Page 33 of Forbidden Taste
Soft laughter spills out into the nest as they curl into me, their scents wrapping around, blending into something whole, something mine.
twenty-two
RILEY
Something clatters in the kitchen, pulling me awake. The nest is empty which makes me curious but also a little angry that I’m alone. I reach for a shirt, this time it’s Hawk’s, the fabric swallowing me as I slide out of the nest and head for the kitchen. My eyes widen as the scene unfolds before me—Hawk pressed against the fridge, his lean muscles taut under the golden glow, and Leo towering over him, his broad chest heaving as he tastes Hawk’s lips, like he’s savoring every second.
Leo’s hands cup Hawk’s face, thumbs brushing the sharp line of his jaw, while Hawk’s fingers rest gently on Leo’s waist, tracing the dip above his hips. All that muscle, height, strength—raw and beautiful—unfurls before me, and I can’t help the grin spreading across my face.
Hawk pulls back, a teasing hint to his voice, “Do you want all the sweet things too, baby?”
Leo’s scent sweetens, a needy edge curling through the air despite the blocker. Leo shushes him, his voice a rough whisper—“Shh, I’m kissing you”—and leans in again, claiming Hawk’s mouth with a tenderness that makes my knees weak.
I can’t help the giggle that falls from my lips, both of them looking over at me. It feels like I’ve broken the moment but Leo just stalks over and draws me into a kiss of our own. I melt into it, my hands sliding up his chest, his purr rumbling through him. “Sweetie, are you feeling needy?” I remember my first few heats—how desperate I was for touch, how I sought it out but couldn’t find it, trapped in my own skin—and watching Leo do it now is fantastic. He probably doesn’t even know he’s doing it, doesn’t see the way his hands reach, his body leans, chasing connection.
He pulls me toward the counter, his arm looping around my waist, and explains, a hint of embarrassment coating his words. “It felt weird when Hawk left the nest, so I went looking, and then I just… needed to touch him.” His head dips, his lips finding the bite on my shoulder as he nurses it, his tongue brushing the sensitive skin.
I sigh, leaning into him, my body softening against his. “I think your heat’s going to hit way sooner than a few days. Maybe this weekend.”
Hawk steps up beside us, his bare torso brushing my arm. “Do you have somewhere you want to have your heat, babe?”
Leo pauses, his lips still on my shoulder, before lifting his head, glancing between us. “Here, maybe?” he says, tentative, his brow furrowing like he’s testing the idea. Hawk laughs, a soft, rumbling sound, and Leo frowns, looking down at me, then back at Hawk, his voice edged with confusion. “I don’t get it.”
I smile, reaching up to brush his curls from his face, my fingers lingering on his cheek. “As much as I’d love you to have it here, Omegas are highly territorial. This is all my stuff, sweetie. I know you’re not an Omega but it’s still the same idea.” My nest, my scents, my space—it’s mine, etched into every corner. He needs something of his own.
Leo’s frown deepens, his hands flexing on my hips. “But I don’t have a nest. I didn’t exhibit anything before I came into contact with you two. I have one pillow I slept with—that’s it. I just… I don’t know what I’m doing.” His eyes flicker, a storm of uncertainty brewing in those green eyes before he adds, “I just know I want it with your scents, but beyond that, I have nothing.”
“Maybe we can go on a little shopping spree,” I suggest, my voice brightening, “grab some things?” Blankets, pillows, something to build with—it could be fun, a way to ease him into this.
Hawk shifts, his brow furrowing, his hand lifting to rub the back of his neck. “I’m not sure how comfortable I am with Leo walking around this close to heat out in public like that. It’s one thing if it’s at school, but out there…” His eyes flick to Leo, the instinct to protect him evident on his face.
“I have a scent blocker that’ll take the edge off but I don’t want to go to a motel. The idea of that just…” He trails off, his nose wrinkling, a shudder running through him.
Hawk steps closer, his hand brushing Leo’s arm. “I have an apartment not too far away. I stay there most weekends. It’s not much, but maybe you could build something there?”
“That’s…” Leo starts, his voice faltering, and Hawk finishes for him.
“Too much? Baby, I don’t know how to tell you this, but we’re way past too much. You fucked me last night, and I loved it. I’vewatched you take Riley, and you’ve watched me take him too. I’m yours, and you’re mine if you’ll let me have you. That being said, I’d be honored to have your first nest in my house.”
Leo turns crimson, his face flushing with color. It seems to take him a moment to recalibrate before he leans in for a kiss. “Okay, yeah. I think I’d like that.”
“I’ll swing by here after your classes on Friday and I’ll take you over there, does that work?”
I almost chime in that this is perfect until I remember one little detail that might derail this whole thing. “Fuck,” I blurt, sitting up straighter, my hands flying to my face. “I’m supposed to meet with my parents Friday night. Fuck.” I haven’t told them anything—not about Leo, not about the bite, not about Hawk. No doubt they know something. Rumors spread fast here, and my parents have ears everywhere.
Hawk hums as he rounds the counter, coming to stand beside me, offering me comfort pressed between my mates. “Do you need me to come with you?”
A nervous laugh falls from my mouth as I wildly wave my hands in the air. “Oh god, no. My parents would crucify you.” I can see it now—my mother’s icy stare, my father’s clipped questions, Hawk’s easy charm shredded under their ruthless scrutiny. “I’m just going to do damage control and then I’ll come over.” I force a grin, shoving the panic down, focusing on the weekend because there’s no doubt Benjamin will be there too. There’s no escaping that confrontation even if I wanted to.
Hawk just shakes his head, gesturing to the fridge for food. I shrug, not knowing what’s in there other than old pizza. Ordering out is probably best. “We’ve got two days but if anything changes, for either of you, let me know okay? This is also the last full weekbefore graduation so while missing classes may be tough, I think the administration might understand.”
Leo flops back in his seat, chewing on his bottom lip, showing that more adorable side of him. “I have no desire to go to classes right now.”
“Welcome to being part Omega,” I tease. “Just wait until you build a nest—you’ll never want to leave.” I remember my first one—the little cocoon of plush that my parents had to all but drag me out of. I even played violin in there, soft sad music spilling out into the air.
“Was that an invitation to go back to your nest?” Leo asks, his eyes lighting up as he pushes to his feet.
“Yes but only for sleeping. We all have classes tomorrow and need to be rested. If I fall asleep at the piano, they’re immediately going to blame you.” I poke his chest, teasing, imagining Professor Jameson being a bitch again. God, the next time we cross paths, I’m going to have words with her.
