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T he pool beckons me with curls of steam. It’s been way too long since I’ve had a bath. But I hesitate, looking back over my shoulder to gauge where the men are.

Bear and Archer have left to find firewood, nowhere in sight. Roman has his back to me as he stands near one of the pools off to the left. He pulls his shirt over his head, revealing a surprisingly muscular back. I nearly choke when I get to see the tattoos that have always intrigued me. With such a tiny portion visible under his shirt collars, I imagined it was something small.

No, Roman doesn’t just have one tattoo, he has several .

Grouped together on his left shoulder and bicep are detailed images of mountains, rocks, something geometric with animal skulls in it. There’s also dinosaur bones. What kind, I can’t tell, because it wraps around his bicep to the front. On the right of the geometric pattern, black thinly-lined renderings of tropical plants and flowers flow partially down his back. I desperately want to get closer and look at them, take in the exquisite detail inked into his amber skin.

“Checking out the good professor?” Jax is standing only a few feet away, hooded eyes locked on me.

Heat crawls up my cheeks as I turn away. Having my scent match catch me checking out another man doesn’t seem like a good way to start a potential relationship. Not that I’m looking to start a relationship with Jax. At least, I don’t think I am. I don’t know. He has been really sweet today and very resourceful. I like that in a man. And he smells delicious. But what do I really know about him?

As I glance back over my shoulder at Jax, I catch Roman lowering his pants a few feet behind him. Shit.

Whipping forward again, I step behind a pillar so I can’t see either of them anymore. It’s strange to undress in a place that feels so public, even though I know we’re the only ones here. As an only child who spent most of my life alone among academics, bathing here with so many men nearby is more adventurous than is typical for me. Not that I’m inexperienced, but I’m generally a fairly private person.

I try to imagine what it was like back when this was an active temple. Despite the few pillars dotting the space and the foliage that drapes itself around the pools, there’s very little privacy. Those who came to the temple would have likely bathed together. Were these pools only for those who dedicated their life to Lunara? Or did others come here as well? Did devotees come to bathe, hoping to be healed? Like I secretly am.

For the first time, I realize that my cramps have been better today. Normally, there’s a dull ache that’s so constant I can almost ignore it, with occasional spikes in discomfort that hit unexpectedly. But right now… I actually feel pretty good . Maybe being around my mate is helping?

Channeling the energy of a priestess of Lunara, I draw my shirt over my head.

A low growl has me spinning on my heels, clutching my shirt to my chest. Propped against a pillar by his shoulder, Jax watches me. His ankles are comfortably crossed, hands in his pockets. His posture is relaxed, but his gaze is intense.

“Go on, little mate.”

No one’s ever watched me undress before. My encounters with men have been awkward fumbles in the dark, hurried hunger driving my attempts to ease the ache that never goes away from the heat that never comes. The few relationships I’ve had didn’t last past my confession. No one’s ever looked at me the way Jax is looking at me now. Like I’m the goddess herself.

I should probably tell him to get lost, that this is moving too fast, but… I don’t want to. His potent scent mixes with the soft florals from the foliage around us, making me wonder how it would mix with my scent.

Jax doesn’t move a muscle as he waits for me to decide, but his cheek twitches in a grin when my shirt falls from my hands.

With deliberate slowness, I unhook my bra, letting the straps drag down my arms in both a tease and a little self consciousness, before dropping it to the ground. His eyes follow the movement of the fabric before lifting, lingering on my bare breasts. I feel that gaze like a touch.

Despite the steam from the pools, the air is cold, pebbling my nipples into hard points. He traces a finger along the outside of my breast. “What’s this, little mate? You’ve been hiding a sweet little hummingbird inked on your flawless skin.”

I look down. Sometimes I forget it’s even there. “Oh, uh, yeah. I got this while I was in grad school.”

“What’s it mean?”

“Does it have to mean anything? Can’t it just be pretty?” I try deflecting the question.

“It could, and it is, love, but you wouldn't etch something permanently on your body that didn’t mean something. And it’s hidden away. Something private just for you. So?”

Jax is like a dog with a bone, and I know he’s not going to let this go. He’s my mate, so why shouldn’t I tell him? But I’m standing here with my tits out, only halfway undressed, and the mood is quickly shifting from sexy to awkward. “I’ll tell you…after we get in the pool.” I wink.

With my heart racing, I bend over, unlacing my shoes and stepping out of them before easing out of my shorts. Part of me is dragging this out to push him, but it’s also possible I’m stalling, still trying to make up my mind if this is a good idea. What happens once I’m naked?

In thin cotton panties, I meet his gaze again. He doesn’t urge me to take off my last article of clothing, just crooks a finger at me.

One step forward. Another.

From where Jax is standing, Roman could see us if he looked back this way. He seems like the type who would be outraged if anyone even suggested he sneak a glance at me while I’m bathing. But I find I don’t hate the idea of him watching.

Jax holds out his hand. I take it, and he pulls me into a kiss gentler than I thought him capable of. This isn’t how I imagined my first kiss with my scent match. In an ancient temple. Nearly naked while he’s fully clothed—well, at least, wearing pants. Out in the open, where any of the others could see us.

Breaking for air, he spins me around and gives me a light slap on the ass. “In the pool, love.”

Again he surprises me. I thought he would try to take off my panties, progress things further than just looking, but he stays by the pillar, watching me as I walk away to dip my foot into the hot spring. My toes tingle from the change in temperature. Looking back over my shoulder at Jax, I lower my panties, kicking it off once it gets to my ankles. He groans and palms his cock over his jeans, but still doesn’t move closer. I’m a little disappointed. He doesn’t strike me as the type to take it slow, but I guess it’s probably a good idea.

There are steps that ease into the water, and I walk down them confidently, aware of Jax checking me out as I go.

The water feels amazing. I didn’t realize how sore and exhausted I was until now. It’s not just the adventures of today. It’s everything. My first dig has been a far cry from my typical pursuits, very different from the solely scientific experience I was expecting.

Bones and jackals and scent matches. Oh my .

Easing down onto the bench, I lean my head back against the edge of the pool, closing my eyes. For a moment, I forget about Jax and his career of choice, about Roman’s attitude toward me, about all of it, and just breathe.

Tension seeps out of my body like the steam rising from the pool.

Gentle ripples lap at my chest, and I open my eyes to see Jax entering the water. He’s completely naked now and… woah . His shirtless torso had me salivating before, but now my mouth is dry as he walks down the steps toward me with his proud cock standing at attention.

I’ve never taken the time to really look at a man’s genitals before, but he wraps a fist around himself and pumps once, almost daring me to look. I can’t help admiring his thick, veiny shaft. Can penises be beautiful? If so, Jax’s is stunning.

His waist dips below the surface as he takes the last step down into the pool, regretfully hiding his glorious cock. The water parts around his muscular frame as he draws closer, intense purpose in every step.

“Um… hi,” I say, awkwardly, once again feeling uncertain. After seeing him in all his naked glory, I feel more shy than when he was watching me undress.

His scent blooms, strengthened by the heat of the pool and the power of his arousal. It makes my head swim, my body responding to his.

“You promised, little mate.” Jax runs the back of his hand gently over the small tattoo on my breast. My breath hitches at even that slight touch.

I slide further under the water, looking away. “Um, I’m not sure if you know this, but hummingbirds symbolize healing. And hope. I read that somewhere anyway.” He tilts my chin up, encouraging me to face him while I confess this.

“I’ve always had…health issues. Bad ones that messed with my self esteem, my confidence. In grad school I hit a low unlike any I’ve ever experienced. I learned about the symbolism of hummingbirds around that time, and decided I wasn’t going to let my health issues beat me. I was going to try my best to conquer them. I drove to a local tattoo shop that same night, before I could overthink it. I wanted this little guy close to my heart, but a little secret just for me, to remind me to keep moving forward. To have hope. I’ve never done anything even remotely crazy in my life—well, up until then—so I decided to go big and add lots of color, too, hoping it would help brighten my world.”

Holy crap, did I really just spill all that to him? I’ve never told anyone I even have the art, much less why.

I don’t want Jax to dig further, to ask what exactly my health problems are, so I quickly change the subject.“I’m… um… not really sure how this scent match thing is supposed to work. I mean, you barely know me. Although, I guess you probably know me better than I know you, since you’ve been watching me for a while. How long have you been watching me, anyway?”

“Shhh, little mate.” He brings a finger to my lips to stop my rambling. “Don’t overthink it. We’ll have all the time in the world to get to know each other, but right now, I want to taste you.” His finger drags down, pulling on my bottom lip so it curls and then bounces back in place.

“Taste me?”

“Hmm, yes, taste you.”

Before I realize what’s happening, he’s lifting me out of the pool to sit on the edge of the hot water. He spreads my legs, gaze intently locked on my dripping center. Being so exposed to someone who is basically a stranger should make me embarrassed, but the way Jax looks at me has me spreading my thighs wider, voluntarily giving him access.

Instead of diving right in, Jax brings his lips to the inside of my knee. Featherlite kisses move along my thigh toward where I’m already dripping, but he continues up to my right hip bone, then licks a line across my mound to the other side.

“Jax,” I moan, breathlessly.

He pauses briefly to reply. “Yes, love?”

He wants me to say it out loud doesn’t he? This is cruel and unusual punishment. When I don’t respond, he continues his trek, licking and sucking down my other thigh until he’s made a full circuit.

Reaching for him, my fingers tangle in his hair and tug, wanting him to kiss me, lick me, fuck me. Something . Anything. All the things. “Please, alpha.”

I’ve never used an omega whine before, but the desperation makes me rely on my baser instincts. The noise I make is indecent and desperate.

“That’s it, love. What do you need?”

“You, alpha. I need you.”

“Mmmm, that’s my girl,” he praises before burying his face between my thighs, making me cry out softly. After a few licks, he lifts his head enough to look me in the eyes. “If ever there was an elixir of the goddess, it would taste exactly like your slick. I could survive off your nectar alone if you’d let me.”

This alpha is an enigma. He’s wild and bold and kinda crazy, but then he turns around to literally worship me with his words and touches.

Suction on my clit has my hips lifting of their own accord, muscles tense with pleasure. Jax’s arms grip my thighs, holding me down, pulling me closer to his lips so he can devour me. Each lap of his tongue causes my insides to clench and tremble. My stomach hollows, chest heaving.

A calloused finger slides through my folds, circling my entrance like his tongue is circling my needy clit. When he finally slips the digit inside, I can’t help the gasp that escapes me. I try to stay quiet, knowing we aren’t alone, but it’s no use.

Goddess, I hope no one hears me. But the moment I have that thought, I know it’s not true. The idea that one of the other men might be listening, has me instantly climbing higher.