Page 16

Verity

I sat in the back of the chartered bus in the hotel parking lot. My head throbbed, and exhaustion pressed down on me.

Getting only a couple hours of sleep after a night of drinking would do that.

I sipped my chai latte from my travel mug, which was pink, and said what the fucculent on it. It had been a Christmas gift. While I didn’t get drunk, I’d been feeling super good when I’d finally gone to my room around four am.

Mercy sat with Kaiko and Jack, all looking chipper in matching Maimers tracksuits. We’d gotten back from the club around two. I was the one who decided to afterparty in Rusty’s room after getting a bad text about how I should die like my plants.

How much more of this could I take?

Rusty took a seat next to me on the bus, in her matching sweats, holding a Maimers travel mug.

She eyed me. “How the fuck do you look so awake?”

“It’s my makeup. A trick I learned in modeling,” I replied, taking another sip. “I can send you a link to what I use and give you a tutorial. It’s industrial strength and waterproof.”

Rusty toasted me with her mug. “I’d love that. I’m not playing drinking games with you anymore. When I woke up, I was still drunk.”

Putting my travel mug between my knees, I rummaged through my backpack. “I feel like shit.”

“Has Mercy ever seen you drunk?” She laughed, lowering her voice.

“No. She hasn’t even seen me tipsy, well, until last night. While she’s seen me hungover a couple times, I’m not sure she knew it.” I was always careful about that. I was about as inexperienced at drinking as I was with sex.

What the parents didn’t know didn’t piss them off.

I pulled out my first aid bag. “Let’s see, I have hydrogels, vitamin shots, hangover helper, and headache powder–which works better than pills for hangovers.” I leaned in. “I have Sobrex if you need it. But don’t tell. I don’t want to become the team supplier.”

It was the same thing Jonas had given me after Dean and I had gone to Margarita Manis. I had them because one of these days, Mercy was going to get shit-faced drunk and not know what to do about it.

“Hangover helper? I haven’t used that in ages. I’ll take that and a vitamin shot. I’ve got hydrogels.” She patted her bag.

I doled them out. “I have more if you need them. The campus clinic has baskets of them. Thank you for letting me hang out with you. I appreciate it.”

“Anytime,” she told me.

Ash caught my eye and asked for a vitamin shot. I tossed him one of the little bottles and then stuffed the bag in my backpack. He’d had a great time at the club and hadn’t come back with the rest of us.

“What did your guys do to you?” She used the shot to take the pills.

“Them? Nothing. Shit’s going down with Grif’s old agent. He was my first agent, and it’s terrifying.” The very thought of Grif going through the vitriol I did made me want to vomit. I closed my eyes and took a breath.

She patted my knee. “It’ll be okay. Jonas and AJ can handle it until you get back. I know that doesn’t make it easier, but they will. It’s nice that you’ve found such a great pack.”

I opened my eyes. “Me, too. It’s difficult being far away for so long.”

“I miss my pack, too.” Rusty took another sip of coffee. “Maybe Grif will share his location with you? That helps me when I’m away. So does getting pictures.”

“Oh, I like that idea.” I scrolled to text Grif and realized that Jonas had already invited me to join their group on Location Finder. I accepted. Perfect.

The bus took off. We were going to be separated into groups, doing clinics all over the island and then organizing the fan event with the trading cards.

Creed

Everything okay?

I filled him in on what happened. Back in undergrad, Creed had held me when I cried so many times because of the haters.

Jonas picking up the phone last night despite the late hour, had made me so happy. Because I’d been beside myself–and trying to keep it from Mercy and the others.

With Jonas, I could let go. I knew he’d believe me. Help me.

For that, I was grateful.

I had never been somewhere as picturesque as this university. I stood on the outdoor deck of the ice rink where Mercy’s group was running their clinics. The ocean stared back at me, the blue waves lapping against the sandy shore. Mercy and company were doing three clinics today: one for the university team, one for a bunch of high schoolers, and an open choreography workshop. Then we’d head back for the fan event.

Because it was so far, a lot of teams did clinics and extra things when they were in Hawai’i.

My phone rang.

“Hey, Jonas.” I leaned against the deck railing, letting the breeze kiss my face. “I’m literally staring at the beach right now.”

The ocean beckoned. It was January, but here, people were wearing bikinis and surfing.

“Hawai’i sure is pretty, isn’t it?” he commented.

“Why didn’t anyone tell me I could have gone to undergrad here? The university on the big island has a tropical flower program.” I took a sip of coffee. Usually, I wasn’t a coffee girl, but the snack bar had no chai lattes and I needed caffeine desperately.

“I never would’ve gone to class,” he laughed.

“Me, neither. Thanks for inviting me to your location group.” It had helped.

“I should’ve added you last week. I didn’t consider how being away from them might affect you and I should have. I’m sorry,” Jonas told me.

“Thank you, and it does. Honestly, I never thought about how being away from you would affect me other than missing you.” Well, that and being horny. But there are people on the deck and I wanted to keep my end of the convo family-friendly.

“I miss you, too, Sweet Girl.”

There he went with his nicknames. It made me want to sit on his pierced dick and stuff his knot into me.

“This is all so new to me. I wasn’t expecting to be so torn up inside. It’s like something is clawing in my chest.” I shuddered a little as I leaned forward more on the railing.

“Because you love them. Also, like I told you in Glitter City, they’re yours.”

“I haven’t gotten that ass tattoo.” I laughed.

“You’re still ours, right?” There was a tentativeness to his voice I wasn’t used to hearing.

“Of course I am,” I assured him.

“That’s my girl. I’m so fucking proud of you for calling me last night when you needed me,” he breathed.

“Are you going to reward me for that?” My voice grew husky as his praise warmed me all the way to my clit.

“Oh, yes. They’re going to want your attention so badly when you get back. Don’t worry, I’ll make time to give you everything you need—then reward you for being so good and brave,” he cooed, making me gush.

“What do I need, Sexypants?” Other than his pierced cock and that magic tongue.

“Mmmm, that depends. What you needed last night was very different from what you need right now.” His voice became liquid sex.

I walked to the far end of the deck so we wouldn’t be overheard—and my arousal wouldn’t be smelled. “Oh, yeah?”

“Last night you needed to be put over my knee so badly. I’d spank you to get you out of your head. Then I’d make you come over and over until you passed out. Probably have to gag you so you didn’t wake everyone up with your screams,” he growled. “After you passed out, I’d hold you all night to keep away the nightmares, then I’d tongue you awake in the morning and knot you in the shower.”

Could I have some of that now?

I gushed again as arousal flooded me, and I wished I was alone in the hotel so I could play with myself as we talked. “Oh, yes, please.”

“Today I’d put our fluffiest feather bed on top of the mattress, then cover it with our softest sheets. I’d light a bunch of candles and put something nice and relaxing in the diffuser. I’d strip you naked and tie you to the bed with silk ties—just tight enough that you feel safe. I wouldn’t blindfold you so you can see me. You’d sink right into the softness, and I’d spread you wide and feast on you. If you couldn’t take my knot in your pussy, I’d knot your ass. Then I’d hold you close and tell you how amazing you are,” he breathed.

“Oh, I want all of that, Alpha Jonas, sir. Please.” I closed my eyes on the brink, voice breathless, clit throbbing.

Was it possible to come with only dirty talk?

“Oh, you’d take me so good. Because you’re my sweet girl,” he breathed. “After we’d take a bubble bath, and I’d rub you down with that warm oil you like.”

“Mmmm, and then I’d take care of you with my mouth.” I kept my voice low. No one needed to know we were having phone sex.

He groaned. “Oh, yes, take me all in that delicious mouth of yours and swallow me down so you feel better.”

Voices interrupted us. It sounded more like an announcement than conversation—and it wasn’t from the rink.

“Where are you?” I asked, shifting positions, rubbing my legs together, trying to ease some of my need.

“I’m watching Dean and Grif, who are taking forever. Grif needed some flannel sheets and a warmer blanket,” he replied. “Also, a shit-ton of new pillows.”

“You’re in public?” My cheeks burned. Sure, so was I, but I barely said anything. I’d thought he was alone in his bedroom.

Jonas chuckled. “I’m at a home store. Everyone here either hopes to go home and be fucked senseless or can’t wait to leave so they can fuck someone senseless.”

“ Jonas.” Embarrassment filled me.

“There’s a couple of snowstorms coming. Like the kind where the power goes out and you can get snowed in, so make sure you have supplies. What do you need?” he asked.

That was quite the subject change, but that could be why Grif wanted warm blankets.

“That’s a good idea. I could use some flannel sheets. Oh, and Grace had this down comforter with a flannel cover on my bed when I was there at Christmas. It was like a cloud. I should get one of those.” I hummed. Grace’s place had a lot of comforts, like towel warmers and zillion thread count sheets.

“Do you want me to pick some up for you?” he offered.

“Yes, I’d like that, thanks. Let me know what it comes to, and I’ll send it over. Can you get a green waffle blanket for Mercy, too? She doesn’t like flannel.” That would be helpful.

I texted Creed. They had snowstorms in Rockland, right? We'd gotten snow in Research Circle but it wasn't very much—and certainly no one got snowed it.

Me

How do I prepare for a snowstorm?

Hopefully, the heat would be back on by then. Campus housing had texted that the heat was out in our building. We could always get some little heaters.

“Oh, Sweet Girl, you won’t be paying me back with money. Mmmm, I could think of so many ways.” He spoke in a honeyed voice.

That got me right in my already hot and bothered pussy.

“Tell me more,” I practically panted into the phone.

“You could wrap that sweet mouth of yours around my—”

“Are you having phone sex with Verity?” Dean’s voice interjected and there were some muffled sounds. “Hi, Little Alpha. What are you wearing?”

Nothing like a little cockblocking from my favorite overzealous omega.

“My very own Maimers tracksuit. I match everyone else.” Though, I’d taken off my jacket. “Jonas was going to get some things for me.”

“If I get some things for you, can I have a blowjob, too?” He laughed.

There was a scuffle.

“It’s me,” Jonas replied, taking over. “I was calling because it looks like Chet will be arrested soon. AJ and I will keep them safe. Promise. I wanted to update you myself. It must be difficult for you to face everything like this.”

“Thank you. I like being updated. I… I need a picture of them,” I blurted, remembering what Rusty had said to me.

“Absolutely. If you need to be around them extra when you get back, we’ll make that happen,” he told me.

“I think I’d like that, too.” I’d figure something out with Mercy.

A moment later, a picture of Grif hitting Dean with a pillow came through and something deep within me settled.

“Thank you,” I breathed, a weight lifting off me.

“AJ and I have this until you come back. Trust us, Sweet Girl.”

“I trust you.” Why did I turn into a pile of goo every time he called me that?

“I love you, and we can talk over everything you need when we get back,” he told me.

“Oh, I hope we can do more than talk.” I smirked.

“Believe me, we will. See you in a few days.”

“Love you.” I couldn’t wait.