Page 234 of Labor of Love

Dante cursed. “If they get your scent . . . .”

“I know! Hurry.”

Pleasure began a slow trickle through Lothian’s blood. The weight of his corset and the shifting of silks and satins against his skin only heightened the sensation. He needed to get out of his clothes. His skin itched to be naked and pressed against an alpha’s bigger, hairier body. Lothian whined.

Dante yanked him through a doorway.

The empty room was a large bedchamber with an attached bathing room. Lothian swept his gaze over the blue wallpapering and delicate wood furnishings. It was a lovely space. Not that it mattered so much, but if he had to be sequestered here he was glad of it. There was a terrace looking out onto the courtyard and a big comfortable-looking bed.

Dante leaned back against the door. “Now what?”

Lothian kicked off the silver heels. “Help me get down to my shift.”

He felt no embarrassment as Dante undid the long line of buttons on the back of his bodice. They had known each other since they were children. When they were small, they had shared dreams of finding their fated mates and practiced kissing with each other. Dante had seen him in every kind of mood.

Within a matter of moments, Lothian had stripped down to just his chemise. His cock was already hard, pressing against the soft fabric. His elaborate coiffure was wet with sweat. He unwound the intricate hairstyle and let the length of his hair fall down his back. Omegas kept their long hair bound in public, but he didn’t care. No one was going to see him anyway.

Someone knocked on the door.

“Is everything all right, gentlemen?”

Shock zinged through the haze of need that was taking over. Lothian cursed. “Those damned alphas!” How inappropriate of them to attempt to follow omegas to a bedchamber!

Dante’s countenance grew paler. “What should I do?”

Lothian chewed his lip, the sharp sting of pain helping clear his head a little. “Send them away. Tell them I’m ill.”

“If I open that door, they’ll scent you.”

“I will retire to the bathing room for the moment. You have to go tell the prince what has occurred.”

“I can’t leave you alone!”

Lothian shook his head. “You must. The prince needs to know. Perhaps he could spare a guard for the door?”

“Oh, that’s an idea. I shall make haste. But are you certain you’ll be all right here by yourself?”

As if in response to this, another flurry of knocking came. “What’s going on in there?”

Lothian cursed again and scurried into the bathing room, shutting the door behind himself. If these alphas scented his heat, things could turn dangerous quickly.

He listened as Dante crossed to the door and cracked it open. “I’m sorry, gentlemen. My friend has taken ill.”

“Perhaps we may be of some service?”

“We could help hold his hair.” The second alpha chuckled.

They knew. The bastards either scented or suspected he was going into heat and were trying to force a mating on him. Damn them! Thankfully, Dante remained calm in the face of their mirth.

“Thank you, but I can take care of him. If you really want to help, one of you can inform Prince Richard we’ll require the room for the night.”

“Shall we have refreshments sent as well?”

Dante cleared his throat. “That’s not necessary.”

“Oh, I think it is. Let us in.”

A new voice joined the conversation just as a cramp of need gripped Lothian’s belly. He felt the first wash of slick slide from him and muffled his whimper against his palm.

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