?”

He leaned down until his mouth was inches from hers. “I can live with that.”

10

Rotation three of the tournament…

The next evening, Scarlett waited impatiently for Damien to come get her.

It seemed to take forever for Egan to finish his lecture and inspect the room. Then, for the two guards Damien had bribed to convince the other two on duty to slip down the hall and have a party of their own.

But only a few heartbeats after the guards’ bootfalls drifted away, the lock on her door turned, and there he was.

Like the night before, he untied her from the bed without a word, scooped her up, and held her to him as if they’d been apart forever.

She held him just as tightly, her arms around his neck as he carried her bridal style through the tunnel.

She wasn’t sure how he was faring, but it was getting harder for her to be without his touch, and each moment of the tournament felt as if it were dragging forever, her nerves winding tighter.

“You’ve eaten?” His gaze roamed every inch of her.

“Yes.” She wasn’t hungry for food. Not after spending all rotation watching him fight and aching for his touch.

“Good. I’ve got plans.” There was an excitement to his tone, an anticipation in his touch, that fueled her own.

Once inside their special room, he led her straight to the mattress piled high with soft, worn blankets.

Sinking to his knees, he placed her in the middle of the bedding.

Smiling, she looked up at him. “So what’s this big plan?”

“First,” he pulled at the laces of her sleeping gown, “I need you naked.”

“I like this plan.” She tossed the flimsy fabric over her head.

“Gorgeous.” His low growl rippled straight to her core.

She never felt more beautiful than when she was with him.

“Turn over. On your belly.”

Her heart skipped. This was new.

She clutched the top blanket to her chest.

“Don’t be nervous.” He jerked his chin toward a tray by the bed. “I told you, I have plans.”

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