“You’re not going anywhere alone today.”
What was originally a crestfallen expression turns to fury as she places the photo delicately back on the table. “I’m not going to hurt myself,” she says accusatively.
“That’s not what I meant, Kelsey. I meant that you were just crying in a grocery store bathroom, and I care about you. What would that say about me if I left you alone when you were hurting?”
She rubs her arm and stares down at the hardwood floor. “I… I’m sorry. It’s just I’m in your house. Your and Cameron’s house and I can’t help but to feel like I’m complicating things for you.”
I place my thumb under her chin, forcing her to look at me. “Even if I wasn’t romantically interested in you. Which I am, just to make that clear. I care about you and would make sure that you are okay as your friend and as your brother’s friend.”
“And Cameron?”
“I don’t speak for him, but I know he’s intrigued, in you and that Beta.”
“Emmett,” she says.
“Yes, Emmett.”
“What did you think about Emmett?”
“I have eyes,” I tell her. She laughs and wraps her arms around herself. Obviously he’s attractive, and he seems easy going, something every pack should have. I saw the way he looked at both Cameron and Kelsey, but I’m not sure how he would feel about a male Alpha. I still have no clue what this Shyla person looks like. Part of me dislikes her when I know I shouldn’t. Why do I see her as competition? When I should see her as a potential partner or friend. I shake my head, knowing full well with my preferences a female Alpha is likely not in my future. That doesn’t mean I couldn’t get used to one also being with my Omegas, right? Well, Cameron is mine. Kelsey is a work in progress.
“That you do.” She looks past my shoulder, and I scent him before I see him. Cameron walks behind me before he sees Kelsey. Though she is always beautiful, her eyes are puffy and red. I’m shocked when a slight whine leaves his lips when he takes in her appearance.
“Kelsey, are you okay?”
She rubs her hands over her arms again and my fingers twitch at the desire to hold her in my arms to provide her more comfort. Cameron’s wide gaze tells a similar story. My heart swells with hope when I see how he’s looking at her. Like she’s ours to protect.
“I’ll be all right.”
Cameron nods his head, understanding that she doesn’t want to be pushed right now. “Would you like me to show you my nest?”
Kelsey smiles widely and bounces on the balls of her feet.
“Follow me,” he says.
I watch them interact. They walk side by side down the hallway. Glancing back and forth at each other, like it’s some sort of wordless flirting. They are both so small and stunning. Even more so is their scent together, like an indulgent breakfast of warm brown sugar and blueberry treats. Kelsey’s scent seems even stronger than usual. I know she’s not aroused. Even when she’s not, I can smell her, but it’s almost like it’s slightly elevated. Maybe it’s from the stress of earlier today.
“It might be one of the weirder nests you’ve seen,” he says sheepishly. “But Dom really brought what I wanted to life and I love it.” Pride rumbles in my chest at the way he’s proud to call me his Alpha and the reassurance that I take good care of him.
“Okay, well, stop nest edging me and show me,” Kelsey says.
Cameron swings open the door and Kelsey gasps.
“See, she’s speechless.” Cameron grins up at me.
“It’s wonderful. I don’t know if I could nest here, but I love it.”
“I’d build you your own,” I blurt out like some lovesick idiot. Kelsey and Cameron both smile up at me as my cheeks heat.
Kelsey glances around the room and touches the different surfaces. Cameron loves the beach, and that was his inspiration. While he didn’t want any light, we made it feel like a cabana on a Caribbean beach the best I could. There is always a delicate droning of white noise wave sounds. I hardly notice them at this point.
Her finger tips glide over the sheer canopy of the raised bed. Cameron specifically wanted this for specific sexual positions and my cheeks heat again. Kelsey gives me a knowing smirk.
“I’m not a fan of raised beds during my heat,” Kelsey says. Cameron nods but sits on the delicate mattress as Kelsey looks at the rest of the room. She gasps when she looks at the mural on the wall.
“Dom, did you paint this?” she asks. I rub my toe on the beige carpet. I preferred to do hardwood for cleanup purposes, but Cameron wanted it to look like sand.
“I tried,” I say, knowing how intricate her art is.