Page 33 of Perfectly Yours
Jace rudely hangs up and I grip the edge of the kitchen counter, gritting my teeth together to keep from raging like I want to. My mother is out of line. I don’t understand her need to stay relevant, nor her need to tear Savin down and trample his brand and self-esteem.
“She hates me that much?” Savin appears beside me, scrolling through the article. His gaze narrows as he reads and then he giggles. The giggles turn into laughter until he’s leaning against me for support.
“Baby, what is so funny?” I almost don’t want to ask. The sound of his laughter is music to my ears, bringing a wide smile to my face. It’s been a while since I heard that melodious sound from his lips and as stupid as what he’s laughing at is, I can’t bring myself to stop him. Savin holds his stomach before turning to look up at me.
Tears glaze his eyes but for the first time in a while, they are from happiness and not pain. “Macon, did she really think she could villainize an Omega? Your mother is vicious but she’s not very smart. Omegas are sweet and cuddly and everything that Alphas aren’t. That article might paint me in a bad light but all I have to do is shed a few tears or whine about how she needs perfection and I can’t meet it. Let everyone see Savin, not the man who stole you away.”
“Savin, you’re saying to put your life out there for everyone to pick at. I don’t want to do that.”
Savin sighs, placing his hands on my chest. “Macon, everyone already knows I pulled back because of my health. If she wants to play this game, I’m more than happy to put the truth out there. I don’t want to be coddled or treated differently but I’m not standing down from your mother.”
“Don’t expect you to,” I purr, bending down to kiss him on the lips, loving the way he so easily melts. I slide a hand around the side of his neck, fingers tangling in his messy hair as the other winds around his back to pull him closer. He hums into the kiss only pulling back when six little beeps echo from the foyer and the door swings open to show off a surprised Ellie. “Ah, the party is here,” I joke.
The bright smile that spreads across the Beta’s face is priceless.
Chapter twenty-four
ELLIE
The pants are tight. The shirts are tight. Nothing fucking fits.
I’m bloated and irritated, and my stomach is queasy. Standing in front of the Astor’s door, however, seems to mute all the stress and discomfort of my pregnancy. Finding out that my favorite leather pants no longer fit this morning was a bummer so I donned a pair of leggings and an oversized shirt. It doesn’t follow my usual style but Dr. Kelly mentioned something about comfort and if I’m trying to keep this pregnancy under wraps, looser clothing is the way to go.
The problem is the slight curve to my belly. It’s barely noticeable but it’s firm and it protrudes enough that I recognized it in the mirror. The other problem is that I can’t stop fucking touching it as if I’m in disbelief that I’m carrying a child. My doctor’s appointment is scheduled for Wednesday, a little earlier than planned at Carleen’s request.
Apparently, I shouldn’t be showing this soon.
Which means twins.
Or goddess forbid, triplets.
I swallow the bile that follows that thought and type in the new code Macon texted me yesterday. It’s been a strange few days, between the conversation in the bathroom and the following conversations since then. Macon isn’t like any other Alpha I’ve met. He’s soft and understanding but fierce when he needs to be. Savin’s texts are airy and light, the words coming across the screen constantly making me giggle.
And despite that, I’m constantly thinking about the first night we spent together, how I fit with them, how they felt inside of me. I blame the goddamn pregnancy hormones because need burns through me and I find myself craving a cock or two.
I’ve fucked myself on that dildo so many times since Friday and goddess, I might beg for Macon’s cock when I step inside. Professionalism, Ellie. Keeping business and our relationship separate will be difficult but I’m here to look over Macon’s new proposal. As enticing as it sounds, I’m not sure I’m the right fit.
My line of thought has me grimacing at the clothes I’m wearing again. I reach down to massage my stomach, the slow slide of my hand across my skin soothing my rising panic. One deep breath later, I push open the door and pause to see Savin pressed against Macon as the Alpha sits on one of the barstools. They’re both staring at me, my cheeks flushing at the attention.
“Ah, the party is here.”
Macon’s stupid joke breaks through the anxiety and I grin, pushing my way inside and slipping off my shoes. Savin is there in the next second, peppering kisses all over my face. I lean into his chest, not realizing how much I’ve missed them. “You smell like candy,” he whispers before taking my lips. Savin’s presence is overwhelming but very much needed as he walks us back into the front door, pressing me against it. His hands start to roam, starting at my shoulders and then moving down till they’re at my waist, thumbs playing over my belly.
I untangle myself from him, shedding my backpack and then holding up the bag of ice cream that I carried inside, trying to distract him. “I’ve brought presents!” I say a little too loudly. Savin finds it hilarious, dragging me to the living room while waving Macon over. I didn’t sign up for cuddles but the fact that they make it seem so normal keeps me from protesting. Savin plops into the corner of the couch before pulling me onto his lap and stealing the bag in my hand.
“What is it? It’s… lemon lavender ice cream?”
I nod, reaching for the bag to pull out three spoons. The artisan ice cream shop a few doors down from my apartment has never been my favorite. That all changed on Saturday morning when I had a craving and Carleen brought back a few pints to try. It was supposed to be a joke but now they’ve become my comfort food. Lemon lavender and rose chocolate are by far my favorites but I’m sharing the chocolate one with no one. Hell, I nearly slapped Carleen yesterday when she tried to take the last one from the freezer.
Savin stares at it for a few moments, Macon sitting beside me and drawing me into a soft kiss. “Hello, sweetheart.”
“Hi, Alpha.” Just one of many things I’ve adopted in the last two days. It feels comfortable leaning on these two in a way that I thought was just ‘an Omega thing’. It still confuses me as I can’t seem to tell my brain that these feelings are real and not a result of a forming bond, that the bond is only strengthening our desire. I’ll get there.
Savin rips a spoon from my hand, digging into the ice cream. He sags into the cushions, groaning happily. “This stuff is amazing.” I silently agree as I dip my spoon into the purple cream, sucking on the spoon as the flavors explode in my mouth.
“Alpha, do you want some?” I hand him a spoon and his face contorts in disgust. I was expecting that reaction, however, sending me into a fit of uncontrollable giggles which only get worse when Savin gives me an alternative.
“Spill it on yourself and ask him to clean it up. Hell, I’ll spill it and-”