Page 25

Chapter Twenty-Five

“ Y ou’ve got to be kidding me,” I squeal, rushing over to the huge jeweler’s workbench. I’ve had my eye on the sturdy oak piece for months, staring at it on the website and mentally calculating how many pieces of jewelry I needed to sell to justify spending over ten thousand dollars on one piece of equipment.

It’s situated in the second bedroom of Miller’s apartment, though whirling around, I notice it looks nothing like a bedroom. He’s turned into a creative paradise. Now home to pretty much every tool I’ve ever looked at—and many I haven’ t. I knew Miller lived in the same building as Owen and the guys, but I’ve never been inside his place before—and now I understand why.

The place is brimming with my favorite things. Blankets, pillows, even the same cozy chair I prefer to snuggle up in when I’m having a tough day. And now this—an entire room completely dedicated to my business.

My jaw is on the floor. There’s so much here that I can’t even wrap my mind around the sheer expense.

And how long has it been here?

Spinning around, I find Miller leaning against the doorframe with joy dancing in his eyes. His muscles stand out, mouthwatering and tantalizing in his fitted blue T-shirt and gray Feral Feckers sweatpants. He looks every inch the powerful athlete, and my pussy quickens with need. Because he isn’t just some hot guy.

He’s mine.

Down, girl.

“If you like this, you should really check out your bathroom,” he says with a chuckle, and I bolt around him to find the next surprise. My feet carry me down the hall and into the other bedroom before I stumble to a halt. Although I’m heading for the bathroom, the sight of the enormous bed stops me dead in my tracks. It’s huge and piled high with a fluffy comforter and pillows that look suspiciously like my things from home. It’s even the perfect colors, and the sudden urge to dive in and build the prettiest nest slams into me.

My fingers twitch as I imagine where each pillow needs to go, where every blanket would fit and work together to create my safe haven .

Our safe haven.

Nesting isn’t an instinct I’ve been particularly in tune with. I love a good cozy chair and all the soft things, but never have I wanted to climb into the middle of a bed and create a nest more than I do at this moment.

Oh… that pillow from the living room would be perfect to build with.

Without meaning to, I stand beside the bed and haul the pillows from their spots. I lift the edge of the comforter, shoving them underneath in a half-circle and becoming irrationally upset when there isn’t enough to go all the way around.

A needy whimper flies from my throat, and I try to control my emotions—horrified by my behavior. It’s just so omega —so instinctual that I don’t know how to respond or ask for what I need.

“Omega, you’re building a beautiful nest,” Miller praises, coming to stand beside me. Strong arms band around me, and it’s like coming home. He’s cautious, never touching any part of my odd creation, even though it’s in the middle of his bed. It’s like he knows how big of a deal this is. “Would you like some help?”

My inner omega rebels at the thought, and my nose wrinkles as I shake my head vigorously.

“Need. Pillows,” I squeak around the lump in my throat. With a gentle hum of approval, he guides me toward a closet I hadn’t noticed earlier, crab-walking behind me slowly as if there’s no rush. His care is a soothing balm against all the chaotic needs and wants that fight for dominance within me, and I let out a breathy sigh, wanting us to be skin-to-skin. Heart-to-heart .

Never breaking the loving embrace, he opens the door. It creaks on its hinges, swinging open to reveal mountains of nesting materials—made of a variety of my preferred fabrics.

“How did you… Why did you… When…” I break off at a loss for words. It’s all so much to take in.

“You’re it for me, Posie. And while I was waiting for the time to be right, I observed. Planned. Hoping one day we would find ourselves in this moment,” he explains.

“But… you could have anyone. Why waste so much time waiting for me?”

Miller twists me until I’m facing his chest. Somehow, I never realized quite how significant our size difference was before. I’m fairly tall for an omega, about five-five, but he’s got several inches on me. Not ready to meet his gaze, I fixate on the hollow of his throat, the two freckles dancing where his thick stubble ends. With each breath, they move up and down, and I follow the motion while trying to ignore the anxiety building below my skin.

“I wish you could see what I do, little omega,” he says, pulling me closer until he’s practically whispering in my ear. His words are soft, so quiet it’s like trying to hear secrets in the wind. “You’re smart. You’re fiercely loyal to those around you. You’re kind to everyone, even if they don’t deserve it. You’re passionate about your craft. You’ll bend over backward to help a friend in need. Your smile makes me feel like I’m basking in the sun’s warm rays. Those curves you’re rocking make me hard as fuck. And that scent…”

With every addition to the list, something tugs in my heart, building on the feelings I’ve always had for Miller Phillips .

“What scent?” I ask, curious because I’m unsure of my perfume due to the anosmia.

“You don’t know? No one’s ever told you?” He asks, pressing his face deep against my neck with a moan before a growl comes from deep within his throat.

“People say it’s sweet. Super sugary. But I can’t smell it,” I explain, licking my lips. My body is responding to his nearness; nipples hardening, heart rate spiking. I step closer and slide my arms around his waist, needing to be as close as possible. Wishing he was closer…

“You smell like the perfect puff of cotton candy.” The rumble from his words vibrates against me, and it’s so sensual that it takes a moment to sink in. Puff—like my nickname. The second it registers, a startled laugh bursts forth. He was never talking about my weight. The sudden change in nickname happened after I perfumed. A way for him to acknowledge the scent match without me picking up on it. Oh, Miller. I melt a little more.

“The mouthwatering scent that’s currently hiding under all that lotion crap you put on.”

“It’s itchy, too,” I confess, glancing toward the white door that I’m pretty sure leads to the bathroom.

Hint hint, big guy.

The incomplete nest mocks me from the middle of the bed, and I’m torn between wanting to finish or getting all soapy with Miller. But the look of pure, unadulterated love on his face is all I need to decide.

“Wanna help me clean it off?” I ask, biting my lip until a sharp stab of pain pulls my focus from the nerves .

Even though we’ve been doing stuff all weekend, this is so much more . Everything until now has been heat spikes and instinct. This request is just me, an omega, standing in front of her Alpha—pure and untouched—hoping he’ll be my first.

Miller’s beautiful blue eyes darken, the pupils blowing wide until they’re nearly black with desire. His lips press together in a straight line, and his nostrils flare, making my nerves jangle.

“I’m on the edge, sweet girl. If we start, I don’t know if I’ll be able to stop,” he warns, and it thrills me. Knowing he wants me that badly.

Be bold, Posie.

Standing on my tiptoes until we’re nearly at eye-level, I stare into his darkened orbs.

“I don’t want you to. Because you’re mine. ” I dare to lay my claim, swooping in to nip the side of his neck quickly before spinning from his arms and darting toward the bathroom.

All the hair on the back of my neck stands up as a deep growl cracks through the room. I’m provoking the beast, but the warmth around my heart is abso-fucking-lutely sure that Miller won’t harm one hair on my body.

Even when I thought he hated me, there was always a safety that radiated from him. He’s always felt like home, even when it made no sense.

And now that it does…

Well, I’m ready to give my inner hussy exactly what she wants.

Omegas have a heightened sex drive, and while not being able to smell has kept me from going into heat, it hasn’t changed that fact. I’ve always wanted Miller.

My brother’s best friend. My stalker. My scent match .

He’s the only Alpha I can imagine losing my virginity to—to be so vulnerable with. And I’ll be damned if I let him overthink this in some act of chivalry. Before I can chicken out, I grab the soft hem of my dress and lift it over my head, revealing the curves of my back on the way to the bathroom.

Miller’s strangled moan makes me feel like a siren instead of a virgin, and I can’t help but play it up, letting the cotton material slide to the floor as I enter the room.

“You’re going to be the death of me, omega.” Miller’s arms circle around me, his warm chest pressing against my back, and I tip my head in submission—ready to let him lead.

Ready to take the first step into the rest of our lives.