Chapter 7

Chapter Seven

Chloe

T he world fades away as Blake's lips crash onto mine, sending a wave of heat through my body.

It's been so long since I've been kissed–all the way back in high school–and it was never like this. His scent wraps around me, an intoxicating blend of smoked applewood and cider. It makes me want to bury my nose behind his ear and never come up for air.

My legs weaken, my knees wobbling beneath me, and I fist his flannel shirt for support. The urge to climb him like a tree surges through me, the desire nearly overwhelming. A whimper rises in my throat, and I melt against his broad chest.

"Sweet girl," he rumbles, his voice thick with need. Hands on my waist, he backs me up against a wide tree trunk. His beard scrapes my jaw, and he growls into my ear, "I just want to eat you up."

My thoughts scramble, my heart racing as heat pools between my legs. "This is so much better than tentacle porn."

Blake pulls back slightly, a bemused expression flitting across his face. "What?"

"Never mind." I reach up to cup his bearded cheek. "Ignore what I said. Go back to the kissing."

He hesitates for only a heartbeat before his lips capture mine once more. The hunger grows, our mouths moving together in a heated dance fueled by desire. My fingers clutch at the soft fabric of his flannel, tugging him closer as I try to meld our bodies.

In my wildest dreams, I never thought I'd find myself pressed against a tree, making out with an Alpha who smelled like temptation itself. It's like the smut I've read, but the sharp poke of bark through my onesie tells me this isn't a fantasy.

This is all real, and my entire world narrows to the warmth of his lips and the weight of his hands on me.

"Blake," I moan softly, my voice barely audible above the sound of our ragged breathing. "Please…"

"Whatever you want, sweet girl." He strokes up my sides but hesitates before touching my breasts, seeking permission to claim every inch of me.

About to give in, the clang of a bell slices through our heated moment, shattering it like glass.

My eyes widen in panic as I recall that I promised Holden a redo for his cake. Torn between temptation and obligation, I shove Blake away, only to yank him back in the next instant.

"Oh, no!" I blurt out, my voice trembling with a mix of desire and urgency. "I promised to be at dinner, but now I'm lost."

"Good thing you're with me." A chuckle rumbles from him, and he pushes away from the trunk. Unabashed, he adjusts himself in his jeans. "I can take you up to the Homestead. I find myself suddenly ravenous."

The heat in his eyes leaves no room for misunderstanding, and I blush.

"May I?" Blake offers his arm, and I giggle at the gallantry as I slip my hand into the crook of his elbow. "After dinner, can I entice you into watching a movie in the media room?"

My pulse quickens at the suggestion, knowing full well he doesn't plan to watch a movie. Excitement flutters in my stomach, and I nod.

We walk up the hill, Sprinkles bounding ahead of us through the brush to the path I spotted earlier. Once we're on it, walking becomes easier, and Blake moves closer, his free hand covering mine. Every so often, he stops to steal a kiss, increasing the flutters.

And here I thought that was only for the heroines in my novels.

Need still warms my body, but I like how Blake didn't push for more, despite his obvious desire. He's not in a rush, instead enjoying the chase even though he has to smell my willingness in my pheromones that perfume the air.

I look up at him to find his gaze on me and flush. "So, you live on the island with your pack?"

He smiles, his beard almost hiding the expression. "Yes, you've met Holden, and we've bonded with two other Alphas. We all live at the Homestead, on the second story."

So, no Omega. A buzz fills me, like electricity, and I tighten my hold on his arm.

"The four of you own the resort?" I ask, fascinated that someone so young has already made such an enormous investment.

He nods. "Nathaniel, my bondmate, inherited the property from his mother when she passed. There was only a single cabin and the docks back then. We spent a lot of time here over summer breaks at university, solidifying our bonds. When we graduated, we all agreed we wanted to build the island into a business that would support our future family."

And they want a family . I sigh with appreciation.

"How did you get into writing?" he asks.

"In university, I wasn't sure what career path to follow, but then I took a creative writing class, and the TA said I had talent. He convinced me to send my manuscript to a publisher. And by convinced, I mean he sent it behind my back and surprised me with the contract." I kneed the firm muscles in Blake's forearm. "He's the man who was with me at the signing. He's now my agent."

"No reason to change what worked, right?" He chuckles. "So, you didn't plan on being an author?"

"No, I thought it would be a hobby." I drop my eyes. "It never occurred to me that anyone else would want to read the stories in my head."

"Why not?" He tweaks one of the ears on my hood. "It's an adorable head."

Flustered by the praise, I press my cheek against his bulky bicep. "No one knew that, though. I used a logo on all my social media before this year."

"I'm sure the logo was adorable, too," he rumbles, making me laugh again.

When we arrive at the Homestead, the cozy lights from inside cast a welcoming glow over the porch. Blake steps ahead of me to open the door, and the warm, rich aroma of dinner fills the air. Mouth watering, I head for the dining room, Blake close behind.

"Oh, great, you're here! I was starting to worry!" Holden calls out as he sets a steaming dish on the table, and I admire the way the light catches in his golden curls as he moves.

His gaze settles on me and Blake, and for a moment, his smile falters. I should have known it was a bad idea to wear what amounts to pajamas to dinner.

"Sorry," I blurt out, self-consciously tugging at my onesie. "I got lost on a walk and then the dinner bell rang, and I didn't have time to change."

Holden's smile returns. "No need to apologize. We don't have a dress code here, and you look very cozy."

His words wrap around me like a warm blanket, dispelling any lingering anxiety. Grady often teases me about my love for cute animal outfits, but they make me feel protected, like I'm wrapped up in my nest no matter where I am. As an Omega, spending most of my days locked in my office writing, comfort is paramount.

Blake squeezes my hand in reassurance, and my cheeks heat with pleasure.

Not to be ignored any longer, Sprinkles woofs and lopes forward.

With a squawk, I duck behind Blake.

"It's okay, sweetie." Blake pats my head like I'm the pet. "I'll put him out back."

"No, that's not right." I inch out into the open. "This is Sprinkles's home. Don't lock him up."

Blake chuckles. "Don't worry about him. Sprinkles has the finest accommodations on the island. I'll wash up and be back for dinner."

Holden pulls out one of the chairs while Blake leads Sprinkles left of the staircase, where a door to the backyard must hide.

I settle onto the seat. "Thank you."

Holden leans forward to scoot me in, and the scent of vanilla surrounds me, like he's the most delicious dessert.

Pulse quickening, I take in the small, individual pie dish in the center of my plate. Savory meat and herbs mingle with a buttery crust, and I swallow the drool flooding my mouth. "You— Dinner smells delicious."

Holden beams at me. "Let me bring in the cake."

"I will stay here." I point to my chair. "And I will absolutely not go anywhere near the kitchen."

He chuckles. "And I will absolutely not drop this one."

Bustling away, he returns a moment later carrying a three-tiered cake even more lavish than the one he threw at me yesterday.

"That looks amazing, Holden." I wiggle in place, craving another taste of his buttercream frosting.

But the meat pie should be eaten first, right? An indecisive whimper escapes as I stare from the golden dome of crust on my plate to the cake Holden sets just out of reach.

His lips curl with amusement, and he inches the dessert farther down the table. "Where did you run into Blake?"

"Sprinkles thought I was part of the wildlife and pounced on me while I was lost in the forest. Somehow, I wandered off-trail and couldn't get my bearings." I pluck the cloth napkin from beneath my silverware and drape it across my lap. "But I've actually met Blake already. He asked me to sign copies of The Fairy and the Dragonlord series for his friend, Holden ."

His eyes widen for a moment, before he groans with embarrassment. "You caught me. I'm a huge fan of your work."

"You did a good job pretending not to know who I am," I say, both flattered and apprehensive at the same time.

Something about Holden begs me to trust him, though, and to let him see a side of me few others have outside of Grady.

Holden sits in the chair beside me and takes my hands, the warmth of his skin against mine sending my heart racing. "I didn't want to make you uncomfortable by revealing that I'm a fan." Sincerity fills his hazel eyes. "You're here on vacation, and I didn't want to remind you of work."

"Are you disappointed now that you've met me?" I ask, feeling vulnerable.

I like Holden, but there's a reason people should never meet their heroes. No one who looks up to Aurora Storm would be happy with the real me, and Holden and I met in the most awkward way possible.

"Quite the opposite, Chloe. I'm even more amazed." His eyes soften, and he gives my hands a reassuring squeeze. "I always admired your sensitivity toward the Omega fae princess, and now I understand how you were able to write her so well."

A blush creeps up my cheeks, and heat radiates off my face. It's rare that I meet someone who appreciates my writing on such a personal level, let alone an Alpha like Holden. His praise intoxicates me, and I want to hear more.

As if sensing my thoughts, Holden reaches up and pushes back my hood to pluck a leaf from my hair. His touch lingers for a moment, sending shivers through my body.

"Your books give people like me hope." A sad smile plays on his lips. "Hope that a lizard can become a Dragonlord."

Before I can respond or process his words, he rises and turns away. "I forgot the salad bowls."

I lean back in my seat, gaze on his retreating back. My chest tightens with a mixture of longing and uncertainty. What is it about this man that puts me so at ease?

The temptation to follow him and explore these feelings brings me to my feet. His scent urges me to let down my guard and embrace the desires simmering beneath the surface. But then I freeze. While Holden's and Blake's presences bring a sense of warmth and understanding, they stir up a storm, too, that threatens to consume me if I don't tread with caution.

My Misty Pines retreat is only for two weeks. I'm supposed to be resting and relaxing, not courting heartache that I will surely experience when I have to leave.

Before I can decide whether or not to follow Holden, my phone buzzes in my pocket.

I pull it out to see a flood of messages on the screen.

Grady

Don't forget to take your suppressants.

Also, try to get some sleep. Don't stay up all night reading.

The reminders annoy me, like I'm a child incapable of caring for myself. I've been taking suppressants since my second gender presented at puberty.

When I close Grady's chat, a new message pops up from an unknown number.

Possible Spam

Give me the money, or I'll tell Louie where his runaway bride is hiding.

The blood drains from my face, and I quickly block the sender.

"Is everything okay?" Holden asks, his voice making me jump.

My head jerks up to find him staring at me with concern etched on his face, and I shove my phone into my pocket. "Y-yes, just my agent checking up on me."

Curiosity lights his eyes, but he stifles the urge to ask, for which I'm grateful. I'm not sure that I could spin a story on the fly that's good enough to excuse my change in mood.

My fingers lift to the lucky shamrock necklace I wear, seeking solace in its familiar weight.

Everything will be fine. No matter how often my mom makes that threat, she's never followed through, because if she sells me to the Alpha a second time, she'll lose her monthly allowance.