Chapter 22

Lincoln

I could smell her even before I heard their footsteps approaching. She smelt likes old flowers which was better than how she had smelled but under it her scent was purely hers.

And it was intoxicating.

I didn’t move from my place at the long wooden table. Big enough to seat at least twenty. But it was set for only two. Me and her.

Me at one end and her at she very other end.  Plates of food and flickering candles sat between us.

“Alpha , I have the omega Hope here.” Deacon said softly.

“Thank you.” I said just as quietly. I heard her sharp intake of breath as she recognised my voice. “You can retire now.” I said it pleasantly but it was an order and Deacon knew it was because he opened his mouth to say something and then snapped it shut and walked away. Closing the door behind him.

“Lincoln?” Hope's voice was getting closer as she crossed the room to face my chair.

“Hello little red.” Leaning back I took her in. From the tips of her still dripping hair to her slender legs and tiny bare feet. The dress looked amazing on her even if it was a size or two too big.

In fact I had never seen a woman look so stunning. Instantly I began to regret sending Deacon away because it was going to be almost impossible to control myself when she looked like that.

And smelt like that.

“Little red?” She giggled and it sounded like fresh rain water. Beautiful and natural. “Did you save me from the creature?”

I lowered my eyes from the curve of her small beasts and closed my eyes. “Yes, something like that.” I admitted in a whisper. “Would you like to eat with me? I know deacon fed you earlier but I was hoping-“

She nodded silently and I was out of my chair in a blink of an eye. Taking her hand loosely in mine I lead her towards the end of the table. Pulling her chair out like an old fashioned gentleman so she could take a seat.

“Thank you.” She reached for one of the little squares of cloth I had placed on the table because that’s how all those old paintings had said and unfolded it on her lap.

“What is the purpose?” I couldn’t help but lean over her shoulder. Sucking in giant lungfuls of air so I could fill myself with her tantalising scent. “Of these.” Reaching around her I brushed my finger against the material , lifting her skirt above her knees at the same time.

Hope twisted her head around and my nose skimmed across her throat.

Suddenly I was full of need. It was overpowering. All encompassing.

“The napkin?” She asked in her quiet voice. “It’s to save your clothes from crumbs and spills when you eat.” Her eyes locked on mine and confusion pinched her eyebrows together. “You can use them to wipe your lips and mouth as well.”

I lifted my hand without thinking and rubbed my thumb against her bottom lip.

What the hell was I doing? Touching her like this was going to ruin all of my well thought of plans because if I couldn’t control myself how was I meant to get the others to agree to?

I would be a hypocrite.

“I see.” I straightened and stepped away. Not that it made any difference to what I wanted to do to her. “I didn’t know. I just saw some paintings and thought it looked nice. Thank you for telling me.” Striding away from her I took my seat.

It put some distance between us but it wasn’t enough. I could put a city between us and it still wouldn’t be enough I wanted her.

“But how do you know?” I asked quietly.

From across the long table she shrugged and I was sure I saw a blush heating her cheeks. “I have a passion for art and history.” She admitted as her eyes darted away. She seemed almost embarrassed about it.

“What beautiful things to love.” I yanked a chicken leg off the bird and bit into it. “Remind me to show you my collection.” I said absently. “And you should eat before it all gets cold.”

“Thank you.” She reaches her slender hand for some bread rolls. Freshly cooked and steaming.

“But before you-“ my lips quirked up in a smile. She was like a little starving creature. Tearing into the soft bread with her sharp teeth and swallowing without really chewing.

“Hope.” I chuckled. “Please slow down a little before you choke-“ the words were barely out of my mouth before she did.

Doubling over she gagged, her face growing more and more purple.

“Hope.” Two massive leaps and I was at her side , pulling her upwards with such force that I knocked half of the food and things onto the floor with a crash.

I caught her around the waist. Smacking her in the back with as much force as I dared use without breaking her.

She gagged again. And the lump of unchewed bread launched itself out of her mouth to roll away.

“Are you ok?” I finally sucked in a breath as she sagged in my arms. “You really shouldn’t eat like that. With no manners and-“ I shook my head. “You always need saving,  Hope. And one day  I’m not going to be around to do it.”

She stiffened, pulling herself up and glaring at me. “Never been starving have you?” She snapped back. “I choked on accident. Not on purpose and no one asked you to save me and-“ she blinked in shock. Her face twisted in pain. “Ow.”

“What?” Glancing down I saw a small puddle of blood begin to spread from her foot. Clearly when she had straightened she had stepped straight on to a broken piece of pottery and it had lacerated the sole of her foot.

“Well that’s not good.” She lifted her foot up and blood dripped from it.

“No, it's not good. We need to dress up and-“

She hopped  awkwardly. Her hand clutched my arm to help her balance. It was awkward and adorable. Just like she was.

“I can manage. It’s not deep.”

“No.” I swung her upwards  and into my arms. Depositing her at the end of the table where all those plates had just sat. “I’ll do it. You will make a-“ taking the seat she had just vacated I drew her little bare foot up so I could study the bottom of it.

She was right, it wasn't too bad. Not big at least but it looked deep so it might need a stitch. My fingers probed on either side of it and she sucked in a pained breath. Her free leg swinging in a wildly aimed kick. “Get off me that hurt.”

The nonevent had patted her thighs just enough for me to glimpse the tantalising creamy skin on the inside of her thighs.

And there it was again, her heady smell. Only now it was closer, stronger and even harder to ignore.

“Hope.” I moved my hands, sliding them from her foot , up over her slim calves to her knees which I pushed apart. “You are-“ my voice shook.

“I am what, Lincoln?” Her voice was a timid whisper but her thighs were shaking and I knew she was feeling it as well. The need. The heat.

“You didn’t take the blue drink?” I pushed her thighs even further apart.

“I -“

Shit.

I was in so much trouble.