Page 32 of The Packaged Deal
I watch for a long minute, and then decide I don’t give a fuck.
“Hello, Jade.”
Jade backs up out of my arms and wraps her arms around herself and sniffles. She actually sniffles, and I can’t help it. I wrap an arm around her shoulders and usher her into my house.
“Why did Kandi, uh,” I trial off struggling to find a word that isn’t offensive.
“Dump me? Abandon me? Ditch me like a stray dog?” Jade folds her arms under her breasts as she slouches on my couch. I have to admit, I like her there. Alot. “She’s so clean, and I have this thing where I tend to,” the tiny omega turns red and fails to meet my eyes, “I just, I can’t help it. I’m clumsy or something.”
“I see.”
“So, I accidentally dumped the dinner on her couch, but I didn’t know I wasn’t supposed to sit on the couch, she had told me not to put the plate on the table, but she never mentioned there were place mats.” Jade huffs. “And Sven was there, trying to get rid of me, the big meanie, and the more he was trying to get rid of me, the more I wanted to cry, and the more I wanted to cry, the harder it got to not do stupid things, and then Kandi was yelling,” she’s yelling now and crying, “and Sven was saying ‘I told you so’ in his big fat head voice, and they just decided to drop me here because, apparently, you are as messed up as I am, but you’re not. Because at least someone wants you. Because I want you, and I think you’re perfect.”
I have no words. She’s wailing, breaking down in a way that reminds me of why I hate waiting rooms, but my reaction is entirely opposite. When I see Jade cry, I feel this panic, this need to fix it. Where has my apathy gone?
She thinks I’m perfect? I try to hide the smile, but I can’t. No one’s ever said that to me before.
“Jade, someone wants you-”
“Trevor the Toad doesn’t count,” Jade snaps. “You don’t want me, even though we’re scent matches. Sven and Kandi just ditched me. My entire pack isn’t a pack, and I’m all alone. I’m a broken omega!”
Oh, gods. I whip my head around my house, searching for something, anything, that can help me, and remember the ice cream in my freezer. Simon said he keeps it for Onyx at all times because it’s her ‘go to’ when she’s sad and broody.
“Hold that thought.” I rush off into the kitchen. I’m almost afraid to leave her alone. What kind of disasters can she create? I grab the ice cream and two spoons, hesitate, and then grab the can of whipped cream as well.
Okay, so she’s a little mini bomb, but it’s not that bad. She’s on the couch, wrapped in my blankets, the coffee tables have been moved, the channel on the TV has been changed. She just shifted everything just a bit out of how I would have them.
I honestly don’t mind, though, I think, and sit beside her. I hand her the ice cream and the spoon. She takes them and sniffles again.
“Thanks.”
“Sven and Kandi have some stuff to sort out. I’m sure that’s why they’re being odd tonight.”
“Sure,” Jade says morosely around a mouthful of ice cream. “How to get rid of their unwanted omega in three hours or less?”
I bite back a smile. “You can stay here. Even when I move out, you can stay-”
She stops eating, pushing the ice cream aside, and curls up deeper in the blankets.
“I’m going to sleep now, I think. Thanks for the ice cream.”
“Oh, sure.” I know exactly why she’s cut me off, but I don’t know how to make her see that this is the best option for everyone. If I leave, I get out of Kandi and Sven’s way, allowing them to have happiness without the questions and doubts. And Jade…well, she deserves more than just a grumpy alpha with no friends.
I wait for her to get up, but when she doesn’t, I let out a growl before I can stop myself. She shudders, and I almost bite my tongue. Why can’t I just be friendly? Fuck it. I bend down, scooping the omega and all her blankets off the couch, and carry her down the hallway to my bedroom.
I dump her on the bed. She flails around until she gets her balance, gets on her knees, and glares at me. All fiery eyes and heaving chest. I trail my gaze over her body, unable to stop myself.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Jade snarls.
“You sleep in here. I’ll take the couch.”
Her expression falters, and she licks her lips. The movement, I know it’s unconscious, innocent, but on her, it’s so seductive I take a half step towards her before I catch myself.
There’s something about having this woman, this tiny little pocket omega wrapped up in my blankets, in my house, in my freaking bedroom, on my bed, staring at me. It’s bringing out a side of me that I've fought hard to keep hidden.
As the low growl thrums in the surrounding air, I half turn, but she lunges across the room, bringing with her a swirl of blackberries, tart and sweet, and then her small hand lands gently on my arm. I whip around, leaning over her, my arm capturing her above her lower back before she can retreat.
She smells so sweet. I lean towards her, watching her eyes fall closed, her lips are shiny where her tongue has moistened them. I want to taste her. My cock twitches, and I close my eyes, moving even closer. We’re parted by the thinnest barrier of air. I can feel the heat of her, the warmth. She exhales, and it goes straight into my lungs. I want her.