Page 55 of The Violence of Love (The Black Market Omega #2)

Autry

“Goddamn,” Oli says, leaning back in his chair and patting his firm stomach. “I don’t think I’ve ever eaten anything this good in my life.”

Charlie nods, mouth still half-full. “Same,” he mumbles with a heavy sigh. “This was incredible, Autry.”

I smile, warmth blooming in my chest at their compliments. Nothing makes me happier than feeding my loved ones. “Thank you. It was nothing fancy.”

“It was perfect,” Rhett says, raising his glass of water.

“My grandmother was a pretty decent cook, too. But not like this.” He motions to his empty plate with something like pride.

“However, she loved to bake. Her cherry pie was legendary.” He hums like he can taste it all over again.

“Perfectly tart. Crust so flaky you could hear it crack when you cut into it.”

“Cherry pie?” Oli makes a face like someone suggests he eat raw liver. “Nah. That’s a filler pie. You only eat cherry when nothing else is available. ”

Rhett’s mouth falls open ever so slightly, before saying, “That’s sacrilege.”

“Hard disagree,” Myrick chimes in, resting his elbow on the table and looking as smug as ever. “You want a real pie, you go blueberry. Juicy. Rich. Beautiful color. None of that cling-to-your-teeth red goop.”

“Blueberry stains your soul,” Rhett mutters. “And your shirts.” He points to Myrick’s pressed pink polo.

“Key lime,” Oli announces, grinning. “You all sound like a bunch of retired grandmas. Key lime is crisp, clean, no nonsense. It’s got attitude.”

“You’re describing pie,” Myrick says, flatly, “not your dating profile.”

That earns a snort from Rhett, and even I laugh softly. Oli raises both hands in mock surrender, still grinning.

“That’s fine,” he says. “Y’all can keep your old man pies. More key lime for me.”

Rhett laughs softly, taking a small sip of his water. When his eyes meet Oli’s, they both smile, small and sweet. The affection between them is unmistakable now, warmer and more natural than before. It took time to grow, but they both look so comfortable with each other now.

“Who doesn’t like blueberries?” Myrick grumbles, shaking his head.

But then Charlie, who’s been mostly quiet, looks up from his glass with a calm, matter-of-fact tone. “You’re all wrong.”

We all turn toward the omega.

He shrugs, a tiny smile playing at the corner of his mouth. “Apple pie is the only one worth eating.”

There’s a chorus of protests, but I can’t hear any of them.

Everything inside my head has stopped .

There’s a distant ringing in my ears, and my vision goes blurry before vivid images flash in my mind.

I can feel the soft dough in my hands. The ache in my fingers from rolling it out just right.

The careful way I weaved the lattice across the top.

The scent of cinnamon wafting from the oven, warm and heavy, sweet in a way that used to make me feel safe—until it didn’t… until everything went incredibly wrong.

My stomach churns and my throat tightens. For the briefest second, I feel like I’m going to throw up.

“Autry?” Myrick says my name and I force a smile—fast, bright, perfect. “Are you okay?”

“Oh, yes,” I say, widening my smile to the point it hurts.

“What’s your favorite pie?” Charlie asks, sipping his glass of iced tea.

“Oh,” I let out a nervous laugh. “I don’t like pies. I’m not big into sweets.”

Myrick cuts a look at me like I’ve just said the weirdest thing he’s ever heard. “Except breakfast,” he says, looking at me like it’s a question. “Didn’t you say you love a really sweet breakfast?”

Shit .

I laugh a little too quickly. “You’re right. Breakfast has to be sweet.” I roll my eyes like it’s obvious. “I’m not big into pie.”

Rhett says something about me being crazy, but I can’t hear him. I’m too focused on getting the hell out of here so I can panic in private.

I stand and grab a few empty plates. Thankfully, no one notices the tremor in my hands. Then I slip away from the dining room, before anyone can offer to help— though that doesn't last long.

Footsteps quickly move behind me. Oli .

The young alpha follows me into the kitchen, carrying more dirty dishes, setting them by the sink. “Hey,” he says softly. “Seriously, that meal was amazing. I don’t know how you do it.”

I glance at him, a little breathless as I turn on the sink. “Cooking’s just…” I shake my head, still struggling to collect my thoughts. “I just really like it.”

He leans in, slowly closing the distance between us. I can feel the warmth from his body, earthy mint swirling all around me. “You make a person feel loved when you feed them like that.”

His flirty tone and shimmering eyes knock every thought right out of my head. But before I can gather myself enough to come up with a response, Oli’s tone shifts and he leans against the counter.

“Also…” He rubs the back of his neck, suddenly unsure.

“I wanted to say thank you. For what you did for Charlie. Sharing your nest with him like that. It meant so much to him.” His hand hovers over his heart, telling me that he felt Charlie’s happiness through their bond.

“You didn’t have to do that, and it…it was a really beautiful thing.

You’re a really good person. An amazing packmate. ”

I blink at the alpha, stunned by his sincerity. Whatever tight, cold thing that was coiled in my chest is gone, completely undone by Oli’s raw honesty and stunning smile.

“You’re welcome,” I whisper, too flustered to say anything else.

Oli exhales, then picks up a butter knife off one of the plates.

He fiddles with it, like it’s giving him courage.

“I still can’t believe I’m here. Part of this.

” He points around the room with the knife.

“This little family. It doesn’t feel real most of the time.

I’ve never had people who... I don’t know,” he sets down the knife, “people who actually want me around.”

Deep affection grips me, and I reach for him, pressing my palms against his chest. “We do want you,” I whisper firmly.

“You’re ours now.” I give him a look that tells him I mean it, because I do.

Everything about Oli has been amazing. The way he’s treated Charlie and Myrick…

I love the alpha for how he’s made them smile.

“Yeah?” Oli looks down at me, a small smile tugging at his lips, and I can tell he’s trying not to get emotional. A soft ache flickers through me—because I hate that someone as good and sweet as Oli has been made to feel like a burden.

“You’ve made Charlie so happy,” I say, barely audible over the water. “You’ve helped Myrick come out of his shell. Even Rhett’s been more relaxed lately, and that’s saying something.” I snort, and Oli chuckles softly, the tension around his eyes easing.

“Well, I guess I have to keep it up then. No pressure, right?” An easy smile fills his face.

I laugh, shaking my head, and then he leans in—closer this time. His breath brushes my cheek.

“Can I say,” he murmurs, “that watching you take charge in that nest today? Hot as hell.”

I flush, my breath catching.

“You’ve got this fierce little alpha buried in all that sweet omega softness,” he continues. “And it’s driving me insane.”

I swallow hard as the air around us heats. Oli’s gaze drops to my mouth and his wonderful scent intensifies. My mind has completely stopped working. All I can see, smell, and feel is Oli’s intense presence all focused on me…and it feels amazing .

“Fuck, you’re pretty,” he rumbles into the air, then his lips touch mine.

At first, it’s a soft and coaxing kiss, like he’s asking for permission. And I give it to him, melting into his mouth and the heat of his hands as they curl around my waist.

For a few moments, there’s nothing but the warm hum of connection, the smell of dish soap and mint. Then my heart pounds as he pulls me closer.

His hands slide up my back, slow and strong, into my hair, tilting my head to deepen the kiss. He kisses me like an alpha should. Like he means it. Like he wants every inch of me.

My fingers clutch his shirt instinctively, heart thudding so vigorously that I fear he can feel it through my chest.

Big hands slide under my shirt—palms splaying across my stomach, then moving up to cup the underside of my breasts. My skin prickles with anticipation, my whole body leaning into the alpha. His touch is greedy, like he needs to touch me or he might fall apart.

“You’re beautiful,” Oli murmurs, lifting my shirt so he can see my chest. He admires my breasts, squeezes both so my nipples pucker for him, then he leans down.

He sucks one nipple deep into his mouth.

Pleasure travels straight through my body to my pulsing clit.

“So fucking beautiful,” he snarls, capturing my other nipple.

I can’t breathe. Or maybe I’m breathing too fast. I can’t tell anymore.

Oli’s teeth graze my sensitive skin and I moan, channeling my fingers through his wavy hair. He lavishes my breasts with attention, pulling as much flesh into his mouth as he can hold. I gasp when he lets my nipple go with a wet pop.

He growls, “Autry.” And his arm tightens around my waist, holding me closer. “I need you. Let me have you.” My breath catches as he stares directly into my soul. There’s so much lust and passion in his half-hooded eyes. “I promise,” he whispers softly. “I won’t bite you. I fucking swear.”

I immediately nod, wanting him to know I trust him. “I know.” I push up onto my toes and place a delicate kiss on his lips. It’s quick, but tender. “Come with me.”

Fingers laced with his, I tug him gently out of the kitchen.

He follows without hesitation, letting me guide us.

We pass the dining room, the soft hum of conversation fading behind us.

Rhett’s voice lifts above the other’s asking where we’re going.

I hear Charlie answer, then Myrick's laugh bubbles up like a bell.

But their voices are distant now, like background music.