16. Xavier

I very rarely give into the deepest part of my caregiver nature, but if there's anyone who can trigger my instincts, it's the omega lying in front of me. I don't know the full extent of what Jasmine has suffered at the hands of other alphas, but the scars are there now I'm close enough to see them. Not that I need to rub my thumb over the moon-shaped mark on her neck to know that life has thrown its share of burdens her way. The proof is in the sharp edge to her scent, in the shadows lurking in her eyes, and in the droop of her shoulders when she thinks no one is looking. Based on the little I've witnessed, Jasmine has been holding things together through sheer willpower for a long time. And while I'm not certain I have what it takes to give her the care she so obviously deserves, I'm desperate to try.

But I'm still unsettled by the panic attack I triggered with my questions about her fears. It hurt my heart to hear her words tripping over each other, her eyes darting around the room as she imagined the men in her life – the ones given the incredible luxury of caring for her – sneaking into our house and stealing her and her sister away. I can still feel the ache in my jaw from clenching my teeth on the howl that was burning the back of my throat. My protective nature was suddenly fighting with my need to hunt them down and end their miserable lives. But Jasmine was so deeply lost to her fears, my instincts insisted I put her in a deep meditative state.

And now she's blinking up at me and asking if I'll take care of her. Does she know what this does to me? Caregiving is an outdated concept, with plenty of people seeing it as little more than a power fetish. But I don't want to take Jasmine's autonomy away. I want her to trust me enough to let me soothe her body, to pamper her, and give her pleasure at my hands. It's not something I can indulge in often, especially with someone who so clearly needs it.

And then she tells me I'm a good alpha. Coming from her, it's the sweetest of compliments, and the words trip something in my hindbrain.

Is it any wonder I lose all control of my scent? It bursts out of me, almost embarrassingly potent as it drenches us both in my happiness. I'm sure that if Declan was here, he'd laugh hysterically at my display, no doubt chiding me for acting like a teenager on the edge of his first rut.

I try desperately to rein it back in, but Jasmine's pupils dilate, and she licks her lips. "Yes. I want to smell like that."

The rumble that vibrates in my chest is so smug and possessive it makes my ears burn. Yes. Everything in me says she should be covered in my scent, until no one can deny that she's mine. My omega. My packmate.

Jesus, hindbrain. Get a grip.

To distract myself, I coat my hands in the oil and rub them together, warming it. "I'll start at your feet," I tell her, avoiding her gaze as I move to the end of the chair. "If it tickles or makes you uncomfortable, let me know."

She makes a soft humming sound as my hands rest on the tops of her feet. I can feel her watching me curiously as I stroke my way down to her toes. She's not ticklish, so I work my fingers between them, my thumbs massaging the balls of her feet. Her toes curl, but she makes another pleased sound, her shoulders sinking into the chair. "Gah. That feels so good. How come no one ever told me a foot massage felt like this?"

I'm not trained in massage; this is just me giving free rein to my instincts. And as my fingers slide along her arches, she gives a soft moan and satisfaction rushes through me like a wave of warm honey. "I'm moving up to your calves," I tell her, still careful to warn her before I touch her. "Flex your toes, sweetheart. Feel the stretch as I work the tension out."

She obeys, even though her body is surprisingly relaxed. It's like she's still skimming the edge of her meditative state, which appeals to me more than I like to admit. I'm self-aware enough to know that submission is a big part of caregiving, and one of the reasons I enjoy it so much. To see her so soft and unguarded makes me desperate to mark her with my scent. But I thrust the urge aside, keeping my touch light and my domineering thoughts to myself.

When I wrap my hands around her calves, her lashes flutter closed with a sigh. I can feel the muscles shifting under her silky skin and I dig my fingertips in, pressing and rubbing until they feel like putty in my hands. When I slide over her kneecaps to her lower thighs, she tugs the bottom of her robe, moving it out of my way. I catch sight of her panties, pale pink lace that I'm pretty sure Erik spent a few hours picking out. But it's the glimmer of slick on her upper thigh that makes my hands pause.

"Don't stop," she whispers, and when my gaze snaps to hers, I find her watching me through hooded eyes. "I want to feel your hands everywhere."

She's toying with the front of her robe, her bottom lip caught between her teeth. Her breath hitches when my fingers skim the lacy edge of her panties and I stop for a second time. "You can turn over," I say almost weakly. "I can rub the oil into your back…"

But she's shaking her head, and my nostrils flare as I catch the spike in her scent. Reaching down, she takes one of my hands and slips it inside her robe. I feel warm, silky skin and the pebbled need of her nipple, tight against my palm. "You want me to play with these beautiful breasts, sweetheart?"

My voice is a heated purr, and I expect her to arch her back, to push herself into my touch. But she goes still at my question, her blush spreading high on her cheekbones. I brush a thumb over the pretty color, but there's something in her eyes that tells me she's not just being coy. Is she less experienced than I imagined? Most omegas are courted from the moment they present, intimacy a part of their lives even before they settle with their pack. Their biology is innately sexual, after all, built for pleasurable heats with multiple partners. And most alphas will do anything to be blessed with a happy, sated omega.

But nothing about Jasmine's life suggests pleasure has been a priority.

"I want to touch every part of you," I tell her, resting my hand against her breast. I can feel her heart hammering against my palm, and I tuck a curl behind her ear, my gaze fixed on hers. "But only if it's what you want. I don't expect anything from you, Jasmine."

Her eyes widen a fraction, her tongue darting out to wet her lips. "Will you kiss me, Xavier?" It's not what I'm expecting, although it's exactly what I want. But when I start to pull my hand from her robe, she grabs my wrist. "Don't stop touching me. But I want you to kiss me as well."

There's a little wobble to her voice, and I could kick myself for making her ask. I call myself a caregiver? So far, I'm proving to be underwhelming at best.

Determined to do better, I gently cup the back of her head and lean down and brush my lips against hers. There's still that lingering scent of another alpha under the oil, but it's strangely pleasant, and I swallow the rumble in my throat. Jasmine's mouth moves against mine, slow but determined, like she's learning the shape of my lips. She's the first to breach the seam, the tip of her tongue slipping into my mouth. I let her play, stroking and sucking my tongue until she's humming in her throat. When it's my turn to take the lead, I sip and lick, keeping the contact light and sweet. But I can feel her nipple tightening against my palm, her thighs moving restlessly as they try to find some friction through the oil. When she moans, pushing up into my mouth and hand, my cock throbs in response.

But I keep my touch gentle, slowly kneading her breast until her eyes grow heavy with want. A soft sigh falls from her lips as I roll her nipple gently. "Where else?" I murmur, sliding my hand to her opposite breast. "Here? Do you like it when I pinch you?"

I demonstrate, taking the tight nipple between my finger and thumb. As I squeeze the taut peak, I thrust my tongue into her mouth and her back arches. "Yes," she gives a needy moan when we break apart, her blush moving down her neck. "It feels so good."

"I have two hands, Jasmine," I remind her, still squeezing and pinching, my kisses now lazy and teasing. "Where else do you want me?"

She squirms, her thighs rubbing together under the robe. "My clit. Will you make me come?"

It's so tempting to imagine her coming apart under my fingers, but I pull back, trying to think past the intoxicating scent of slick in the air. Because caregiving is about more than sex. It leads there, on occasion, but its purpose is to give your mate exactly what they need. And with Jasmine, I need to step carefully and make sure I tend her without pushing her too far. I'm guessing she's inexperienced, and possibly even a little submissive given the way she accepted my instructions so beautifully. But I know nothing of her limits, and she's still in a deeply relaxed state. I would hate myself if she ever felt I'd abused her trust.

"Sweetheart, would you like me to take you to Casper? I'd love to watch him make you come."

She stares up at me, her mouth already softly swollen from our kisses. That blush has spread even further, but a little divot appears between her brows. "You don't want to do it yourself?"

My mouth is suddenly a desert, my teeth ready to bite my tongue off for the whiff of rejection I catch in her scent. "More than anything. But I want to take this slow. And I want Casper to show me what you like so I can please you, too."

She studies me with those piercing green eyes, the glimmer of hurt in their depths slowly fading. "Okay, then. Yes. Let's go see Casper."

I breathe a sigh of relief, wiping my hands on a clean cloth. "Put your arms around me," I tell her as I scoop her off the chair and head to the door. "And keep feeding me those sweet kisses."

She smirks as she winds her arms around my neck, laying a chaste kiss on my chin. I smile at the quick peck, pausing at the elevator to tease her with the tip of my tongue. She tries to catch it with her lips, moaning as I push it into her mouth, licking her with lazy strokes. I play with her all the way to Casper's door, nudging it open with my foot. She clings to me a little tighter, but when she sees him sitting up like he's waiting for us, she pushes at my chest. I set her down on the edge of the bed and she crawls towards him, a hitch in her breathing. "I'm sorry, Casper," she moans, climbing straight into his lap. "I should never have left you like that. "

He curls his arms around her, some of the strain melting from his features. "I understand."

"Don't be nice to me," she mutters, pressing her face into his neck. "I'm a complete jerk."

"Not completely," he teases, but his smile falters as his fingers skim her brow. "I don't like this bump, though. You should have taken Bowie with you." He cups her face, his eyes squeezed shut like he's absorbing her pain. "Promise me, if something like that ever happens again, you'll trust me enough to look after myself."

She gulps, spreading kisses across his strained face. "I will. I'm sorry. And I trust you so much." She squirms until she's fully in his lap, one arm looped around his neck while the other traces his dark eyebrow. "We didn't talk about the doctor. What did he say? You seemed upset."

He closes his eyes, his expression shutting down. "The usual. That I'm not making the progress he hoped for but that injuries like mine have to heal on their own. It could be tomorrow or never. Really helpful stuff." His scent has soured, but he suddenly tilts his head, tangling a finger in one of her curls. "What did he say to you?"

I'm curious as well, since there's a limit Peter will tell me about his patients, but she just shrugs. "That I make you happy. And that giving you orgasms is good for your recovery."

Casper instantly perks up. "I guess the guy is smarter than he looks. Maybe I don't need a second opinion, after all."

She smiles at his lascivious grin, but it doesn't quite reach her eyes. "I want you to know something, though. I'm not just here for the sex plan, okay?" She shoots me a quick glance, her bottom lip caught between her teeth. "I mean, I'm not sleeping in your bed for the education. I've watched enough porn to know what goes where, but I want to be here because of you, Casper. I want to try these things with you, because it feels right." She glances at me again, watching me from under damp lashes. "And Xavier. I want him to be part of it too."

I've been listening intently ever since she mentioned the sex plan, but Casper now smirks in my direction. "Is he the reason you smell like sex in a bottle?"

That blush is back, but Jasmine holds my gaze. "It's one of his oils. He makes them from his mom's recipe."

Casper's brows shoot up at that. "Oh, yeah? He's just full of hidden talents, huh?"

"Enough, brat," I murmur, sitting on the edge of the bed and grabbing his ankle. "You should be thanking me for bringing you this gift." My hand slides across Jasmine's back, rubbing in soft circles. "She asked me to make her come, but I thought you might show me what she likes."

There's enough heat in my voice to make them both shudder, and Casper tilts his head back with a groan. "Jesus. You sure I'm not dreaming?"

"Want me to wake you up?" Jasmine asks, her tone now teasing. "I could pinch you."

Casper laughs, grabbing her ass and flipping them over. He rolls her under him, pressing his nose to her neck and taking a loud gulp of her scent. "Fuck, you smell amazing. Xavier, I think I'm going to need some of this oil."

"He has heaps of it," Jasmine tells him, but her breath catches as Casper parts her robe.

"I'll just help myself, if you don't mind." He grins as his mouth dips down to catch her nipple. He sucks on it eagerly, making a hungry sound as he lets it go with a wet pop. "It feels all fat and swollen on my tongue. Has someone been playing with your sweet little buds, Jasmine?"

She pants and squirms under him, her fingers clutching at his arms. "Xavier… He gave me a massage."

"I bet he did. I can feel his sticky paw prints all over you." He shoots me a wolfish grin as he slides his hands down to her thighs. He nudges the robe aside, sitting back on his haunches to run his fingers through her slick. He coats them in her arousal, then sucks them into his mouth with a filthy moan. "Delicious. But this tastes like it's all you, sweetheart. Didn't Xavier get your pussy nice and wet?"

"He just kissed me," she replies, staring at his hooded eyes. Her blush is climbing, but so is her scent, and I have to clench the comforter to stop myself reaching for her. "Then he offered to bring me here."

"That's generous of him. So, how about I open you up and show him what he's missing?" I groan at that, but Casper grabs my wrist, pulling me towards them. "Stay nice and close. I wouldn't want you to miss a thing," he tells me, his tongue poking the side of his cheek.

"You're a goddamn brat," I growl, but I settle happily by his side, my head thick with their combined scent. "Would you like me to describe what I can see? Just to give you the full picture."

I have to be careful how I refer to his injury, especially after another disappointing checkup with Peter. But Casper gives me a shit-eating grin as he drops between her thighs. "Be my guest," he purrs, and then he opens her folds, his finger drawing a lazy loop against the tender skin. "Does she look as good as she smells?"

"Better," I grind out, catching her startled glance. She's breathing hard, her robe hanging off her shoulders so I can see the pink flush of her chest and the tight peaks of her nipples. "She's spread out before you like a feast. And her pussy is pink and glistening."

"Mmmm." Casper dips his finger in and out, pumping gently. Jasmine whimpers, the squelch of her slick making my mouth water. "She's so wet," he marvels, teasing her with both his voice and actions. "Can you see her slick trickling down her thighs?"

"It's coating your hand." I meet her eyes, my cock growing even harder at the arousal shining there. "You keep that up and she's going to soak the sheet."

"I'll just push in a little more, then." Casper drops his head and bites the curve of her trembling thigh. She whimpers and he softens it to a wet kiss. "Can you take more, sweetheart?"

She moans and shivers, her mouth slack. "Please. I need to come, Casper."

He gives a thoughtful hum. "But if you hold out a little longer, then maybe you can come on my tongue."

She whimpers, shooting me a desperate glance, but I just edge closer. "Is she tight?" I ask him. "Are you stroking her walls?"

"Yeah, soooo tight. And hot, and wet, and squeezing me so good." Her hips are pushing up against his hand now and Casper groans as he adds another finger, pumping faster. "Is it okay if I touch myself, babe? I really want to rub one out with your slick."

Her eyes snap to his face, another moan falling from her lips. "Yes, I want to watch. Or maybe... Xavier?"

Casper doesn't need to read my face to know how ready I am for that. "Fuck. Yeah, he'll lend me a hand if that's what you want."

She's already nodding hard, her pupils fully blown. Slick and precum fill the air as Casper pulls down his sleep pants and exposes his cock. It's long and pink, the head flushed and leaking. The scent of his arousal is even stronger, and I almost bite off my tongue as he lifts his hips in my direction. "Want to help me out, Alpha?"

He's the definition of a brat, but I have to admire how he's still grinding his knuckle against Jasmine's clit. She's staring hungrily at his dripping cock, but she's so close to the edge I know there's not much time to put on a show.

"Do you like it hard and fast, naughty boy?" I ask, my voice grinding from the pit of my belly. Casper opens his mouth to reply, but I grab him in a firm grip, giving his shaft a firm pump. He twitches in shock, his groan almost a yelp as I smirk at him. "All brats need a firm hand now and then."

"Yes, Alpha," he hums, falling back on an elbow. Jasmine grabs his hair, and with his fingers still buried in her pussy, he's stuck like a butterfly under a pin. I'd laugh at his predicament if his cock wasn't throbbing so distractingly. "That's really helping."

"Then get your mouth on her, pup," I tell him. "Our girl looks close to the edge."

He moans but obeys, his tongue sliding over her wet folds in a filthy kiss. He doesn't tease her for long, licking and nibbling until she's grinding against his face. I pump him harder, dragging my thumb over his slit and gently pinching his sack. He shivers, the long line of his back undulating as he rocks between us. We're a slick-drenched mess and my cock is so hard, my zipper is straining. The urge to rub my knot is so strong I have to breathe through my mouth, but my own need is inconsequential. My entire focus is on the two omegas in front of me, spiraling towards their release.

"Fuck, I'm gonna come!" Casper gasps, thrusting his face back between Jasmine's thighs. She gives a keening cry, her fingers digging into his back as she comes. He shoots his release over my fingers, his hips jerking as I work him through his orgasm. I bend down and fix my teeth in the meaty part of his ass, just as he did to Jasmine's thigh. It's not enough to break the skin, but they'll be sporting matching bruises, and the thought makes my chest swell with satisfaction.

Mine.

"Ughhh." Casper rolls to lie in their mess, blinking through his haze. "God damn."

"Well done, pup," I tell him, making no effort to hide the fact I'm licking his cum from my fingers. And when I lean down over Jasmine's flushed, damp face, she doesn't hesitate to open her mouth. Our kiss is searing, and she hums at the taste of Casper on my tongue. "Good girl," I murmur, feeding her another sticky kiss. And as I brush her hair back, her lids droop shut, but not before she's given me a sated smile.

"Good alpha," Casper croons behind me, barely swallowing his weary laugh.

He definitely has a sassy streak, but I'm not complaining. In fact, I'm not sure I've ever felt this satisfied, and I didn't even come. "I"m rolling my eyes at your brattiness, in case you"re wondering."

But Casper just snorts and slings an arm around my hips. "Shut up and snuggle us, Alpha."