Page 89 of Heat & Deceit
Her cheeks are bright red, and I swear her eyes flash with murderous intent.
The threat of violence doesn’t deter my hard-on. If anything, my cock gets stiffer, pulsing with need. My pheromones flood between us, and her mouth drops open into a delectable Oshape. Her pupils dilate, and her tits heave as she takes a deep breath. She did that earlier too, when I first showed up. Carmine breathing me in might be the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.
A purr rumbles deep in my chest, and her eyes snap to mine.
“Lycus?” A hint of fear laces the question.
She’s not ready.
“Leave,” I whisper, fisting my hands to keep from reaching for her. If she were ready, I’d shove her onto the counter behind her and take her hard and fast, slamming into her cunt until she whimpered and forgot how to breathe. “Now, Carmine,” I snap when she hesitates.
She scurries out of the office, and I groan, slipping my hand into my pants and squeezing my dick. I stroke myself, thinking of that pretty shape her mouth made and the blush staining her cheeks. Shifting, I shove my pants down and jerk off hard and fast, wishing it were Carmine wrapped around my length.
I come into a tissue with a growled curse, smacking my fist onto the desk in frustration. My cock might be spent, but I’m nowhere near satisfied. I pull my pants back into place, forcing myself to calm down before I see her again. Her lack of a scent is messing with me. I think she likes me, but I can’t be sure she wants me until I smell hints of her desire. Until then, as much as I taunt and tease her, I can’t have her.
I refuse to take her if she doesn’t want me.
Twenty-Five
NOVA
Heavy thuds of my heart against my ribcage punctuate my steps away from Lycus.
Go back, go back, go back.
My core clenches, grasping for a knot, and when my body realizes we don’t have what we want, what we need, fire erupts in my core. A burning urge to spin around and show Lycus how I can please him. That musky amber scent clings to my skin like an expensive cologne. Companies would pay millions to bottle up this distinctly commanding and alluring perfume. In a daze, I walk to the front.
Tonya glances at me and arches an eyebrow. “Can I go on my break now?”
I nod, not sure I can trust my voice. Lycuswantsme. The cheeky banter was fine. The compliments made my insides warm. But the desire? I don’t know what to do with that as Carmine. I know what Nova would do if she were allowed to be true to herself.
Nova is done hiding, done pretending like she doesn’t enjoy the flirting and flattery. Nova is done acting like the thought of Lycus and his pack doesn’t turn her on. They’re not perfect, but they’re so different from my first pack.
Maybe it’s the constant reminders to take a break or the way there’s always a snack in the back, waiting for me when I leave. Or maybe it’s Rome’s patience or Javier’s ferocity or Lycus’s ability to make me laugh. Regardless of whateveritis, it feels a lot like trust. It feels a lot like waiting to fall as my fingers grasp at a slippery ledge.
I’m terrified of what might happen if I let go, but it might be easier if I do.
Falling could be easier than hanging on to this pathetic excuse of a life.
But there’s safety in being Carmine.
An hour passes, and then two and three before I see Lycus again. He comes out during a lull and clears his throat to get my and Tonya’s attention. The rich, musky scent of what could only be his cum cloys the space between us. Tonya doesn’t react, but she may not realize what it is.
Heat crawls up my neck, and I swallow, glancing at his hands, which are curled into fists at his side. His hair is messier than before, almost like he’s spent the last few hours running his hands through it.
“We’re having a holiday party on Saturday.” Lycus looks at Tonya. “Attendance is mandatory.”
Tonya frowns. “My little brother’s birthday party is that night.”
Lycus’s jaw ticks. “We can make an exception for you.”
“I’m busy,” I say.
He finally slides his gaze in my direction, eyes dark and turbulent. Pissed.
At me or himself?
“Doing what?”
