Page 30 of A Nest of Maple & Mist

His teeth ground together, his hands tangling in my hair. A slight sting trailed from where his fingers tightened in my curls. It sent a delicious thrill through my body. I fought the urge to beg for more.

“He’s been doing some work in town. It’s been keeping him busy.”

If it hadn’t been for my time with Hazel, I would have mulled over those words all day. Thankfully, chocolate was the best distraction.

I pulled into the driveway, nearly jogging up to the door as a gust of wind stung my cheeks. I shimmied, eyeing Ty sitting at the breakfast bar. A half-eaten sandwich sat on a plate in front of him.

Piercing green eyes found mine, bright beneath dark, windswept hair. His face broke into a grin; those dimples made my stomach do somersaults.

“Oh, sweetheart,” he cooed, standing. “You look frozen.”

A shaky breath loosened in my chest, my nose and cheeks probably glowing a bright pink.

“The wind decided to strike as soon as I stepped out of the car after being quiet all day.”

In two strides, he closed the distance between us, plucking a cream-colored throw blanket from the sofa on his way. He draped it around my shoulders, his large hands lingering to tuck the edges under my chin.

My heart fluttered faster and faster until it drowned out the ambient sound of the smoldering fire in the hearth. I inhaled, drinking in the aroma of my beta.

Subtle hints of clove mixed with caramel and woodsmoke. The three of them together reminded me of the toasted caramel gingerbread cookies my mom used to make around the holidays. My stomach swooped, and my omega sighed, completely content.

Without thinking, I leaned forward, my forehead resting against Ty’s steady pulse.

Both of his hands rubbed over my arms, moving higher until his fingers slid through my curls, resting in the strands at my nape.

Time stood still, the moment sending my omega into overdrive. The urge to mark my beta was so strong it made me wobble.

I wanted everyone to know that this lovely beta belonged to me as much as he belonged to Jason and Shane.

My nose brushed against his skin. I released an involuntary whine, nuzzling into him. I perfumed as I tried to bury myself in him.

Ty froze, his fingers stilling in my hair.

Blood leeched from my cheeks, leaving them cold and most likely pale. I jerked back, the blanket slipping off my right shoulder. My eyes blinked, and I took one unsteady step backward.

“I-I’m so sorry! Ty, I didn’t… I shouldn’t—” I babbled, my hands gesturing wildly as I panicked, trying to find the words to apologize for scent marking him.

The corners of his mouth turned down, his brow furrowed. My omega whined, the rejection stinging more than I anticipated. I wanted to run, but my feet forgot how to move. Hands cradled my face—soft and strong.

“Hey,” Ty whispered, reaching out to reposition the blanket. My lips parted, and he pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead. “I liked it, Mia. Believe me, being marked by you is the highlight of my week. You can scent me whenever you want.”

Teeth dug into my lower lip. I wanted to look away, but couldn’t, too busy being completely captivated by his gorgeous green eyes.

“Still…” I started, twisting my fingers in front of my waist. “I shouldn’t have. We’ve barely spent time together. And things are… complicated. It wasn’t right of me. It wasn’t fair to you. I have more control than that. Or at least, I always have.”

I didn’t lose my cool around alphas, and never a beta.

And here I was, ready to climb Ty like a tree and bury my little omega fangs in the spot right below Jason’s bite.

“Spoiler, sweetheart, I like when my mates lose control,” he chuckled, booping the tip of my nose.

My clit throbbed in response, and I whimpered. Ty laughed, that signature smile returning to his features.

“As for the rest of it. Things don’t have to be complicated. We can take things as they come. Do you want to come out to the sugarhouse with me? I could use the company. I would understand if you wanted to go curl up in bed though after spending time with Hazel.”

Bed sounded lovely. I’d been dreaming of a hot bubble bath and then crawling into a makeshift nest of blankets in the sprawling bed. I still hadn’t had the courage to use the nest attached to the bedroom in the omega suite. Nor had I brought up the idea to Jason about me turning it into a true nest.

Right now, it remained an empty shell.