Page 62 of Wicked Truths

We make it into the hotel suite, and everyone goes their separate ways to shower. I’m stretched out across the couch, watching my phone and trying to decompress. We’ve got two guys on the door to the room, but my nerves are shot.

I’m not sure why I’m so on edge, but I’m practically feral, and I’ve got no clue how to settle enough that I can actually sleep tonight.

I’d normally hit the gym, but I’ve already been today, and my system doesn’t like the idea of being that far away from Oakley.

I’m running through all the ways I fucked everything up when the door to Marcus and Oakley’s room opens. I’m not expecting Oakley to pad out in her socks and a long T-shirt. It hits nearly to her knees, but the way it falls around her curves nearly has me groaning.

I expect her to make a break for the mini-fridge or to grab something and head back to their room.

She comes over, standing in front of me, and my heart races.

“Is everything okay?” I toss my phone down on the cushion beside me.

“You tell me.” She rubs her eyes as her foot dances around the carpet. “I’m pretty sure I’ve been sensing your discomfort.” She shrugs. “I don’t know, but the ache in my chest led me here.”

My head shakes.

Fuck, I forgot how empathetic omegas can be.

Then again, Oakley and I have always been in tune.

The scent of her stress sends my instincts into overdrive.

Every. Damn. Time.

“I’m good, little one. Just on edge. I feel like I’m to blame for Angel and Johnny slipping through the cracks.” My watch slides around as I swipe a palm over my face. “I dropped the ball.”

“Do you always take responsibility for other people’s actions?” She climbs onto my lap and lies flat on top of me. She’s so damn short that her head rests on my chest while the ends of her feet barely reach halfway down my calves. She nuzzles her nose around as she breathes in my scent. “You didn’t set up that ambush. We all know you would have warned Marcus if you had any idea it was coming. Don’t judge yourself to impossible standards.”

“Yeah.” I nod, letting her know I heard her.

It’s difficult though.

I’ve been distracted lately.

My priority has always and will always be her. Not only because she’s my primary client.

Small fingers brush over my collarbone. It’s covered by my T-shirt, but Oakley follows the curve of the bone. Her tender touch has a ragged purr starting in my chest. The need to soothe her is nearly uncontrollable.

“That’s very relaxing.” Her warm breath fans over my chest as she breathes steadily. My head falls back against the arm of the couch. She’s so damn dangerous, and everything could be different right now if I had handled myself better. I tell her that in barely more than a whisper. Talking about everything from growing up, to my life in the military, to what a huge wake-up call it was when my ex walked out while I was deployed.

It’s not unheard of, but I never thought it would happen to me. The hurt long ago gave way to embarrassment that I was too stubborn to see what everyone had been saying all along.

The door opens and Marcus shuffles out in a pair of pajama pants and nothing else.

He rocks on his toes, sighing when he spots us. “I don’t know who you were talking to, but she’s drooling.”

My head tilts down, and I frown when I determine he’s right. She’s knocked out cold. I have no clue how much of my life story she caught.

I chuckle. “I bored her to sleep.”

“Nah, she was beat before she ever came out here to check on you.” He glances back to the bedroom. “I can’t sleep without her. Do you mind?”

I really fucking do, but it’s also not my place to say that. Instead, I carefully climb off the couch, cradle her to my chest, and follow Marcus into their room.

“You can put her in the middle.” He climbs onto the side next to the door. “And make sure you stay on your half.” I blink repeatedly, but he grabs a pillow, tossing it to the side closest to me. “Go on, before I change my mind.”

My mind races, but I kneel on the edge, placing Oakley in the middle before climbing onto the bed behind her. She immediately rolls to face Marcus. He scoots down and she roots around his chest, letting out a contented sigh.

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