Faith & the Dead End Devils (Sweet Omegaverse, #8)(65)

We were about to cross over into the motel area of the building, still in view of those in front of the hallway. I pulled us to a stop and rose up on my toes, twisting into King and kissing under his beard.

"I just want you to want me," I murmured, ignoring the hum of interest floating down the hall from our audience. King's arms wrapped around me, pulling me flush against his chest.

"Wanting you isn't the issue," he muttered.

"Fine," I said, nipping at his skin and then arching back to stare up at him. "Then I'm just going to be a brat until you decide to keep me to save yourself the hassle."

King growled, but there was a purr in the sound and his fingers dug into my back. "I ought to send you up to the nest alone."

"I thought we had to keep up appearances," I said.

He huffed, and then he was tugging me up into his arms. I wrapped my legs around his hips and my arms around his shoulders.

"I'm too goddamn tired to fuck you for four hours straight, princess," King said.

I laughed and rested my chin on his shoulder, closing my eyes and breathing him in. "I'm still a little sore from the heat," I admitted.

One of King's hands squeezed my ass, but I thought it was more in response to my statement than in interest.

"Will it mess with appearances if we just curl up in the nest?" I asked.

King sighed. "Quit rubbing my nose in my own words."

I wasn't sure if that was a yes or no until King put me down to unlock Bear's room and then led me to the nest, our hands linked. I was already dressed to sleep, and I watched from the mattress as he took off his leather cut and folded it carefully, resting it on the roof of the nest. He undressed down to a pair of black briefs, and his motions were weary and automatic.

He paused, hands reaching up to brace against the roof of the nest, body stretched out in display for me, although more by coincidence than design. I'd never really been around a man like King. He was older than me, comfortable in his skin and body, and so absent of self-consciousness I couldn't stop myself from staring now that I'd started.

"Ten years ago, I had a good grip on this club. My road name suited me, and my brothers loved me for leading the Devils in a new direction." He turned his head and narrowed his eyes. "I suppose all kings wear out their welcome eventually."

I didn't know what to say, so I scooted back in the nest and King took the invitation, ducking under the curtains and crawling in. I lay back, and he moved to balance above me, thick arms on either side of my shoulders, knees braced outside of mine.

"Ten years ago, I would've accepted the consequences of biting you, princess, and known I could weather the storm," King said, frowning down at me. "But that was ten years ago. Nowadays, you could tear this club apart by being here. You get that?"

I wanted to break his stare, roll onto my side and ignore the words, the refusal yet again. Follow his lead, I reminded myself.

"I get that," I said, nodding.

I was bringing the threat of the Wasted closer. Plus the added potential threat of Omikron. I was the dangled ripe fruit in front of alphas who were being refused a bite. I was a blatant lie told to suspicious ears. I was a risk.

"Why didn't you tell them I was just Bear's?" I asked.

King groaned and fell to my side, bundling me against his warm, bare chest. "'Cause I'm a fucking idiot who hated the idea of not getting to touch you again. I can't offer you a bite and keep the club, and I can't deny myself this," he said, squeezing me.

I squirmed just enough to drape one leg over his hips and get my arms up out of his grasp so I could touch his neck and shoulders and hair.

"You mad at me for that, princess?" King murmured, even as I scratched my fingertips gently into the short, fine strands of his hair.

"Yes," I said.

King purred and stroked his hands over my back. "Good. You stay mad, and I'll stay mad. This won't go too far."

Liar, I thought, but he was comfortable and warm and we were both tired. We could fight more, be angry again, on another day. Right now, I wanted to enjoy the little he would offer. It was more than the last time we were in the nest together, and that was enough for now.





25. CHANCE





“He's pushing his luck."

"Ehn, can you blame him? Pretty little piece like that?"

I tensed as spice and syrup shivered down my spine. I was seated at the bar, and a warm chest pressed up against my back, using the crowded area as an excuse for proximity.

"Would you fuck off?" I hissed, my neck too tight to turn, not that I wanted to see his face.

"Missed you on the ride," Ghost answered, soft in my ear while his hand clapped on my shoulder in some feigned friendly affection.

"No you fuckin' didn't," I snapped back, trying to shrug him off, but instead only letting his hand rub over my muscles, familiar and not as unwelcome as I wished it were.

Faith was perfect. She gave me everything I'd needed with Ghost, but in a sweeter and more honest package. I should've been able to rinse my hands and mind of this man now that I had her. If only he would leave me the hell alone, get that rich scent of his out of my lungs.

"Whaddya think, Ghostie? That new catch of Chance's as sweet as she fuckin' looks?" Buck asked from my left.