Page 24 of Follow the Rhythm (Fairview City Omegaverse #2)

“Be safe,” I said to Grace. “And text me when you get back to your room. I don’t want to have to come looking for you.”

“Yes, Dad,” she said and grinned at me.

There was a line of cabs outside the club, and I directed Jess into one. She slumped in the seat next to me.

“This is such bullshit. I can’t ever just get in a random cab by myself,” she groused.

“It’s incredibly unfair.”

“Everything is unfair,” she said, with the solemnity of the truly pissed.

The hotel was close by, which was a relief because Jess was fading quickly. She had her forehead pressed against the cab window for most of the ride. I had to help her into the lobby.

“Which room are you in, love?” I asked when we got in the lift, praying she’d remember. She was leaning heavily against my side.

She did. We got to her room, and I unlocked the door for her since her arms didn’t seem to work anymore.

“Are you alright?” I asked when she didn’t move to go inside.

“I’m fine, just sleepy,” she said, but still didn’t let go of my arm.

“Come on, then,” I sighed and scooped her up.

Her room was smaller than mine, which annoyed me. I’d be having a word with Charlie about making sure she had the best room possible next time we had a stop. It had the same minibar, though. I deposited her on the bed and grabbed a water bottle from the fridge.

I helped her take a few sips. She looked at me blearily. I didn’t want to leave her alone in this state, but I doubted she’d let me stay.

“Let’s get to bed,” I said, then rushed to clarify. “I mean, get you into bed.”

“Right.” She collapsed back onto a pillow. I did not look at her legs, where that cursed dress was riding up. She kicked off her shoes, and I pulled the blanket over her.

“Where’s your phone?” I asked. She pointed to the little bag that had been abandoned on the floor. I plugged it in on the nightstand. “I’ll leave the water here for you.”

Her hand wrapped around my wrist. “Would you stay? Please? I don’t want to be alone.”

“Of course. I’ll sleep on the couch,” I said, relief flooding through me.

Jess cracked an eye open. “You don’t have to do that. I trust you.”

My heart clenched with tenderness. She trusted me . My inner Alpha roared in triumph, even as I fought to keep myself calm.

I hesitated for just a moment, then switched off the lights and walked around the bed to lie beside her. It was only a queen bed, but Jess was so tiny that I had plenty of room, even with my feet dangling off the end. I stayed on top of the covers.

“Thanks,” she murmured, still turned away from me. “Make sure I don’t die by choking on my puke.”

“You’re not going to die,” I said, amused. “Now hush and go to sleep.”

I waited in the darkness. It occurred to me that I was listening to her breathe like I did every night on the tour bus, and her scent was intoxicating. Even with an undercurrent of alcohol, it was lovely, sharp, and fresh.

Her breaths grew slower and deeper until I knew she was asleep. I closed my eyes, but knew I wouldn’t sleep for a long time. My heart was still beating as if I’d just finished a run.

My phone buzzed in my hand.

Made it back to hotel. Thx for taking care of drunky , Grace had texted.

Glad you’re safe , I replied and placed my phone on the table next to me.

I lay awake, picturing Jess’s face as she danced. It was hard to reconcile the prickly Jess I knew ?with that radiantly happy version. It was like the music had lifted a layer of armor to show the woman beneath.

I started drifting off, but movement woke me up. Jess had turned towards me, still asleep. Her head was on the pillow next to mine, her hand resting on my chest. I rested my hand over hers and kissed her on the top of her head. She sighed in her sleep and wriggled closer.

I fell asleep plotting how I could convince her she needed me just as much as I needed her.

I woke up to sunshine peeking through the curtains.

Jess had draped herself completely over me, legs on either side of my waist, arms tucked into my chest, her hair brushing my jaw.

She’d kicked off her blankets in the night and crawled on top of me like a barnacle stuck on the side of a ship.

My arm was curled protectively around her back.

That fucking dress had ridden up to her waist, but I kept my eyes firmly on the slice of her face I could see, calm in sleep.

It was the sweetest torture.

I didn’t move, and I didn’t even want to breathe in case I woke her up. I needed to memorize the feeling of her in my arms if this was the only time she ever let it happen.

Eventually, she stirred.

“Good morning,” I said when she lifted her head to look around.

“Good morning,” she murmured, then snuggled her head back down on my chest, inhaling deeply, her legs tightening briefly on my sides.

A few moments later, though, she stiffened, then scrambled off me back to her side of the bed.

“Oh my god, I’m so sorry,” she said, yanking the dress down to her thighs, her face blazing scarlet. “Can I somehow blame that on you?”

I laughed. “I don’t think so, no. But we can pretend it never happened if you prefer.”

Jess hid her face in her hands.

“There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. I’m happy to be your pillow whenever you want,” I said, pulling one of her hands down.

She grimaced. “This has ruined my plan.”

“What plan?”

“To never speak to, look at, or touch you again after you cruelly rejected me,” she said, as if it were obvious.

My heart sank, but I forced a smile. “I hate that plan. It’s a horrible plan.”

She rolled her eyes. “That ship has sailed. I guess I should thank you for getting me home and making sure I lived through the night.”

“You’re welcome,” I said. Her scent was warmer and sweeter from sleep, and I was absolutely covered in it. I sat up. “I’d better go.”

Jess studied me. “Really? That’s it?”

I raised an eyebrow in question.

“You wake up with an Omega all over you, and you’re just ready to leave?” she asked. “You’re doing wonders for my self-esteem.”

I met her gaze. She was wearing an ironic smile, but I could see a bit of vulnerability in her eyes. “Do you truly think I’m rejecting you?”

That vulnerability flared brighter. “It’s hard not to when it keeps happening.”

“You said you trusted me last night. Do you remember that?”

Jess furrowed her brow but nodded after a moment.

“Then trust me when I say that I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anyone.

You’re all I think about. And not just because you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met, or because your scent makes my mouth water.

Your passion, your sense of humor, your fierce loyalty to your friends…

I mean it now more than ever that I don’t want something casual with you.

I can’t. Because I’ll never stop wanting more.

” Jess’s chest heaved as she watched me.

I felt like I’d ripped my heart out of my chest and handed it to her.

Jess’s eyes glazed with sudden tears. “You don’t mean that. You can’t. You barely know me.”

“I assure you I do,” I said.

“Fuck,” she said, and dashed her tears away irritably. “Fine.”

“Fine?”

“We can go on a date. If you insist,” she said with a scowl.

My heart thundered. “You don’t have to.”

“Oh, shut up,” she said, cutting me off by launching herself at me. I caught her in a tight hug.

I held her, breathing her in. The moment lengthened. Jess relaxed in my arms as I idly played with the dark hair that fell to her mid-back.

“I need a shower,” she murmured into my shoulder and traced a finger along the side of my neck. “Any chance you’d join me?”

“You minx,” I groaned as my groin tightened at the thought. But I intended to keep my word. “I’ll go to my room.”

She crawled out of my lap and stood in front of me.

With a wicked smile, she pulled the dress off and tossed it on the ground.

I caught my breath at the sight of her in a black sheer bra and panties.

She was as breathtaking as I’d imagined, with her tiny waist and hips that flared deliciously.

“Your loss,” she said and sauntered to the bathroom.

I heard the shower turn on and, not for the first time since meeting her, cursed my sense of honor.