Chapter 0002

Olivia's POV

Strong arms lock around me and the man mumbles something that might be a curse.

“I could be convinced to give you a bigger tip... but I’d rather have yours.” I inwardly cringe at the terrible line.

“We should probably behave” I mumble, “but I don’t want to.” I want to let go and feel something other than hurt. I want him and I’m coherent enough to know it.

He wants me too, if the hard length of him pressing against my stomach is any indication.

My fingers threaded through silky hair, gently pulling him towards me so I can whisper in his ear, “Make me feel good, I need you.”

His nostrils flare against my neck – right where my mating mark should have been – and his restraint snaps.

Strong hands tear open the back of my gown as his mouth blazes a trail down my chest and suddenly, I’m on the bed, arms pinned above my head.

I love being held down, dominated, but everyone’s afraid of hurting the Luna.

My back arched, seeking friction. But this man wouldn’t let me have it. Instead, he palms between my breasts to hold me still, freeing my breasts.

And he was on me in an instant, latching onto my nipple, lapping with his tongue and sucking hard.

This time he let me bow off the bed, squeezing my wrists to keep me right where he wanted. I couldn’t help the moan that escaped. I needed more.

“Let me touch you.” I was shamelessly panting now.

“No, this is just for you.” Teeth nipped at the underside of my breast in reprimand, quickly followed by a soothing lick.

Nine hells if I didn’t think I would die a little death right then.

He drew my arms by my sides and laced his fingers with mine. I was still pinned, but this felt vulnerable.

Then this gorgeous man settled between my thighs. “I’m going to fuck you with my tongue, and you’ll come when I say. Tell me yes or we stop now.”

“Gods, yes.” I breathed.

In a flash he tore my panties with his teeth and buried his tongue deep inside. “Fucking ambrosia” he growled.

I whimpered and ground my pussy against his face. He finally showed mercy by sinking two thick fingers inside me and swirling his tongue around my throbbing clit.

“Oh yes…please!” I practically begged.

Those fingers curled in just the right spot. “Come.” He demanded; then bit down on my clit.

Stars exploded behind my eyes, and if I knew his name I would have screamed it. But the sound I made was feral, barely recognizable.

Waves of pleasure hit me, then everything went dark.

***

I was going to kill the tiny hangover creatures hammering inside my brain. All I needed was sleep, but the pounding headache had other plans. I wanted to get back to the alternate reality where my heart wasn’t broken into a million pieces.

The bed dipped and I felt warm breath against my cheek. My eyes slowly cracked open and came face-to-face with the room service guy. Tousled charcoal hair, thick lashes, strong jawline with a sexy morning scruff, and full lips that made my nipples tingle at the memory of them and what we did. I gently shifted away to bring all his features into focus and bit back a scream.

Ethan Blackford. Holy shit, not staff at all, but the fucking Alpha of Storm Haven Pack. My father’s death had left a vacancy on the Alpha Council and Ethan’s name was high on the list to fill the seat. Not to mention, he was Aiden’s brother. How’d I miss this, even tipsy as I was?

This was bad. Regret. I slammed the walls down on my emotions before they added to the headache. I needed to get out of here before he woke up.

I inched my way out of the bed and spotted my dress – my crumpled wedding gown – lying over the chair. Torn panties on the side lamp, bra under the desk, shoes tossed at the foot of the bed. Ok then, that was hot.

Quietly as I could, I dressed and chanced a look at Ethan.

His deep amber eyes danced with humor and interest, like he had been enjoying the show. I felt my cheeks flush but could only glare back in annoyance.

In a flash, the interest I saw was replaced with a cold demeanor. “How much?” his gravelly voice broke the silence of our starting.

“For what?” My brow creased in confusion until he grabbed his wallet from the bedside table and pulled out a thick wad of cash.

When my brain caught up, I folded my arms and snorted a laugh. “Sex work is real work but fuck you for assuming.”

“I’d rather keep last night between us. Especially since you’re Aiden’s or were. Take it.” Ethan leaned forward, still half dressed, pressing the cash into my hand.

So, it was hush money. My earlier flush of embarrassment turned to anger, and I threw the money back at him. “Don’t worry, it won’t happen again.”

I turned to go, but Ethan clasped my wrist a frown. “Your ring, here –”

“Keep it.” I shook off his grip. “Consider it the tip I promised, or hush money, even payment if you prefer. Do what you want with it.”

I slammed the door on my way out.

***

I cranked the shower to scalding and wiped steam from the mirror, recoiling at my reflection. “Shit. I’m a hot mess.” I muttered. The smokey eye makeup was full-on raccoon style now with dried-up rivers of black mascara streaking down my face. Ugh, what Ethan must have thought.

Ethan. It just had to be Ethan. My traitorous body heated up at the memory of his tongue lapping up my juices. I could practically still smell him.

I sniffed the air and caught the strong scent of jasmine and mint with a hint of damp earth. “That fucker!” My eyes went wide with the knowledge I could actually smell Ethan. All over my skin, like he had marked me.

Shaking off that thought I hopped into the shower and desperately tried to scrub away any traces of last night. Satisfied that the lavender body wash had done its job, I shut off the water and toweled off.

I had to get back to reality. A new wave of hurt and betrayal washed over me as I stepped into my bedroom to get dressed.

Heavy footsteps came down the hall and my door swung open. Aiden took three long strides to cut me off before I reached my closet. “Olivia, sweetheart, I can explain.”

He dropped to his knees in a mockery of the Mating Submission and my body heated being reminded of Ethan down there mere hours ago. Shutting that out, I glared down at Aiden.

His nostrils flared and the pleading expression on Aiden’s face turned to a snarl.

“Who the fuck were you with last night, Liv?” Aiden growled at me as if he had any right and stood to tower over me. “Who!? Who did you sleep with?”

I guess my near-boiling shower wasn’t enough to get Ethan’s scent off me. I should have known since powerful Alphas leave a lasting impression. In more ways than one. I was likely going to smell like Ethan for at least another 12 hours.

But none of that was Aiden’s business anymore.

“Not your business who, or if, I sleep with anyone. Our engagement is off.”

“You’re going to throw us away because of some misunderstanding with Amelia. Everything is my business, Mate, and –”

“Don’t. Aiden.” I cut him off. “Leave my key and get out. Go back to Jasper Pack with your tail between your legs.”

Aiden pulled my key from his pocket and threw it on the bed. “You’re making a big mistake, Olivia. One you’ll regret.”

Three strides back to the door and Aiden slams it shut behind him. And I’m alone – again – and more exhausted than before.

I crawl into bed and silently beg for sleep. But my temporary zen is interrupted with Paint the Town Red by Doja Cat.

Groaning, I roll over and grab my phone, pressing the answer button. “Tell me it’s something good, Mia.”

The brief pause was answer enough that it wasn’t good. “Where are you? I’ve been calling for like an hour. There’s trouble at L.B. and you need to get here now.”