Page 14 of Drown My Sorrow

“I’m going to protect you. We’re not going to let anything happen to you.”

I stare up at him. “You can’t promise that.”

“I can. I’m going to make sure you have everything you need.”

He stops at a familiar house and, with one more reluctant squeeze, sets me down and hands me my cane.

“Have a good day today, and bake me something delicious.”

I snort at him. “You know damn well my cooking is atrocious.”

“I love your cooking,” Shale murmurs. “I always eat every bite.”

And that is true and a really good example of why these perfect alphas can’t be mine. They would eat all the food I cooked them, even if it contained poison, which, based on my cooking, is a high probability.

But they always eat.

They take my offers like they are starving.

I blink and step back, suddenly aware and embarrassed that I’ve been caught staring.

Shale has the most beautiful blue hair, it’s deeper than the shallows of the ocean and more intense and darker than sky blue. It’s always smooth and straight and hangs over his left eye. Along with the thin rings he always wears and the swirls of tattoos he has peeking out of shirts, he gives an intensely hot but dangerous vibe. I’ve heard what women say about him.

Omegas want him for a heat. Betas want him for anything. Hell, even alpha men have made comments that make my face burn.

But I’ve felt my way around his body. I know intimately what he likes and how that groan he makes causes my toes to curl. I’ve seen just how powerful he is when he’s putting his knot in me.

He is addictive and a habit I am trying to break.

“I will save you a cookie.”

His smile is slow and dangerously sexy. “I’ll look forward to it, Omega.”

I force a sunny smile to hide how much I want to throw myself at him and beg him not to leave, lift an arm in goodbye, and turn and go into the house.

As soon as I’m in and the door is closed, I lean against the wall and fan my scorching cheeks.

“Keagan?” Nat asks from the kitchen.

“Shale!”

“Ah, normally, it’s Keagan who puts that I’m-going-to-melt-into-a-puddle-of-slick look on your face.”

I shoot my best friend a look of supreme annoyance.

“What? Keagan makes you hot.”

“They all make me hot. And every person on this island who still has the ability to have a libido.”

“This is true, but they don’t aim that at anyone but you. Beau’s got that voice and the dirty talk. I mean, walking in on you last year was an education in how to speak fluent smut.”

I hush her and glance out the window. I’m never sure where they are, and windows, doors, and locks are simply optional to them.

“Oh, come on, some of the things you’ve said Beau whispers in that drool worthy accent of his has me looking for a chair leg to rub against!”

“NAT!” I burst into laughter, unable to help myself.

“What? Truth is supposed to be spoken, babes.” She flicks a wooden spoon in my direction. “And, while we’re on the subject, Keagan beat up the guy who stole crystals from your booth.” She throws a small velvet bag in my direction. “A delivery from your violent angel.”

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