Page 22 of The Omega Exchange: Omnibus (The Exchange)

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, hash browns, 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."

Archie stands, offering me a hand. The thick outline of his erection is visible in his suit pants.

"Do you ever wear jeans and t-shirts?" I ask, still staring at his extremely large bulge.

"I do," he agrees. "Usually on weekends."

My eyes fly to his, and I realize he totally caught me perving.

Archie laughs. "It's all right," he murmurs, pulling me into his chest. He gets very close to my ear before continuing. "I quite like you staring at my cock, but I think we'll both enjoy it a bit more when that look of surprise on your face is because I'm sliding it inside you."

An embarrassing little groan escapes, and Archie grins. He's definitely not holding back any more. His brazen comments make my face burn.

"Oh yes," he says, brushing his lips over my cheek. "I can't wait to see the faces you make when I stretch you out over my bed."

"I-I want that, too," I agree.

There's more commotion behind us, and the scent of gingerbread fills the air. But I'm still focusing on Archie. He grins as my chest rises and falls in rapid movements.

"Sorry, boss," the same guy from earlier says. "That's all of it. Diane said please don't bang in her kitchen. It's against health code. Thanks. Don't fire me. I'm just the messenger."

Archie snorts. "This is our first courting activity," he says, guiding me over to the tables. "The rest will come later. That's a promise, lass."

"Ohmigosh," I whisper, getting a look at the table. "This is on my Christmas Fuck-It List."

"I'm sorry?" Archie sputters, humor lining his tone. "What was that?"

"A terrible list my best friend created to ensure I embarrassed myself at every possible turn," I mumble, leaning over to study all the goodies.

"I don't know," Archie says, grabbing my hips in a possessive grip that has me shivering.

My hands squeeze the prep table to keep myself upright.

"It sounds positively lovely to me." Archie winks.

"Now, what exactly is on the list? Enquiring minds and all that.

" He steps to my side, and I get a strong hit of his scent.

He's still highly aroused. His scent is doing wild things to my system.

My nipples ache with the same painful ache that radiates in my core.

Archie caresses my cheek, and I try to refocus my attention.

"The list," he helpfully reminds me. His tone is edged in humor, but his voice is still deeper than normal.

"Make a gingerbread house and play in the frosting," I whisper. My eyes squeeze shut as I clench my thighs together. It doesn't help. I'm still achy with need.

Archie's face morphs from playful to predatory in the blink of an eye. "Yes, we can indeed check that one off the list."

The table has two gingerbread houses laid out.

The pieces are placed so you know where each one goes as you assemble it.

Nearby there are several types of frosting in piping bags.

Small trays contain everything from colorful gummy candies to several types of cereal, and there are marshmallows, candy canes, and mini-gingerbread snowmen.

"Archie, this is incredible," I whisper, leaning over and checking out all the items.

"It sure is," he says, but he's not looking at the table. He's holding his phone like he's taking a picture of me. He flips the screen around. I study the picture.

My glasses are low on my nose, and I'm grinning as I study one of the tiny gingerbread men. It's the joy on my face that surprises me. I haven't been able to really enjoy Christmas since all that stuff happened with Cassie.

"Shall we get started? Diane promised to include easy-to-follow instructions. Ah yes, here they are." Archie smirks. The sight takes my damn breath away.

"Your shack is teetering on the edge of collapse," I say, laughing behind my hand.

Archie frowns at his monstrosity. He places another chewy cinnamon candy on the edge of the roof. It looks like a soft breeze could send it toppling over.

"Yes, I must admit yours is much better constructed. You've got a little something here," he says, smearing vanilla frosting on my lips.

"Hey," I whisper. This isn't the first time he's dirtied me up with frosting.

"Let me help you," he murmurs. His hand clutches my jaw as he rubs his thumb over my lower lip. My tongue darts out, swirling over his finger.

I'm wearing an oversized sweater dress and knee-high boots that Luke picked out for me this morning when he retrieved my clothes from my room. The boots give me extra height and put my face closer to Archie's.

"Good God, how I want to shove my fingers down your throat as I fuck you from behind," Archie murmurs against my jaw.

His other hand yanks my hip, pulling us chest to chest. My tongue swirls around his thumb as he pushes it deeper into my mouth.

My thighs clench together. I'm trying to settle the throbbing ache in my core, but it's ineffective. My perfume radiates around us.

Archie snarls. He spins me, pinning my hands on the cool metal of the prep table with one hand and pulling my hips back with the other.

"You're very close to your heat." His cock grinds into my ass. He growls against my neck. Warm fingers tease up under the edge of my dress. He grips my thigh and hip in his strong hand, and I squirm.

"You are choosing us to ride out your heat," Archie says against the shell of my ear. "That's not a question, darling."

"Yes," I agree. "I want you guys…" My breath shudders out. "And Luke if he'll be there."

Archie flips the back of my dress up. Cool air hits my ass, and I groan.

"He wouldn't have it any other way. Fucking hell, I want to mark up this ass before I fuck it." He yanks my head back with a handful of hair. "Are you open to that, lass?"

"Y-Yes," I moan.

"Good," Archie growls. He directs my head where he wants me to go and shoves his tongue in my mouth as he grinds himself against my bottom. "Yes, right. Diane will have my head…" He laughs, shaking away the fog that seemed to be creeping in. "Let's migrate somewhere more appropriate."

I give him a shaky nod as he flips my dress down. "I may need you to walk slightly in front of me." He laughs. "I'm not sure my employees want to see this side of me." He gestures to his erection.

I laugh. "I'll do my best."

Archie guides us down a hallway I'm not familiar with. Luke comes around the corner at the end of the hall. A shrill voice I'm not expecting follows him, and my heart thumps.

"I thought we had something special," Anastasia says, making a grab for his arm.

My chest gets tight. I take a step back. Something special?

I don't like the idea of Luke having anything with her… With anyone but me, if I'm being honest.

"No," Archie murmurs in my ear, holding me in place. "Nothing like she's making it seem."

"Why the hell did you stick me with that old man?" Anastasia demands, grabbing Luke's arm again. "How am I supposed to get anything done?"

"What the hell does that mean?" Luke tries to shake her hold off his arm.

"You know what? I don't care. You're not my problem.

Let me go," he says. He spins to face her fully.

"Viktor is good at his job. I have no interest in going back to work with you.

Didn't your parents teach you any manners?

Keep your damn hands to yourself." He spins to head toward me and Archie.

"But I like you. I want to get to know your pack," Anastasia says, following him.

Luke barks a laugh, shaking his head. He turns back toward her. "That makes so much sense. I couldn't figure out why you acted like that yesterday with Evie. Hell, you barely glanced my way after I made it clear I'm not an alpha. You think I'm in a pack with the owners."

"I told you," Archie says, kissing my cheek. "Go rescue him." He gives me a gentle shove, and I head for Luke.

"You aren't?" Anastasia asks, frowning. She spots me first since I'm approaching Luke's back as he faces her.

"Hey," I say, giving an awkward little wave as I try to right my footing.

Luke spins. "Evie…" He trails off, looking anxious, but I trip on my own feet and stumble straight into his chest.

"Oomph," I grumble, readjusting my glasses. "Thanks for the save."

Luke smiles down at me and it makes my heart thump. "Did you and Archie have a nice date?" His nose dances up my neck. "Yes, it smells like you had fun."

"We did," I agree, smiling. "Do you want to join us for what comes next?"

Luke smirks. His eyes dart to Archie's.

"You're such a pain in the ass," Viktor, Anastasia's security guy says. His deep, growly voice causes me to jump. "You're slipperier than an eel in an oil spill. And every bit as treacherous."

"I don't know what she was doing, but I ran into her in the hall outside Connor's office," Luke tells Viktor.

Viktor sighs. He scoops up his client, tosses her over his shoulder, and heads back the way he came. All while she kicks and screams and complains.

"I probably should intercede," Archie says, coming up to our side. "But I haven't the mind to care."

"He won't actually hurt her," Luke says, scratching at his jaw. "Well, he might spank her if she's not careful."

"Would you like to join us?" Archie asks, raising his eyebrows at Luke.

"Most-fucking-definitely," Luke agrees, scooping me up and tossing me over his shoulder.