Omega Matchmaking | RH OMEGAVERSE

Chapter Seven

The soft, sweet aroma of vanilla had seeped underneath his skin, and tormented Lloyd like no other. He had prided himself on his sense of control, control, control, but it was slipping with each inhale of her delicate scent. With Micah's teasing, he'd sent her and Garrett into scent spikes, and it was a miracle that none of them had already rutted her in the middle of the damned restaurant.

They weren't trying to seduce her into staying with them, and Lloyd didn't want to give her the wrong impression. He had carefully lectured both of them before they'd left, but Garrett had tossed his words as soon as she arrived, feeling her up before they'd even been introduced. He was beginning to feel a familiar, anxious note of dread. None of this was going how he'd planned.

"I'll have to think about it." She mulled over the offer he'd given her, and his jaw ticked, internally cursing his pack mates.

"Take as much time as you need, sweetness." Micah spoke as their dinner arrived, and each of them began eating.

Olivia had grown quiet, but Garrett filled the silence by asking her simple questions. Do you have any pets? What's your favorite food? Favorite color, favorite flower? He had the easiest demeanor between them, and she had softened for him within minutes. Her gaze eventually flickered back to Lloyd.

"What would regular days look like, if I stayed with your pack?" She asked.

"We'd swap days, so each of us could spend time with you individually." He explained, having discussed it beforehand. "You can choose whoever you want to spend the day with, but Garrett and I will need to know beforehand, so we can work around our schedules."

"I'll skip any practices for you." Garrett interrupted, side eying Lloyd. "You don't have to work around anything with me."

Olivia smiled, and the waitress brought their check. As they left the restaurant, Garrett returned to the backseat with Olivia, leaving Micah and him up front. Halfway through the ride home, the car had become silent, and he glanced toward the rear view mirror. Olivia's face had flushed a deep pink color, while Garrett had leaned into her and whispered into her ear. Her eyes were downcast, and they fluttered as her scent deepened, filling the car.

Lloyd felt his fingers tighten over the steering wheel, but he didn't intervene. However, he could sense Micah's jealousy even before he noticed the scowl on his face. Their pack had never shared an omega before, so it was new territory for each of them, and the dynamic would have to be determined by her. She would be the center of their pack, after all.

Whenever they returned to their home, Lloyd hadn't expected Micah to invite her in. "Do you want to come inside? We can give you a tour, show you the nest?"

Olivia had hesitated, but her fingers twisted the fabric of her dress as she agreed. "I'd like that."

Micah took the lead, and walked her through their house. He showed her their kitchen, living area, and Garrett's gym. Lloyd hung back, until they started upstairs. He had to see her reaction to the nest, and hoped that it would be to her liking. It was completely empty, unfinished space that had been collecting dust in their home for months. It was well overdue to be cleaned, decorated, and filled.

When Micah opened the door, each of them held their breath as they waited for her to step inside first.

"Wow." She smiled, and Lloyd heard himself exhale behind her. "It's huge."

His inner alpha keened for her praise, happy to give her everything she wanted and more, but he didn't reveal anything from his face, aside from the most subtle smile. She stepped inside and glanced around, and he hoped that she was already envisioning some sort of design.

"There is a bedroom and bathroom through that door," Lloyd gestured, leading her inside as she looked around. "This would be your room if you agreed to stay with us."

"Really?" She glanced toward him with excitement in her eyes. "It's perfect."

"It's unfinished," he corrected, noting the bland coloring and lack of furniture. "But, I'm sure you'll make it look perfect."

"So?" Garrett asked, interrupting. "What are you thinking?"

"I love it." She answered, but he shook his head.

"I didn't mean the nest," he gestured toward Lloyd and Micah. "What are you thinking about us?"

She swallowed, hesitating with her answer. "I've got more questions, but I'd like to think about everything before we talk."

She had spoken directly to Lloyd, and it may have been the first time that he genuinely smiled. She meant business, and that was his specialty. She could negotiate anything she wanted out of him, but he couldn't let her know that right away.

"Alright." He agreed, and Micah reluctantly led each of them downstairs.

Before she headed for the front door, she turned and crashed right into Micah's chest, hugging him. He was stunned for a moment, but his arms had locked around her and he bent his head to scent mark her, rubbing his cheek against her own. "Bye, sweetness." He had grinned, and she turned to Garrett next.

He lifted her off the floor when he hugged her, and squeezed her so tightly that she had made a small sound as her breath escaped her. He followed the same pattern as Micah, bringing his face toward hers and brushing his scent onto her. When he finally set her down, she faced Lloyd, uncertain.

Control. He reminded himself. Maintain control. He had known what to expect with an omega, but he didn't imagine the unforgiving need that ached within him. Her sweet, rich scent had wafted into his lungs, burning a fever into him. He tried to ignore the throbbing down his length and into his knot. Let her go, he told himself.

He indulged himself with a single, deep breath of her scent, and placed a featherlight kiss onto her forehead. "Goodbye, Olivia." He resisted the unfamiliar urge to chase her when walked away from him.

Each of them had stood there in silence, with newfound fear crackling between them. Lloyd knew before any of them had spoken that they were attached. After one date, he realized that they would never get enough of her.