Plus, I’m in too deep with Forrest and Wells. I’m not abandoning ship, literally, because Elliot may or may not have come to his senses.
Elliot sighs, and I guess he realizes I’m serious about staying.
“Fine, then, like I said, I’m not leaving. Wherever you go on this ship, I go.”
“Good luck getting into my room or hers, asshole,” Forrest says and I groan.
“You won’t be following me around everywhere I go. I think we all just need to cool off from tonight. We usually get breakfast around ten on sea days. If you would like to calmly, and respectfully, have a discussion, then maybe I’ll listen. But you’re not going to come on this ship and come between my relationships that I’m forming here,” I tell him, steeling my spine.
God, I can’t wait to call Shiloh tomorrow and tell her how bad ass I was.
Elliot doesn’t seem convinced, eyeing Forrest up like he would when he works a security job.
Instead of waiting for a response, I grab Forrest’s wrist and wave my wrist over the Omega only elevator. Elliot goes to follow, and I hold up my bracelet and point to it.
“Can’t get to the floor without one of these, or one of these,” I say, pointing to myself as the elevator doors shut.
I take a deep breath, trying to calm my central nervous system. Elliot is onboard, and he hasn’t made his intentions clear at all. But he said he’s not leaving without me, and I have no idea what that means for any of us.
The elevator chimes to the twelfth floor, and both Forrest and I check in with security before walking to my room. As soon as we enter, Forrest takes a seat on the couch.
“Who does he think he is? Getting a last-minute ticket? How the fuck did he even get one, anyway? The cruise was sold out. And he what? Expects me to drop everything and fly back home with him? He’s out of his mind,” I ramble, pacing back and forth.
“He’s in love with you,” Forrest says. His face is hard to read as I pause my pacing and stare at him.
“He’s not. He had all the time in the world to make me his, and he didn’t. This is some sort of effort by my family to get me to come back home. They sent him because they knew at least he had a chance.”
Forrest rests his elbows on his knees and runs his hands through his hair.
“I’m ready to fight for you, Claire, but if in your heart it’s already him over us, I need to know now. I can’t stay on this ship pining for you, falling for you, if Wells and I don’t really stand a chance,” he says, his Adam’s apple bobbing as his brown eyes look up at me with defeat.
I shake my head and approach him until I’m standing between his legs.
“I’m not sure if you missed it back there,” I say, running my hand through his hair. “When I said you were going to be a part of my pack, I meant every word. Maybe he has feelings for me, maybe he doesn’t. But what I’ve felt with you and Wells over these past few days has become my new standard. I’m all in.”
He grips my thighs, squeezing the muscle before moving his hands up to my ass.
“Then I’m going to need you to take this fucking dress off.”
Maybe the night is saved after all.
Chapter 17
Forrest
Her cinnamon applecake scent is practically coursing through my veins as she grabs her hair into a fist and gives me her back.
I have to grab the world’s smallest fucking zipper and slowly draw it down her back. My knuckles glide against the smooth expanse of her skin, kissing a trail down her neck.
Her skin is warm and sweet and unblemished.
I want to put my mark on it.
Maybe it’s that other Alpha storming in here—one she clearly has a history with—making me feel overly possessive of her.
I know that isn’t the case. I already wanted her earlier tonight. The need to claim her is only exacerbated by the disruptive arrival ofElliot.
Claire is mine, not his. He didn’t realize what he had until she left. But I knew how magnificent she was immediately. She’s my Omega and I want every Alpha on this ship to see my claiming mark on her. I want her drenched in my scent and leaking my cum.