Chapter 4: Lennox

Chapter Four

Lennox

“ T hings are looking up, though. Wait, do you have an omega?” I pull away from his scratchy beard to study his face. “This is an important question.”

He scoffs.

Or snorts.

I’m not sure what that sound is, exactly, but I asked a question I really need the answer to.

“Do you?” I demand as he stops dead in his tracks, staring down at me.

He’s very handsome.

I’d be shocked if he didn’t have an omega of his own, but he’s not bonded. At least, I think I’d be able to pick it up in his scent if he was.

His long, blondish-brown hair falls around his shoulders in waves as his blue eyes sparkle.

His eyes remind me of Rush’s.

They both glimmer when they think something is funny and both have little laugh lines around the edges.

He also smells freaking fantastic.

“No.”

I squint, trying to decide if he’s telling the truth. “Okay, because I shouldn’t be salivating over your scent if you do.”

A strangled sound escapes his chest. “You’re kind of a mess.”

“Yeah,” I agree, shoving my nose back into the crook of his neck.

I know.

Everyone loves to tell me that lately.

Mostly, I’m just tired of my chest aching with a pain I can’t escape.

I’ve heard it from my sister, my friends, the guys on the security team who watched me when I had to leave New York because my sister was in danger.

They all told me that I’ll eventually get over Thorne, but I’m not sure that’s true.

He made it clear that I need to find a pack and move on, but I don’t know how to do that when my skin physically aches with the urge to be close to him.

I’ve never met anyone who smelled electric before. At first, it intrigued me, but the more time we spent around each other, the more obsessed my system became.

And I took any excuse I could find to be close to him.

It felt like the interest was mutual…

God.

My sister is right.

I’m naive and ridiculous.

The cool night air slaps into every inch of uncovered skin as Bear walks us out of the building.

“Shit, I should have called the bed-and-breakfast to make sure someone will be around to let us in,” Bear says. “I’m betting Rush is gone by now.”

“No, please?” My head shakes. “I don’t want to go back there. It’s lonely. I won’t take up much space in your bed. I promise.”

I’m tipsy.

There’s no way I would have said that otherwise, but it is true. The idea of going back to my room at the bed-and-breakfast makes my eyes ache, like I might burst into tears.

“Please?” I ask, holding on even tighter.

He curses under his breath and finally nods. “You’re a whole bundle of trouble.”

I smile sincerely for the first time in way too long. “Thanks, Bear.”

He grunts, and somehow, it only makes me grin wider.

“If you’re going to be sick, try to give me some warning,” Bear says, like maybe he has psychic abilities.

I was fine at first, but the jostling of being carried seems to have caught up with my unsettled stomach.

There’s ambient lighting from the streetlights and business signs.

The cool air would normally help my upset stomach. It’s definitely better than the cloying heat that comes in late spring and summer in New York.

“I don’t…” My head shakes as bile rises in my throat.

Bear immediately sets me on my feet and turns me away from the street.

My body doesn’t give me any additional time to process as I lean over, vomiting in the bushes that line the sidewalk. The retching continues with violent sounds that echo around us.

This isn’t my finest moment and, of course, I have an audience to witness it.

“Well, I saw that coming,” he says, wrapping his hand in my hair to keep it out of my face. His other runs over my back as I keep heaving. There’s no good reason why I haven’t melted into a puddle of actual embarrassment. “Get it out. You’ll feel better once the alcohol is no longer churning around in your gut.”

I vaguely remember standing up, but after that, it’s only flashes of him carrying me to his house and offering me a bottle of water.

“Maybe just rinse for now? I’m not sure swallowing more liquids will help.” He offers me a handful of napkins.

I fail to take them as the room spins, and he carefully pats my mouth.

“I’m so sorry,” I mumble. “Thank you for making sure I didn’t leave with those guys.”

“ They should be very lucky you didn’t,” he grunts cryptically before scooping me up.

Bear brings me into the bathroom and busts a new toothbrush out of a container.

He helps me stay upright while I brush. Once I’m done, he sighs heavily and says, “Hand me my coat. I’m sure you need to pee before bed.”

I frown, and my eyes fly to the ceiling as I evaluate if he’s right. “I probably should before I sleep.”

He chuckles a low, throaty sound that makes my entire body shiver. “Do you need help getting out of my jacket?”

I never thought full-on caveman would be my style, but dammit, Bear is really hot. The combination of his strong features, with the bushy eyebrows and thick beard just really works for him. Add in the long, wavy hair, and he might not be classically handsome, but he is smoking hot in a manly way that’s hard to explain.

My face heats as I realize I’ve been creeping on him while he’s been waiting for me to hand off his coat.

“Sorry,” I whisper.

Bear gently shoves my hands away. “No need to apologize. I’m a caregiver. This is where I thrive, but I also don’t want to be a pushy asshole.”

Would anyone really complain about being taken care of?

“Here’s a trash can,” the big guy growls, shoving it next to the bed. “Don’t vomit on my bed. If you have to puke, make it into the trash can, or I will…”

I push up on my forearms, squinting one eye as I study his face. “You will what?”

“Spank your ass,” he says with a deadpan delivery that makes me shiver.

“Oh.” I blink repeatedly as my mind conjures a sexy barrage of images of what that would feel and look like.

Thorne threatened a few times, but no one has ever actually spanked me.

I’m not opposed to the idea.

If anything, it’s kind of an intriguing prospect.

Would that lead to comforting cuddles if I behaved during my punishment?

My impulses are instantly intrigued by the idea of him tossing me over his lap. He’d hold me down with a forearm over my thighs, and I’d wiggle against his strong hold.

Bear’s long, blondish-brown hair falls around his face as he leans over.

“You’re still in your death trap heels.” His hands are gentle as he tugs my feet from under the edge of his blanket and carefully unhooks the straps, one by one. He places them down on the floor and sighs. “I’m going to snag a pillow for the couch. If Shera pops up, don’t stress. She’s used to sleeping in the bed with me.”

Shera is the giant yellow lab who sniffed us on the way in, but I don’t know where she is now.

I wouldn’t say I’m scared of big dogs, but the more aggressive breeds do make me nervous, since I still have a scar on my wrist from being bitten when I was a kid. She is really big, though, and that’s kind of intimidating. She was well-behaved in front of Bear, but who knows if she would bark or growl if she saw me without him around.

My face nuzzles closer to his pillow, trying to soak up every bit of his scent. I’m not sure why, but it seems to be settling my upset stomach, which is kind of a gift.

“You don’t have to go,” I say softly. “I don’t take up much room. We can both fit.”

His head tilts. “The couch is a safer option.”

I stare up at him from under my lashes. “It’s still cold in here, and you’re really warm.”

His head falls back as he mumbles under his breath. “Scoot back. I’m only staying until you fall asleep.”

My insides light up as a wide smile crosses my face.

No one ever gives in to me that easily, but more than that, he’s a delicious, giant of an alpha. My instincts are obsessed with the idea of scenting him as I fall asleep. Snuggling up to his warmth will be a whole different level of comforting on a biological level.

I haven’t slept well since everything ended with my ex. Not that Thorne and I got to spend the night together all that often.

Bear kicks off his boots as I frown, wondering if I’m being unfair.

Every alpha wants to cuddle with an omega…right?

“Scoot,” he growls, and my body snaps into motion, sliding backward. “If you need the trash can, you better give me some warning.”

“Or you’ll spank me. I got it, and I’ll do my best.”

The bed jostles as I wait for him to get settled before moving closer. He crosses his arms over his chest, which isn’t a very inviting position, but maybe I am being a pushy omega.

I settle for keeping my head on the pillow but wiggling my nose closer until he’s all I can smell. My knees bump his side, and he pulls his arm up and around me.

“Sleep, you adorable pain in the ass.”

“Night, grumpy bear.”

Warm breath fans over my neck, and it doesn’t smell great.

Ew.

Oh, God.

I hope that’s not me.

It’s vile.

A furry something bumps my back, and I squeal. Rolling over, I come face-to-face with a golden-brown dog head.

A set of confused brown eyes stare back at mine.

“H-Hi,” I say, swallowing thickly. “Sorry, we probably both have morning breath.”

Its furry head tilts.

I frown.

Where in the world am I?

My heart races as I glance around.

This isn’t my room at the bed-and-breakfast.

Holy crap.

What did I get myself into?

I roll over until my feet hit the floor.

Everything gets hazy as my head pounds with a painful ache. My mouth is so dry that it’s hard to swallow, but my stomach feels terrible.

My eyes finally focus enough to spot my heels that lay close by. They’re right by the nightstand, and in front of that is a trash can.

Oh, no…

Bending over, I peek inside and say a silent thank you to the universe when I see it’s empty.

Okay, so, maybe I didn’t completely embarrass myself last night.

I snatch up my shoes from the floor but don’t bother putting them on.

The giant dog, which I think is a yellow Lab, jumps off the bed, shaking out its fur. Well, at least it’s not trying to eat my face off, but the jingling of its tag makes me cringe.

Someone could hear the noise and come check.

The only thing more awkward than forgetting a one-night stand? Coming face-to-face with that person the next morning.

Only, I’m not sore at all. It would also be really strange to get back into my dress, bra, and panties after sex.

I don’t think I hooked up with anyone last night.

That’s actually a huge relief.

My eyes dart around, but I don’t see my phone anywhere. My coat with my room key isn’t conveniently tossed where I can spot it.

This is going to be a very cold, very embarrassing walk to the bed-and-breakfast.

Hopefully, it’s within walking distance, and I don’t catch frostbite on the way.

Who brought me here?

What happened to them after they did?

I’m so confused.

My shoulders pull back as the dog rubs its entire body against my leg.

I stretch a hand down and pet its massive head.

I can’t stand here, wondering, forever.

My toes dance against the cold wooden flooring, and I force myself to walk to the door.

The white piece of computer paper taped to it makes me frown as I pluck it down.

Unfolding it, I glance over it.

Reading and I don’t have the best relationship. There’s a reason I prefer talking on the phone to texting.

Dyslexia makes everything more complicated than it needs to be. But unlike what some people think, I can read. It just takes me a while longer than it would for most people.

Lennox,

You refused to go back to the bed-and-breakfast, so I brought you home with me.

You are safe.

Don’t panic.

I texted Ned—the taxi driver. He’ll bring your phone and coat by the B&B and drop it off at the desk.

Shera is friendly, but much like you, she’s a giant pain in the ass. If you try to sneak out, she will try to follow, thinking it’s time for her morning walk.

Do not let her escape.

There’s an extra coat hanging from the hook by the front door.

Take it.

Put it on.

And don’t pull anything like last night again.

—B

By the time I’m done, my mouth hangs open.

Hazy memories of a giant man with long, blondish-brown hair fill my mind. His low, growly chuckle and the way he carried me file through my thoughts like tiny teases. Every time I try to grasp on to a particular memory, it evaporates.

I’m not sure why I’m not more alarmed, but truthfully, if he meant me any harm, I don’t think he would have left this note. I’d probably be chained to a pipe in the basement if I ended up with the wrong kind of people.

Holy shit.

That sends a shiver down my spine as my gaze falls to the floor.

What the hell am I even doing with my life?

Shera whines, pacing in front of the closed door.

Not only did I put myself in danger, I embarrassed myself in a big way.

It’s time for me to go.