Page 26 of The Omega Exchange: Omnibus

"I need more whiskey," I grumble, pushing myself off my chair. Connor and Everly continue stringing the lights. I don't miss how close he gets to her back as he follows her around the tree.

Murphy stretches back in his chair. Luke is sprawled out across the couch. He passed out a while ago, about the time Connor called it a night. Connor has an early meeting tomorrow, his loss.

Everly and I finish the tree and hang a string of lights around the patio railing.Murphy bitches and complains the entire time.

The damned Christmas music continues on in the background as Evie studies the tree. She wiggles back and forth in an adorably uncoordinated attempt at dancing…I think.Whatever it is, it's adorable and enticing. Her thick hips and generous ass sway, and I can't seem to look away.

Maybe I'm slightly more intoxicated than I realized.

I sway in time with Evie as I approach. My hands grip her hips. She tilts her head, grinning at me over her shoulder. I spin her to face me and pull her in close.

"Would you like to dance?" I murmur close to her ear as we sway.

"I think we already are," she whispers, clutching at my vest. The longer we shimmy the more she presses her soft frame into mine.I could definitely get used to this.

I'm absolutely enraptured. Her cheeks are tinged with a light blush. It could be the alcohol, but I don't think that's it. Our pheromones are thick in the air. She rests her cheek against my chest. I'm sure she can hear my heart thumping viciously against my rib-cage.

I've lived a lot of years, thirty-one to be exact, and I've never felt the type of warmth that fills my chest when Evie smiles at me.

Compatible pheromones are one thing, but as Evie has experienced they don't ensure a good long-term match. Generally speaking, though, things do tend to work out when one is as drawn to the other as I find myself feeling toward the omega currently stepping on my toes.

Murphy could get away with lifting her up and dancing her around our living room. He'd grunt and shrug, and she'd likely just accept it with a smile on her face.The bastard.I've never been jealous of Tom before, but I'm suddenly rather envious of the caveman.

Evie's small hand rubs over my chest while the other clutches my back. She's a very sensitive little omega. My hand slides a little lower on her back, and Murphy watches us carefully.

"I used to dance with my mother every Christmas. It was her favorite time of the year," I murmur, trapped in the memories of what life was like before I lost my parents' pack. "When I was a young boy, she'd pick me up and dance me around the living room. As I got older she taught me where I should place my hands to be a perfect gentleman." I laugh, shaking my head. It's probably where my obsession with the subject comes from.

"Is your family still in Scotland?" Evie asks, tipping her face up to study mine.

I swallow thickly. "No, my mom and dads passed away in a car accident when I was fifteen. My Uncle Kiernan took me in. It's why my accent is so watered down."

"Archie," Evie gasps, her hands clutch me tighter. "Thank you for sharing that memory of your mom with me. I can tell it's special to you."

My eyes ache as I try to swallow around the rocks in my throat. I like that she doesn't offer her condolences. The words never help anyway.

"We should absolutely continue that tradition," she murmurs, running her hand over the back of my neck.

"I'd like that." My voice comes out shaky.

Evie continues stepping on my toes and snuggles her face close to my chest. My feet might ache tomorrow, but I'll deal with it.

Everly comes back from putting her wine glass in the sink. She kicked off her shoes a bit ago, and I find her wiggly little toes tobe adorable as she yawns and appraises the seating options. I'm about to offer her the seat next to mine, when she walks over and stands in front of Murphy. She opens her mouth, but it closes without speaking.

Murphy gives his chest a pat, and Evie lights up brighter than the Christmas tree. She climbs onto his lap, facing him, and snuggles in close to his throat. Murphy grins like he won the goddamn lottery.

As Everly tucks her compact frame closer to his body it becomes blatantly clear he'd choose her over the winning numbers. Her face cuddles close to his neck, and my heart races.

I don't care how dirty we have to play. That little omega isnotgoing to another pack. Murphy palms the back of her head with his giant hand, and I catch the faint sound of a ragged purr.

Jesus Christ.

Tom Murphy is purring. Yeah, I'd like to see someone try to take that soft bundle of omega away from him.

His eyes meet mine, and I can see the truth of our situation reflected back at me. Everly is absolutely ours. And I play dirty when I'm playing for keeps.

Murphy holds Evie until she falls asleep in his lap. He spends the next hour softly purring and watching her like a total creeper. Then again, so do I. Meaning I can’t say much, pot and kettle and all that.

Tom finally stands. It's an arduous process, as he moves slowly to avoid waking Evie.