Page 230 of Broken Bonds

Never played with anyone except when we played with Shawn and Jax in the fun room a couple of times, despite me encouraging him to.

When Todd finally admitted that he really didn’t want to yet, his cheeks even turning a little pink, we finally realized his nesting instincts have fully kicked in, too.

Fuck—eh, fricking adorable.

We’ve already had to empty the swear jar into the little machine at the grocery store to convert it back to currency. Fortunately, my mate’s not an ass, and I can throw quarters, dimes, nickels, pennies—hell, even tossed a ballpoint pen cap in there once. It’s more to help remind me to watch my language.

Him, too. But mostly me.

I offered to put IOUs in there that he could exchange for sexy rewards, but he said that would just be rewarding bad behavior.

He’s…

Well, he’s not wrong.

Finally, Todd spoke to Jax and got the okay to start “introducing me around.” Since I’m his mate, he’s allowed to be the one to do it.

Mom’s up in Atlanta handling some stuff, so Alizée comes up to babysit that evening while Todd drives us to the first omega house we’ll visit. I’m nervous, but excited.

“Remember, most people aren’t required to participate,” Todd says before we arrive. “Don’t get your feelings hurt if some of them want to sit things out.”

“I know.” I’ve been hard all day, ever since Todd told me this morning what we were doing. I’m sooo looking forward to this!

“This might disappoint you,” he adds, “but I’m keeping my clothes on.”

“Why?”

He smiles. “Someone needs to remain the adultier adult, for starters. Secondly, I just don’t feel like it.”

I study his profile as he drives. “I thought you liked playing with the omegas?”

“I do, but I’m not in the mood. I want to focus on you having fun.”

“Uh, I’d have fun if you were naked with me.”

He reaches over and squeezes my hand. “Red,” he softly says, glancing at me. “I get to safeword, too.”

A mental record screech drags through my brain. “Would you rather we do this another night? I don’t want you doing this if you’re not in the mood.”

He squeezes my hand again. “I’m in the mood to watch you have fun. I’m green alllll the way on that. But I would rather watch you have fun, take you home, and pamper you after, and then maybe do something if we’re both up for it. And if not, maybe you can tease me while I take a turn on the milker.”

I turn to face him as much as my seatbelt will allow. “I don’t understand. When Jax and Shawn come over to the fun room, we play with them.” Before Shawn and I were both too big to enjoy it, we had several sessions in the fun room. Jax hasn’t fucked me yet, although I did blow him a couple of times while he and Shawn spit-roasted me and Todd fucked Shawn. Among other permutations. Shawn and I have had a lot of fun entertaining our mates with our antics.

“And I enjoyed that,” he says. “But they’re also two of my oldest friends. I know I joke about being a slut—because I am—but don’t forget I had a lot of years to do that. I’m fine with you having fun, as long as I’m there and it’s safe, and sitting back watching you have fun. When I’m in the mood to join you, I will. Tonight isn’t one of those nights.”

“You sure?”

“I promise I know how to use my words.” He parks outside the omega house and looks at me. “Tonight is all about you. It’s safe to say I’ve probably fucked every guy in there at least once. I’m in the mood to watch you have fun.”

I study him for a moment, but I don’t sense anything from him except complete honesty. No jealousy or passive-aggressive bullshit.

“Okay.”

He holds my hand as we head up the walk, but we don’t even get to knock because someone opens the door and welcomes us in. His name’s Keith, and it’s his turn to be “in charge,” a rotating house manager role they share, each resident taking two-week turns. The houses run differently with their own rules and structure. This house is comprised of older omegas who’ve been in the pack for a while and don’t party as hard as some of the younger omegas.

Twenty guys currently reside in this three-story house. Most of the rooms are little studio apartments, but there is a huge communal kitchen, large dining room, living room, and other communal spaces for when people want to socialize.

Everyone seems friendly and welcoming. I won’t remember everyone’s names, but they all know Todd. We end up showing off baby pictures, and they coo and gush over Kylen, with more than a few volunteering for babysitting duty.