Page 138

I stripped my shirt off a while ago, but the way Daphne’s tracking my muscles makes me think she likes it.

Putting her on her feet on the deck, I snatch the waistband of her silky shorts when she tries to run again. “No.”

“Please? I want to see,” she whines.

“Look from here.” Smashing the posts was fun, but now all I see are splinters in my omega’s feet.

Nope. Sorry. Can’t do it.

“I want to be closer.” Daph stomps her foot, and I about die. So fucking cute.

Liking that she’s comfortable enough to be bratty with me, I pretend to think about her request. “Mm, pass.”

“Why?”

“You don’t have shoes on, kitten.”

“Fine, I’ll stay here.” Daphne rolls her eyes, but I see the smile she’s hiding as she wraps her arms around my neck finally.She likes when we’re protective of her. Likes when our instincts drive us to keep her safe and happy.

“Good. Love the outfit, by the way. It’s like the day we met all over again.” She’s in another skimpy matching set, this one showing a serious amount of under boob, the entire curve of her stomach and a solid chunk of ass cheek.

Yep, love these things. Need about a thousand.

“That was really sweet.”

“I can be real sweet to you, baby.” I press my hips against her so she knows exactly what I mean.

Daphne drags me into a kiss so deep and claiming, I feel it in my soul. She steals every breath, but I don’t mind. She can have my air if she wants it. Slide under my skin. Fuck, I’ll carry her around in a backpack if she asks.

Whatever, whenever. It’s hers.

“What did you do while I was gone?” I ask when she finally pulls away.

“Worked at the storefront and designed a couple more pieces I’d like to make samples of.”

“You’re amazing.” The way she blushes and looks away means I need to tell her more often. We all do. Our omega needs to know how awesome she is.

Daphne glances into the yard, cute little brows furrowing. “Seriously, did you ask the landlord before you demolished the backyard?”

“I am the landlord,” I mumble. The scent of her skin is distracting, and I can’t stop myself from leaning down to nibble at her neck. It’s been hours since I crawled out of her bed and that’s too long to have her off my tongue. “You taste so good.”

My arm wraps around her hips, pulling her up so I don’t have to bend so much. Her scent billows around us, soft and sweet and so fucking perfect.

“Love touching you.”

She sighs, tipping her head so I can reach more. “I like that too, but did you just say you’re the landlord?”

I’m not proud of how long it takes to clear the fog in my head, but when those words finally register, I cringe, squeezing her body even closer. “Uh, no?”

Daphne palms my face, forcing me back far enough to peer at me. “Yes, you did.”

She makes me drop her, and those little hands swat every attempt I make to pull her close. Eventually, I force myself to respect her boundaries even when I very much don’t want to.

For a while, she just stares. Finally, she whispers, “You’re not joking, are you?”

“Uhhh…”

Daph gasps.“Nate, tell me you didn’t buy the duplex.”