Page 16 of Love in Excess (Beta Accepted #9)

CELESTE

I wake up, my cheek pressed against a warm, clothed chest that’s definitely not Hunter’s. My eyes flutter open to a beautiful expanse of pale muscles coated in Lincoln’s scent. Oh, right. His chest rises and falls with his steady breathing as I sit up, a damp spot darkened from where my face was.

I swipe at my mouth, horrified to find drool.

Great. Real sexy, Celeste . I sit up too fast, my head spinning with the movement, before tumbling to the floor, my elbow smacking the coffee table.

A loud beeping slices through the silence, making me realize that’s what yanked me out of sleep.

No one needs coffee with all that happening.

Especially when Jasmine bounds over, her tongue swiping across my cheek to get more attention.

“Easy, girl,” I murmur, scratching her ears as I try to get my bearings.

Last night was kind of a blur but I remember all the good parts, like when Lincoln came down my throat as I sucked on all that beautiful metal.

I never would have imagined someone like him would be sporting that kind of bling but I am not complaining. I’m not sure how it ended up with me sprawled across his chest on the couch, passed out, but I kind of liked it. Snuggling into my Beta, holding myself against him…

Well, except for the drool. Fuck that. That’s embarrassing.

“You think he’s going to come over again?

” I ask Jasmine, knowing she can’t understand me.

I’m pretty sure I got a little too eager, drunk with Omega pheromones but Hunter was in control.

He always is. He would make sure Lincoln was comfortable.

I distinctly remember Lincoln saying ‘green’ multiple times, especially after I made him come and Hunter went for a second round.

I just hope that Lincoln doesn’t regret what happened last night because it only cemented where he belongs. With me and Hunter. And Jasmine.

Ignoring that shrill beeping sound, I search around for my phone, groaning as the movement reminds me of something I hadn’t cared about last night. My panties are soaked with slick, each shuffle to the coffee table making me just a little more disgusted.

I can’t grab my phone quick enough, sighing when I find my Alpha’s text.

Had to leave early but I let Jasmine out to use the bathroom. Let Lincoln know he can stay as long as he wants.

I frown and quickly text him back.

Did you text him too?

We talked last night but yes, I texted him this morning too.

Why didn’t you wake me up?

Hunter doesn’t respond immediately and I grip my phone a little tighter, waiting for an answer when a picture comes through.

There’s no explanation, no backtracking, just the picture of me tucked into Lincoln’s side, both of us passed out.

We look like something out of a magazine, the stark contrast in our skin and hair bringing out the beauty of the picture.

And in the dim light? It looks like we posed for it, a moment after a blissful evening, his elegant fingers splayed out across my back, my hand lightly cupped over his shoulder.

We look like lovers.

A gush of slick spills into my panties, the crotch of my pants now damp. Just… gross. My phone pings and I read the incoming text from him.

I didn’t want to disturb something like that. Have a good day, baby girl.

I stash away my phone and rush to the bathroom for a quick shower, my scent exploding the moment my panties hit the floor. Holy. Shit.

A quick rinse later, slick panty liners, and my favorite jumper donned, I head back out into the living room.

Lincoln is still asleep but he looks like a dream.

I almost crawl back into his lap but think better of it, sitting on the floor with Jasmine.

Every deep breath in, I get a little wetter, a whine sitting at the back of my throat.

I thought I had weeks before my next heat and then at least a few days but we might be looking at a day or two. With both of my mates’ scents now swirling around the house, it might be very difficult to tell my biology to fuck off.

A heat blocker or two might prolong the need but it won’t get rid of it.

However, that’s all I need. Just long enough to convince Lincoln that he belongs with us so that he can be there.

I heave out a sigh and push to my feet, searching for something to occupy my time until Lincoln wakes up.

Hunter didn’t mention breakfast but on Fridays, I usually go to that crepe place across the street.

The one with the little blueberries and Nutella.

“Maybe I can take your daddy on a date, Jasmine,” I murmur, the puppy trotting alongside me as I move into the kitchen.

“Does he even like blueberries? Maybe he’ll like the peach one.

I think it’s awful.” My next words get cut off by that shrill beeping again.

I have no idea where it’s coming from but the only thing that sounds anything like that is the smoke alarm.

That device and me are about to have words.

I glance around for the culprit, eyeing the one right above the kitchen island. That’s easy enough to get to as I climb onto the marble and stand, my fingers just inches away from the little round dot of Satan.

“Sweetie, what the heck are you doing?” My eyes widen as strong hands tug me off the marble and place me back on the floor.

“That’s dangerous as fuck. That’s also not broken.

” He wiggles his phone in my face, a red alert message on his screen.

“I apologize. Whenever there’s a call, it comes to my phone because it’s such a small city.

I’m not on duty, though, so they shouldn’t be pinging me. ”

I sag against him in relief. “Oh. Right. Do you have to go?” I pull away a little, smiling up at him. “I wanted to go get crepes with you. Jasmine can sit outside with us or we can order and bring it back?”

“Unfortunately, I have to go.”

“Do you regret last night?”

He furiously shakes his head, gently taking my face in his hands. “Sweetie, no . I loved it. I loved being taken care of even if I’m not used to it. It was… a little much but I don’t regret it. I think your Alpha talked me out of whatever hole I was going to fall into.”

“ Our Alpha,” I correct him.

He doesn’t immediately grab onto that. “Regardless, I do have to check in at work. I’ll be back for another date, though.

Maybe dinner.” My brows furrow in confusion before he explains.

“Hunter seems to be playing matchmaker. He mentioned that today might be a little long and that if I wanted a second date, tonight would be the best one.”

I snort and then nod, recognizing that we’re all pushing a little bit in our own ways. “Okay. Dinner. Do I get a kiss before you leave or is that too much?”

“Find me my shirt from yesterday and I’ll give you two kisses.”

I let out a little squeal and dash into the laundry, praying that Hunter was his thorough self last night.

He always takes good care of me that I know it’ll extend to Lincoln.

And just like I thought, there’s Lincoln’s clothes sitting folded on top of the dryer, crisp and clean.

I rush back over to him with the clothing, Lincoln staring at it amused.

“When did he even have time for that?”

“He’s a magician. Kisses please!”

He laughs as he slips on the shirt and changes into the shorts, leaving the pants he borrowed from Hunter on the small stand by the door.

“Coming right up, sweetie.” And then he wraps a hand around the front of my neck before dragging me into a full, tongue licking kiss, any hesitation from the night before gone.

It’s like last night opened a different door, Lincoln leaning into a slightly different, more dominant persona that I haven’t yet explored.

An embarrassing moan tears from my throat as I cling to him, slick coating the liner in my panties.

Thank fuck I put it on or I’d be a sticky mess and Lincoln would be able to smell my arousal.

His cock thickens against my belly, desire building beneath my skin until I’m starting to wriggle against him.

I wouldn’t mind him staying a little longer but…

Lincoln breaks the kiss, his irises a little darker than usual. “As much as I’d love to give you that second kiss, I think it’s best we postpone it. Until tonight, sweetie. Stay safe, okay?”

I barely manage a goodbye, still trying to catch my breath before he’s gone and I’m left wondering what to do for the day.