37. Nils

37

Nils

I try to stay away. To give the three of them time together, time to help convince Meggie that this is where she belongs. I know she feels it, but I could also see that tormented look in her eyes when she told everyone her true designation and when McQuinn said she couldn't go to the Olympics.

What happens now is going to depend a lot on whether my pack can get over themselves and let her on the team with us. She deserves to be in Paris. She's worked just as hard as we have.

I'm not sure where Dante stands on Meggie coming to the Olympics, but I know if anyone can convince him, it's Ellis. So I keep my distance and let them have their time with her.

After sequestering myself in the office, I try to study. I try to finish my essay for applications to Johns Hopkins, Northwestern, and University of Virginia. But I keep getting distracted thinking about all the reasons Meggie belongs with us.

I can't focus on anything but her, and I don't think my ability to describe Meggie's legs is going to convince the Deans of Admissions that I'd make a wonderful surgeon.

"Hey." McQuinn's voice makes me look up from the computer. He's fresh out of the shower, hair dripping on his bare chest.

"So…" He walks fully into the room, knocks his knuckles against the desk, and lets out a deep breath. "We shouldn't take Meggie to Paris."

"I disagree." I lean back in the chair and study him. He's been acting strange lately. Even moodier than usual. More reactionary. Impulsive. The one time we've been together since Meggie moved in, it felt different. It wasn't just that Meggie walked in on us, it was the edge of desperation to it, to him. I haven't known how to deal with it.

"She's gonna cost us the Olympics!" The hesitation he showed when he walked in vanishes, replaced by the more familiar anger. McQuinn always hides his emotions behind a strong alpha presence. His dads are like that too, wearing their anger on their sleeves, but burying every other feeling.

Sometimes I want to push McQuinn far enough to get past that, to find out what he's really feeling about things. About me.

"She's good, McQuinn. And she's getting better. She's the best player for our team, and you know it."

"No, I don't!" He leans over the desk. "Jackie was better than her. And she won't get us kicked out. Or fined. Or worse."

I don't want to argue with McQuinn. It's exhausting and I know he's not going to change his mind. All I want right now is to know that Meggie's okay and what she's up to with Ellis and Dante. Are they talking? Sleeping? Making her moan? It's late and they've been in there for hours. If only we hadn't made the nest soundproof! Maybe I should have taken my laptop and filled out my applications from the hallway, so I'd be there if she needed me.

"Are you even listening to me?" McQuinn snaps his fingers between our faces. "Come on, Nils. You're the rational one. Not the one swayed by a sweet smelling pussy. You're supposed to be on my side!"

"Why?" I shoot to my feet. "Because we sleep together sometimes! That doesn't mean anything."

McQuinn reels back, a flash of hurt in his eyes before being replaced with even more anger than before. Rather than responding, he curses and stomps out of the room.

Too far. I went too far. Shit, what did I just do? I never lose it like that, but I hate the way he talks about Meggie. Like she isn't already part of this pack, like she can be thrown aside and so easily replaced.

My forehead drops to the desk with a satisfying thud.

It was a lie. McQuinn is more than just a good fuck. A lot more. I love that stubborn bastard. His wild energy. His loyalty to his friends. The way he'd stand up to anyone and anything to defend this pack.

For years, I've been waiting and hoping for him to open up, to give me more. I would bond him in a heartbeat if he would just give me some sign that he wants me that way.

And now I've gone and hurt him.

To distract myself, I go up to my room and get ready for bed. My longing for Meggie is even worse after my fight with McQuinn. I want her comfort, her softness. Unable to take it anymore, I tiptoe up the stairs. There's light coming from under Harrison's door, but the nest is dark. I should probably knock, but I don't want to wake her up if she's asleep. I settle for just opening the door a crack and peeking in.

None of the lights are on, but the window is open, and the moon is full. Dante and Ellis are cuddling together on one side of the bed, with Meggie next to them. She's adorably spread out like a starfish on her belly, having kicked off most of the blankets and burrowed her head between pillows.

I don't want to disturb her, but I need to be close to someone right now, so I crawl into bed on the opposite side of Dante and Ellis. I plan on just laying next to my omega and letting her sleep, but I can't keep from touching her. My hand grazes her arm and then rubs down her back. She makes a sweet little cooing sound and turns her face towards me, smiling softly with her eyes closed.

I rub slow circles on her back, and she scoots herself closer. Her nostrils flare and her smile widens. She sleepily mumbles, "Nils."

Pride swells in my chest that she knows my scent even without opening her eyes. Her own scent is everywhere in this room. It smells like a seaside holiday in here. Apple pie and oak trees and ocean waves.

It's clear she's already missed a dose of blockers. She's probably been taking a dose after dinner normally, and Dante dragged her away so quickly after the meeting, she didn't take it. Or even eat anything. My alpha side hates the thought of my omega going without food or anything she needs.

"Are you hungry?" I quietly ask.

"Hmm, a little." She rolls to her side. "But I don't want to get up."

"Stay right here." I kiss her cheek and climb out of bed.

Dante rolls over, muttering, "Everything alright?"

"Yeah, go back to sleep."

He doesn't argue, just curls closer to Ellis, who sleeps like the dead.

There's a wet bar in the corner of the room that I had the foresight to stock after finding Meggie in here last night. There isn't much, but there are a few protein bars, protein shakes, and sports drinks. Things perfect for keeping your energy up. It might have been presumptive of me, but I'm glad I thought of it now.

I grab one of each flavor and bring them back to the bed. Meggie sits up and leans against the plush headboard, tucking her legs to the side. She's wearing the shirt Ellis had on earlier. I sit cross-legged in front of her and hold out her options. She chooses a mint chocolate chip protein bar.

"So, did you talk about Paris at all or just…" I open the sports drink and take a sip before handing that to her as well. She's probably dehydrated after hours in here with Ellis and Dante.

I can't see well enough in the dark to know for sure, but I'm positive she's blushing. She blushes so easily. Her scent gets stronger, with notes of nutmeg and sugar coming through more prominently.

"A little." She takes a sip of the drink, then sets it on the nightstand.

"And?" We talk in quiet whispers, trying not to disturb the others, but I've been wanting to talk to her too long to stay silent. And after the fight with McQuinn, I'm craving communication.

"Dante's hesitant, but they're both in." She tears open the protein bar and takes a small bite to test the flavor. "Fully in."

I don't think she intended that to sound the way it did, but images of the three of them together take over my thoughts, causing me to smile.

"Did you have fun, gorgeous?"

Her smile is a little dreamy as she meets my gaze and nods shyly.

"Good." I reposition so I'm sitting next to her, and pull her into my side. "What'd you think of Ellis's piercing?"

Meggie drops her head back, looking up at the ceiling. "I can't believe we're talking about this."

"It's not like I haven't seen it." I bend closer to her ear. "Or felt it on my tongue."

She lets out a little moan, likely remembering exactly what it felt like. I really wish I knew what they did together. Wish I had been in the room to see it. We're quiet for a moment as she eats her protein bar.

"I never thought much about having a pack," she says. "I mean, I figured I'd need one, eventually. Suppressants wouldn't hold off my heat forever. But it was always something abstract, blurry at the edges, you know? I didn't really picture it or dream about it, the way I did with the Olympics." She snuggles into my side, resting her head on my shoulder. "I dreamed about the Olympics every day."

"That's why you're coming with us. The others will agree."

"How do you know?"

"I don't know. I just… trust that it's gonna work out."

"I wish I could be that certain. But life doesn't always work out, you know?"

"That's true." I know that better than most. It's why I want to become a surgeon. It's why I know how important hope is, too.

We're quiet for a moment, each lost in our own thoughts. I stroke her arm as we listen to Ellis and Dante's quiet breaths.

"I know my pack. It's not fair that the IOC won't let you compete just because of your designation. The other guys see that, even if they're not ready to admit it. They'll help you. You've worked hard and you deserve this."

"Thanks, Nils." She curls closer, rubbing her check along my neck, scent marking me. My girl wants to smell like me, wants me to smell like her. My chest swells with pride, and I nuzzle my cheek along the top of her head, marking her right back. "Go to sleep, gorgeous. I'll be here when you wake up."

***

Nothing feels as good as waking up with Meggie spread out across my chest. Her arm bands my waist and one thigh wraps around my leg. Her body is flush against mine and the heat from her is absolutely delicious. She stretches and must kick Ellis because he grunts. But then sits up, crawls over, and gives her a kiss on the forehead. "Morning, sunshine."

She sleepily rolls onto her back and smiles up at him. "Morning."

Dante strolls out of the bathroom with a towel around his waist and water dripping down his muscular chest. Meggie catches sight of him and licks her lips.

"None of that, omega," he says. "Get up. I expect you to be in the pool in twenty minutes, same as always."

"Yes, sir."

"That's alpha to you."

"Yes, alpha."

His grin is stupidly smitten. He leans over the bed and kisses her, then struts out of the room to go get dressed. Ellis stands, not caring that he's still completely naked, and stretches his arms over his head. His hard cock bobs, and my sweet little Meggie can't keep her eyes off it. I knew she'd like his piercing.

It's a surprise when Ellis walks around the bed and kisses me first. We've been together plenty of times before, but he's not usually affectionate outside of the occasional sexual encounter. It's a sweet kiss, but it steals the breath right out of my lungs. I've always been a little jealous of what Ellis and Dante share.

For a while, I'd hoped McQuinn and I could have that too, but after last night, it feels really far away. We've never been so at odds before.

Ellis tilts his head towards the empty protein bar wrapper. "Thanks for taking care of our girl."

While I'm still a little dumbstruck at his kiss, he leans over me and kisses Meggie. She smiles into the affection, melting for a minute before her eyes flutter open and catch on me. The moment Ellis pulls away, Meggie brings her lips to mine. She kisses like she swims, fast and graceful. I moan into her mouth, and she eagerly parts her lips, dancing her tongue across mine.

I'm not sure when Ellis left, but he's gone when I open my eyes. It's just Meggie and me in the nest. My heart races at the opportunity Ellis and Dante created for us, and all grogginess from sleep vanishes. Meggie seems eager to capitalize on our alone time, too. Sitting up, she straddles me, staring at me with a sinful grin I wouldn't have thought her sweet mouth capable of. She tugs off the oversize shirt of Ellis's that she'd fallen asleep in and I take in her breasts for the first time.

Perfect little nipples pucker for me, begging to be touched. I cup the swell of her and flick my thumbs over the tight peaks. She smiles down at me, but when I do it again, her head falls back with a moan and her back arcs.

I smooth my hands down her sides, caressing her soft skin. Marveling that she's here. That she's real. That she's ours.

Or she will be.

The events of the past two days have my thoughts reeling. But now that I'm under this goddess, her strong legs around me, fully naked and wanting… I'm a lucky bastard.

With McQuinn, I'm rough. He usually lets me dominate, unless I'm really in my head. It's almost like a tug of war with him. And I love it. I love ravaging him until his throat is hoarse, seeing his ass turn pink as I spank him on the edge of the bed, making him swallow my cock so deep he gags.

But it's different with Meggie. Meggie is to be treasured.

She brings out a different side of me. She softens me in a way I need. I think she could do the same for McQuinn too, if he would give her a chance.

How would it be with the three of us together? How would she handle his angry fucks? The way she scratches at my chest when I twist her nipples a little harder makes me think she'd like it. She would fuck the anger right out of McQuinn and leave him putty in my hands.

Gripping her hips, I roll us over until Meggie is the one on her back. Our kisses are hungry. Ever since she said apple pie that morning by the washing machine, she's been the queen of my fantasies. Hell, it was probably even before that morning, if I'm being honest with myself. I'm captivated by her.

And now I get to show her just how into her I am.

Her hands are on my shoulders, my back, my hips as she tries to pull my body on top of hers, but I have other plans. "Stay right here."

I scramble away from her just far enough to grab my phone and pull up my Satan's Panties playlist.

She giggles when she hears the opening beats of "Now That's What I Call Eating Out vol 69."

Nipping her lower lip, I kiss my way along her jaw and down her neck. Her skin is soft under my hands as I explore up her side to one pebbled nipple. My kisses move along her chest, my lips fixing their attention on her right breast while my fingers enjoy the left.

I've never been with a woman before, and her little moans are driving me crazy. The way her hips are moving under me and that perfect scent of warm green apple pie has my dick rock hard, but I keep moving down her body.

"Nils." The word is a breathy plea as she tugs on my shoulders to bring my lips back to hers, but my goal is lower. On something I've dreamed of doing for ages.

"Lie back for me, gorgeous." Eager to enjoy every bit of her, I drag my tongue around her navel and settle my body between her thighs.

I spread her legs wide, planting kisses down her thigh before one strong lick right down the wet heat of her. Meggie gasps and bucks, but my hands hold her hips still as I feast.

The flavor of her is nothing I've ever experienced before, and I'm starving. Her hands tug at my hair in a way that makes my whole body tremble. Her moans are feral as I explore every inch of her with my tongue. I've heard guys talking about going down on their women before, but I never dreamed it'd be this good. I suck on her pink little clit, then delve my tongue deep into her, wanting to know everything that makes her breath hitch and her thighs tremble.

I don't know what she did with Ellis and Dante last night, but the taste on my tongue is all her. The thought of licking McQuinn's release out of her sends a fresh flow of blood to my cock, and I know I'm already leaking pre-cum on the sheets. Combined with Meggie's slick dripping down my chin, we're making the best damn mess.

"Yes! Oh god, yes." Her hair is wild across the pillow, one hand fisted in the sheets and a beautiful flush to her skin as she races toward that finish.

I hope I don't leave bruises on her hips, but she's writhing like mad as I push her on. Going down on Meggie is the best thing I've ever done in my life.

The pitch of her moans shifts, and her thighs squeeze around my head as she screams her release. Her muscles trembling under me, I'm about to go over the edge myself and she hasn't even touched my cock once.

Shifting over her, Meggie's legs fall slack around my hips. Her eyes are closed and her cheeks are a perfect pink. I run my hand along her slick, then fist myself and take in the beauty under me.

Her pupils are blown as she looks me over. Her hair spread around her face like a halo. She's so goddamn gorgeous.

Crazed, I pump myself harder as she grazes her hands up my thighs to my hips. I want to give her my knot. Give her my everything. Later, I remind my alpha instincts. There's time for that later. Taking in her swollen lips and parted mouth, the shape of her breasts and hard nipples, I work myself faster until it hits me like a bolt of lightning. Bellowing her name, my cum shoots across her stomach, her breasts, her neck. I've never come so hard in my life.

I don't want to crush her with my weight, but Meggie pulls me down for a kiss.

"Good morning." I can feel her smile against my lips.

"Good morning, gorgeous."

Rising, the sight of my release on her body stirs up the alpha side of me. She looks stunning, painted with my cum. My Meggie. Our Meggie.

"Ten minutes!" Dante hollers from outside the room.

Meggie looks at me with a quirked brow, and I fear we've unleashed an insatiable little minx. What a wonderful problem.

"Ten minutes…" she trails a hand up my arm and cups my cheek.

"After practice." I plant little kisses along her cheeks and forehead to soften the possessive growl in my voice. "You're mine after practice."