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Chapter Forty-Five

“ W hy the hell aren’t they back yet?” I mutter to myself, checking the little blue dot on my app for the thousandth time. Pacing back and forth across the cold gray concrete outside the DMV, I wait impatiently for my girl to return from her road test. She okayed the virtual stalking—not that I could stop anyway, but for her, I would certainly have tried—but banned me from following them in my car. Posie said it would make her way too nervous, so now the acid in my stomach is eating away at me.

It’s been a tough few days, balancing caring for my post-heat omega, starting back up with practice, and handling the aftermath of Owen’s accident. When the dust settled, we found out he came away with a mild concussion, bruised ribs, and a seriously jacked-up leg; it could have been so much worse. He’s going to miss some games, possibly the rest of the season, but nothing permanent—and his arm is still as great as ever.

It’s everyone else that has to deal with the trauma. Seeing his crumpled car and smelling the blood—it plays on repeat in my brain and invades Posie’s sleep every night. And other than holding my Puff tightly, I don’t know how to combat the fear. I’m sure it will fade in time, but for now, we’re doing the best we can.

Silver lining, though; Owen’s home and talking about looking for houses out by ours. He’s all in on us being together. So that’s something.

The blue dot finally starts heading back my way, and I can’t help but increase the speed of my pacing until the muscles in my calves start to burn. All my nervous energy growing with every second. I had wanted Posie to postpone the test, considering all she’d gone through. Of course, she had to be stubborn, and I’m not sure if her passing or failing would be the better option because our track record with cars is shit. I’m happy to be her chauffeur forever.

Freaking cars.

Her tracker shows them mere seconds away. Inhale. Exhale. My hands twitch nervously by my sides.

A shiny silver sedan rounds the corner, and pride swells in my chest, watching Posie expertly maneuver the vehicle around the turn and into a parking spot.

That’s my girl .

Waiting for them to get out of the car tries my patience further, and I walk to the sidewalk closest to where she parks. I narrow my eyes, attempting to peer inside while not giving into my Alpha instinct to rip the door open and claim my omega.

Indecision writhes in my gut, and just as my foot leaves the curb, ready to storm over there, the driver’s side door pops open. My breath catches as Posie emerges, her little white dress floating around her as she exits with a sunny smile. She grips a slip of paper in her hand and waves it around like a flag, hustling toward me eagerly.

“I did it! I passed!” she exclaims breathlessly, leaping into my waiting arms. Her body trembles against mine, and I can sense her delight and adrenaline in the bond.

“Congratulations, Puff. I’m so proud of you.” She glows under my praise, and I can’t wait to get her away from here. My lips crash down on hers, letting her sweet cotton candy wipe away all my worries. Having her here with me is all I need.

The slam of a door and a loud cough make me pull away, but I swing an arm over her shoulder to keep her nearby.

“Yes. She did very well,” the driving instructor says, sliding a pair of round glasses up his nose. “I will put in the paperwork today, and you should receive your card in the mail within two weeks.”

He taps a few times on his tablet, then peers up at us.

“That sounds great,” I tell him. “Is there anything more we need to do now?”

“No. The paper I gave you will serve as a temporary license until the card comes. You completed everything else before the written exam.” He doesn’t wait for our reply; just walks away without turning back, and that’s completely fine with me. I want my girl to myself .

When I glance down at Posie, she’s studying the paper with a little wrinkle between her brows, turning the slip over in her hands. The bond doesn’t tell me much about how she’s feeling, just a muted sense of concern.

“Everything okay?” She folds it neatly and slips it into her pocket, then musters a smile before replying.

“Fine. It’s just… a little anticlimactic? I guess.” With my arm still around her, we walk toward the SUV. “It was this huge looming goal. The thing that was going to let me be independent, but then we bonded, and I didn’t need to do it anymore.”

I open her door and she slides in gracefully, tucking the bottom of her dress under her legs while I reach across to buckle her in.

“You’re right. You didn’t need it to prove your independence; instead, you conquered one of your biggest fears. It’s even more impressive because you did it for you , not due to being backed into a corner.” Posie bites her plump red lips, mulling over what I said as I round the car and jump in.

“True,” she agrees. “Maybe it means more this way.”

“Plus, I have a surprise for you.” Wiggling my eyebrows at her elicits just the laugh I was hoping for. Her body finally relaxes against the seat, and I drop my hand to its proper place on her thigh.

“But you didn’t know I would pass,” she objects, sliding her fingers into mine and locking them together. Perfection. Backing the SUV out of the tiny lot, I turn it toward the open road, hoping to arrive at our destination before sunset .

“I had faith in you.” My answer makes her snort, and I can’t help but tease her right back. “And this works as a ‘congrats you passed’ or an ‘I’m sorry you failed’ kind of surprise.”

“Are you going to tell me what it is?” she asks, squirming in her seat.

“Nope.”

“Not even a teensy tiny clue?” Posie’s excitement is contagious, making her sweet scent flood the car, and I bite back a groan. There’s so much I have planned for her tonight, but I almost turn the car and head back home.

“It’s something you missed out on. And that’s all I’m gonna say.” Unable to stop myself, I ruck up the hem of her dress until my fingers touch her silky skin. Much better. “Now, sit back and enjoy the ride, my love.”

“Oh, Miller, you didn’t,” Posie gasps, leaning forward as all the large tents come into view behind the trees. There’s excitement in her voice, but also a little tendril of fear snaking through the bond. It makes sense after her last experience at the fair.

“Last time we were here, you were sad we didn’t get a chance to make out on the Ferris Wheel. That visit to the carnival sucked, but I promise, tonight’s going to be completely different.” She gulps hard, then looks up at me with complete trust in her eyes. It’s an absolute honor and a duty I don’t take lightly. Leaning over, I kiss her cheek, then climb out, walking around the car to open her door.

As soon as she exits, we walk hand in hand toward the front entrance.

“Miller… where are all the cars?” The lot is nearly empty, just as it should be.

“Those vehicles belong to the workers. We’re the only ones here tonight,” I promise, bringing her knuckles to my lips so I can rub back and forth over them. Her perfume bursts around us. Fuck yeah.

“You rented out the whole fair?” she whispers, shocked. “That’s too much, Miller. It must have cost a fortune… and the house too…”

“Puff, your happiness is priceless. Now, are you gonna let me kiss you at the top of the Ferris Wheel?” I joke, making a beeline right to the sparkling ride. It’s all lit up, shimmering in the rapidly darkening sky.

“I’ll let you kiss me anywhere,” she promises, happiness racing down our bond. The attendant steps forward and lets us into the swinging bucket. The gate closes with a snap, and then up we go, with a sharp lurch.

I can’t help but appreciate the view, watching Posie’s excitement as we’re lifted into the air. Her long hair shines under the light, cascading around her face and down her back. She shivers in the cool night air, and I pull her into my lap—where she belongs. Where she’ll always belong.

Her legs drape over mine, and I drop my mouth to her bond mark, licking it gently as my hands slowly rove her sexy-as-fuck curves. All mine .

The bucket moves slowly upward, giving us a stunning view of the skyline, the lush trees, and the sun rapidly setting over the horizon. Bands of pink, purple, and gold stain the cloudless sky, letting us see nature in all her splendor—but none of it compares to the woman in my arms.

“It’s beautiful,” she marvels as we reach the top and the swinging bucket stops.

“No, you are. You make me want you every second of every day,” I growl against her skin, watching the goosebumps rise all over her flesh. Posie inches back on my lap until she can feel my cock pressing against her ass. Her breath picks up, and the scent of her slick fills the air.

“Miller… we shouldn’t,” she gasps, but her hips roll wantonly against my growing erection. “They could see us. They could hear us.”

Her protests are cute, but the lust spilling out of her, making the air around us rich with her sweetness, lets me know it’s all for show.

“They could,” I agree, cupping her breasts through the soft material of her dress. They fill my palms perfectly, her rock-hard nipples poking through. She wiggles on my lap as I pluck at them, rolling the sensitive buds between my fingers. “But you like that idea. You want me to fill you with my big cock, anyway. Don’t you, Puff?”

“Yes,” she pants, undulating faster. One hand comes up to her throat while the other slides up her soft thigh and straight under her dress. I’m so worked up just by being around her I don’t slow down or wait. In a split second, my hand slides her panties to the side, two fingers sinking into her warm, wet pussy. Stretching her and getting her ready for my cock. She whimpers at the intrusion, and her pussy spasms, soaking my hand with slick. My thumb circles her clit, working her up, but it takes mere moments before Posie’s arching and coming hard on my hand. She’s as turned on as I am by the public display, not knowing that I told the attendant to leave us up here until I signal that we’re ready to return to earth.

“This all for me, omega?” I ask, turning her as the sun disappears, needing to look into her eyes. Her hands tug frantically at the waistband of my pants, and I’m glad I went for comfort as I lift my hips and allow them to side down easily. My cock pops free, standing straight up. Ready to be engulfed by her heat.

“Always you. Only you, Miller,” she whimpers, lowering herself slowly onto my throbbing cock. The carriage sways gently as she sets a pace that has me seeing stars. Our mouths fuse together, our breath becoming one as she rides me like the good girl she is. Tangling our tongues passionately, I let her control the moment, using my cock to chase her pleasure.

Uninhibited and perfect just the way she is.

Love fills our bond as waves of ecstasy crash over both of us simultaneously, leaving us a panting, sweaty mess.

“I love you, Puff,” I promise, breathing heavily into her hair. “Forever.”

“Till the end of time,” she swears, laying her head against my shoulder.