Page 30 of The Violence of Love (The Black Market Omega #2)

Autry

We spent all afternoon at the nesting shop, and I was in absolute heaven.

Fabric swatches are draped everywhere—silks, cottons, velvets in every possible shade—while towering displays showcase nesting beds in every size, shape, and configuration imaginable.

Pillows piled high like clouds surround us, and I touch at least a thousand of them, testing textures, densities, and scents.

Myrick and Oli chat nearby about life in general, Brock, Rhett, and Myrick’s decision to leave his job at the museum last year.

Charlie and I slip into our own little world.

He’s patient and sweet, letting me drag him from one display to the next.

As a beta, I’m sure he couldn’t care less about slick-absorbent sheets, but he pretends to be completely fascinated, nodding along as if picking nesting fabrics is the most important decision of his life. It makes my chest warm and fluttery.

When we return to the apartment, I make dinner. Nothing fancy—pasta and a simple salad with what Myrick had in the fridge—but cooking again feels good. I haven’t been in a kitchen in months and realize how much I miss it.

“That was amazing,” Oli says, rubbing his stomach like he’s one bite away from a food coma. “Any more and I’ll need to be rolled out of here.”

I laugh before I can stop myself, and he grins like he’s proud to have gotten it out of me. “I’m glad you like it,” I say, trying not to sound too pleased.

“Liked it?” he scoffs. “I haven’t eaten like that in weeks. I don’t even like salad, and I cleared the damn bowl.”

I smile, proud that he liked my cooking so much.

I want to ask him what his favorite dishes are, but I’ve tried not to say too much to the alpha, out of respect for Rhett.

I don’t think he’d be thrilled about me getting too friendly with the young alpha.

“Well, I’m glad,” I say. “I love cooking. The kitchen is my happy place.”

“It really was fantastic,” Myrick adds, wiping his mouth with a cloth napkin before setting it on his empty plate. “Sadly, I’m completely useless in the kitchen.”

Charlie snorts. “My version of cooking is pushing a few buttons on a microwave.”

“Same here,” Oli admits with a short laugh.

“You two are lucky to have a gorgeous woman who’s also a wizard in the kitchen.

” He freezes slightly—eyes going wide, smile tightening, like he’s realizing what he said.

“I—I didn’t mean—like, women should cook or anything,” he stumbles over the words.

“Just that...it’s nice, you know? When someone makes you a good meal.

” He grimaces like he’s scared he offended me, but that couldn't be further from the truth.

“We are incredibly lucky,” Myrick says, slipping his hand across the table to gently cover mine. His eyes are soft and sweet as he looks at me .

My stomach flips at all the attention, and I duck my head, cheeks burning. “I’m glad you all liked it.”

Oli clears his throat roughly, then stands. “Well, I should head out.”

“I’ll walk you to the door,” Myrick offers, already standing with a satisfied sigh. I don’t know how long Myrick and Oli have known one another, but they seem like old friends.

“Grab the big dish,” I say to Charlie as I start clearing off the dining table. We carry the dishes into the kitchen together. I love this room. It’s all sleek, white cabinetry with golden hardware and polished white tile. It’s incredibly masculine, but in a curated, designer kind of way.

“This apartment’s deceptively big,” Charlie says, taking the plates from me and setting them in the sink.

“It really is,” I say. “Did Myrick give you the full tour?”

“Oh yeah,” he says, eyes wide like he can’t believe everything this place has. “Did he show you the gym behind that frosted glass wall?”

“Myrick offered to show me everything in there, but I only peeked inside,” I say with a shrug. “I’m not really into running. With my boobs, I need three sports bras to avoid knocking myself out.”

Charlie laughs, then shakes his head. “I still can’t believe the stuff they have here.

There’s a sauna, a lap pool with one of those resistance currents, and—get this—an ice pod.

” He makes a face, like it’s too absurd to take seriously.

“The fanciest thing I had growing up was a lamp with a dimmer switch in the living room... and even that short-circuited.”

“An ice pod?” I wrinkle my nose. “What’s that?”

“It’s like... a chamber that drops your body temp. Cold therapy or something,” Charlie says .

An image of Rhett standing inside, icicles clinging to his lashes, pops into my head. I shiver at the thought. “Why would anyone willingly do that to themselves?”

Charlie shrugs. “Maybe it’s a really upscale way to ice your balls.”

I snort, laughing louder than I mean to, and he laughs too, the sound lighting something bright in my chest.

“Everything here is so over-the-top,” he whispers, leaning in like we’re sharing a secret. His gaze flicks to the gold faucet. “Even the fixtures look like they cost more than my car.”

“At least the living room’s cozy,” I say, picturing the plush pillows and soft throws I’ve already claimed. “But I will admit, the rest of it feels a little… masculine.” I decide that’s a nice way to describe it. “It needs an omega’s touch.”

“Definitely,” Charlie says, giving me that beautiful, boxy smile. “You make everything you touch better.” His dark brown eyes hold me. There’s something deep within them that makes my heart flutter.

“Autry?” Charlie whispers my name so softly, I lean in, heart pounding.

“Yes?” I look up at him, wanting so badly for him to kiss me.

“I—”

“Okay, lovelies. It’s getting late.” Myrick calls out as he strolls back into the kitchen, and I jerk back a little bit. I don’t know why. It’s not like I’m doing anything wrong. But for some reason, it feels rude to be this close to Charlie in front of Myrick.

I didn’t think being in a pack would feel so…complicated.

“There’s no need to wash up.” Myrick’s eyes zero in on the sink full of dishes. “We have a cleaning service that comes every morning.”

“Seriously?” Charlie lifts his brows. “Now that is a rich person luxury I can get behind.”

Myrick chuckles. “I’m hopping in the shower. Charlie, need anything?”

“I’m good,” Charlie says, shaking his head. A lock of dark hair falls into his eyes, and I have to fight the urge to brush it away. He’s beautiful—soft and strong in a way that makes my stomach flutter. Not flashy, not trying—just quietly devastating.

Once Myrick disappears, I finish wiping the counters while Charlie bags the trash. He leaves it near the pantry, and Dolly scampers over to sniff it.

“That’s not yours, little lady,” I murmur, scooping her into my arms and cuddling her against my chest. She smells like lavender and clean linen. “Ready?” I ask Charlie.

He nods and falls in step beside me as we head down the hallway. The recessed lights give off a warm gold against the clean lines of the house. They cast soft shadows that make everything feel quieter, slower... more intimate.

I pause outside Charlie’s bedroom door, hesitating.

I don’t want to leave him here. I want him tangled up with me and Myrick in the main bedroom. I want to snuggle both of my sexy betas while we wait for Rhett to come home. But even though Rhett said I could touch and tease Charlie, I doubt he'd be okay with more. Not yet.

“Good night,” I whisper, stepping a little closer.

Charlie smiles shyly. But then his eyes meet mine, and the air between us shifts. It’s heavy, electric. But Charlie doesn’t move. Instead, his shoulders slump and he scratches Dolly behind the ears, before turning toward his room. “Good night. ”

“Wait.” I catch his arm and pull him back. “Don’t go.” His brown eyes slide from my hand to my face. I love the way he looks at me.

“Autry,” he whispers my name, soft and husky, as I close the space between us. “We can’t.” But he’s staring at my mouth like he wants nothing more.

“Please,” I whisper, brushing my lips over his.

It’s a gentle kiss, his mouth moving over mine as his hands slip into my hair. Dolly jumps from my arms and scampers down the hall. Completely forgotten the second the clack of her nails disappears.

“Charlie,” I moan when his tongue slips along the seam of my lips. Then he deepens it.

In a rush of passion and lust, Charlie’s hands find my hips, then slide to my back, pulling me in tighter against his chest. I tug at his shirt, his hair, anything I can hold on to as he explores my mouth.

Desperate for more, I press forward, pushing my hips into his hardness. Charlie groans as I grind up against him.

“Beta,” I moan when his hand moves up my ribcage, going straight for my breasts. My nipples tingle in anticipation, and I hold my breath. But then, without warning, his hand freezes and his mouth goes stiff.

“We can’t.” He breaks the kiss, but his lips hover only a heartbeat from mine, telling me he wants nothing more. “I’m not allowed.” He swallows hard, his rich brown eyes still staring at my mouth. “Rhett told me I can’t touch you.”

I smile, slow and teasing. “I know,” I murmur, trailing a single finger down his chest. “But Rhett said I can touch you.”

Charlie blinks, stunned. Then his eyes narrow, full of frustrated heat. “That alpha is evil,” he snarls, half-joking.

I laugh, light and a little breathless, then I press a kiss to his cheek. “Good night,” I whisper, lingering close, my lips brushing against his skin.

Charlie turns his face, our mouths dangerously close once again. “You’re loving this a little too much,” he growls, and my nipples tingle.

“Maybe,” I say in a sweet, soft voice, then I walk away, my hips swaying a little.

I’ve never been this bold before—never let myself flirt like this—and the rush of it makes my skin buzz. I feel so…powerful. It’s like I’m stepping into a version of myself I didn’t know existed.

Confident.

Wanted.

Sexy .