Bait & Switch (Alphas Undone #1)(50)

The sight of Lacey unraveling pushed me over the edge. With a deep groan, I let myself fall hard, my cock throbbing in long, sweet jolts of release.

When I could bring myself to let her go, I threw away the condom. Then I spooned behind her, nestling my nose in her still-damp hair and pulling her back against my chest. My arm fit perfectly into the dip of her waist. I could feel her heart beating just inches away from mine.

Soon her breathing slowed into a low, soothing rhythm. I had never made love before; I had never slept with a woman in my arms. It was the deepest peace I’d felt in a long time.





Chapter Twenty-Three


Lacey

I woke up sweating and blinked open one eye. I was hot, way too hot, and I soon found out why. Draped across one side of my body was Nolan’s heavy arm. Sutton was snuggled up on my other side.

“Let me up.” I shoved against Nolan’s prone form.

He grumbled something and scrubbed a hand across his face.

“You okay, baby?” His voice was husky with sleep.

“Yes. I have to pee,” I announced, climbing over him to the end of the bed.

I heard him chuckle and the covers rustle as I padded, naked, into the bathroom.

The tiles were cold on my bare feet and the light overhead too bright. Glancing up into the mirror above the sink, I saw that my hair was a crazy mess from sleeping on it damp, but otherwise, I looked fine. There was a faint bruise on my hip, and a pink mark on the inside of my wrist where the zip tie had cut into the skin.

After relieving myself, I washed my hands and splashed cool water on my face, then headed back to bed.

When I returned to the bedroom, I expected to find a sleeping Nolan and Sutton still curled up on the mattress. But the bed was empty, and they were gone. I could hear Nolan talking on the phone in the other room. It sounded like he was talking to Greyson . . . about last night.

“So they’re locked up awaiting trial? No bond?” Nolan asked, and then listened intently. “Great news, brother.” He seemed pleased by what he heard.

I could only imagine what kind of strings my dad had pulled; those guys who took me wouldn’t see the light of day for years to come. Decades, if I knew my father’s reach and tenacity.

I pulled back the covers and crawled into bed. Nolan’s spot was still warm and I smiled, closing my eyes.

The scent of coffee brewing in the kitchen wafted into the bedroom. Seconds later, Nolan was back.

“You feeling okay?” he asked, sitting down beside me.

“Yeah. It’s only six, though. You’re not up at this time of day for the fun of it, are you?”

He chuckled as he stroked my hair, gazing down at me where I rested on his pillow.

“Lord, don’t even tell me,” I grumbled.

“What?” He practically hummed the word, he was so chipper.

“That you’re a morning person?”

He chuckled again. “You’re not?”

I frowned at him. Not even a little bit.

He shrugged, his mouth still tugged up in a grin. “What can I say? Six years in the military will do that to you. Most days, I was up at four in the morning. Now sleeping in till six feels like a luxury.”

I made a noise of disagreement. His bed was too soft, and I felt safe. More comfortable than I’d felt in a long time.

“Come on, I have you here in my house. We have the whole day to ourselves. You really want to sleep?”

“Yes.” I tugged the blankets up to my chin and closed my eyes.

Nolan laughed. “Fine, then I won’t tell you what your father said last night.”

I opened my eyes. Shit. My dad was Nolan’s boss, and I could only imagine what had been said.

I was sure Dad and Brynn had been blowing up my phone, but since it was likely still sitting on the counter in my apartment, Nolan had let me use his phone last night to check in with them.

I’d promised that I was alive and in one piece. Brynn was an uncharacteristic emotional mess and wanted to fly down to Texas and see me with her own eyes, but midterms were coming up and I wouldn’t let her do that.

There was no stopping my dad, however; he’d be arriving tomorrow. I was curious how he’d respond to Nolan in my life. It would be interesting, to say the least . . . two alpha males, both protective and unwavering in their worry for me.

“Fine, I’m up. Now tell me.”

Nolan smiled. “He actually seemed okay with us dating. Said you could do worse.”

“Of course I could. You’re quite a catch.” I grinned at him.

“As are you, sweetheart.”

We were quiet for several moments. Nolan continued stroking his fingers through my hair while he watched me. I sensed he wasn’t going to let me out of his sight for a while, which was fine with me. I had the next two days off from work, and wouldn’t mind staying right here in his warm bed the entire time. Realizing how quickly things had changed between us, I suddenly thought of Daniella.

“Is she going to be okay?”

I didn’t have to say her name. There was an unspoken awareness that she was still a piece of our puzzle. At least for now.

He nodded. “She and her sister are getting a place together. She’ll be fine. She’s stronger than I gave her credit for. I just want to focus on you, though. You’ve been through a lot, baby.”