Page 49 of Welcome to Bone Town

“Thanks.” I turn the half-stick of gum over in my hands. Bear’s deep laugh carries through the space. He has such a nice laugh, deep and full. My heart twists with longing.

Even though there’s a metallic aftertaste on my tongue, I slip the gum into my pocket to give to Bear later, and Roman gives me a knowing smile.

40

Cora seems as unsure about our impromptu dinner as Roman, but once they both see Jax take a bite, they dive in. Can’t be picky eaters when you’re trapped underground in a hidden temple with no way out.

Shit, my omega shouldn’t be trapped down here. She should be safe, protected, cared for. My beta, too. How the hell am I gonna get them out of this? My muscles clench thinking about all that tomorrow could bring, and I push my food away after only a few bites.

“You alright?” Archer asks, noticing my soured attitude.

“Yeah, just not so hungry anymore.” I give him a smile and hand him the rest of my snake. “You eat it.” Leaning close enough that the others can’t hear, I add, “You need to keep up your strength. As soon as we’re out of this, I have plans for you and our girl.”

His pupils dilate, breath hitchingat the innuendo, but he starts chewing on his thumb in that nervous way of his again. I don’t think he’d appreciate me asking what’s wrong in front of everyone, so I just take his hand and gently tug it away from his mouth.

Cora yawns, her food already devoured. “I’m just gonna…” She yawns again.

“Here, love,” Jax pulls a toothbrush and toothpaste from his pack and holds it out to her.

“Are you trying to imply something?” she asks with a smirk that says she’s only teasing. I’m sure my own breath is about as bad as a real bear’s right now.

“Only if you want it,” Jax says. “Anyone else is welcome to my toothbrush, too.” He wiggles his eyebrows at Archer, who shyly looks down at his feet.

Cora takes the toothbrush. “Thanks.”

While she gets herself ready for bed, Jax unrolls a sleeping bag and places it on the opposite side of the fire from where the rest of us are sitting, then comes back to finish the last of his meal.

The rest of us are quiet as we finish eating. Cora goes to the fountain to brush her teeth, then crawls into the sleeping bag. I can’t take my eyes off her as she settles on her side. Her breathing slows, and her features relax into sleep. The only sound is the soft crackling of the fire.

Once Jax finishes, he stands, stretching his arms overhead as he takes a step toward the sleeping bag. “Guess I should turn in, too.”

“You’re not sleeping in there with her,” Roman says.

The professor kept his distance from Cora throughout dinner, but he watched her as closely as the rest of us. Only, his attention felt more like someone keeping an eyeon a wild hound they think might pounce at any moment. Fuck, I guess she did. When she jumped on me like that… Yeah, I can still feel the imprint of her body against mine, the way her ass felt cupped in my hands as the heat of her bare pussy pressed against my stomach. The way she smelled when I pressed my nose above her core. That all too brief taste of her. I shake my head.

Scent match.Who woulda thought?

“Sleeping bag’s plenty big enough for two. Maybe more.” Jax smirks and winks at me. “And I’d rather not sleep on the ground.”

Roman steps between Jax and Cora. “She needs to sleep, not have you trying to fuck her all night. In fact, all three of you should sleep over there.” He points to a different pool that's at least fifty feet away. “Far enough that maybe your cocks won’t be in control of your actions.”

“That so?” I step up. There’s no way I’m letting this alphahole tell me what I can and can’t do with my mate. Not that I plan to do anything tonight. She’s clearly exhausted, but I need her close. “And where will you be while we’re all sleeping over there?”

“I’ll be doing the honorable thing and keeping my dick in my pants while I protect her.”

Jax gives Roman a pointed laugh, jabbing him in the chest with his forefinger. “‘Cause you were such a gentleman earlier and kept your back turned while she bathed.” His tone drips sarcasm.

“You looked at my mate?” I growl.

“You try looking away when a beautiful woman is coming just a few feet away from you.”

“She was…what?” I shift my attention to Jax.

He licks his lips, a dazed look in his eyes. “She came on my tongue. It was fucking heaven.” He’s sporting a soft smile like a lovesick fool. It’s kinda creepy, but I’m not sure I would be much better if I’d gotten to feast between her thighs. The brief brush of my lips against her core wasn’t nearly enough.

“Look, everyone needs to take a step back so we can have a normal conversation.” Archer pauses as if in thought. “Actually, you each should take a literal step away from each other, too. All this alpha posturing isn’t helping anyone.”

There’s that good boy side of Arch again, trying to appease everyone and stop conflict. I take the first step back. “He’s right, and we don’t want to wake Cora. Let’s move by that pool if we’re gonna see who’s dick’s the biggest.”

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