Page 17

Verity

M ercy and I got off the airplane in New York City, the weather clear, and crisp, though the sun was fading with the day. No sign of the impending snowstorm that made my brother send me preparedness videos.

I couldn’t wait to sleep in my own bed.

Unfortunately, Grif, Dean, and Jonas were on the road. Worry balled in the pit of my belly because it was just Jonas to protect both of them. Not to mention, Grif and AJ recently bonded.

AJ stood there, waiting for us on the tarmac of the private wing of the airport where the Maimers’ jet landed along with some of the Maimer’s family members. He was wearing a suit and sunglasses, like always, which did things to me.

“Hey.” AJ flashed me a big smile, like he was genuinely happy to see me.

“Hey.” I bit my lower lip as want for him flared in my core. So yummy.

“Oh.” Mercy deflated as we grabbed our suitcases. “I thought that since Grif was in Quebec for the makeup game, you’d stay home, and we could cook and watch a movie.”

“We were going to cook and watch the hockey game at his place. Would it be okay if AJ came over to our place instead?” My heart squeezed. I should’ve thought about her first. I’d figured she’d go off with Kaiko and Jack or want some alone time to decompress.

“Or I can play car service and drop you two off. They have another game tomorrow night we can watch,” AJ replied, taking my suitcase for me.

Mercy cocked her head as we walked to the familiar SUV. “I could be up for watching the hockey game if we stayed home, and it involved home-cooked food. Can I help cook?”

“Absolutely. We’re going to compare kofta recipes,” I told her, as I got into the front seat of the SUV.

“Oooh, a cook-off? I’m in. Especially if you’re making grandpa’s recipe.” Mercy was a great sous chef, and decent in the kitchen herself.

“Oh, I am,” I replied. Baba’s omega dad had taught me to make it when I was little.

AJ loaded our bags in the back and got in. “We’ll place a grocery order when we get to your place–but only if it’s okay with you, Mercy. I’m not trying to steal her. If you like, I can drop you two off and go home.”

“Eh, I should hang out with you anyway since I know you the least of her guys. Do I get an entry, too? I could make those lamb kebabs Riley makes.” Mercy was on her phone in the backseat as AJ drove out of the parking lot.

“Only if you make that sauce to go with it.” I looked over my shoulder and grinned. It was mostly garlic and Spencer’s recipe.

“That’s a given.” She grinned back.

Our block looked extremely quiet, even for winter break. AJ pulled into our unit’s parking space. It was icy, rivulets of water cutting through it.

“Everyone’s still gone for break?” AJ asked, looking around at how empty it was.

“Yes, though there’s not much break left. The heat’s supposed to be back on today.” I frowned as I checked my texts from campus housing.

“The heat’s been out?” AJ got our bags out of the back.

“For most of the block. It’s all campus housing. Heat’s shitty anyway. We can always order some little heaters. Or electric blankets.” Mercy shrugged.

“Good idea. I didn’t think of electric blankets. We don’t need heat, right? That’s what blankets and sweaters are for.” I texted the resident director for family and pack housing.

Me

Is the heat back on yet?

Ice glazed the front stairs. Water leaked out the front door to the building, which ran down the street.

“Princess, this doesn’t look good,” AJ said as freezing cold air hit us. Ice and water were everywhere–the floor, the walls, and the stairs.

“Shit.” Mercy ran up the stairs to our place.

I took a bunch of pictures and sent them to housing, shivering with cold.

“Ver!” Mercy yelled. “Fucking shit, everything’s flooded.”

My heart dipped. “Oh no.”

“Careful. I think a pipe burst.” AJ helped me up the icy stairs, which alone were a safety hazard.

I sloshed into our soggy, icy place and rushed to my plants, most of which had cold damage. My automatic watering system had frozen, too. “My plants.”

“Where’s your breaker? Kitchen?” AJ asked. “Be careful. Don’t turn any lights on.”

“Yes.” My poor plants. Maybe I could save some of them. I put them on the coffee table, then sent more pictures to the housing office.

“Everything’s wet. What do we do?” Mercy came out, crestfallen.

AJ stood in the dim kitchen, wiping off the counter. “Do you have dorm insurance?”

“Yes. I took a video before we left. I always do.” My heart fell as I looked around. Everything in the living room was wrecked, from our big couch and TV to the pictures on the wall as water also dripped from the ceiling.

“Good. Before you do anything else, take another to show the damage. Then let’s put everything you’re taking with you on the counter. I’ll get some garbage bags. We might be able to salvage some of your clothes. We’ll toss them in the washer. Electronics and anything paper is probably ruined, but that’s what insurance is for. I’m guessing you had most of your important electronics with you anyway,” AJ said.

“My console.” Mercy crouched by the TV and sniffed. “I have a game buddy I take on the road with me. But my console. ”

“I know, and I’m sorry. We’re going to have to work fast because we’re losing light. Be careful. You don’t want to slip. I turned off the electricity so no one electrocutes themselves,” AJ said. “Do you have a lantern?”

I found our emergency lights and then took the videos. I was freezing, feet and legs soaking wet. The kitchen was the least damaged, mostly due to dishes not being paper or fabric. I took my sourdough starter out of the fridge.

My room was the worst, water dripping from the ceiling. Our important documents were in a little water and fireproof safe in my room, so they were fine. Those went in my backpack, along with my jewelry, especially my grandfather’s ring.

A lot of the clothes in my dresser were pretty gross, but I put the important things in the garbage bag. My closet was slightly better, but they’d need some special care. Most of my shoes, purses, and anything on the floor were done for.

My books. My poor books. Sure, I had an e-reader, but I loved my paper books, too.

They were only clothes and things.

Still. My books.

Though I gulped a little, because most of my clothes and accessories would be expensive to replace. I’d painstakingly accumulated them from modeling jobs, resale sites, sample sales, and years of buying a few quality pieces instead of cheap ones.

My plants in my room didn’t fare any better than the ones in the living room. I moved the few I thought I could save into the kitchen.

“What now?” Mercy sniffed, putting a wet trash bag on the counter as I returned to the kitchen with another bag.

“This second? We put everything in my car. We head to a store or two and get you whatever you need. Then we go to the market and get any snacks and food you like, along with the ingredients for dinner. We’ll return to my place, where we’ll wash everything, make dinner, and watch the game. You both can stay there. It’ll be fine. ” AJ slung an arm around me.

But this was our place. Mine and Mercy’s. Our cute place.

“Okay.” Mercy shrugged hopelessly. “Normally I’d suggest getting us a fancy hotel and room service, but I’m so over hotels right now. You have room for us?”

“We do, and I understand that. At first, being on the road was exciting, then I just wanted to go home,” AJ told her.

Housing

You’re back already? I’ll send maintenance over in the morning, but this looks bad.

Do you need me to find an empty dorm for you to crash in?

“I don’t want to impose. They can find us a dorm.” My heart roared in my ears as I shivered again. So much was gone. Our couch. My comfy mattress.

AJ’s forehead pressed against mine. “It’s not imposing. Seriously. It might be good for you to spend a few days with us, given you and Grif were talking about moving up your timeline. Like a trial run. Also, you’ve been away.”

“Makes sense to me. I don’t want to move in with you if you’re gross,” Mercy replied. “Also, dorm? We don’t even have pillows and sheets, and I just roomed with you for like two weeks. I want my own room.”

While players got their own rooms, when I traveled with the team, I shared hers.

“I’m going to start carrying everything to the car. Be careful, please?” AJ grabbed the bags. “Verity, if any of your high-end leather items have water damage, especially purses and shoes, bring them anyway. We can take them to the leather spa and try to get them rehabbed.”

“Thanks. I didn’t think of that.” I leaned against the counter, the gravity of everything hitting me.

“Are you okay? We might be able to save some of your plants.” Mercy wrapped an arm around me.

“We have insurance. It’s just with everything…” I sighed.

“Our place was so fucking cute, too.” Her shoulders slumped.

“Will you be okay staying with them?” I asked softly. While I liked the idea of being close to my boys, I worried about her comfort.

Mercy rolled her eyes. “Dibs on the guest room, if they have one.”

“They do. And of course. I’ll…” My cheeks warmed as I remembered Grif telling me I could share his room.

“Play musical beds.” Mercy shot me a smirk.

“It makes sense to stay with them momentarily. Living with people tells you so much about someone.” I texted housing.

Me

We can crash at my boyfriends’ for now.

“I’ll order some noise-canceling earplugs for sleeping.” She laughed.

“Mercy.” I laughed. My phone buzzed again.

Creed

Are you home safe?

I sent a bunch of pictures.

Me

Our place flooded. We’ll stay with the guys for a few days.

Creed

Ugh. Sorry. It’s probably a good idea. You have a lot to work through.

Me

True.

I’d been texting him a lot about how to move up the bonding timeline while being a responsible guardian to Mercy.

“This all?” AJ said as he carried some of my plants. His limp was more pronounced than usual.

Mercy held up her console. “I’m going to see if I can save this.”

“Go for it. If you think of anything, we can try to come back,” he said.

I nodded, as I looked around one last time. “We’ve got a few days until the storm. If it’s bad will you be okay with us there, too?”

“Of course that’s okay. You’ll feel better if you’re snowed in with them.” AJ grinned as I locked up.

“Oh, yeah. Otherwise, she’d be trying to get to them in the snow to make sure they’re okay. She was a hot mess in Hawai’i.” Mercy snorted, two bags over her shoulder as we made our way down the stairs, her leading the way.

AJ took my arm. “Let’s go to the store. I know this is a lot, but you’ll feel better after a home-cooked meal.”

“That’s the last of it.” Mercy set bags on the counter of the guys’ kitchen, which was littered with sacks and containers.

As was their glass dining room table. The fancy washer in their laundry room hummed away. We’d dropped off our nicer clothes at AJ’s favorite dry cleaners. Both of us had things lying all around the living room and dining room to dry. My plants occupied the hall bathroom and the laundry room. My sourdough starter sat by the stove.

When AJ mentioned heading to a store for essentials, I’d thought we’d just go to Swoop, which was a buy-everything-but-still-discount store. You know, where you could buy everything you needed in one swoop .

After that, we’d gone to Hardwick’s, an extremely upscale department store. While I loved Hardwicks, especially their gourmet food hall, I hadn’t been expecting that. Especially since he paid for everything.

We’d also gone to a very cute Middle Eastern grocery that made me miss my grandfather. Baba’s omega dad had always been my favorite. Growing up, I’d endure visits to Baba’s family in Bayside solely for him. His death a couple of years back had crushed me. He was one of the few people who saw me for me.

“Great. Mercy, let’s see your room first.” AJ headed upstairs.

I hadn’t been upstairs here, and Mercy had only been to their place once when we’d exchanged Christmas presents.

“I still think you need a coat rack next to the shoe rack.” Mercy glanced at the elevator as she grabbed her backpack.

“We have a coat closet.” AJ shrugged. “Didn’t you have one where you grew up?”

I thought for a moment. “We had pegs and cubbies by the door with everyone’s names on them. The hall closet was full of sporting equipment.”

“A coat closet is so formal. A coat rack is easy to grab and go. Where will I put my umbrellas?” she prodded.

Did Mercy have an umbrella?

“We have a bin for them in the closet. So, the upstairs is a work in progress. We really only use the gym. Well, Jonas uses the library. Though we do like the terrace when it’s not freezing,” AJ said as we passed a landing full of boxes.

A library? If I promised to be nice to his books, maybe he’d let me use it.

We stood in a living area with a couple of overstuffed couches and chairs, along with a TV and some lamps. A small bar area was in one of the back corners. The carpeting was soft, and the couches were stuffed with pillows in earth tones. It looked over onto the main living area and was bright and airy. Cute art hung on the walls, including a beautiful painting of a cabin in the woods.

“Dean did this area up in the colors he thinks are your favorites,” AJ said to Mercy. “If it’s not your style, we can fix this however you like. We just wanted to fix up a space so you can have friends over and play video games. We hardly ever use it anyway.”

“Oh.” She frowned a little and turned to me, questions in her eyes.

I put my hands up in surrender. “This is all them. All I did was mention to Grif that I’d talk to you.”

“If I moved in, I could have friends over?” Mercy looked around. It was a pleasant space.

“I mean, it would be your home, too. All your friends are Maimers, right? If anyone’s a dick, we’ll tell Rusty on them.” AJ laughed. “We want you to feel comfortable.”

“AJ.” My free arm slid around his waist as gratitude filled my chest. I hadn’t expected this.

“Not all my friends in New York are Maimers. Though the couple who aren’t I’ve known forever, and Verity would have no problem calling their moms. But this… you thought about me?” Her face lit up. “These are my favorite colors.”

“It’s mostly Dean. Come see what he did to the guest room. Well, your room. The idea wasn’t to exile you upstairs, more to give you some privacy,” he added.

“Whoa.” Mercy looked over at a glass wall, which showed us a beautiful view of the city, a lattice-covered deck with some patio furniture and a barbeque.

“Firepit’s on the roof. Yes, you can put a greenhouse or garden there.” AJ grinned at me. “Just be nice to the neighbors, since they have rooftop patios, too. We’re not the only penthouse up here.”

“No topless sunbathing. Got it.” Pity.

We entered a spacious room that was not only done in all her favorite colors but also one of her black and white nature photographs, one that was taken on a family vacation. It took up an entire wall. Several plants hung around it, making it feel almost real. There was another stunning view and glass double doors led out to a balcony.

“Oh shit, this is beautiful.” Mercy walked up to the wall, enthralled. “Who tinted it?”

“Dean. He’s not finished. Sorry the room isn’t put together. We weren’t expecting you to move in so quickly. It’s a good thing we started when we did.” AJ nodded to the bare bed that had bags from the home store on it.

Blankets and Beyond. Fancy. I usually went to Home Things because of their coupons. Oh, was that what they were doing at the home store when Jonas talked dirty to me?

Baskets and shelves filled the closet. It was small for a walk-in, but larger than what we had at our apartment or in the room we’d shared growing up. The freshly painted bathroom featured a shower with beautiful tiles and double shower heads.

“Someone knows my favorite brands?” Mercy stood in the shower holding a shampoo bottle.

“Dean’s been stalking your socials to figure out what you like. Grif thinks it’s creepy.” AJ laughed.

“In this case, it’s sweet.” Mercy grinned. “This… this is all really sweet. Though a lot of work, considering I’ll be eighteen in six months.”

“It is,” I nodded. Clearly, the guys had paid attention.

AJ shrugged as we left the bathroom and went back into the bedroom. “This would be your home. The last thing we’d want is for you to feel like you have to move out when you turn eighteen. Especially since your birthday is during the off-season. You’ll want to relax and see everyone you haven’t seen all season. This way you have a base and don’t have to worry about finding a new place right away and can go spend a month or two in London, or Rockland, or wherever.”

The thoughtfulness overwhelmed me.

“Oh, I… I could go to London for a month or two, couldn’t I?” Her eyes got misty as her plum scent went salty with sadness. She really missed Dad.

“You could. I want to go for a week or two, to see Dad and the littles. But you could stay for however long you want. Same with Grace. Or even go back to Research Circle. See Hale. Visit Mom in jail.” My voice grew soft. She hadn’t seen her since last summer, though they talked on the phone sometimes.

Mercy gulped. “Yeah. Dare’s trying to get into a summer music program in London. It would be fun to be there together.”

“You should do that,” AJ said. “We spend a lot of time at Dean’s cabin in the summer. There’s hiking, a lake, rivers, waterfalls–and a backhouse that you would love. Not to exile you, but so you have your own space.”

“Backhouses are great. We lived in Grace’s this summer. I like hiking. Also, water.” She nodded as she checked out the closet.

“You can stay even after you’re eighteen, if you want to save to buy a little starter place you can use as an income property later, instead of renting,” AJ added.

“That sounds like a great and very generous option.” It wasn’t that I didn’t want her to go off and live her own life. I didn’t want her to feel like I was pushing her out so I could be with the guys. After all, I’d lived at home until May.

“Right. You know rich people things, like investments and property and hiding money and stuff,” Mercy poked around, examining the dresser. “Teach me?”

“I only do legal things,” he warned.

“Fair.” She nodded. “I like the idea of saving up and then buying something. I’d love to get a cute little townhouse, like where we live on campus.”

“There’s so much you can do with them, too. From making each floor into a unit, like where you live, to buying two or three next to each other to make a nice, big place,” he told her, eyes gleaming.

Every word out of his mouth made me more in love with him.

“If this is my room, what does Ver’s look like? I’m guessing she’s downstairs with you?” Mercy put her bag on the desk.

We walked downstairs, and he gave us a quick tour. I already knew where some things were, like the laundry room and the guest bathroom.

“This is the den where we play video games, or where you can watch something if the living room TV is in use.” AJ showed us a cozy, windowless room with a big couch, some beanbags, and a big TV.

“There’s Jonas and Dean’s rooms, of course.” AJ pointed to their doors. Dean’s was all the way open, giving me a good view of his art corner.

“Okay, if a door is closed, knock, especially if it, um, sounds occupied. If it’s cracked open, you still might want to knock because we don’t always wear clothes,” AJ added. “Though generally, a cracked open door means it’s okay to enter.”

“I think I’ll be fine upstairs.” Mercy laughed.

“Game room.” He showed us another room with a pool table, bar cart, shelves, and shelves of puzzles and board games, and several arcade games.

“Grif’s room.” He indicated the door next to Dean’s. “My room.” He pointed to the door at the very end of the hall, then stopped at the door in between. “When I first moved in here after graduating from business school, it was just me. I picked the best room for myself and used the room next to it as my office because going upstairs felt weird. I hardly ever used it. So, um, I cleared it out…” His eyes met mine. “For you. I, um, hope you like it.”

My hand went to my heart. “Thank you.”

Aww. It was the little things he did, like making sure I had the right shoes and taking my dress to his family’s tailor, which got me. Also, having a room where I didn’t have to go up and down the stairs made things so much easier for me.

AJ pushed open the door. As we entered, I exhaled sharply. Cream, peach, pink, and gold dominated the room. Recessed lighting illuminated the textured walls, which featured wood paneling, cream wallpaper, and a plush headboard quilted in giant diamond shapes and accented with gold.

Above the bed hung a chandelier.

“Wow,” Mercy breathed.

“I know you’re more of a seafoam and sky-blue girl, but Dean chose these colors for you,” he told me.

“I love it.” It was so delicate, yet warm and inviting.

My eyes immediately went to the window seat, which was filled with cushions that looked like flowers and curtains that hung on the outside of the seat so you could close yourself off from the room and enjoy the view of the city.

Next to it stood a table, with a little rose plant, and an overstuffed chair, with a lamp and a bookcase behind it. A study nook had a built-in desk.

“This entire room is all Dean, with a little help from Grif. My office didn’t look like this,” he told me.

“You picked this room for your office because of the chandelier, didn’t you?” I teased. A chandelier in a bedroom felt a little weird.

The bed was round and up on a dais, which made it look almost couch-like. Unmade, oodles of pillows and bags from the home store covered it.

“This is extraordinary.” I eyed the giant bed and all the things I could do in it.

“Dean chose the chandelier. Though it was Grif who thought you needed an enormous bed in case you demanded we all sleep together. We don’t have a pack bedroom.” His look went guilty. “We’ve never been a puppy pile sort of pack. Also, we go to the cabin for Dean’s heats, because well, this is a high rise and New York City has laws. But we could see that you might want us all together if someone has a bad day or something.”

Me, too, and not all those ideas were for sleeping. Oh, no. I’d like us all together for other things, too.

“Oh, there are laws about heats in high-rises? I mean, it makes sense. But what if you can’t afford a second home?” I ran my hands over the bookcase, my heart breaking for all my ruined books.

“Most upscale hotels have heat suites. There are heat hotels, both full-service and self-catering, many of which take insurance. The Omega Centers also have free heat suites which were supposed to be quite nice, but they book fast,” AJ explained.

“The closet is huge.” Mercy came out of the closet, eyed the wall with a beautiful landscape painting of a garden, and walked back into the closet.

“That feather comforter and flannel sheets you wanted are on there somewhere. Jonas washed some of the things, too,” AJ told me, pointing to the bed. The carpet looked soft and plush, though there were a few patterned rugs that all matched.

Oh. Jonas hadn’t gotten them for my place, he’d gotten them for here.

“They redid your bathroom completely in the world’s fastest remodel.” AJ led me inside the giant marble bathroom with a big tub that was partially sunken, a gorgeous double sink and vanity area with lots of lights, good mirrors, tons of storage, and a glass shower with a bench in it.

“This bathroom,” I breathed. As I explored, I realized that some of the artful decorations in the tub, toilet, and shower areas were railings and non-slip features and the thoughtfulness hit me. There were lots of non-slip rugs, too.

I came back out to the bedroom and entered the walk-in closet. It was big and beautiful, with two separate clothing areas, a dressing table, a pink chaise, and so many built-in drawers and shelves. Opening a few of them, I found places for shoes, accessories, and even a built-in jewelry box.

“Was the closet already like this?” I asked. It was the perfect closet for me.

“Um, mostly. They freshened it up and added stuff, like the pink couch. I haven’t looked in the closet in years until yesterday when I hung up your dress.” He nodded to the cloth bag hanging by the ornate full-length mirror. “It’s drafty and smells weird.”

Mercy fiddled around with the different sections of drawers and shelves, and examined the clothes closet area.

“The dress.” I unzipped the dress and beaded fabric spilled out. “Oh, AJ.”

“I can’t wait to see you in it. Grif can’t wait to see it draped across his bedroom chair.” His breath was warm on my neck as he came up behind me.

An expensive designer dress like this didn’t go on the floor.

“It’s exquisite, thank you.” Should I turn around and kiss him? The urge to kiss him tugged at me.

There was a click and a whoosh of strange-smelling air.

“Shit, I found the secret room,” Mercy squealed.

“What?” AJ stood at her shoulder. One section of shelves had swung open.

Zipping up the dress bag, I joined them. The room was small and dark, lit only by the closet light behind us, until Mercy found a switch on the wall. It smelled odd and a bit musty.

A soft glow illuminated the cream-painted room. Taking up most of the room was a tree that was both sculpted into the wall and painted. A circular reading nook resembled a giant knothole. Inside the nook, there was enough room to put a small mattress. The space was cozy, with more shelves and drawers.

“I had no idea this was even here,” AJ breathed. “I never toured it. Literally, I got a key card in a box at my graduation dinner after I finished business school. My parents told me that I was moving back to New York and had two weeks to find a job if I didn’t want to work for them. I’d already planned on moving back and had been interviewing, but getting a place of my own as a present was a plus.”

A home for a graduation was an extraordinary present.

It dawned on me. The window seat, the amazing closet, the hidden room. “This was their omega’s room. From whoever had this before.”

“That makes sense. All I know is that a pack with young children lived here and moved to the suburbs. And, well…” That guilty look took up his face again. “I’d always sort of wondered if my room was the pack bedroom.”

“Look, there’s a note.” Mercy pulled something off the tree. “Welcome to your new home. Even though I understand if you knock this down and rebuild it, I left it for you. I thought you might need some comfort in your new home, with your new pack. Once, I was in your shoes, moving to a new place, to live with my new mates. As exciting as it was, it was a bit unsettling, and this has brought me a lot of comfort over the years. We tore out the carpet and put in wood flooring and repainted the walls. I hit it with a couple of de-scenting bombs, but it might need a few more. Enjoy. Lots of love, Cecelia.”

“Oh.” I put my hand over my heart. “That is the sweetest note.”

“It is. This is amazing,” Mercy said, exploring the small space.

“Maybe Grif should have my room.” It needed a fluffy rug and some fairy lights. Maybe some poufs.

“Your room? No. Might he like a secret nest in your closet? Possibly. Given how the closet has two distinct sides, and the bathroom has two sinks, the omega shared this room with someone.” AJ got close to me again, making warmth creep through me.

“True.” I’d be okay with Grif having a nest in my closet if that was something he wanted. Some gammas had nests.

Mercy prowled the small space, frowning. She got out her phone, used the flashlight, and then pressed it on the wall opposite where we came in.

“But wait, there’s more,” she exclaimed, as another wall popped open. “It’s another closet. A dude closet.”

“Oh, Grif’s? That would be tidy.” The scent that hit me when I entered the closet wasn’t Grif’s rain.

It was AJ’s vetiver.

“I think I’m in AJ’s closet. Oh, fuck, your room is big. You could build a little office in here, no problem.” Mercy’s voice sounded muffled.

“Mercy, you shouldn’t go into other people’s rooms without permission,” I told her.

“Okay. Sorry. I got excited.” With a shrug, she came back to the little nest room. Mercy shut off the lights, and we all returned to my closet.

“It connected to my closet?” AJ rubbed his chin. “Yeah, I had no idea.”

“It’s quite clever,” I replied. There were so many possibilities.

“I’m going to take my stuff upstairs and shower really quick before we cook. My pants are still wet and I smell gross,” Mercy told me.

I should do the same. While we’d changed shoes in AJ’s car, we hadn’t changed pants.

“Start the rice before you go up.” As soon as the words were out of my mouth, I put a hand to my face and laughed. “Sorry, not my house. I don’t even know if you have a rice cooker.”

AJ grinned. “We do. It’s on the counter and very fancy. Jonas needed one that sings.”

“The singing ones are the best. Kaiko’s aunt has one.” Mercy left, and I closed the door to the nest.

“I had no idea that it was there–or it connected the rooms,” AJ told me. “I have no issue with offering Grif this. We’ll probably have to redo it. As cute as that is, I’m not sure he could fit in it. This was clearly a hideaway, not a place to fuck.”

“True.” It would be a squeeze for me because of my height. It would be a pity to get rid of it. “I promise not to use the expressway to sneak into your room if the door is closed.” I grinned and went back into the bedroom. No, my bedroom.

I put my crutch down, and took stuff out of the bags, looking for bed sheets.

“Here, let me help you.” He found what had been washed and helped me get the mattress pad on. “I’m not willing to share Grif with you. That’s a hard boundary.”

“Of course. I respect your boundaries, AJ.” Confusion shot through me as I tried not to flinch as I recalled what had happened in the storeroom in the arena.

With the mattress pad on, we started with the flannel sheets. I didn’t even know they made round flannel sheets.

“Thank you. Of course, that’s different from me and Grif sharing you. I hope you understand that.” He tucked in the sheets on his side. “Like that night at the arena.”

“Oh.” It made me think of something Jonas had said about parts of us that were just for each other. I found the blanket and the fluffy down comforter. There was also a brocade duvet cover that went with the decor and a soft flannel peach and cream one.

I ran my hands over the soft and cozy fabrics. I stood and turned. But AJ was still there. Right there.

Dropping the blankets, I smashed my lips into his, as my hands entwined in his hair.

He didn’t move, and my heart thundered in my ears. My head ducked as my cheeks warmed. “I’m sorry, AJ. I think I misunderstood.”

AJ’s hand cupped my face. “Princess, it’s not that I don’t want you. Oh, how I want you. I’m a little disappointed we can no longer have a sexy wager in our cook-off because I planned on watching the game with my cock in your mouth.”

It was a near growl as his eyes flashed with something primal. His scent grew fierce with arousal. I could feel his hard-on through his suit, which made me rub my thighs together as I imagined how he might feel inside me.

“What makes you think you wouldn’t be wearing my thighs as earrings?” I laughed. A sexy wager? I was all-in.

With a turn of his body, I found myself pushed into the closet and backward onto the pink chaise. He straddled me, hands on each side of my face, caging me in.

“The thing is, Princess . I’m not like them. In bed, you’re not my equal. I’m your king, and my rule is absolute . ” Hard-on digging into me. His face hovered inches from mine, desire in his brown eyes.

He continued, “I’ll respect your limits, and I’ll absolutely make you come when I give you permission, of course. But understand me when I say that they give you pleasure–I take it.”

Yes, please. The idea of calling him my king made me wet.

“Jonas ties me up and makes me come until I pass out. You tie me up and edge me until I break. Grif fucks me against a wall with my hands pinned above my head until my knees turn to jelly. I ride Dean and tell him he’s my good omega. Got it,” I breathed, as my pussy ached for a cock to fill it. Sure, I’d taken care of business on our trip, but it wasn’t the same.

His eyebrows arched. “That mouth. I wasn’t kidding when I told Grif you need to be punished more.”

I smirked as I gazed into his brown eyes. “I’m yours to punish, my king. Also, reward. Because I can be a most loyal subject.”

“You think I’ll reward that mouth by putting my cock in it?” His look dared me as his voice grew growly.

“Put it where you wish, my king.” Oh, I liked this game. I honestly didn’t care where his dick went as long as I got some. I’d suck him so good he’d reward me with a hard fuck.

Or perhaps some tongue to my pussy.

“Someone wants to be dicked, badly. But do you want mine? Or just a cock, and I’ll suffice. I’m the richest dick in the pack. Also, I’m Grif’s alpha. It would be prudent to be on my good side.” A hint of hurt tinged in that growl as he pulled back and met my eyes, still caging me with his body.

I cupped his face with my hand. It had a bit of stubble, besides his usual goatee. My thumb caressed his jaw, trying to wipe away that hurt. “I care more about the fact that I like spending time with you. You’re not just a convenient dick. Even if Grif were in his room next door, I’d still ask you to rail me right here on the chaise. Might text him and ask if he wants to watch you wreck me, though.”

Kissing him, I continued, “I’m not after anything other than your companionship, though I would love your cock. It’s as magnificent as you are. I missed you, AJ. You. Yes, I missed them, but I also missed you. ”

If AJ needed reassurance, I’d give it to him. Though, I didn’t know what else to say to let him know my interest was genuine.

“Thank you. I needed to hear you say that.” AJ pinned me with his body as his hand fumbled with his belt.

He leaped to his feet; the chaise moving back with me still on it. Before I could react, he whipped the belt around my wrists, tying me to a closet post.

AJ shot me a smug look as he made sure they were secure. I could get out of it. After all, I had brothers and was pretty good at escaping.

But I wouldn’t.

My body burned with need. I wanted to be taken on a chaise like I was in a historical novel. Seduced by the Alpha Duke. Yep, I’d read that.

AJ closed the closet door and walked toward me with a predatory, almost menacing look, sending shivers of anticipation through me.

Rail me hard and fast, my king.

I opened my legs and tried to look like a stricken actor in a movie. “I yield, my king. You’ve conquered me. All my lands are yours.”

“Oh, yes, you’re mine, Princess. As are all your… lands.” He smirked, unbuttoning my pants and yanking them off with enough force to pull them off in a single motion, but not enough to damage them.

Giving the pants a shake, he folded them and set them on a shelf. He hung his suit coat up on a hanger.

When he turned, the predatory gleam had returned to his eyes. His gaze ensnared mine as he slowly peeled off my pale green panties, which he tucked into his shirt pocket.

“How wet is that alpha pussy?” AJ buried his face in my folds, my body bucking. “Don’t you dare come until I say,” he growled, the vibrations of his voice on my clit sending sparks of pleasure through me.

“Yes, my king,” I breathed, body shaking.

“Mmmm, so wet.” He licked my length, sucking and teasing.

How was I supposed to not come when his touch, his tongue, felt like this?

“You’re going to want to be quiet. I’m guessing you’re a screamer,” he told me. “You’ll look so beautiful, gagged and blindfolded in my room.”

Desire shook me. I wanted to be this king’s spoils of war. “I’m yours to plunder, my king.”

His chest shuddered as he chuckled into my pussy. AJ pushed back and my body screamed for more as a whimper escaped my lips at being deprived of his tongue.

“This will be quick, but believe me, there will be more.” His look seared into me as he stripped off his pants and briefs, putting them on the shelf with everything else, and rolled up the sleeves of his button-down. A scar marred his left knee and leg, probably from whatever surgeries he needed after his hockey injury.

AJ climbed onto the chaise with me, positioning himself between my legs. “Can I have you bare, Princess? I don’t have any condoms and I haven’t gotten on birth control yet. You know who my only partner is. Tell me if anything hurts your leg. I’m sure it’s not in top form after that long flight.”

His beautiful dick was right there. Hard, with pre-cum dripping from the tip, knot inflated. My tongue licked my upper lip.

“Perfect. I’m on birth control and, well, you live with my partners. Safe word is fruity little drink. ” I smirked.

Shut up and dick me.

At the same time, I appreciated it.

“We’re playing like that?” Amusement twitched on his lips. “Fine. Remember, don’t come until I say.”

Before I could answer, my legs were over his shoulders, as he plunged right into me with one long, forceful stroke.

Pleasure, desire, and the sheer wanting of not being dicked for well over a week overwhelmed me. It took every ounce of self-control to not come at that singular stroke. I had a feeling his punishments would be a lot rougher than when Jonas spanked me on his bench.

“Eyes on me,” he ordered.

I took in the magnificent man before me, wishing he was shirtless–and that I could touch.

One of his hands rubbed my clit, making me squirm as he continued to pound me. The chaise thumped into the pole, my ass slamming against his white button-down.

“Princess, you squeeze me so nice and tight. When I do tell you to come, I want you to lock me,” he growled.

“Yes, my king.” My voice shook. How much longer could I hold on?

From the gleam in his eyes, he knew. His hand closed around my throat as he thrust into me. “You’re so beautiful like this. Helpless and tied up, your legs over my shoulders as I pound into you. If only Grif were here to have his cock down your throat.”

This dirty talk didn’t help. The image of them touching and kissing me together made my insides quiver.

“Not yet.” He smacked my ass as my back arched. “Mmmm, you feel so good. You’re mine, Princess.” The closet filled with his heady vetiver scent, and alpha pheromones, making me shudder with desire and need.

“Yes, my king. I’m yours.”

He was as much mine as the others.

Please let me come, I silently begged. The thrusts were so deep that his inflated knot kept brushing my clit.

“Does that greedy pussy of yours take knots, Princess?”

“I’ve only taken one in my ass.” It was a chore to get the words out, as I struggled to keep from coming while keeping my eyes on him.

“That’s something I look forward to doing. Knotting that ass as Grif fucks your mouth. We’ll work up to the pussy,” he told me.

I could see in his eyes that I was his. Not just in this I’m conquering you moment. What we had differed from what I had with the others, what he had with Grif. But there was no doubt that we had something.

Oh, I’d warm his cock while we watched TV.

“I’m going to come,” he growled, pulling almost all the way out. “You can come, too. More than once if you need to, but make sure you lock me good, Princess. I want to see stars.”

AJ slammed into me, and the reply died on my lips as I let go, allowing the orgasm I’d been holding back to consume me. It was as violent as it had been on the plane with Grif.

More.

My pussy locked his dick, which spurted warm cum inside me.

He peeled my legs off his shoulders and laid on top of me with a satisfied look on his face. AJ ground his knot against my clit. Another orgasm racked me.

“That’s it. Come for your king. Show me that I make you feel just as good as the others. Better even. Your lock feels fucking divine. Do you strangle Grif’s dick like this as he squeezes your throat with his giant hand and calls you his good little cum dumpster?” AJ cupped my face with his hand, still grinding against me.

“Yes, my king.” The words barely made it out as my body exploded with another orgasm. His dirty talk would be the end of me.

AJ pressed his lips to mine, his tongue plundering my mouth as his gyrations ceased. The fact that he was kissing me and we were now here after everything melted me. Those fervent kisses stole my breath, putting it wherever he’d stashed my heart.

My legs wrapped around him, bringing him close, as I kissed him back, trying to show him with my lips that he mattered as much to me as his packmates.