Page 37 of Forbidden Taste (An Omega’s Preference #3)
twenty-eight
LEO
Riley wakes sputtering, his eyes flying open, his voice rough with sleep and surprise. “I thought that was a dream,” he says, coughing, a grin breaking across his face as he wipes his mouth with the back of his hand, cum dripping onto his chin and then rolling down his neck .
Laughter erupts between us, Hawk joining in when he catches sight of Riley covered in my release.
“I think it’s time for breakfast. I tried feeding the both of you but it seems I’ve found some very stubborn mates.
Showers and food is in order. Let’s go,” he purrs, a command in his voice as he stands up and then helps me to my feet.
My body protests every movement as he guides me to the bathroom, Riley trailing behind, his steps nearly as sluggish as mine but the bond between us is bright.
Hawk starts the shower first, gently washing us down, caresses every sore part, every raw patch of skin with a care I didn’t think an Alpha had.
By the time he’s run the bath, helping us inside, I’m seconds away from falling asleep again, Riley curling up against my chest beneath the bubbles.
My Omega presses a soft kiss to my jaw, my arms tightening around him. “That was one hell of a nest,” he teases.
“I didn’t know what the fuck was going on,” I admit, a faint laugh threading through my words. “Just that it needed to be soft. It’s not pretty, but it’s mine.” There’s a pride in that, a piece of me I didn’t know I had until it took over.
“Yeah, it was.”
Hawk disappears and returns with a small charcuterie board full of fresh fruits and cheeses.
“You both look like you’re about to pass out so I decided a few finger foods would be best until you’re awake enough to stomach more.
” He places the tray on the edge of the tub before sliding in next to me, his thigh pressing to mine.
He leans in for a kiss, a quiet claim that stirs the aftereffects of my heat, still riding me hard. I give it back, eagerly despite the exhaustion, my hand finding his jaw, holding him there, needing the connection. “How are you feeling? ”
I shift, the ache in my muscles flaring, and let out a breath.
“I thought it’d be worse, not being in control but I don’t hate it.
I’m just… I’ll be happy not to have one for a while.
” That primal need driving me wasn’t the worst sensation but I’ve spent so long being in control that I’d rather not experience that sensation every three months or however often it’s supposed to happen.
Riley giggles, his head tilting against my shoulder.
“There’s blockers and everything for that but, uh, just fair warning—my heat’s supposed to hit a week or two after graduation.
It might be all fucked up now, but…” His words trail off, a grin tugging at his lips, and Hawk snorts, a deep, rumbling sound that vibrates through the water.
“This is what I get for mating two Omegas, god forbid you two sync up. But hey, maybe one day you’ll let me mark you—both of you.
” He finds my eyes, a quiet ask that I’m more than grateful for.
He’s dominant in all the ways I need and soft in others, fitting perfectly with me and Riley in a way I didn’t think was possible.
“I’d like that,” I whisper, my lids falling closed, sleep trying to steal me away. Hawk just laughs, something sweet pressing against my lips. I open, a small bite of strawberry falling onto my tongue.
“Need to get some food in you and then you can pass out again. Maybe not in the nest. It’s a little…”
I can’t help but laugh at that sentiment because Hawk’s right. It’s a little crusty and now that I’m fully conscious, outside of the haze of my heat, it’s not exactly the space I want to return to until everything is washed.
This time a piece of cheese is pressed against my lips, followed by a grape, and then cantaloupe, my mates feeding me in turns, my instincts preening as I’m taken care of .
“I want this. Something real, something mine—somewhere I can be myself.” My throat tightens as I open my eyes, meeting their gazes. Riley’s cheeks are puffed out with food as he chews like food is going out of style, Hawk staring on with a softness in his expression.
Hawk shifts, his hand finding my knee. “Well, we only have finals and the performance at the Karlen Center left and then we can figure out what all this looks like.” His eyes dart to Riley, no doubt the Alpha wanting to ask about dinner last night.
I caught the tail end of a question at some point but couldn’t focus on it.
“I know we have a lot to navigate,” Hawk continues.
“But I’m here every step of the way. Whatever it takes. ”
“Even if it means telling Benjamin off?” Riley snorts as he swallows the last bit in his mouth and then shakes his head as Hawk and I react to the idea of Benjamin trying something.
“No! No, that’s over. I think. I mean, he’ll probably still be an ass but Mom called it off before I left.
Which means everyone at school will know.
No, it’s fine. Leo, please tell me your parents are not assholes. ”
I bite my tongue, trying not to laugh at the cute snarl on Riley’s face. “No, they’re sweethearts. My Omega dad is like me and one of my Alpha fathers is like your size, Riley. Well, maybe a little taller? I’m not sure.”
Riley’s eyes widen. “No fucking way.” He surges forward, pressing his lips to mine before grinning up at me. “I’m ready for all of this because fuck, I’ve never felt so loved in my entire life than I have in these last two weeks.”
“It seems we all felt a bit neglected,” Hawk offers, his voice dropping a few octaves, a honeyed purr rumbling from his chest. “And I know it’s fast, so we don’t need to make any decisions right now.
Just know that I want you both—whatever that looks like— because we all have dreams and careers and…
” His voice trails off, Riley cutting in.
“You’re not going to demand we stay here or whatever?
” Riley asks, his brow furrowing, his tone laced with something dark, fear trickling through the bond, years of being molded, owned.
I didn’t grow up with those sentiments but they’ve been beaten into me over time the moment I came to this academy.
“Fuck no,” Hawk barks, his hand tightening on my thigh, his other reaching for Riley’s cheek, brushing it gently. “You’re not mine to own, Riley. You are mine to protect, to love, to cherish—but never to own.”
“Oh my God,” Riley whispers, “hearing that from an Alpha—you have no idea what that means to me.” He surges forward to kiss Hawk, straddling his thighs as water sloshes around us.
Hawk playfully nips at Riley’s lips, wrapping his arms firmly around the Omega, dipping him back so that the water catches the curls at the nape of his neck.
“Where’s mine?” I ask as they pull apart, Hawk leaning over to draw me into a kiss of his own that’s all passion and need.
Riley presses his lips to my collarbone, nibbling at the sensitive skin, their touches lighting me up with a need I don’t have the energy to fulfill.
“And we’re done,” I laugh. “No more right now. Fuck, I need another nap.”
Hawk grins, his hand sliding to my back, rubbing slow circles. “That can be arranged after you both eat a little more.” He reaches for the board again, picking up a grape, holding it to my lips, and I take it, resting back against the edge of the tub.
“Alpha, do you think you can handle two Omegas?” It’s a challenge, a tease, my chest warm with their presence, with this.
“I’m counting on it,” he purrs, “You two are perfect for me.”