Page 14 of No Strings Attached (Omega’s Preference #4)

Jamie

We stay like that for a while, until the water runs cold and I have to force myself out of Elias’ embrace so that we can dry off. Elias is still mostly grumbles and purrs, although there’s something endearing about this version of him. As if he feels safe enough to be in this state around us.

After helping dry him off, he digs into one of the cabinets and slips into a pair of sweatpants before throwing one of his shirts over my head.

It’s entirely too long, hanging just past my knees but I grin up at him, the Omega managing a smile in response.

Even in this state, he’s taking care of me, Elias lifting me onto the bathroom sink without a word.

I watch, confused and yet, intrigued as he digs around in some of the drawers before unearthing a hair dryer.

“Sweetheart, you don’t have to do all that.”

He throws me a glare before plugging it in and aiming it at my head, the sudden heat of the dryer sending a shiver down my spine.

I, then, feel his fingers move through my hair in the place of a comb, the gentleness of his touch in contrast with how he was in the shower.

Slowly, I place my head against his chest as he dries my hair.

Goddess, this feels amazing. I’m going to have to tell Olivia to dry my hair like this. It’s intoxicating.

I drink in his honeydew rain scent, relishing in his touch as he continues. “I shouldn’t have touched you, Alpha. I’m sorry.”

I wait until he’s done, Elias setting the dryer down on the counter before I take his face in my hands. “Maybe you’re not ready to name what this is, but I’m giving you permission. You are always allowed to touch me.”

He offers me a smile and then helps me to my feet, leading me to the bedroom.

I hadn’t really been able to take anything in before but the place has a cozier feel than most of the houses in our business have.

Everyone is so twisted up in how expensive their homes are that they forget to enjoy the simplicities.

Olivia is already there, sitting cross-legged on the bed, steam curling into the air from three bowls on a tray.

Her hair’s loose now, one of her straps falling to the side.

Elias moves to sit beside her, the size difference both adorable and shocking.

The tension in his shoulders has shifted but there’s still an uneasiness lingering about him.

Her lips curl up as he presses a kiss to her cheek before pulling back, a pout on his lips. “I wish I could have at least danced with you.”

Olivia laughs, a light sound that we all desperately need.

“I’ll make you a deal,” she muses, a playful edge to her words.

“Eat and get some rest, and I’ll put this dress back on for you tomorrow for that dance.

” Elias nods as Olivia hands me my own bowl and then takes a spoon to the second one before lifting it to our Omega’s lips.

He hesitates and then accepts it, both of them losing themselves to the moment.

I curl up against the headboard, content to watch until Elias drags Olivia into his lap.

He starts running his nose along her hairline and down her neck, my wife biting back a smile as he scents her.

“Hey, hey ,” she purrs, waiting for Elias to pause.

“Can you tell me what happened, baby?” Elias' shoulders fall, his head falling to her shoulder.

I hate that.

“Sweetheart, we don’t want to ask,” I offer, “but we’re worried that something is really wrong. I’ve watched your videos over the years, but whatever’s going on is taking away that beautiful smile of yours.”

Olivia reaches up to cup his face as he strings an arm around her waist. “So, it isn’t me?” Olivia asks.

“No, it’s not you,” he pushes out. “I just didn’t want to get his scent on you.”

Olivia’s brown eyes narrow, her hand still cupped against his cheek. “Whose scent?” she asks. “At one point, you were mumbling ‘he owns me’. Who is he ? Tristan?”

Elias shakes his head, his fingers tightening on her wrist. He looks at me, then back at Olivia, a haunted look in his eyes. “No, I mean, yes, but my new boss,” he says, his voice barely above a whisper. “He… I came to the gala with him.”

A growl rumbles in my chest, the idea of Elias' new boss leaving his scent on him twisting my gut. My hands clench around the hem of my shirt, the fabric bunching under my fingers. “What did he do to you?”

Elias hesitates, his lips parting, then closing. “He… nothing,” he whines, his voice and scent betraying him. “I just… Warren isn’t as nice as everyone says he is.”

We both stiffen at the mention of ‘Warren’ but it’s Olivia who addresses it. “Baby, are you talking about Warren Hart? Like Hart Entertainment?”

Elias chokes up and nods, his eyes glistening with unshed tears.

I wonder, for a fleeting second, if this is because of us, because of what happened in the motel this afternoon.

But that’s impossible—no one knows, not even Tristan.

Still, the thought of Hart’s hands on Elias, his scent marking him, makes my skin crawl.

Olivia’s scent hardens further, a protective edge to it, and Elias lets out another small whimper. “Don’t do anything,” he pleads as he holds her closer to him. “ Please . I’ll figure it out. I just… can we just sleep right now?”

Olivia’s eyes soften, but I can see the fire behind them, the rage she’s holding back. “You really don’t want me to do anything?”

Elias slowly releases her and it’s obvious that his instincts are making it hard for him to continue this conversation.

“My entire livelihood is wrapped up in this. I’ll…

figure it out. It won’t happen again.” I also realize that he probably hasn’t had someone in his corner the last few years.

An Omega would gladly give in, letting their Alpha take care of a problem like this.

My heart breaks a little, watching him try to be strong. Maybe, in time, he’ll let us shoulder some of that weight for him.