Page 46 of The Omega Exchange: Omnibus

"I do," she says, nodding against my throat. "But I've found scent matches before, which, you know. It all falls apart when they start to get to know me."

"Christ," I murmur, palming the back of her head. My other hand tilts her face up to mine. "Don't stress, courting is meant to be fun." My lips brush over hers, and she gasps as I tease my tongue into her mouth. My hand on her hip goes from tender and comforting to proprietary real fucking quick. "We need to go or we won't leave at all."

"I'm actually okay with that," Evie whimpers against my mouth.

I laugh, but carefully move her to the couch and stand. "Consider this our first date."

Chapter Seventeen

Everly

"I'm confused," I say as Archie leads us into the kitchen of the downstairs restaurant.

"You're in pre-heat," Archie says, guiding us into a small room. It has large metal prep tables and… a small table with two chairs. "Tom is already plotting ways to commit murder and successful body disposal methods. I thought this would be a safe medium. We don't want to leave you trapped in your suite all day, but we also don't want you around the masses."

He holds out my chair, and I take a seat. He sits next to me and pulls his chair close to my side.

A smiling older woman approaches with a tray of food.

"Mr. Murphy called down and insisted on this plate," she says, placing it far away from both of us. "It's a spinach omelet with turkey bacon on the side." She laughs. "But I know omegas well enough to know that wasn't going to hit the spot." She puts another plate down right in front of me. "I think this'll be more to your liking."

"Mmm, it looks delicious," I tell her. "Thank you."

"Yes, thank you, Diane," Archie says as she places a similar plate in front of him. It's filled with scrambled eggs, bacon, hashbrowns, and French toast. "We'll be sure to get rid of all the evidence before Tom can find it."

Diane laughs. "You two enjoy your meal. I'll have them bring in the rest when you're done eating."

My face must show my confusion, because Archie laughs. "You'll find out soon enough. Don't ruin the surprise."

I give him a shaky nod, and Diane pats my arm, giving me a warm smile. She sets down drinks in front of us and heads off.

Archie and I spend a while eating. The air gets tense as he places his hand on my thigh. "I know I probably should have mentioned it earlier, but it didn't feel like the right time."

I swallow thickly, but it suddenly feels like there are rocks in my throat. I'm not sure if it's my discomfort or his.

"We have a full-time nurse practitioner on staff," he says, brushing hair away from my eyes and studying my face. "I don't know what options might be available or if you'd even be interested in speaking with her, but please don't feel pressured either way. It's your body, and thus your choice."

"You mean birth control?" I ask, chewing at my lip.

"Right," he agrees.

"Luke and I…"

I literally do not know what to say. I feel like my face is on fire.

Archie nuzzles his cheek to mine. "Luke was very vague about what the two of you did. I believe he wanted to respect whatever you have building between you." His lips ghost over my pulse. My body tingles in response. He tips my chin to his. His blue eyes sparkle as he smirks. "Tell me, lass, did he take good care of you?"

I nod, and Archie teases his lips over mine.

"Good," he growls. He nips my bottom lip with a sharp scrape of his teeth before swirling his tongue over it to soothe the ache. He's playful and teasing as he kisses me deeply. He pulls back,and I follow his mouth, but he yanks my head to the side with a handful of hair. "You taste like caramel apple pie." His eyes burn into mine with an intensity that takes my breath away. "I know it's bloody impossible, but I swear I can actually taste your pheromones."

That whiskey and honey scent of his floods the air. I whimper. Clenching my thighs together doesn't help contain my perfume. Archie runs his thumb over my pulse as his hand rests at the base of my skull.

"It's a good thing I had the foresight to keep us out of the main dining room," he murmurs. "I don't want to share your scent with anyone else."

The clanging of baking trays being dropped on the metal prep-table across the room draws both of our attention.

"Sorry," a young guy in an apron says. "There's a couple more pans. I'll be right back."