Page 106 of The Omega Exchange: Omnibus (The Exchange)

Chapter Eighteen

Melody

Imanage the next few days okay. I’m not violently sick again, but the cramps also don’t start. I try not to obsess about it too much. Having kids is something I want more than pretty much anything in the world.

Nik and Miller are busy handling the situation from the storm. Apparently it was a big deal that a pack bonded without having it in their paperwork. The omega in question didn’t have a guard though, so it seems to me that The Exchange did all they could.

If I declined a guard or moderator and then ended up bonded, I feel like that would be on me. Then again, I’m not the one in charge.

Nik and Miller both come up to the penthouse after work, and on the second night, Nik informs me they have a surprise.

“Can I wear this?” I ask, looking down at the oversized T-shirt and leggings.

“Of course,” Nik murmurs, pulling me off the couch in the far living room. The storm is over, and for a few hours yesterday and today, I’ve been able to sit on the couch opposite the glass wall and watch the waves crash into the shoreline as I write.

This penthouse is beautiful, but it’s not really homey. I always imagined being able to take my kids outside to run and play to burn off some energy.

Christ, Mel. How ungrateful can you be? It’s like I find something good and still have to pick it apart.

Nik blinks down at me with his head tilted.

“Sorry,” I whisper, taking his outstretched hand. “Let’s go.”

“If you’re not up for gifts then we can settle into the nest. I promised we’d be around to take care of you.” He pulls me into him. “I’m feeling like I’ve failed you in that.” His head shakes. “I’m never this busy, and it couldn’t have come at a worse time.”

“It’s okay,” I tell him truthfully. “I have a job too. I understand that there are times when things come up.”

“All right, gorgeous,” Nik murmurs, brushing his lips over my cheek. “Let us court you properly.”

I clutch at his forearms, giving him a nod because my mouth feels too dry to speak. His calloused fingers link with mine and he leads us out to the main living room.

My jaw falls open as I get a look at all the boxes.

“Those cannot all be for me,” I whisper before I can hold back the words.

“They are,” Oliver says helpfully. “This set I bought before your heat, but because of the storm they weren’t delivered on time.” He nods to a smaller set on the end table at his side. “These are the ones I picked out after.”

“You don’t have to open them all today,” Miller assures me.

Nik guides me to the couch and nods for me to have a seat.

“Can I sit in your lap?” I ask Miller. He lights up, uncrossing his legs, and I sit on his thighs.

The way he immediately wraps a thick forearm around my middle makes me feel melty inside.

His hand brushes over my stomach, and I almost don’t know what to do with myself.

After our conversation, it’s clear he and I have the same goals in life.

“I love holding you. You never have to ask. Next time you just plant your ass right on me,” Miller murmurs, nuzzling his beard to my cheek.

I smile like crazy, giving him a shaky nod. Goodness, he knows just how to make me feel wanted.

“Okay, these are from all of us,” Oliver says, grabbing two boxes off the top of the pile. He hands me the first, and it’s kind of heavy.

This one isn’t wrapped, and I pull off the lid to discover a super soft knit blanket. It’s the chunky weave style that I’m obsessed with, but I would never actually pay as much for a blanket as I know this cost.

I squeal, pulling it out and bringing it to my face to test the feeling.

“Oliver, I love it,” I assure him, staring into his dark blue eyes.

“Good.” The boyish smile that crosses his face makes my heart race.

He’s so sweet. I’ve never known anyone as off-the-charts smart as he is.

Over the last few days while the guys were gone, we’ve spent a lot of time together.

Hearing him talk about tech and computer programs, it would be impossible to miss how intelligent he is.

It was a little intimidating when I first realized it, but he’s so authentic it’s hard to feel uncomfortable around him. “How about the next one?”

I nod as Nik takes the blanket and wraps it around my middle. I do an embarrassing little wallow back into Miller’s chest.

“You know how you always try to give the furniture an ass groove?” Nik chuckles, swiping a hand over his face. “I think our omega is trying to make a permanent claim on your lap.”

“I’m good with that,” Miller says, squeezing my middle.

“Can we get back to the gifts?” Oliver asks.

“Sorry,” I mouth the word, stretching out a hand and wiggling my fingers. “Give me all the goodies.”

Oliver grins, shaking his head, and passes me the next box. I grab it and settle back into Miller’s chest.

The lid comes off easily, and I snort a laugh when I get a look at what’s inside.

“You got me an avocado stuffie?” I hiss, pulling it out and snuggling the foot-and-a-half-long fluffy avocado.

“It’s microwavable,” Oliver says, shoving his glasses up. “Well, the heating pad in his abdomen is. I originally got it in case you had cramps, but—”

I untangle myself from Miller and chuck myself at Oliver. He lets out an oomph, wrapping his arms around my back.

“He’s adorable and I love him,” I say, kissing his chin.

“These are from all of us, but I’m really glad.” He gives me a lopsided grin that makes my thighs clench as I kneel over him.

“There’s also a cooling gel bead mask,” Miller says, pulling it out of the box.

“Apparently Oliver was on an avocado kick,” Nik says, laughing.

“It’s a perfect courting gift,” I assure him, running my hand over his chest.

“There’s more.” He kisses my cheek and my silly heart races.

“This one is from me,” Oliver says, handing me one of the boxes from the after-storm pile.

It’s not a clothing box like the others.

This one is heavier.

I shake it until the lid comes off and my jaw falls.

“Wait, what is this?” My eyes fly up to his. “You got me a new laptop?”

“Eh.” He shrugs. “It’s new in the sense it’s never been used, and I ordered it just for you, but I gave it some upgrades. You’ll be amazed after that clunky thing you’ve been using. However, that’s not the gift.” He grabs another smaller box that is wrapped in plain pink paper. He nods to it.

I rip into it and frown even though I don’t mean to.

“I’m so confused,” I whisper, looking up at him. “But I love the laptop, and I know it’ll be a million times easier to use my publishing software now.”

“I still can’t believe you were logging into a website to convert your files,” he says, running a finger over my cheek. “The microphone goes with the dictation software that’s already installed on the computer. This way if you’re not feeling great you can still get work done.”

My lip quivers as I grab the stuff and set it on the side table.

“Wait, what happened?” Nik asks, coming up to squat at our other side.

My head shakes, and I bury my face in Oliver’s throat. “Thank you,” I choke out, swiping at the ridiculous tears that I wish I could will away. “No one. Not one person has ever supported my career.”

“If it’s important to you, then it’s important to us,” Miller says.

“Although, if you’d like to cut back and only write for pleasure, you can do that too,” Oliver says. “I know how stressed you are about meeting your deadline.” His chest vibrates as he starts to purr, and I cry harder.

Ohmigod, I am so embarrassing.

“I’m so sorry. It’s a great gift and I love it. I don’t know why I’m crying,” I admit.

“My moms said to expect major mood swings during the heat and over the next few days,” Nik says, grimacing. “Shit, I don’t think that came out right.”

I laugh, shaking my head. “It’s okay. I know what you mean.”

“Can Miller and I give you one gift from each of us?” Nik asks, running a finger over my cheek. “The rest can wait.”

“Of course,” I agree.

“This is from me,” Nik says, giving me a smile I can’t quite interpret.

It’s small and light. I’m pretty sure it’s a jewelry box. Once I pull the lid off, it’s clear there’s a black rectangle with a popular jewelry company logo on the top.

I shake the inner box out and pop the hinged lid.

My eyes fly to Nik’s as I gasp. There’s a round cut diamond pendant necklace and a bracelet that matches. I mean, I think it’s a diamond. That’s what it looks like.

The bracelet has two metal sides that are elegant and simple, but the top has a very large round clear stone.

“I noticed you don’t wear much jewelry, so if you hate it, we can save it for special occasions. But I know you have a birthday coming up at the end of April, and I figured it was fitting to match your birthstone,” he says, seeming to grow more uncomfortable the longer he speaks.

“I love it, but for the record, you don’t need to spend this type of money on me again,” I whisper, shaking my head. “Sorry, it’s beautiful and I love it.”

“Good,” he murmurs, wrapping his hand around my head and pulling my mouth to his. We share a kiss directly in front of Oliver’s face. He tightens his hold on my hips as Nik devours me in a tantalizingly slow kiss that builds until I’m grinding over Oliver.

“Let’s not forget Miller,” Nik says in an amused tone as he pulls back.

I follow his lips, which makes him chuckle.

I give Oliver a quick kiss on the cheek before aiming for Miller.

Nik helps me stand, and before I turn to head for my last gift, I make sure to kiss his cheek too. Naughty kisses are one thing, but I want him to know how much I appreciate him.

“I really do love it. No one has ever given me jewelry before.” I give him a quick hug and move to Miller.

“Mine is nowhere as fancy as that,” he says, rolling his eyes at Nik over my shoulder.

I climb into his lap, facing him, and bury my face in his fuzzy throat. His beard tickles my skin, but I really love the sensation.

“Spending more doesn’t make it mean more,” I whisper against his ear.