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Fuck. She can’t call me that right now. Not when I’m struggling to maintain my composure.

Humming, I drag my mouth along her neck as far as I can. Our position’s one for snuggling, so there’s not much to reach, but I make do. “Should I show you what I’ve been dreaming about while you’ve been cuddled up with Nate every night?”

“You sound jealous,” she teases.

“Maybe I am.”

“I’ve been dreaming of getting you underneath me again, little muse. The heat wasn’t enough.” An idea hits and I slide Daph off my chest, twisting until I cover her. She whines, reaching for me, but I hold myself back. “I’ll give you what you want if you do the same.”

Bluer eyes narrow, chin tipped in defiance. “What do you want?”

“Nothing much. Just a little truth.”

She suspicious, but there’s no nervous tension in her body. No change to her scent at all. She trusts me, even if she has no clue what we’re doing.

Eventually, Daph nods. “I like playing games with you.”

I haven’t asked my questions yet, but I give her a reward anyway. The kiss is deep and desperate, only ending when her nails prick my skin. Her legs cradle my hips and the slow rock of my body.

“Give me another.” I love the way Daph’s breathing picks up. How she arches into my body when I nip her neck. “You told Connor you’re ready to court and Nate obviously knows, but you didn’t tell me. Why?”

“I thought you already knew.”

Her voice is thready as I take her pulse between my lips and suck, holding on to the last bit of restraint as I keep my teeth back. “Why would I?”

“Because I told you first.”

It takes me a second, but I can’t stop my smile when I do. “At Revelry, you mean. After your heat.”

When she was still so unsure about trying again. About giving herself to another pack. Even then, she wanted me. Wanted us.

“Yes.” Daph wiggles again, huffing when she doesn’t get what she wants.

For her reward, I push her shirt up until it pools at her neck, kissing and nipping the delicate skin before moving to her chest and stomach. Leaving my mark on every inch of skin I can. “I think I need to hear you say it. You’ve been talking to Connor and Nate sleeps in your bed, but I’ve been feeling left out.”

It should scare me, being so honest, but I know Daphne won’t use it against me. In fact, her whole demeanor shifts to something softer. A quiet sort of adoration that echoes my own.

Her arms wrap around my neck, pulling until I drop on top of her so she can kiss me, nails scratching over my coarse hair in a way that makes my spine tingle and my shorts tight. “I want you, Dez Morgan. I want your whole pack, even if it terrifies me.”

When she breathes the words against my lips, I feel them slip down my throat, imprinting themselves deep inside. “How the fuck did we get so lucky?”

Daph hums as we work together to pull her shirt off. I’m going to take Nate’s lead and sneak my own into her wardrobe, if only to know they’re hiding more bras like this.

Fuuuuuck. “Did you wear this for me?”

“Yes.” Daphne grins, hands roaming over the cups. “Do you like it?”

“You have no idea.” The amethyst lace pulls out the pink tones of her hair, vibrant against the peeks of skin popping through. But it’s not just the lingerie affecting me, it’s her. “I’m going to draw you like this. Hair mussed, tits cupped in your creation, eyes latched on me. You look beautiful, little muse.”

She whimpers, grappling for my arms, my thighs. This time, she offersmea reward. The taste of her mouth and her hand on my cock, stroking over the last shred of fabric separating us. I let her play even though it takes everything to keep my composure. To not rut her to the floor like instinct demands.

When I can’t take it anymore, I pull her hand away. “Are you still scared, baby?”

She looks away, chewing on her lip. “A little. I think you can hurt me.”

“Never.” It’s instinct to say it, but I know in my soul it’s true. “How could I hurt someone as incredible as you?”

“I’m not incredible. I’m just an omega who smells good.”