Page 15 of Perfectly Yours
By the time I’m in the car, Macon driving off the lot, I’m having a hard time focusing on anything other than breathing. Now that I’m completely surrounded by Macon’s scent, it’s easier to take deep gulps of air to calm my nerves and finally relax without cameras in every direction waiting for me to fall apart. There was one incident when I passed out and the tabloids occasionally recycle the story with some rumor that the entertainment world has ruined one of their best.
“What do you need, Savin? Baby?” Macon’s voice fills with concern, his hands tightening on the wheel as he picks up speed. “Savin, talk to me. Fuck, you’re always trying to be so strong.”
“Shot of tequila and some cock,” I joke. Although, both of those options sound excellent right now. Falling asleep with my Alpha’s knot lodged inside me has me settling again even if my cock has other ideas. A moan slips through as slick gathers around my hole. Not yet. I’m not fucking ready. Heats are always a hit or miss for me. Sometimes, I just want to crawl into a ball, Macon having to force me to eat and pamper me with baths to keep the pain at bay. And other times, I’m insatiable. I need my Alpha like I need water.
I have a feeling that this heat isn’t going to be a pleasurable one. A wave of pain tears through me and I fist my hands into the fabric of my pants, waiting for it to pass. Tears gather as I squeeze my lids shut before speaking again. “Meds and my nest,” I push out. Aside from the cream, there’s one other medication that takes away all the pain. Unfortunately, it’s one of the few drugs that render me completely useless. It isn't just a haze. I feel drunk and sluggish and usually just end up sleeping the day away.
Macon nods but doesn’t respond, focusing on taking us back home. I’m not sure when I fall asleep but when I open my eyes again, I’m curled into my Alpha’s chest as he heads toward my nest. I dig my fingers into his chest as he walks, sticking my nose into his shirt to keep from scenting anything else. It’s not until he walks into the dark, familiar room of my nest, laying me in the middle of cushions and blankets that I hum with relief.
“You did so well, Savin,” he purrs as he undresses me. I don’t have the energy to say anything. “I’m so proud of you, baby.” Macon leans down to kiss me, handling me as if I might break. It’s safe and warm here, even as my body trembles, trying to overcome my failing biology. “Let me go grab your meds and we might have that strange mint blueberry gelato you like.”
I grin against his lips, feeling his beard brush against my chin. “Mmm, I knew I kept you around for something.”
“Cheeky. I’ll be right back.” Macon leaves and I curl into the pillows, blocking out another small wave of pain. My heat blooms again, my hole slick with need but I can’t find the energy to alert my Alpha. In minutes, I’ve passed out in a fitful sleep, dreaming of gelato spread all across my mates as I lick it off every inch of them.
I’m so fucked.
Chapter twelve
MACON
By the time I return to the nest, Savin is sprawled out across the pillows, mumbling something incoherently as he humps one of the blankets. He’s adorable and even more so when he’s not cringing every few minutes in pain. I hate this for him, especially when he tries to put on airs for me. Jace’s requirements have become stricter in the last few months, requiring my Omega’s presence at events sponsored by products he models for and I hate it.
Gently, I tap Savin’s shoulder, waking him long enough for him to take his meds. In the next few seconds, he’s fallen back asleep. I press a kiss to his forehead and then head back to the kitchen to return the gelato before slumping onto one of the barstools.
I slip out my phone, fingers ready to dial Euphoria like I always am. Ellie asked us to respect her space and at the same time, I know that she felt the bond between us. Why she hasn’t tried to reconnect, I don’t know. Maybe it’s the fame we carry with our name? Maybe she didn’t truly have as much fun as I thought. I shake my head and talk myself out of calling, just as another number pops up on the screen.
“Jace, why am I not surprised that you’re calling?” I ask, annoyed the second I pick up the phone.
The man huffs on the other side. “You left an event early. You know that publicity is everything and we get paid more when the public sees Savin’s face. Something you keep robbing them of.”
I chuckle. He gets paid more. Neither Savin nor I see enough money to care about showing up at these events. If it wasn’t for the networking and building relationships part, I’m not sure either of us would entertain that part of the contract. “I know you mean well, most of the time, but Savin’s health is more important to me than some fucking contract. Are you going to be the one to take care of him when he crumples during one of those events? No? I didn’t think so. Don’t trample on my duty to ensure my mate’s safety, Jace.” There’s a warning to my tone as I stand up and move to the office. Conversation carries in this place and I don’t want Savin to wake up and hear us.
I love Savin and I don’t want him to feel like he’s a burden in any form. If that means fielding angry calls from Jace in private, I will, regardless of how much the guy irks me.
“Look, Macon, it’s written down-”
“I’m very aware of the contract,” I growl out as I kick the office door closed behind me. “We showed up and then we left. Have it written up any which way you’d like.”
A huff of impatience filters through the earpiece and just as I’m about to lay him out over the phone, Jace speaks again. “You left during Gordon’s speech, one of your love rivals if I remember correctly.”
“That’s what this shit is about?” I take several deep breaths to calm the building rage in my chest. Had it been any other day, I might have found a way to reasonably speak with Jace. But it’s not just any other day. Savin is suffering. Ellie is goddess knows where and I’m stuck here discussing my Omega’s health and how it’s not working with Jace’s schedule. “Let me get this straight. You are worried about the tabloids printing some story about me making a statement?”
“It looks bad, Macon. Savin is a big conversation piece right now and-”
I hate that. I hate that my Omega, even after he pulled away from acting due to his health, is still being used for his image. It’s a striking one, I can attest to that, and the tidbits he brings to his community when he’s invited to events are priceless. However, it’s draining. “Jace, let me stop you right there. Savin and Gordon were together before I was in the picture. The problem isn’t a love rival. It’s a Beta that can’t understand that his advances have become a nuisance. I asked Savin to attend today so that I could support someone in the business but Savin’s health demanded we leave. And before you say that my Omega is faking it, he does far more for you than he’s required to and he’ll push himself until he’s out of commission for days.”
“But-”
“If you want the real story, maybe ask Gordon the last time he asked Savin for a spin. Or should I show you the text messages? Don’t forget that Savin is more than my fucking Omega. He’s also my husband.” It’s a ceremony I’ll never forget, especially the disgust on my mother’s face as she watched me kiss the love of my life. She has never approved of Savin and it’s only become worse as his health worsens. She tells me that I can do better, that my promise need not be upheld because Savin no longer fits my image.
Yet another person who angers the fuck out of me and I can’t do much about it unless I ostracize myself in a career that I’ve built over the last several years.
“Your mother said-”
Rage flares beneath the surface as I tune him out to succumb to one of my vices, throwing open the liquor cabinet. I don’t even have the patience to find a glass as I pull off the top and down a fifth. Liquid heat burns my tongue and slips down my throat. I relish the rich flavors before speaking again. “Keep talking Jace,” I interrupt him. “Just go ahead and dig your grave.” My mother has been by my side since I stepped into the limelight, taking up some of the tasks more easily forgotten like hiring cleaning and maintenance for a house that is both entirely too large and too obnoxious to keep.
While I usually appreciate my mother’s help, the way she has so expertly dug herself into my career is a problem. She has access to the people I work with and has forged relationships on her own so that when people don’t find what they need from me, they run to her. It’s brought issues into our relationship that I can’t fix and am slowly losing patience with.