Shattered Trinket, page 19
“I-I’m fine here,” I eventually squeak out, closing my eyes as I try not to move and encourage his behavior as his tongue slips out and licks me through the cotton.
He’s trying to kill me… or embarrass me. Either way, so not cool.
There’s a moment of silence on the other side of the door, and my mouth opens on a soundless gasp as Jeremiah forcefully presses his face against me, taking in my scent through my panties, causing a flush to rise in my cheeks.
Despite my efforts to swat him away, his insistent licks and closeness make my movements slow. As he catches the bundle of nerves hidden between my thighs with his teeth and rolls it gently, an electric current of pleasure surges through me, causing my senses to overload. My throat constricts as Mama Valley asks if I’m certain, and I manage to force out a feeble ‘yes’.
“Okay, sweetheart. If you’re sure.”
Amidst her words, I detect a hint of amusement, but my attention is consumed by Jeremiah’s relentless actions, his face buried between my most intimate parts, savoring me like a beloved frozen treat.
“O-okay. I’ll, uh, see you guys in a bit,” I stammer out, my voice getting higher with every swipe of my alpha’s tongue against me.
The gentle sound of her knocking twice against the door reaches my ears before she leaves, closing my bedroom door with a soft click. When I know she’s gone, my arms weaken and my body collapses, slumping over the entrance, caught between the comfort of the nest and the confinement of my closet. My eyes fall shut, and a soft whimper escapes me as I feel the carpeted floor beneath my clenched hands. With Jeremiah’s careful touch, my legs tremble, mirroring the pounding rhythm of my racing heart and the pulsing sensation between my thighs.
When I finally crash over the edge, an overwhelming weakness washes over me, leaving me unable to move, no matter how uncomfortable my position is. Moments later, Jeremiah lovingly scoops me up and nestles me into the cozy nest. I babble nonsensically, my words filling the air until he hushes me with a gentle touch and soothes me to sleep with a comforting back rub, my sigh of contentment filling the room.
The next time I wake up, my heart leaps into my throat as I frantically scan the room for Jeremiah, only to find myself alone. Tears well up in my eyes and my breathing becomes labored as panic floods over me, realizing he’s nowhere in the nest.
He didn’t leave without telling me goodbye, did he?
Just as I’m about to get up to search for him, the door swings open, and my breath catches at the intense hunger in his eyes as he realizes I’m awake. Kicking the nest door closed with his bare foot, he grins devilishly at me as he stalks closer to me with an overfull tray in his arms. I tug on the bottom of the oversized t-shirt I have on that I’m positive is his, biting my lip as he climbs back into the nest, carefully and slowly setting the tray down before sitting himself.
“What’s wrong?” he asks when he sees me wiping my eyes and sniffling, brows pinching together.
“I thought you left,” I mumble, rubbing my eyes before wiping my nose.
Jeremiah scoffs and drags me closer to him, wrapping his arm around my middle. He kisses the top of my head, and my eyes close with a content sigh when he inhales, humming as he takes in my scent.
“I’d never leave without telling you. I just thought you needed some food, and since I knew everyone was gone, I didn’t see the harm in putting something together for you.”
I tilt my head back and look up at him.
“What time is it?”
“Almost two. We didn’t sleep too long, so I figured it was safe enough,” he murmurs, tapping me on the nose.
“Well… What have we got?” I ask with a teasing smile, glancing over at the tray he set in front of me.
“Nothing too fancy, just a simple pb and j, some apple slices, and some juice. I took care of you, but now it’s time for me to take care of you,” he says meaningfully, raising his brow while grabbing an apple slice and holding it to my lips.
My breathing becomes labored as he pushes the slice between my parted lips. I bite down, and the juice from the slice trickles down my chin as I chew. Using his free hand, he reaches forward and wipes away the juice with his thumb, before sucking it off with a lingering gaze. The taste of the juicy apple fills my mouth, but in an instant, my brain betrays me, and I find myself unable to swallow, struggling to regain control. After a fit of coughing, I finally succeed in swallowing it, and my hand quickly reaches for the bottle of water he had handed me, which I drink greedily.
When I’m done, I carefully twist the cap back on, taking a moment to catch my breath before shifting my gaze back to the alpha in front of me. The mischievous glimmer in his beautiful blue eyes gives away his intentions, despite his feeble attempt to appear innocent when he looks at me. Witnessing this playful side of him fills my heart with joy, causing it to dance within my chest. I can’t help but giggle like a carefree schoolgirl, momentarily liberated from all worries.
Once Jeremiah has fed me to my heart’s content, we spend the rest of the day intertwined in my cozy nest. As we talk, we discover new aspects of each other, and our kisses become more frequent. However, apart from the occasional playful caress, we savor the unrestricted joy of each other’s company, making it the most memorable day I’ve experienced in a while.
Nineteen
Zeke
With a sigh, I absentmindedly run my fingers through my hair, my attention fixed on the sight of the wee omega with shiny copper hair strolling hand in hand with Ripley in the backyard.
From the moment I saw her, I was captivated. I never expected to walk through my in-law’s house and find the perfect omega for me. For us. I also didn’t expect to be told her past was full of a darkness unlike anything we could imagine. But that hasn’t deterred me. I don’t care how sticky her past is as long as she’s open to giving us all a chance to show her how much she could mean to us.
Despite her tiny and frail appearance, she exudes an inner and outer beauty that’s simply beguiling. Not only that, she possesses a heart of crystal that yearns to be safeguarded, cherished, and adored. In my opinion, she’s still too small, but every time I see her, I can tell she’s growing stronger, both in body and mind.
“You gotta stop watching her like a stalker every time we come over here,” Manny mutters at my side, arms crossed with a bored expression painting his features.
“I dinnae ken whit yer talkin’ about,” I respond lowly, my accent coming out thicker than ever at the lie as my eyes stay glued to the sprite of a lass that I fear I could crush with the slightest amount of pressure.
The pull I feel towards her is so intense that it consumes my every thought, like a magnetic force drawing me closer to her. That day in Mama V’s kitchen, her scent hit me like a tidal wave, flooding my senses. And every day since, there’s been this overwhelming need to touch her, breathe her in, hold her. To be with her.
Mine.
I’ve never fallen arse over tea kettle for someone so fast, and if I’m being honest, no woman I’ve ever met even compares to Cozette now that I’ve met her. She’s literal perfection in every way.
Manny scoffs and shakes his head.
“She agreed to let us court her, so stop watching her like you’re afraid she’ll disappear any second. If you want to spend time with her, then do it. Go out there and ask her. I have no doubt she’d love that.”
With a gentle tone, his last words slip from his mouth, and his face eases into a serene expression as he looks out the window. The moment Cozette comes into view, his eyes light up with adoration, his lips tipping up into a semblance of a smile before he slaps me on the back and walks away.
Manny is usually so stoic, his face rarely betraying any hint of emotion. So seeing him barely able to contain his feelings when Cozy is near is something. I love my brothers, don’t get me wrong, but I won’t lie and say I haven’t been a little concerned about their strong personalities scaring the skittish woman we’ve all become enamored with. Especially after the disaster of our last courting attempt.
I never liked her anyway, I think to myself with a scowl when I remember how down both Ridge and Manny were after that brat of an omega did what she did.
Cozy is a much better fit for us, not to mention a million times the omega Elise ever was. With one last look out the window at the two omegas, I straighten my shoulders and take a deep breath. I make a quick stop at my truck outside to grab the things I got for Cozy after she agreed to us courting her. And then I go hunt down Mama V to beg for her help.
I find her in the kitchen, making lunch. When she glances up at the sound of the kitchen door opening and sees me, a smile blooms on her lips.
“Ye’re lookin bonnie as ever today, Mama,” I say with a grin, leaning on the island across from her after stealing a cookie from the plate in the center.
She titters and swats me with the hand towel draped across her shoulder, making me chuckle as I stuff the cookie in my mouth like a child.
“What do you want, you rascal?”
“Who says I want anythin’?”
She rolls her eyes, wiping her hands on the towel she hit me with before placing her hands on the counter and narrowing her eyes at me.
“I know you better than you think, young man. Now, why don’t you just spit it out? Because I’ve got a lot to do and no time for your shenanigans.”
I chuckle softly, shaking my head in amusement. I swear, you can’t get anything past her. She sees everything.
“Alright. Will ye help me wi’ something? I wanna ask Cozy tae go on a …” I pause, clearing my throat and rubbing the back of my neck as I feel the tips of my ears heating. “A picnic wi’ me,” I finally say a bit shyly, feeling absurd, but also feeling like this is the right move.
Mama V laughs softly and when I look at her, she’s grinning from ear to ear, eyes sparkling with tears. She claps her hands together, quickly wiping them away before moving all around the kitchen.
“Go to the closet in the hallway and grab the picnic basket out of there. I’ll start putting some things together, like some of her favorite snacks. Oh! Don’t forget to grab a spare blanket from the closet as well. There should be some thin ones that are soft.”
The sound of her quick footsteps fills the kitchen as she energetically stacks things together, making my eyes widen a fraction with surprise. When she realizes I’m still just standing there, she lets out an exasperated sigh and forcefully ushers me out, muttering about how difficult we all are to handle. As I stumble out, the door behind me swishes shut, and I can’t help but chuckle quietly to myself as I walk towards the hall.
Finding the closet, I grab the basket and a couple of blankets, tucking them securely under my arm before heading back to the kitchen. When I enter, I hand the basket to Mama V as she goes to pass me, watching as she handpicks items to pack. Hoping to remember Cozy’s preferences, I make mental notes of the things she adds.
With the basket brimming with a colorful assortment of freshly cut fruits, sliced cheeses, crackers, cookies, and finger sandwiches, she meticulously arranges the blankets I grabbed, placing them on top of our lunch before closing it and sliding it towards me. It’s clear that we won’t be able to eat all of this, but I’m glad there are plenty of choices available for Cozy to pick from.
“She’ll love this.”
“I hope so,” I murmur, feeling my heartbeat pick up in my chest.
I plant a quick kiss on her cheek, feeling the stubble of my beard brushing against her smooth skin, and flash her a grin before grabbing the basket and the bag with Cozy’s presents and heading for the back door to find my omega.
Down by the water, I find Cozy and Ripley, their laughter filling the air as they playfully dip their toes in. Cozy’s red curls cascade down her back, catching the sunlight and creating a fiery glow. Her slender figure is delicately wrapped in a pretty green sundress, the fabric falling gracefully just below her knees. The cream cardigan draped across her shoulders shields her fair skin from the sun—and my eyes—but gods, she’s still beyond enchanting. I find myself unable to do anything but stand there—completely mesmerized—and gaze in awe.
Rip’s eyes lock onto me before I can say anything, a mischievous smirk forming on her lips as she spots the weighty basket in my grasp.
“Zeke, what brings you all the way down here?” she teases, her eyes sparkling with mirth.
I clear my throat and smile awkwardly when Cozy turns to see who Ripley is talking to. Her eyes light up when she sees me, her cheeks taking on a pink tinge. I walk closer, that invisible rope pulling me to her until I’m at the water’s edge directly in front of her.
“I, uh, wis wonderin’ if ye’d like tae have a picnic wi’ me?”
Her clear blue eyes on mine ensnare me, causing my heart to race uncontrollably. She’s the most breathtaking sight I’ve ever laid eyes on, and I can’t help but feel undeserving of her presence and completely inadequate.
She glances over at Ripley, who smiles encouragingly at her. When she turns back to me, her beaming smile lights up her face, and her eyes shimmer with joy as she gazes up at me.
“I’d love to,” she murmurs, biting her lip and tucking her hair behind her right ear.
The corners of my mouth turn up into a smile that I can’t suppress, and my heart skips a beat in response. In an instant, a wave of elation washes over me, electrifying every nerve in my body.
“Aww. Young love. So stinkin’ cute!”
Ripley sighs dreamily, and when I glance at her, she’s batting her lashes at us. Cozy’s cheeks burn the brightest shade of pink, and I have to bite back the groan that tries to crawl its way out at the sight.
Fucking phenomenal.
“Well, I’ll just get out of your way. Have fun, you two!”
Ripley winks at me and smacks me on the arse when she passes me. I turn to glare at her, which only makes her laugh as she takes off back up to the house. I huff out an exasperated sigh and roll my eyes, then turn back to the woman of my dreams to give her a lopsided smile.
“Little sisters are the worst,” I joke, and she laughs softly.
“I wouldn’t know,” she shrugs with a light laugh as I hold the crook of my arm out for her to take.
The instant her tiny hand touches my skin, a surge of tingles shoots through my arm, causing a shiver to ripple down my back. With her so close to me, her mouthwatering lemon tart scent tickles my nose, and I can’t help but inhale discreetly. It’s quickly becoming my favorite.
I’ve been enduring Ridge and Manny’s constant teasing for weeks because I secretly bought a candle that reminded me of her. It’s safely tucked away in my room, and I’ve nearly burned through the entire thing, but it’s just not quite the same as getting it straight from the source.
With her arm linked in mine, I lead her to the left side of the pond, closer to the trees. We find a nice, shaded spot not too far from the water’s edge, and I gently set the basket down before opening it to pull out the blankets. I carefully lay out those on the ground, creating a soft and inviting space for us, and once they’re down, I place the basket and bag on top, extending my hand to help Cozy get situated.
I watch as she folds her legs up and gets herself comfortable, and when she looks up at me with a shy smile, I fall a little bit more for her. She’s nervous, but she’s still here, and I’m grateful. The fact that she’s willing to be here, sitting next to me after everything she’s been through, is a testament to her strength. Her willingness to trust me—despite her worries—only shows how resilient she is, even if she doesn’t yet see it. She will in time, though.
“Shall we see whit Mama V packed for us? I had tae ask her for help since I didnae know whit ye’d like,” I say, a hint of embarrassment tinging my words as I pull things out of the basket.
My hands shake as my own nervousness courses through me, terrified of screwing this up. Side by side, with only a sliver of space between us, I feel a soft breeze drift over, carrying the delightful scent of lemon tarts. As I take a deep breath, my eyes naturally close, and I exhale with a peaceful sigh, feeling an immediate wave of calmness. My eyes pop open when I feel her hand on my arm, and when I glance at her, the soft smile on her lips as she stares up at me calms me more.
“Nobody has ever done anything like this for me before. It’s really sweet. Thank you, Zeke,” she says, cheeks heating again, and I swallow around the lump forming in my throat.
“No thanks necessary, lass. I’m honored tae get tae do this wi’ ye,” I rasp out. “Thank ye for agreein’ tae join me.”
With everything laid out, I push the basket to the side and pass her a bottle of water. I can’t help but stare at her as she looks over the spread in front of us, wanting to pinch myself to make sure this is real. She’s so petite compared to me, every feature flawlessly crafted, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t afraid of making this a horrible experience. I can’t remember the last time I dated, so the thought of courting her is a tad nerve-wracking.
“What’s that?” she asks, pointing over at the bag, and I grin, pulling it over to us and passing it to her.
“Presents,” I tell her, eager for her to see what I got her and hoping she likes it all.
She smiles brightly and opens the bag, giggling as she pulls everything out. There’s a really soft blue throw blanket that I think matches her eyes, two candles that smell as close to my scent as I could get, a small koala plush, and a few self care items that I had to ask the sales associate for help on picking. She immediately rubs the blanket against her cheek, closing her eyes with a soft smile. When she sets it back down, she grabs the plush and hugs the koala to her chest.
“The blanket and koala smell like you,” she says, pressing her nose against it.
In an attempt to mask my delight, I bite down on my cheek, relishing the fact that she appreciates my scent. Clearing my throat, I slide some of the food closer to her, wanting her to eat so I can make sure she’s taken care of.
