Chapter 18

Chapter Eighteen

Brooklyn

G unner is gone for so long that I give up on waiting and take a quick shower. I still feel sweaty from the trip to the park, and my nerves aren't helping anything.

I grab a stretchy dress that can be worn around the house but not out in public and pull it over my still-wet body.

The flyaway pieces of my hair that fell out of my bun have turned to ringlets around my face. I'm too tired to mess with it now, so I tug the hair tie out and toss it on the dresser.

It's slightly annoying that Gunner disappeared. He said he was going to keep me company. I'm guessing he got dragged back into more conversation about what a disaster my life is.

I wouldn't be shocked if he brings me my phone and quietly excuses himself. Digging in the closet, I grab several of the small throw blankets that have extra soft textures and chuck them on my bed.

Once that's done, I climb up on the edge and start to pull down the multitude of pillows.

The one Noble slept on last night makes my nose twitch. Rather than tossing it to the side of the mattress to make a wall, I hug it to my chest and breathe him in.

Scenting him makes my chest ache as a weird feeling fills my stomach.

I really miss him.

I wish he was here to curl up with me.

I startle as Gunner strides back into my bedroom. His head tilts as he walks behind me, dropping my phone on the end table.

"You showered."

"Yeah, I was still hot and sweaty from the park," I say, tossing the pillow up where my head will be.

"Are you okay with me joining you?"

"Yeah," I agree, moving to lie down.

I roll to face Gunner once I'm situated, and my eyes widen. He's bent over, working the laces on his boots. He has on a plain black T-shirt, but I somehow forgot he's got a shitload of tattoos. They start at the tops of his hands and go all the way up both forearms, lining the top and bottom.

He catches me watching like a total creeper and smiles softly. "I was going to take off my belt, too, but that's only because it's uncomfortable to try to relax in jeans and a belt."

I nod and roll to grab my phone. "I can understand that. I like to be comfy when I'm lounging."

"Such a snuggly little omega." He chuckles.

I pull up Noble's contact and send him a quick text. I don't want to worry him while he should be focused, but I do need to tell him about today as soon as possible.

I know you're working, but I just wanted to check in. Libby and I are good, so don't worry. Feel free to come by tonight if you can.

Sending the message, I wait for it to show delivered and stretch over to put my phone down on the nightstand.

Gunner stands to his full height, swiping his long hair on the top of his head back from his forehead. "Can I just climb over the pillow wall and make myself at home?" He laughs awkwardly. "Or am I supposed to move that over between us?"

I scoot back a little and pat the mattress. "Climb in. Sorry. I didn't know for sure if you were going to come back, and I use them as a makeshift nest when I'm alone."

"I got caught up talking to Bless and Maverick." He climbs over the pillows in a move that makes his forearms and shoulders flex. "Your bed smells like another alpha." His nose wrinkles, but he plants a hand on my hip as he scoots closer to my front. "I'd better distract my instincts with your scent."

My head rests on my curled-up arm, but I pat around with the other hand until I find the small, fuzzy throw blanket.

Gunner chuckles and helps toss it over me. "I'm glad to see you settling in. You really should get some rest."

Yawning, I shake my head. "I'm not going to fall asleep. I'll just rest my eyes for a few minutes. Libby will be up anytime."

"Understood," he says with humor lining his tone. His lips brush my forehead, making my insides feel melty.

There's every possibility I scoot closer until there's no space between us. My fingers brush over his T-shirt as I will my system not to be exhausted.

Gunner's chest starts to vibrate, and a few seconds later, a ragged purr fills the air.

I freaking coo in response, and my nose wiggles around his T-shirt as I search for where his scent is strongest. "Is your first or last name Gunner?"

He chuckles, running his fingers through my hair. "Gunner Anderson."

"Well, Mr. Anderson, that purr is considered playing dirty."

"You haven't seen anything yet, gorgeous. I'm willing to play a whole lot dirtier to make you mine." He palms the back of my head while running his fingers through my hair at the base of my skull. It's so comforting that I don't even get to address his innuendo.

My eyes pop open as my chest heaves. The terrible dream replays over and over in my mind.

I don't know why I didn't process it earlier, but if Libby had been in the stroller during our walk home…

I don't worry about squishing him as I roll over Gunner until my feet hit the floor. Snagging my phone, I check to see if Noble responded, but there's nothing.

I toss it back down without being quiet.

It's kind of an asshole move, considering Gunner seems to be asleep, but I think I'm having a panic attack.

My hands shake, and my knees wobble as I stagger toward the door. Ripping it open, I make it into the short hallway that leads to the living room.

Gunner catches me around the middle, pulling my back to his chest. "What's wrong?"

"I-I n-need to check on my kid," I choke out, tugging at his fingers that hold me just under my breasts.

"Okay, but fuck, you're burning up. What's wrong?" He spins me to face him, placing me back on my feet. "Your cheeks are bright pink. I wasn't joking. You scalded my skin."

"I had a bad dream." My head shakes as I pick up the sounds of Libby chattering away in the living room. A heavy breath shutters out, and I attack Gunner, wrapping my arms under his. "If she was in the stroller instead of Maverick's arms…"

Gunner cradles me, palming the back of my head and offering the safe sense of security that my instincts crave. "She's just fine. I'm worried about you. This kind of fever can't be normal. Are you sick?"

"No, but something similar happened the other night. Pregnant omegas crave alpha pheromones. I haven't exactly been around many alphas lately, and every time I do get close, my system seems to spike into what feels like a mini heat."

"I see," he says calmly. "I can assure you that your daughter is safe. She ran in to check on you, but Bless scooped her up before she could wake you." He turns me back toward the living room. "Why don't we peek in and see how she's doing? That will help you feel better, and then we can try to bring down your fever."

A shiver runs along my spine as he gently pushes me toward the corner that opens up into the living room.

"This is for you, Miss Ma'am," Libby says.

I converse with her on a daily basis, and it still takes me a moment to make out that's exactly what she said.

Gunner places his hand on my middle, keeping me from stomping out into the living room. "See, even Nova was invited to the tea party."

He's right.

Someone carried Libby's small plastic table and chairs out into the living room. Maverick sits on one chair, but he's so tall, his knees are out at a wide angle so that he can reach the table.

Nova sits back on her haunches, but she leans forward, nosing the teacup like she's checking if Libby gave her an actual treat.

"We need real tea." Libby shoves herself out of her chair and walks over to grab Maverick's hand. She proceeds to try to pull him from his chair. "Let's get some."

Maverick laughs, shaking his head. "I bet real tea would make a real mess . We should just use our imaginations. That way, Mommy doesn't wake up to a disaster."

"I will clean it up!" Libby says, frowning. "I will."

My hand flies to my face as I try to cover my laugh.

I'm even more surprised to spot Stacia on the couch. She's got her leg crossed over the other, and she smiles, watching Maverick and Libby.

Nova has her whole snout down in the teacup, and it looks like she's searching for the treat she's still convinced must be in there.

I wish I had my phone.

I'd take a picture.

"See?" Gunner whispers directly against my ear. "I told you she was fine. Now, let's make sure you are too."

My heart races as he drags me back toward my bedroom. Once we're inside, he shuts the door quietly and clicks the lock.

I step back and bump the wall as Gunner twists to face me.

"You smell anxious but also sweet, like your pheromones are trying to entice my system into believing you're in heat." He licks his lips, and his hands come to rest on my hips. "My dads always told my brother and me that we would instinctively know how to care for an omega. That our system would sense it." He moves a hand to cradle my cheek. "Tell me what you need."

"I need my system to not betray me right now, so I can check on my kid and make a plan for the future."

"Gorgeous, she's fine. You saw it with your own eyes. Having more people to look out for her isn't a bad thing," he says, sounding very reasonable.

My entire body aches with a pain that radiates from my middle outward.

I gasp and clutch at my stomach as my skin prickles with heat. "That sucks."

"I'm not going to touch you unless you tell me it's okay," Gunner says, tugging his shirt off with a tattooed hand at the back of his neck. He tosses it aside and focuses on my face once more. "I'm a firm believer that biological reactions don't indicate consent." He tilts his face until it's only millimeters from mine. "It takes a lot to pique my interest, and yet, I wanted to follow you to the bathroom that night." He slots his knee between mine as I stare up at him with my chest rising and falling rapidly. "Ached to brush my lips over yours and to scent your arousal in the air, but I didn't. Mostly because I couldn't stand the thought of anyone else hearing your begging moans or catching those hints of your pheromones in the air."

The dark stubble that lines his jaw, combined with the intense look of desire on his face, makes my knees weak.

"It was very out of character, but I still would have taken you home that night and done my best to convince you to never leave." His lips tease so close to mine, but he still doesn't make contact with my skin.

My shoulders push against the wall for support to keep me up as my knees wobble.

Why didn't I put on underwear when I got dressed?

Oh yeah, because maternity underwear is hideous. They might be ugly, but at least they keep slick from dripping down my thighs.

Oh, hell.

I wish he'd do the damn thing and kiss me.