Page 286 of The Omega Exchange: Omnibus

My feet dig into his ass. Part of me does, but a bigger part of me doesn’t want it to be solely for competition or one-upping Oliver’s claim. I’m a little afraid Nik is used to being the most important member of their pack. He wants to be the star.

“One day,” I say, nodding my agreement. “I want to get to know you.”

“Is this because of Nathan? I never?—”

I push my mouth to his, clutching his shoulders. He freezes for several seconds before he makes it his mission to destroy my sanity with a kiss that feels like pure foreplay.

“It’s not,” I say between kisses. “I know we have so much to learn abouteach otherand that goes both ways.”

“You let Oliver bite you,” he says, raking his teeth over my lower lip.

“And we’ll get there too, but I do think I need a little time to settle into one bond before I add more.” I stare up into his bright blue-green eyes. They’re captivating. They stand out in stark comparison to his dark olive skin and dark hair.

“But you do want me?” Nik asks, grinning dangerously.

“I do,” I agree as his hands tighten on my ass.

“Then I can be patient. As long as you know I’m going to keep courting the shit out of you,” he murmurs, kissing me again.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Miller

Melody spends the next few weeks in what she calls her “writing bubble.” It’s very cute, but I think we’re all grateful when she sends her manuscript off for editing.

I know she’s frustrated because she was behind schedule, but I’m a big fan of the sayinglife happens. She’s had a lot going on. I think she hyperfocused on her job in order to mask some of her fear of the unknown.

She picks a local doctor, but it’s more for an introductory visit to make sure she likes the practice and they’re a good fit. She has her next real appointment coming up in a few days.

Mel still doesn’t seem one hundred percent comfortable in the house. I get it because it was an adjustment for me too.

We help Carver pack up his apartment, and he moves into one of the downstairs bedrooms.

Melody misses most of it since she spends the majority of her days compulsively setting up the nest.

We finally make it to the day of her doctor’s appointment with the local obstetrician, and this time Nik and I accompany her.

Dr. Jamison is an older beta in his late fifties if I had to guess. He’s friendly and not at all concerned by the fact Melody has lostsixpounds since her first appointment.

“I would like to see you maintaining weight or possibly gaining a pound or two by the time I see you next,” Dr. Jamison says when I bring up the issue for the second time. “But it’s not unusual for there to be weight loss in the first trimester.” He glances at his tablet. “Oh, you’re going to be sixteen weeks tomorrow. You’ve successfully made it into the second trimester...”

Melody’s eyes get wide when the doctor mentions setting up an ultrasound. Nik leans forward in his chair, but I push myself out of mine and stand by the side of the table. She instantly takes the hand I offer and leans against my stomach.

“So we’ll get that scheduled sometime before your next appointment,” Dr. Jamison says.

“She’s been run down lately,” Nik mentions. “Sleeping and nesting...” He frowns like he just realized that might sound insulting. “A lot.”

“That’s par for the course,” the doctor says, giving Melody a soft smile. “Omegas are often extra cuddly for the duration of the pregnancy. I’m sure you’ve already noticed that your alpha’s pheromones tend to help with anxiety and even nausea to a certain extent.”

“I have,” Melody says, glancing between me and Nik. Her cheeks are rosy as she shrugs. “Am I safe to take a trip? I have to head back to Texas.”

“You should be fine,” Dr. Jamison says. “If possible, travel sparingly to help prevent swelling, especially once you get further along. But honestly, the second trimester is the ideal time for travel because you should notice your energy levels pick back up.”

I run my finger over her inner wrist. She has belongings and things she needs to retrieve from her apartment, but it’s safe to say she won’t be taking the trip alone. There’s no way any of us are going to let her be around her ex without at least one of us being there.

I haven’t talked to him. He has left Mel alone the last couple weeks, but from what Carver said combined with his arrest records...

It’s just not going to happen.