Page 18 of Unbonded (Pack’s Companion #3)

I’m not so sure about that, but I feel a sliver of hope as I stare down at his elegant handwriting, requesting my presence at breakfast and wishing me a good night’s sleep.

Dash smiles when I meet his eyes, but doesn’t comment on my dazed state.

“We eat breakfast early, unfortunately, since I have rehearsals and the other guys have to get to work.”

“I’ll be up.”

He leans forward to feather a kiss across my cheek. “Need help slipping into something more comfortable?”

I giggle at his hopeful expression. “I’ve been dressing myself for bed for a few years now.”

“Well, I’m right through there if you have any trouble with your buttons.” He nods to the next room as he takes what I hope is a reluctant step back. “Sleep well, Kate.”

“Sleep well, Dash,” I reply, trying to ignore the stab of disappointment as he heads through the connecting door. I know it’s too much to expect him to stay when he has two eager alphas waiting for him, but I’d kind of hoped we could pick up where our kiss left off…

Appreciate what you have, Kate.

It’s a sentiment that’s worn thin this year, but I repeat it to myself as I change into my vintage Dior nightgown.

I bought it before Lee buried me in the money pit, and I’m glad I packed it as I slide between the silk sheets and sip my hot chocolate.

I dig out my phone and scroll through the fashion sites I follow, but I can’t ignore the tingling in my veins every time I glance at the connecting door.

He said to go see him if I need anything…

But I’m frozen in place, and I feel a surge of disappointment at my fear.

Here I am, dressed in my sexiest nightgown and only a dozen feet from the hottest guy I’ve ever kissed.

When did I become so terrified of rejection?

Once upon a time, I had a reputation for being fearless, and before I met Lee, I never missed a chance to grab a new experience with both hands.

I realize I’ve gulped down my hot chocolate, burning the tip of my tongue in the process. I set the cup on the nightstand and toss my phone on the bed beside me. What’s the worst that can happen? I go through that door and find Dash in the loving embrace of his two blindingly hot alphas…

Fuck it.

Despite the pep talk, I’m still a little wide-eyed at my own bravery as I slip out of bed and head to the connecting door.

It opens without a sound, and when I peek inside, I find that Dash’s room looks a lot like the one behind me, although the scent of black tea and jasmine is strong enough to make my mouth water.

There’s a squirming lump under the comforter – which looks like liquid bronze in the moonlight – but I’m pretty sure Dash is alone.

I can’t tell if I feel relieved or disappointed as I approach him on silent feet. “Dash?”

He sits up immediately, a sliver of moonlight falling across his flushed face. “Kate? Are you okay?”

“I can’t sleep.” I shake my head at the concern in his eyes, because I didn’t come in here to make him worry. “I mean, I don’t want to sleep. Not with you so close.”

He makes a low sound in his throat, a smile curving his lips as he flicks the comforter back. “I was just about to tie myself to the bed, so I didn’t sleepwalk in there and ravish you.”

I can’t stop a whimper of need as I slide in next to him. “I was worried I’d be interrupting something.”

His flush deepens, but his eyes are dancing.

“Uh… not interrupting exactly.” I follow his gaze as he looks down at his lap, my stomach tightening at the way his hand disappears into his boxers.

His low-pitched voice washes over me, stirring the heat already building between my thighs.

“I kept picturing you right next door… and then suddenly I was thinking of you down on your knees, taking my measurements.” He glances at me through his lashes. “Is that stepping over a line?”

“If it is, I was stepping over it with you,” I whisper, pressing a hand to the smooth skin of his chest. I can feel the erratic thump of his heart through the taut muscle, and all of my insecurities suddenly fade away.

Screw what anyone else thinks about my status, or of two omegas being together like this.

All I care about is that Dash Devereux wants me in his bed. “I’d really like it if you’d kiss me.”

He grins, but there’s nothing teasing about the way he presses me back against the pillows, his mouth sliding over mine. I expected him to be confident, and now that we’ve sorted out consent, he doesn’t hold back. He kisses me like he’s drowning, and my mouth holds the last whisper of air.

When we finally break apart, my lips are throbbing, and he touches them like they’re something rare and precious. “I’ve never kissed another omega before.”

It’s not surprising. Male omegas are rare, and therefore hotly pursued by alphas.

They have a reputation for being either submissive playthings or bossy brats, winding their packs around their fingers, but I don’t get those vibes from Dash.

If anything, he’s both assertive and generous, which is a sweet balm to my bruised soul.

Just more proof that designation stereotypes are overrated.

As he traces the shape of my mouth, I can’t resist touching him, too, sliding my fingers through the silky dark strands brushing his cheeks.

“You’re also my first omega,” I admit, gently scratching my nails over his scalp.

“The male omegas I knew in college were already bonded, and the only girl I’ve ever kissed was the alpha captain of the women’s basketball team. ”

“Ooh! Did she let you wear her varsity jacket?”

I laugh at the way his eyes sparkle. “It was high school, and it was only a couple of dates, so we didn’t get that far.”

He trails his fingers down my spine, enticingly warm through the silky nightgown. “So, what do you think, now you’ve tried it?”

“I think that I want more.” I lift my head off the pillow so I can nibble the edge of his smiling mouth. “And that I’ve wasted a lot of kisses over the years that I could’ve put to better use.”

He hums in satisfaction, and dips his head, licking his way between my lips.

Our tongues tangle, nipping and sucking until we’re both breathing hard.

Dash’s scent is intoxicating – like having a tea party in a field full of wildflowers – and I can’t resist chasing it back to the source on his throat.

His gland is soft and warm on my tongue, and I groan at the flavor as I suck it between my lips. He doesn’t just taste amazing, his scent is sending shivers of pleasure down my body, and when I rub my thighs together, they’re damp with slick.

“Can I try?” he asks, his eyes hooded as he arches his neck. “I want to taste you, too.”

“Um… I don’t think...”

“Please, Kate.”

Ugh. How can I deny him, especially with the way his eyes are shining with need? “Okay, but just a tiny lick. And maybe you should get a glass of water, in case it tastes bad, and you need to… oh, my God .”

Forget licking, he’s sucking on my scent gland like it’s a piece of hard candy. Instead of making me cringe, my toes curl so hard, I almost bow off the bed. “Dash!”

“Fuck, Kate. This is your sweet spot, isn’t it?

” I pant as he presses his weight down on me, the suction easing off, but his mouth somehow even hungrier now he’s trying to be gentle.

When I tilt my head to give him better access, a groan rattles in the back of his throat.

“Talk about not knowing what you’re missing. ”

“But doesn’t it taste bitter?”

“It’s fucking beautiful, like the rest of you.” He rolls onto his side, and I watch his face, trying to read the lie on his lips. “You don’t believe me?”

“I’d like to, but....”

He huffs and grabs my hand, running it between the corded muscle of his thigh and the damp mattress. “Feel that? I’ve never slicked up for anyone but an alpha. But one little nibble of Kate Valentine and I’m lying in a wet patch the size of Central Park.”

I giggle at the absurdity of the comparison, although there’s no denying my wet fingertips. And the thought that I made Dash Devereux sticky with slick is enough to put a sly smile on my face. “If I spilled it, do I get to keep it?”

“Only if I get to keep yours.” He wriggles closer, our legs tangling as he slides his hand under my nightgown. “I’m trying to behave, but I can smell your puddle merging with mine, and it’s fucking hot.”

I both laugh and cringe at the same time. “We could be in real trouble without a knot to plug us up.”

He waggles his brows at me. “Knots are great, but nothing beats a tongue for flexibility.”

“That sounds like something we should put on a t-shirt… Oh, wow .”

He’s moving before my eyelashes have fluttered closed, his lips kissing their way down my torso as he fits himself snugly between my trembling thighs. “So pretty,” he hums, rubbing the silk of my gown against my mound. “Did you make this yourself, Ms. Valentine?”

“It’s Dior,” I manage to choke out as he swaps his thumb for his tongue, lapping at the fabric molded to my sticky body. “About the only thing of value Lee didn’t take.”

Dash lifts his head, but instead of pity, the heat in his gaze burns all the way to my toes. “Don’t think about that scumbag, Kate. You’re mine now. He doesn’t get to live in your head for another second.”

I moan, more than happy to banish my ex to oblivion.

Especially because Dash has pushed my nightgown above my waist, his eyes glittering with approval to find me bare.

“So ready for me,” he croons, dipping down to lap hungrily at my wet seam.

“I want to suck your pretty bud until the only name on your tongue is mine.”

“Yes, Dash,” I pant obediently, my thighs straining wider as he rolls his thumb over my slippery clit. “Please, I want your mouth.”