Page 29 of Shattered Trinket
Cozette
Nest ‘N’ Things is a much larger store than I was expecting. When we pull up, I can’t help but stare out the window with wide eyes becausewhat on earth goes in a nest that requires a store this big?!Ripley and Mama Valley burst into laughter as I vocalize that very question, causing a blush to creep up my cheeks, a reminder of how silly that must have sounded coming from an omega.
While I lag behind them, I suddenly feel a subtle vibration in my back pocket, and fortunately their excitement shields themfrom noticing. When I see a message from Jeremiah, I can’t help but bite my lip as familiar butterflies stir up a storm within me.
My Ghost: What are you up to, Dove?
Me: Heading into Nest ‘N’ Things to get everything I need to finally assemble my nest. *hiding emoji*
I quickly type back my reply and stash my phone back in my pocket as I jog to catch up with Mama Valley and Ripley. Stepping inside, I suck in a deep breath as they each seize one of my arms and pull me further into a realm of cozy pillows, warm blankets, and an abundance of decorative items. Lost in the store, my attention is torn in every direction as the two omegas guide me through the aisles, their voices blending into a cacophony of suggestions and recommendations.
In the end, we start with blankets after both women run back to grab someone to help us with whatever I pick out. Thick quilts and comforters, soft minky throw blankets, chunky knit blankets, and so much more quickly pile high on the flat rolling cart the beta worker—Tatum—they found stands beside. If I touch it, Ripley or Mama Valley are right behind me, adding it to the ever-growing pile, even if I insist I don’t need it.
When I have enough blankets to rival a resort, Tatum leaves to empty the cart as we move on to pillows. Who knew there were so many types of pillows? By the time Tatum is back with an empty cart, we’ve already accumulated a nice little tower in all shapes, sizes, colors, and fabrics, but all incredibly fluffy.
When we make it to décor, I quickly become distracted by the area full of nothing but plushies and the like, so I leave them to browse after assuring them I’ll be fine on my own. I’m leaning over a bin stuffed full of squishy plushies like the one I’m obsessed with at home, head buried in an endless sea of softfluff as I try to reach the teal bat buried deep inside, when I feel a large hand on my hip as an enormous body leans over mine and reaches past me. Familiar tattooed fingers grip the bat I’ve been reaching for, pulling it out as I slowly put myself upright.
His familiar metallic and floral scent surrounds me, reminding me of fireworks on the Fourth of July at Shadow Creek’s annual county fair, and I smile as I lean my head back on his chest and stare up into Jeremiah’s deep blue eyes.
“Hello, my Ghost. What are you doing here?”
He quirks a brow down at me and hands me the bat I was reaching for, making me grin as I hug it tight to my chest. I turn around, squishing the plush between us as I wrap my arms around Jeremiah’s hips after hopping down from the ledge I was standing on for leverage. I catch the subtle way he looks around to make sure nobody is around just before he pulls me off behind a tall shelf stuffed full of dinosaur plushies deep in the back. Once we’re tucked away, he wraps his arms around me and leans down to rub his cheek against mine as a rough purr rattles in his chest, making me sigh.
“I missed you,” he grumbles softly in my ear before pulling back. “I know I probably shouldn’t have come, but I needed to see you.”
My hands clench in the back of his shirt, hating this secret. I know I’ve told Ripley, and now Micah, but how do I explain him to everyone else? Ripley hasn’t even talked to River about what I’ve told her yet, still trying to figure out how to broach the subject. I just want to be able to be around him without hiding behind everyone’s backs. I want to know what it feels like to be his with nothing holding us back. To show him off and tell people he’s mine.
I nibble on my lip as a thought crosses my mind, but no, I couldn’t.Shouldn’t.But maybe…
“Are you busy tonight?” I blurt out, deciding that just this once I’m going to throw caution to the wind and be selfish.
His brows rise as he smirks down at me.
“I’m never too busy for you, Dove.”
My cheeks heat, but I still beam up at him.
“Do you… Do you want to come over tonight? I can leave my window open.”
I suck in a breath, the heat on my cheeks spreading down my neck and chest where my heart skips in. “I-I want to spend some time with you now that I can. A-and maybe we can… um, cuddle?”
I feel kind of silly asking this big—scary to some—man to come over and cuddle with me in my nest, but I want it. I want it sobadly. I crave to feel his arms wrapped around me somewhere we can just… be. Together. Without Victor’s looming presence, we can finally experience some peace and tranquility together instead of stressing over when he could come back without us realizing.
I can admit I might have another ulterior motive, especially now that Jeremiah is standing in front of me. Micah gave me homework earlier, told me to try something new or something that scares me, and although I’m sure he didn’t mean what I have in mind, I can’t help but think this is the perfect thing. As long as I’m with Jeremiah, I know I’ll be safe and cared for.
“What time?” he asks, grinning down at me and I have the intense urge to push up on my tiptoes to press my lips against his… so I do.
His body stiffens against mine a second before he groans, closing his eyes and tightening his arms around me as he licks my bottom lip. I gasp, my lips parting as my eyes fall shut, and he nips my top lip before brushing the tip of his tongue against mine. I’m trembling in his hold, a cloud of my perfume surrounding us as he kisses me like a man starved and Ipractically melt against him. My body feels warm and tingly as his tongue rolls against mine and I’m completely lost in the void where only the two of us exist.
Until a throat clears behind me, which has my eyes popping open wide as I step back and whirl around so quickly that I nearly fall, my shoulders tight and nearly up to my ears until I see Ripley standing in front of me with her hands on her hips. I relax slightly, breathing out a sigh of relief that it’s her and not Mama Valley.
I smile sheepishly at her, tucking an errant curl behind my ear nervously.
“H-hey. I, uh, I can explain?”
“Uh huh.”
She glances at the alpha at my back and looks him over shrewdly, pursing her lips as she crosses her arms over her chest. Jeremiah’s body is wound tight behind me, his hands gripping my hips firmly, but he doesn’t move away from me. Neither of us relaxes until she smiles suddenly, dropping her arms and shaking her head.