Page 19 of Laced With Secrets

His eyes snapped back to mine, blazing with heat. “Are you sure?”

“Yes.” The word came out as barely a whisper. “Please.”

He stood slowly, deliberately, his movements fluid and graceful as he began unbuttoning his shirt. Each button revealed more golden skin, more defined muscle, the dark trail of hair that disappeared into his jeans. Water droplets traced paths down his chest, following the contours of his abs, and I couldn’t look away.

When he shrugged the wet fabric off his shoulders and let it drop to the floor, I couldn’t suppress the soft sound of appreciation that escaped my throat. He was magnificent—broad shoulders tapering to a narrow waist, defined abs that rippled with each breath, the V of his hips promising even better things below.

“See something you like?” His voice was smug, knowing exactly what effect he was having on me.

“You know I do,” I managed, my mouth dry despite being surrounded by water.

He knelt beside the tub again, bare-chested now, and the heat radiating from his skin made the steamy bathroom feel even warmer. His hand cupped my jaw, thumb tracing over my lower lip with possessive intent.

“You know what happens to omegas who splash their alphas?” he murmured, voice dropping to that dangerous register that made my omega instincts sing.

“What?” I breathed.

“They get punished.” His thumb pressed against my lip, and I opened automatically, taking it into my mouth. His sharp inhale of pleasure sent heat flooding through me. “Thoroughly.”

His words made me shiver despite the warm water. His other hand slid into the bath, fingers trailing up my inner thigh with agonizing slowness, making me gasp around his thumb.

“Is this what you want?” His voice was rough now, strained. “Want me to touch you? Claim you? Make you mine again?”

I released his thumb with a soft pop. “Catch me first.”

The words hung in the steamy air for a heartbeat. Then I stood in a rush of water and bubbles, stepping over the edge of the tub. Water sluiced down my body as I grabbed the robe off the hook, wrapping it loosely around myself.

“Leo—” Dominic’s voice carried warning and promise in equal measure.

But I was already moving, heart pounding, fleeing the bathroom on unsteady legs. Behind me, I heard him stand with a muttered curse, heard the predatory deliberateness of his footsteps as he followed.

I made it into the guest room, my wet feet leaving prints on the hardwood. The nest was right there—my safe space, my sanctuary, the place I’d been sleeping alone while my alpha suffered through his exile on the couch.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Dominic’s voice came from the doorway. I glanced back to see him standing there, shirtless and magnificent, water still glistening on his skin. His eyes hadgone dark, pupils blown wide, as if something primal had shifted in him when he saw me run.

Something ancient and instinctive that made my omega hindbrain screampredator.

I dove into my nest, pulling blankets around myself like a cocoon, my heart racing with equal parts fear and anticipation. Through the fabric, I watched him stalk toward me with that fluid grace that made him look like a big cat on the prowl.

His breathing had changed—deeper, more measured. The careful, controlled alpha who’d been respecting my boundaries was gone, replaced by someone who’s allowed their feral side to take over.

“You shouldn’t have run, little omega,” he said softly, his voice carrying an edge that made my pulse spike.

“Oh, really?” I challenged, though my voice trembled slightly.

His smile was all predator. “Now my hindbrain thinks you’re prey.”

The words sent a thrill of fear and arousal straight through me. I could see it in his eyes—that ancient alpha instinct to chase, to hunt, to catch and claim what was his.

“Then come get me,” I whispered.

He lunged.

I tried to scramble deeper into the nest, but his hands were already on me, catching my ankles and dragging me back with inexorable strength. But instead of pinning me immediately, he reached for the edge of my carefully constructed nest.

“Wait—” I started, but he was already tearing it apart.

Pillows flew. Blankets scattered. My carefully arranged sanctuary—the nest I’d spent hours perfecting—was destroyed in seconds as he literally ripped through it to get to me.