Page 24 of All That We Keep (Always Yours #3)

Blake

I wake up feeling renewed, my body sinking into the soft pile of blankets in our nest. The weight of exhaustion has finally lifted.

For the first time in weeks, I’m well-rested, experiencing a bone-deep calm I haven’t felt since before the chaos of Hudson’s arrest and the lingering shadow of Hearthstone.

The nest smells like home, all of my mates’ scents wrapped up in the pillows and blankets surrounding me, a cocoon of warmth and safety I don’t want to leave.

Twisting around, I find Luca beside me, his chestnut curls a mess against the pillow, his lips parted as a snore hits the air.

I snort at that and press a soft kiss to his cheek, then another to the corner of his mouth.

His lashes flutter, a sleepy giggle bubbling up as he stirs, eyes cracking open to meet mine.

“Bear,” he mumbles, voice thick with sleep, a smile spreading as he reaches for me, fingers brushing my jaw.

“Morning, cupcake,” I whisper, kissing him again, this time on the lips, savoring the taste of him. He giggles again, and I can’t help but laugh too, peppering his face with more kisses along his nose, his forehead, and the soft curve of his cheek.

His hands find my hair, tugging gently at the unruly strands until we’re a tangle of limbs and laughter. His ocean scent sweetens until it’s almost thick and syrupy, mine answering as pear thickens in the air, the both of us losing ourselves in the giggles and the simple happiness of being us.

There’s no added arousal in this moment, no slick gathering around my hole, no sudden neediness.

I almost miss it but realize that I can focus on Luca that much more when I’m not writhing for a knot.

Some part of me still hopes that I’ll be able to take knots in the future but the other part of me is ecstatic that I can just focus on fucking Luca silly.

The nest shifts behind me as Luther slides his arms beneath me and airlifts me away from Luca, a yelp tearing from my throat.

Luca’s laughter chases me as Luther hoists me over his shoulder like I weigh nothing.

“Time for a shower, love,” he rumbles, his voice laced with gruff affection.

I squirm, half-laughing, half-protesting, but his grip tightens around my waist, his free hand immediately stuffing two fingers into my ass.

A groan spills from my lips as I sag against him, slick coating the intrusion but definitely not as much as usual. “Fuck, Alpha. That’s so much…”

He just chuckles, slowly pumping his fingers in and out of me as he heads up the stairs to one of the bathrooms. To say that my Alpha is multi-talented…

I squirm against his shoulder, both seeking for friction and relief before I sag again, my cock unloading against his arm. “Shit. Fuck, sorry.”

“Oh, I’m not,” Luther muses as he steps into the bathroom.

The shower’s already running, steam curling in the air as Luther sets me gently down on the edge of the sink, his hazel-green eyes softening as they meet mine.

He’s still in his sleep pants, bare chest revealing the tattoos I love tracing, but his hands are on me now, tugging at my loose t-shirt and peeling it off.

“Arms up,” he murmurs, and I comply, lifting my arms as he strips me bare, before Luther steps out of his own pants and then carries me under the warm spray.

I can’t help but stare. His body is a masterpiece, all hard muscle and inked stories, his cock already half-hard and thick between his thighs.

But it’s the gentleness in his hands that catches me off guard as he grabs the shampoo, pouring a generous amount into his palm.

“Close your eyes, love,” he says, and I do, tilting my head back as he works the shampoo into my hair, fingers massaging my scalp with slow, tender strokes.

The sensation is heavenly, a mix of firm pressure and affectionate care, and I sigh, leaning into his touch, water cascading over us both.

His hands move lower, soaping my shoulders, my chest, lingering over my nipples with a teasing brush that makes me shiver, slick gathering at my hole despite the sweetness of the moment.

It’s back. I thought it was gone for good.

“Hey,” I say, voice soft, a smile tugging at my lips as I crack my eyes open, meeting his gaze through the steam.

“I don’t usually get this kind of attention.

” Luther’s always been intense, but this gentle side, this careful worship, feels precious.

I’ve never asked for it and Luther has never offered it because we both never thought I needed it.

But over the last several weeks, watching Luca thrive under Luther’s type of care, I’ve found myself wanting more. Even with this Delta designation bullshit, being taken care of by Luther feels right.

It makes me feel wanted.

He chuckles, a low sound that vibrates through the shower, his hands pausing to cup my face, thumbs brushing my cheekbones.

“First off, I haven’t been able to give you this kind of attention because there’s always too much shit going on with the pack, with Hearthstone, with all of it.

But I also wanted to talk and see how you’re feeling. ”

I blink, water clinging to my lashes as I run my nose along his palm, soaking up his scent. “I’m doing okay,” I say, and for once, it feels true. “Really, I think I’m doing okay.”

Luther’s eyes soften further, a rare vulnerability in his expression. “Really? With all the Delta stuff and the babies?”

I nod, leaning further into his palm. “Yeah, I think I’m doing really okay.

” Heat blooms in my belly and I stumble forward into Luther, ruining the moment but he said to take.

So, I will. “Can you fuck me?” My voice comes out a little strained and I brace myself for playful quips or Luther teasing me until I’m shaking with need.

But I don’t have to wait. He hoists me up against the wall, attaching his lips to mine as he feeds his cock into my hole.

“Like that, love?” I just hum as the tip stretches me out, more slick gathering around my ass to accompany the burn.

My fingers dig into his back as he surges forward and fills me completely, my head falling back against the tiles.

“Luther—fuck, yes,” I gasp, hands scrabbling at his back, my nails no doubt leaving red trails over his tattoos.

He kisses me again, swallowing my moans, his tongue claiming my mouth as thoroughly as his cock claims my hole.

“So sweet for me,” he growls as he picks up his pace, water splashing between us, his hands bruising my hips.

“My perfect Delta, taking me so well. My Delta.” The affirmations keep coming, each one grounding me in who I am.

His thrusts becoming harder and more desperate, the slap of skin echoing in the shower, slick easing every movement.

“Gonna fill you up, love,” he pants, his teeth grazing my neck before moving over his mating mark.

I come just like that, crying out as I coat his stomach, Luther unloading in my ass as he continues to pump inside of me.

His cum slides out, dripping down his cock and knot, the heated spray washing away the combination of our release and slick.

Luther carries me out of the shower, my legs still shaking from the intensity of what just happened between us. The hot water had felt amazing against my fevered skin, but Luther's touch had been even better, grounding me in ways that went beyond physical pleasure.

He sets me back on the bathroom counter, the cool marble a stark contrast to my heated skin. I watch as he grabs a fluffy towel and begins drying me, his hands moving over my body like he's memorizing every inch.

"I'm going to tell you something," Luther says as he works the towel across my shoulders, "and I need you not to get too angry. Because I'm going to need you to go into work today, and Luca can't come."

I frown immediately, my post-orgasmic haze evaporating as concern takes its place. "Wait, what's going on?"

Luther continues drying me off as he delivers news that makes my stomach drop. "Grayson was fired yesterday. The board of investors came through and found several instances where they claim he misappropriated funds. They say they have proof."

"He would never do that," I force out, anger surging through me. "Grayson would never steal from the company. He's got more money than he knows what to do with from his trust fund alone. Look at this house!" I throw my hands up, wondering who was foolish enough to believe something like that.

"I know, love. I know he would never do that. However, they did have what they think is proof, even though we know it's fake. And one of your friends, Addie, who's helped you with a lot of your products, actually found the supposed evidence and sent it to one of the investors. Gerald, in fact."

My blood runs cold at that information. "Why would she be talking to Gerald? She always talks to me. She should have brought something like that to me first."

Luther nods, his jaw tightening slightly.

"I understand that, and I'm not sure why she did it.

However, we have a meeting with her this morning to understand what's going on.

The board is also concerned that you're not showing up regularly to the office.

" He pauses, meeting my eyes in the mirror.

"It's your company, so you're allowed to do whatever you need to do.

However, I want to get to the bottom of this, and I think the best person to talk to Addie should be you, not me. "

Rage spreads through me, billowing beneath the surface. "I want to march in there and tell everyone exactly what I think of their accusations. Grayson is one of the most honorable people I know."