Page 178 of Defiant Beta

A lump forms in my throat. “An omega takes the name of the pack. Not the beta.”

Because only an omega is the heart of the pack.

Levi squeezes me. “We’re not just a pack. We’re family. So are you.”

“If you want to be,” Xavier adds.

I look at them all, and I smile. “Can we go home now? This booth is even more uncomfortable than those stools at the kitchen island.”

Xavier snorts as he pushes himself to his feet. “Says the girl who gravitates toward them.”

“Me?”

Xavier snags my hand and helps me up. “Yes,you. Why do you think we all keep sitting there?”

I slow my steps out of the diner. “Because of me?”

He kisses me. “It isn’t because those chairs are comfortable. We hate the things.”

“But we love you,” Levi says with a smile as Vincent pays for our drinks. “So, we put up with the rock hard stools and we don’t complain.”

Vincent drives.

Levi is in the passenger seat, talking with Vincent about hiring a U-Haul for my move tomorrow. I’m in the back with Xavier, resting my head on his shoulder as he plays with the end of my hair.

Xavier’s breathing is unsteady, probably because I’ve been drawing small circles on the inside of his right thigh since we left the diner a few minutes ago. The bulge in his pants is getting larger. I know because I’ve been watching it.

“Baby,” Xavier murmurs, tilting his head back, “I’m going to need you to stop that now.”

I pretend ignorance. “Why?”

He cracks an eyelid open. “We buried three men today. This isn’t what you need.”

“And what do I need?”

His thumb traces my jaw. “Rest. Care. Time to recover.”

I walk my fingers closer to the bulge between his thighs, holding his gaze. “And if I need something else?”

His eyes are half-lidded, and his breath punches out of his throat as my fingers graze the front of his pants. “What do you need?”

I whisper the word against his lips. “You.”

One large hand cradles the nape of my neck, holding me close as a wicked smile curves his lips. “Woman, quit tempting me.”

“To?” I return his smile.

He gives me a ghost of a kiss that leaves me wanting, pulling away before I can deepen it. “Nothing we should be doing in public.”

“Does that something involve you coming inside me?”

He stares at me, breathing hard.

Holding his gaze, I pull down his zipper and walk my fingers over his flat belly until I’ve reached my destination.

Xavier’s lazy-eyed smile melts away, and he sits up in his seat. “Della…” It’s as much of a frustrated groan as a plea for more.

“You want me to stop?” I wrap my hand around him.

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