Talk About… Rivalry (Rockwood Valley Omegaverse #2)

28. Leo

Leo

I was so far behind my packmates when it came to Sidney that it wasn’t even funny. It was my fault, I knew that.

There was still residual tension between us, despite the fact that we both wanted this. She was still uncertain and with her heat not quite hitting yet, there was no reassurance that we were scent matches.

If that even fixed the issue.

Regardless, we all had an appointment for scent blockers and that had seemed to calm some of her nerves.

It was still early in the day when I gathered up my things to head to the lounge. I put my own work into it for weeks just like I had this house. Though I hadn’t been back since finding her, my contractors had been working the entire time.

On Taylor’s insistence, I even hired a designer to come in for me since I got such a deal on the building itself and could afford it.

It was a lot easier to outsource some of the work while I tried to figure out my chaotic life.

Sidney was unexpected, but I was so fucking happy.

She was the first girl I ever noticed. There was just something about the fierce way she approached life that drew me in.

She was so pretty back then, but now she was downright gorgeous.

Then I fucked it all up. Guilt still bogged me down and I wasn’t sure how to fix this rift. I’d tried to be there for her, take care of her, but she needed more. Deserved more.

I hated that we had brought out Sidney’s vulnerability lately. The fact that I had added to it, knowing that she had trauma with her mom, was breaking my heart.

I needed to get Sidney alone so we could talk. I wanted to properly apologize and explain again how sorry I was.

We had our closure and I didn’t think she was holding it against me, but something wasn’t quite right between us still.

For once, fate was working on my side. Sidney was pouring coffee into a travel mug when I walked into the kitchen.

“Where are you headed off to?” I questioned, coming over and brushing my hand along her arm in greeting before grabbing a mug down for myself.

“I don’t even know,” she admitted. “I’m just going crazy in here. My heat isn’t kicking in and I don’t know what to do with myself.”

“Hey, it’s okay. All of that’s going to come in time.” She nodded, not really believing me. I had to try something else. “Listen, I’m heading to the lounge to check things out and see how progress is going. Do you want to come with me?”

“Yeah,” she said. It was such a quick answer that she blushed, but my smile was bright with relief. I pressed a kiss to her plush lips.

The fact that she followed when I retreated had warmth building in my chest.

I’d love nothing more than to take her upstairs and fuck her senseless but right now we needed to get to know each other a bit better.

She seemed to be lost in her thoughts as we headed across town. It wasn’t until we stepped out of the car and she saw the Harvey’s Hideaway logo painted on the window that she came back to the present.

“Oh my gosh it’s come so far,” she said, taking it all in. The contractors had already power washed the old brick bringing out its natural colors. The windows were tinted, giving it more of that mysterious flair.

The door had been replaced with an intricately carved wooden one, the handle brass, reminiscent of the vintage vibes I was going for.

“Just wait until you see inside,” I teased, holding out my hand for her. She didn’t hesitate to put her palm in mine and I gave it a squeeze.

More of her insecurity fell away as I led her inside. She was giving me the chance to connect with her and I was grateful.

Even I was shocked as I took in the decor. The dark wood of the small tables and antique chairs stood out against the dark theme of the room. A red light glowed behind the bar glass which reflected the low chandeliers and warm lights back out into the room.

The booths and a few armchairs against the wall were the same dark red velvet. Everything about it was cozy. It reminded me of one of those old prohibition era movies. Which was exactly what Grandpa and I had been going for.

It smelled like fresh paint which kind of killed the vibe but I was so damn happy with the results. I couldn’t stop myself from spinning slowly, taking it all in inch by inch, letting the reality of it sink in.

“This is incredible,” Sidney said. Her voice was full of awe. “How did you get this far?”

“I already had a team waiting to come in, I was just doing the initial fixes on the building. There were a few holes that needed patched, small fixture swaps, that kind of thing,” I explained. “When I realized that I wanted more time with you, I pulled the plug and had him come in early, taking over for me so I could focus on our pack.”

She turned to me so fast and she looked startled. “Wait, you put all this on pause for me?”

“I wouldn’t say I put it on pause, I just handed over the reins,” I corrected. “But I would have if I needed to. You’re more important.”

She chewed on that lip again until I was moving forward and tugging it free yet again.

“You’re always abusing that lip,” I teased, leaning in and hovering for a moment, soaking her in just before kissing her. It gave her a chance to pull away if it was too much but she didn’t. She leaned in.

Our lips collided and I deepened it, hands gripping her hips as I pulled her body flush with mine. My tongue swept in, tangling with hers as I devoured her.

My cock took notice, straining against my pants. If I was this turned on now, I couldn’t imagine what her heat would be like.

When I pulled away I rested my forehead against hers. My eyelids fluttered close as I soaked in her presence, reveling in the warmth of her skin against mine.

“Have I told you lately how sorry I am for the way I acted back then?” My voice was hoarse, full of emotion.

“You did and you don’t have to keep apologizing. I have plenty to apologize for during that time in our lives. I’ll admit, after that lunch from hell, I never would have pictured ending up with you, Leo, but people change.”

“They do,” I admitted. “I’m glad you’re giving me this chance. I want to get to know more about you, to know everything that I don’t already know. I feel like I’m behind the others.”

She let out a little laugh. “It’s not a race, Leo. We’re not going anywhere, right?”

There it was, that vulnerability sneaking in again.

“Exactly,” I said. “So, while I check in on things I’m going to need you to come sit at the bar and tell me every little fact about yourself that I’ve missed over the last several years.”

I led her over, picking her up and putting her on a barstool before walking around to the other side of the bar.

“Can I interest you in a drink, miss?”

“Do you even have any drinks to offer me?” she teased. “That aren’t booze this early in the day.”

“I do,” I confirmed, reaching under to the refrigerator and grabbing out a bottle of water and uncapped it before sliding it over.

“The finest spring water for my lady.”

Her laughter came a little bit easier this time. This was exactly why I needed a moment to just be with Sidney, only the two of us, finding our own place in this pack.

“Where should I start?” Sidney asked. Her fingers playing with the label of the water as she waited for me to answer.

“Start at high school. How did things go for you? I want to know the good, the bad, the sad.”

“There’s really not a lot to tell. The moment I was capable enough I was working on the farm after school, before school, weekends, holidays.”

“Damn, did you even get time for friends?”

“When I was done with my chores I’d sneak over to the Whitaker’s place. I swear they kept my sanity back then. Mama Whitaker is probably the only reason I turned out as well as I did.”

“I’m glad you had them,” I said, a new appreciation for Maverick and his family settling in me. “He’s protective of you, too, isn’t he?”

“Maverick?” she asked, chuckling to herself. “He’s always been the overprotective brother for Avery. I just always assumed that it was the same for me by extension, apparently I’ve just been blind all this time and so was he.”

“Two ships passing in the night,” I agreed. “I’m glad you found your way together. You’re a good match.”

The corner of her lip tipped up in a half smile. “You’re only saying that because you’re mine, too.”

“Oh, absolutely I am,” I said, not bothering to hide it. “That rivalry would have been a lot deeper if it hadn’t worked out this way.”

She glanced around. “Now that I’m seeing this place, I can agree that it's not the same kind of bar that the Whitaker’s own.”

Man, I needed to hear that. I’d offered to take a step back so Maverick and I could come to some sort of peace, but this was my dream and that hadn’t changed. It just shifted a little to include Sidney.

“Thanks, Sidney,” I said, giving her a shy smile before I started pulling out the paperwork that I needed to go over. “Now, keep going. I need more. I want to know everything about my mate.”

She let out a little laugh. “My life was really just boring. I kept being friends with Avery. I worked on the farm up until last week when all this went down.”

“How did your dad react?” We hadn’t had a chance to touch base after she and Maverick went to pick up her things. They both came back a little bit somber.

“I’m not even sure,” she admitted with a shrug. There was a sadness in her eyes and I wished I could do anything to chase it away. “He barely noticed I was gone. I was already replaced, actually. He had a few more ranch hands there and I’m sure now that I’m out of the cottage, someone else will be moving in. He seemed to be trying but I won’t be holding my breath.”

“His loss, Sidney. You’re amazing and you never deserved the way they treated you.”

“Thanks,” she said, letting out a sad sigh.

“So, what else is there to know about Sidney Vance?”

“My favorite color is green. I’d eat tacos for every meal if I could. And, I don’t know how to react when people compliment me. My emotions are a little crazy lately. I’ve never had normal heats. I’ve got only a few close friends and I’ve picked up more hobbies than the average person could manage in a lifetime to try filling the quiet nights.”

“Any of them stick?” I questioned.

“Art,” she said, not looking up at me this time. “I really love to sketch and draw. When I can get my hands on supplies, I like to paint. That one’s a bit harder to do in a cramped space and I’m always busy anyway. Regardless, none of that matters now. I have to find a job. One that pays actual money.”

“Not until after your heat. You can’t start and then take weeks off, so you don’t have to figure it out right this second.”

She let out a breath. I think that was something she needed to hear.

“Could you do something with the art? Has there ever been some sort of dream you’ve had around it? Teaching, commissions?”

She didn’t answer right away, letting it sink in and mulling it over.

“It’s not really job worthy, but when I was in high school and really found out I had some skill, my art teacher encouraged me to get a booth at the fair and to sell some of my work. She even tried to talk to me about the world of digital prints and things like that but I never found the time.”

“Well, it just so happens that Maverick is trying to start that fair back up. Maybe it’s time to start working on your pieces for the booth.”

“I’m not even sure I’m good enough anymore. Not to mention most of my subjects are things around Rockwood Valley. The horses, the landscapes, the people.”

“Wait… the people?” Her cheeks burned but she nodded.

She looked at me, hesitating for a second before she pulled a sketchbook out of the bag she carried. She turned it sideways so we could both look as she opened it up.

I watched, transfixed as she flipped through. I caught glimpses of gorgeous views, horses, and other pieces that were beautifully brought to life.

She really did capture the beauty in this town and I wished I could see it in color, not just charcoal on paper.

Then my eyes widened as she landed on a scene. It was the pack sitting around the couch. The background was simple, just a few lines to show the archway to the kitchen and the couch we were sitting on.

It was the four of us that really caught my eye.

She’d captured Taylor’s dimples, the light dancing in his eyes, and his mess of curls.

Maverick had a half scowl on his face, but his eyes were locked on her and brimming with love.

There was a soft look of longing on my face. It was the same way I’d looked at her since that day.

Then there was Bennett. Just a small smirk on his face as he watched, captivated by both Taylor and Sidney.

She, of course, had her back turned. It was only the back of her head and I almost wished that I had the skills to draw her so she could see herself the way she saw all of us.

“Sidney, this is incredible.”

“Do you really think so?” she asked. Even though I loved her, I wouldn’t lie to her. My answer was full of sincerity.

“I know so,” I corrected. “And you didn’t do this while we were sitting there, this was all from memory.”

She tucked a loose strand of her chestnut hair behind her ear and met my gaze.

“Yeah, I’ve studied you guys enough to be able to put it on the page. I worked on this over the course of a week so I was able to catch more details.

Her delicate fingers tapped on a freckle on the right side of Taylor’s face, and then moved to the little scar that marred Maverick’s cheek.

“We need to frame this and put it in the pack house,” I said. “And after this heat is over we’re going to go get some supplies so you can start working on some actual canvases to mix in, too. If you do the booth, I’d do a mix of these sketches as well. There are plenty of people who love the minimalistic approach.”

She blinked at me, looking torn.

“Oh, actually, the garage would make a perfect studio. There are windows so you have air flow and we could add ventilation. There’s plenty of space and it’s insulated so you won’t freeze in the winter. We just need to polish up the floors and make a few changes, but it would be safe for you to make messes without worry.”

Sidney stood up so abruptly that I started to worry that I'd overstepped. My eyes tracked every movement as she walked around to the other side of the bar, stopping just in front of me and pulling my face towards hers.

“Thank you,” was all she said before she locked her lips on mine. For once I let her take the lead as she deepened the kiss. A soft moan escaped her as she fisted my shirt, holding me as close as possible.

When she pulled away, both of our chests were heaving for breath as need built between us.

“No one’s ever seen me the way you guys do… like I matter.”

“You don’t have to thank us for that. You see us the same way,” I promised. And then it was me who moved this time, my hands going on either side of her face as I kissed her again, backing her up against the bar top.

“Are the doors locked?” she gasped out as I moved my kiss from her lips, to the delicate skin of her neck, teasing my tongue over the sensitive flesh behind her ear, making her shiver.

“It is,” I confirmed. “Tell me I can have you, Sidney?”

“Fuck me, Leo. Make me yours,” she begged.

That was exactly what I wanted to hear. With a soft growl I lifted her, taking her to one of the unfinished booths and shoving the table out of the way. She looked up at me, eyes dancing with amusement as I loomed over her.

“So impatient,” she teased.

“I’ve waited to taste you forever, I just didn’t know it yet,” I answered as I gently pulled her shirt over her head, tossing it aside, then did the same with her pants.

She was wearing a soft cotton bralette and matching, high waisted underwear. It was practical, yet sexy, and completely Sidney.

“So fucking perfect.” My whispered words were full of awe as I took in every inch of her toned, bronzed body, even loving the permanent tan lines she had from working on the ranch year round.

Her waist was tapered and she had wide hips that I wanted to sink my teeth into. Her ass was rounded and I couldn’t wait to see it without barriers.

The swell of her breasts over the top of her bralette was a teasing peek and I needed to see all of her more than I needed to breathe.

She squirmed under my attention but I didn’t let her shy from me. My hands wrapped around her thighs as I fell to my knees, pulling her closer and breathing her in.

My nose teased along the inside of her leg until I reached the apex of her thighs. She was damp with slick, so needy for me.

There was that hint of pure Sidney. Fig, jasmine, moss, and fresh mountain air. This time it was stronger, my cock twitching as I breathed it in, committing it to memory before it was gone again.

My entire body was on fire for this omega. She may doubt us, but I had no worry that she wasn’t mine. The way that scent sank into my bones was telling enough, and it wasn’t as strong as it would be during her heat, but these teasing bursts were happening more and more.

She gasped, arching against the touch as I teased my fingers over her pussy through the fabric, smiling at how reactive she was.

Then, in true Sidney fashion, she was scrambling out of her clothes, not the least bit embarrassed about being demanding.

Fuck, I loved this girl. Though she wasn’t ready to hear that yet.

With a firm grip I moved her back to the cushion before spreading her legs for me. The sight of her glistening pussy was almost enough for me to come in my pants like a teenager.

One swipe of my tongue had her crying out, the sounds falling from her lips as I tasted every inch of what was mine, was even better. I was rock hard and aching but the need to make her come was winning out.

“Fuck,” she gasped. “Leo.”

“Say my name again,” I ordered, gently biting my teeth down on her clit as I slid a finger into her core.

“Leo!” This time it was loud, ringing out in the empty room around us as I added a second finger, curling them slightly as I slid them in and out of her as I continued to devour her.

She tasted like honey and sin, so sweet and that scent of clean air, fig, and a hint of jasmine filled my senses even more.

Her scent was truly dormant, not broken as she thought, and I couldn’t wait for her to realize how wrong she was.

With one last pump of my hand, she was clenching around me. Her whimpering cries intensified as I fucked her through the orgasm, trying to stretch it out and drive her crazy in the best way.

When her body relaxed against the velvet, chest heaving and eyes dazed, I finally pulled my hand free. Her eyes focused on my movement as I lifted my slick coated fingers to my lips, swirling my tongue around the glistening digits as I cleaned every last drop I could find.

“Tell me you’re going to fuck me now?” she begged. “I need more.”

I pulled her up so she was standing, steadying her before dropping my own clothes. Her hot gaze trailing over me, biting her lip and appreciation shining in her green eyes, had me pausing for a second before scooping her up.

She gasped, instinctively wrapping her legs around me as I pinned her to the wall. I couldn’t wait anymore, the ache in my balls almost unbearable now. I lined myself up, teasing over her swollen sex before pushing into her.

Her head fell back against the wall as I bottomed out. We rested there, bodies slick with sweat and breathing ragged, enjoying the feeling of our connection.

But Sidney wasn’t a patient woman. She shifted her hips, my eyes rolling back at the feel of her tight heat clenching around me.

I pulled my hips back, before snapping them forward again, setting a punishing pace that had us both losing our minds.

“Say you’re mine, Sidney. I want to hear it,” I ordered, practically begging her to believe me. Because after this, I would be ruined for any other omega.

It was only her.

“I’m yours,” she said, the words wavering slightly.

“Again,” I demanded. “Tell me this is real, that you’re mine, then I’ll let you come.”

She whimpered, hips slamming against mine with each thrust as she fought with herself. Our eyes locked together and I tried to tell her without words that I was claiming her, that she was mine.

“Yours,” she finally agreed, this time confidence ringing in them.

I would make sure she continued to believe me every fucking day, because there would be no going back now.