Chapter 9

Noel

I went up to bed long after the sun had set. We had lost track of time decorating, talking, enjoying the meal that I made. Garrick gushed over the food. I wasn’t sure if he really liked it or if he was being kind, either way I appreciated it. I would take exaggerated compliments over no compliments. The food had been good. His mom had packed enough food for an army, and the items they had given me at the diner were not going to waste. The cherry pie had turned out delicious, and I wished I had ingredients to make another one. Garrick had eaten half of it.

I hoped the upstairs would be less warm than directly in front of the fire, but it seemed almost hotter up here.

Sweat dripped from my brow, though Garrick didn’t seem as affected by the heat of the cabin as I was. I had been roasting while I set up the tree.

I took a damp cloth and put it over my face and tried to sleep.

I was in only my boxers, with no blankets over me. I didn’t care if Garrick saw me, I was too hot to care.

Sleep came, but it was fitful and not at all restful. I dreamt of hands on me—but not violent hands. No, these were warm and kind, stroking my skin like I was some sort of prized possession. It was the kind of touch I’d never allowed myself to even think of having.

My cock grew increasingly hard, and I thrashed. I moaned while the hands roved over my body, stroking just near my cock but never touching it. My balls ached with need.

“Noel.”

It was Garrick’s voice in my ear. Then it was Garrick’s body covering my own, his hands exploring my body like he might find treasure there.

I moaned against his touch and bucked my hips. I wanted the friction of his skin against mine. The scent of slick filled the air. My hole was ready for him. For my alpha.

“Alpha,” I moaned.

“Oh Noel, you’re going to be the death of me.” Garrick’s voice sounded tortured and distant. I wanted him closer.

“Garrick?” Suddenly I was awake, sitting upright and wide-eyed. This was no dream.

Cold air hit my skin, but it did nothing to alleviate the heat.

I was naked. Somehow, I had gotten rid of my boxers while I thrashed, and my blankets were nowhere to be found. I was laid bare in front of the alpha who had starred in my heat-induced dreams.

“Garrick?” I whispered.

He put a hand over his eyes. “Noel. I’m sorry. I came up here because you were crying out. I … I didn’t realize you were in heat. I—I’ll go. I can stay outside until your heat passes.”

Heat… I’d never had a heat before. I knew it could be unpleasant without an alpha to spend it with. And it could last over a week. That would mean Garrick would be outside that whole time.

He was a gentleman. He would do it. He would sacrifice himself, put himself at the mercy of the elements for my comfort and safety.

I couldn’t let him. Not just because I didn’t want him outside in this weather but also because… I wanted him. I wanted to spend my heat with him more than anything. It wasn’t just because he was the closest alpha around. I’d choose him in a sea of alphas.

“Stay,” I said. I put my hand on his and urged him closer to me. His hand remained over his eyes, ever the gentleman. “Stay, Garrick.”

He groaned. “I want to. More than anything, Noel. I want to stay and spend your heat with you. But if we do, there are risks. There are considerations.”

“You have condoms. They were in with some of the food that was packed.”

“Fucking Troy.”

“Who’s Troy?”

“My ex-best friend, that’s who. He probably thought it would be funny. He thinks I should get laid.”

“Now is your chance,” I said, shocked at my own brazenness.

Garrick dropped his hand from his face. His gaze turned heated. The room was lit up only from the moonlight that came through the windows, but I could see his face.

“This wouldn’t be scratching an itch, darling. If I share your heat with you, I’ll worship your body in ways that you can’t even imagine. I’ll fill you so good you’ll forget what it ever felt like not to have my cock stuffed in you.”

The heat in the room kicked up a notch. “I want that,” I said.

“Have you ever been with anyone, Noel?”

I shook my head.

Garrick’s jaw tensed, and I was certain he would say no and turn me away.

“If we spend my heat together, it will be done quicker. You can’t survive outside in this weather, and leaving me alone will just make the heat last longer.”

“Noel. You cannot think of my comfort in this situation. This has to be your choice, for you. I will be fine. I am a strong wolf. I can live in my shifted form through a snowstorm. You can’t do this just because of me.”

“I’m not. I want this. I want you, Garrick. I want you to take my heat. Please.”

He stared at me for a long moment. I was sure he would refuse. It was a lot to ask. There was risk, even if we were careful.

“I’ll be right back.”

Garrick left, leaving the space feeling cold. Like my heat had retreated with his rejection. Even if he didn’t say it outright, that was what it felt like.

He came back a moment later, carrying a bag. He tossed the condoms onto the end table.

“I grabbed water and some snacks. We’ll get more when we come up for air.”

“Oh. That’s smart. You must’ve done this before, huh?” I hated the thought of him sharing another omega’s heat. He was my alpha. All mine. Only he wasn’t, and I needed to remember that when this was all over.

He looked at me. “No, Noel. This will be my first. I want this, just as much as you do. I don’t take this decision lightly. I only knew to grab supplies because of the lectures my mother gave me about taking care of my partners.”

“Oh.”

He sat on the bed, his body so close to mine. He wore only a pair of gray sweatpants and a thin t-shirt. Meanwhile, I sat on the bed naked, my slick ruining the sheets. Hopefully we’d find another set somewhere around here.

Garrick’s hands framed my face and he looked at me, his eyes boring into mine like he was searching for secrets. My skin heated under his touch, and suddenly, the room was too hot, we were too far apart.

“Are you absolutely sure about this, Noel? I can turn around and walk away right now.”

“I’m sure,” I said. “So sure.” To show him just how much, I launched myself at him. My lips found his, even if it was clumsy. My hands slipped as I tried to wrap my arms around him, and we ended up in a tangle of limbs.

Garrick put his hands on my shoulder. “Slow down, wildcat. We have time. We’re going to do this right.”

I groaned. “I want you,” I whined. My voice was needy and unrecognizable.

“I want you,” Garrick said. His hands rubbed up and down my biceps, sending shivers down my spine. “So much. But we are going to go slow. This time. I don’t want to hurt you.”

“You would never,” I said, looking into his eyes.

His gaze darkened and the surrounding air electrified. The scent of his desire mingled with the scent of my heat, making me dizzy. “You, looking up at me with all that trust on your face… That’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen, Noel. I’m going to show you all the love you’ve been missing in your life. I promise you that.”

“Please,” I said. I laid back on the bed, letting my legs spread. My hard cock jutting out, my tip leaked with precum, my hole wet with slick. “I’m ready for you.”