Page 76 of One for the Money
“Why are you all so willing to accept this? To dive in headfirst?” he asks quietly, but it’s not obstinate. I think he’s really trying to understand in hopes of dissecting what he’s feeling.
Matteo weaves his fingers with Quinton’s and smiles softly. “I want to know her. Quinton’s instincts have been firing like crazy around her since day one, but it’s more than that. She’s brave. Think about what she’s been through. It’d be so easy to close yourself off to everyone, and maybe she’s not been the life of the party, but she’s not locked anyone out, either. She came here and immediatelydove into her work. She didn’t wallow in having to give up her life.”
Memories of Alex flinching away from my touch, startling at the grazes, come flashing back to me.
And her rule makes sense.
“She didn’t ask for much when she came here. That we didn’t touch her, and we respected her nest. My crew, our family, broke both of those rules. I broke the touching rule, constantly,” I tell them. “And yet she stayed. She’s tough, which is what we need. A sweet little Omega couldn’t handle this type of life, but Alex hasn’t complained once about life on the road. The likelihood of meeting another scent match is so slim for all of us, so why shouldn’t we get to know her and see if this works?”
“Woah, boss, I don’t know if I’ve ever heard you say that many words outside of the show before,” Dario jokes. “Do you need a glass of water? Does your throat hurt?”
I would throw a pillow at his smarmy face if it wouldn’t disturb Alex’s nest. I settle for flipping him the bird.
Eventually, I decide to order us all Chinese food and get a variety of dishes in hopes of finding something that Alex likes, while also getting plain steamed rice just in case her stomach is still too upset to eat much.
I slip out of the trailer to meet the delivery driver, and when I return and set the bags on the table, Dexter leaves the makeshift nest to help me unpack.
Eyes downcast, he clears his throat. “I think…” His voice is soft and cautious, and I have to strain to hear it. “I should give this a try. For Dario. So I think I’ll stay. If you think she’d want that.”
I can’t hide my smile. “I think she would.”
Chapter 28
The smell of takeout,soy sauce, and egg rolls pulls my consciousness forward.
I don’t know when I last felt this comfortable. Despite everything, I feel restored, and my nausea is gone. I’m going to try not to dig into that too much, lest I have to admit that these guys really are something to me.
I feel better than I have in ages. Not to say that I’m fully recovered from the FOS, but I haven’t slept that soundly since Tripp and Greg moved in. My body feels stronger, and my stomach actually growls with hunger.
When was the last time I ate?
“Come out of the blankets and eat, Doc,” Dario croons from above me. “I don’t know if you like Chinese food, but Jude ordered a veritable feast.”
“I love Chinese food,” I groan, stretching out my stiff limbs. Dario’s blanket falls off me, and Dexter’s eye mask has migrated down to my neck in my slumber, and I’m sure I look like a mess, but when the blurriness left over from my sleep leaves my eyes, I see the blond Alpha smiling broadly at me. It makes my chest twinge with along-forgotten tenderness. “But before I eat, I have got to take a shower.”
He clicks his tongue in disappointment. “You should probably eat first. What if you pass out? You haven’t eaten in days.”
Sitting up and throwing the blanket off me, I mull over his words. He’s not wrong, but also…
“There’s no way I can eat when I can smell myself. Do you know how many times I puked?” I shudder, swinging my feet to the floor. “My teeth are growing moss. I’ll be quick.”
Conflict flashes across his beautiful face before he stands up and holds his hand out so I can see it. They have all started showing me their hands before they touch me so I can get ready for the sensation.
It’s so thoughtful that it makes me want to cry.
Dario takes my elbow, his candy apple scent so sweet and crisp that I can practically feel the crunch between my teeth as I bite into one. He leads me into Jude’s small bathroom.
“I’m going to leave so you can get undressed and get in. I’ll grab you some clothes, but then I’m coming back and sitting on the floor. I want to be nearby in case you fall or need anything.”
“I’m not gonna fall,” I insist, leaning into the shower stall to turn it on. “I don’t need a babysitter.”
“Humor me, Doc.” He crosses his arms over his chest. “I’d be happy to join you if you’d prefer.” He waggles his dark eyebrows with an exaggerated humor that has me giggling, but doesn’t stop the heat building between my thighs and on my face.
I’ve seen Dario’s body, clothed only in the tiniest of shorts that he wears during his act, and my mind has decided to pull the memory of it front and center as hestands so close to me. The Alpha is damn near irresistible.
I would have no self-control if he followed me into the shower, and I need to keep my wits about me. This situation is already less than ideal.
“Hah, hah,” I force out. “Funny. You can sit on the floor, then. After you get me clothes.” I shoo him out of the bathroom, and he backs out with his hands up, showing me his palms. He pouts for just a split second before winking at me and strolling off.
