Lyric & the Heartbeats

by Kole, Lana

  As if to prove his point, Emerson rolled his hips into her, the thick base of his knot nudging against her entrance. Lyric rocked up into him, tugged him closer.

  Following her lead, he slid inside with little difficulty, and she gasped desperately as he thrust in and out of her. His knot bumped and stretched her pussy with each retreat and advance, and as Nohen wrapped his lips around her right nipple, Emerson grazed his teeth over her left collarbone.

  She tumbled over the edge again, squeezing around Emerson, his knot. Finally, with a last, violent thrust, he stuttered, began spilling inside her, his cock throbbing so intensely she could feel every pulse against her walls. Her mouth parted on a cry, and Emerson finally sank his teeth into her skin a few inches across from Adra’s bite.

  More tears spilled out of her eyes as she was caught up in the whirlwind of relief, pleasure, and promises.

  Her tears eventually dried, but the pleasure didn’t end. Emerson and Nohen worked together to bring her to orgasm over and over again. Emerson played with her new bite mark, laving and nursing it as his cock throbbed inside her. Nohen played with her clit, her nipples, sucked and licked any inch of skin he could get to, until she was hypersensitive to their touch.

  When Emerson’s knot finally deflated, Lyric slumped into the mattress in a pile of exhaustion.

  “Think we broke her?” Nohen asked, sounding far too smug for someone who’d had his shit rocked by the same alpha.

  “Shuddup,” she murmured, blinking an eye open to squint at the beta. “Wait, no, don’t,” she corrected, reaching out to grab him and pull him down beside her. She nuzzled into his side, not caring—yet—that they were still covered in sweat and… other substances.

  “Sleepy,” she mumbled.

  “Is there room for me in the puppy pile?” Emerson inquired.

  Lyric tugged him to her back, and she couldn’t help the flutter of emotion that lit up her chest. She didn’t know how to contain it, and apparently it didn’t matter. Before sleep took her, surrounded in their scent and their warmth, her lips became a little too loose.

  “Love you,” she murmured.

  She drifted to sleep before she could hear their response.

  Every night on stage, Desi got to wow the audience with a solo performance while everyone got to duck off stage for a short breather. Lyric usually chugged water like her life depended on it, and most of the time it did, if the look on Henry’s face was anything to go by.

  But tonight, Desi was the one who followed her off stage, not Emerson.

  “What’s going on?” Lyric asked, brows notched in confusion.

  “Just watch, stay right there,” Desi answered.

  Lyric planted her feet and leaned into Javi, who’d been visiting side stage more and more often now. Every night he welcomed her with a smile and a hug, even though she was sweaty and in need of a shower. Even now, he wrapped his arm around her and shared his warmth, his spicy, delectable scent mixing with the cool air and the chaos of backstage to keep her grounded.

  Emerson’s voice rang out through the speakers. “I guess you’re not used to seeing me in the spotlight, huh?” he asked.

  The crowd called his name in answer, deafening.

  “What’s he doing?” she questioned Nohen, who’d stopped beside her.

  Nohen crossed his arms, seeming unusually annoyed, even if it was Emerson. “Who knows? Show off.”

  Lyric arched a brow at that, but Nohen waved off her next question before she could even ask it. “Let’s see what he can do.”

  When Henry appeared, he had an armful of water bottles, and passed them out. Under Henry’s watchful gaze, Lyric drank the cool bliss, wiped the sweat from her brow, and watched Emerson from side stage.

  “It’s been a while since I’ve performed solo, but, well… I’ve got a pretty damned good reason tonight. Princess, this one’s for you.”

  Lyric’s cheeks heated even more than they already were, and she ignored Henry’s knowing smile as Emerson began to sing.

  His voice drifted through the arena, and much like the first time she even saw him perform, he put her under a spell. Her gaze hardly left him, and she could tell from the atmosphere that she wasn’t the only one he’d weaved into the magic. The crowd was in awe, and Lyric felt a lump form in her throat that she tried to wash away with the water.

  It didn’t work.

  Her eyes burned as she listened to the lyrics, a song about first chances and failures, second chances and hope.

  She didn’t let a tear fall, but when Javi’s hand bumped into hers, she gripped tight and held on for dear life as Emerson made her heart feel so full she didn’t know what to do with all the emotion.

  The outlet came in the form of Emerson himself when he stepped off stage. The others vacated, and a second later Desi’s voice echoed around the venue, distracting the crowd to give them a moment.

  Fuckers. Planning this sweet shit. How dare they?

  Lyric threw her arms around Emerson, burying her face in his shirt and breathing in his scent, fresh rain that sprinkled around her.

  “That was amazing,” she praised, standing on tiptoes to speak in his ear.

  “You’ve seen me perform before,” he murmured. His cheeks were burning pink, and not just from the exertion of singing.

  Lyric grinned up at him. “Yeah, but not for me.”

  Smiling sheepishly, Emerson shrugged and leaned down, one hand framing her shoulder. As his lips met hers, his thumb stroked over her collarbone… right over their bond mark. Chills spread over her body, a rush of warmth following that went right to her core.

  She swayed toward the alpha, and when he pulled his lips from hers, a smug smile was left in place.

  “Fuckin’ alphas,” she muttered, reaching up for another kiss.

  His grin only grew as he lifted his hand from her collarbone, stroking the knuckles of his fingers across her cheek. In his gaze was nothing but adoration, and Lyric felt her cheeks flush.

  “Let’s get back out there. Desi is tired of stalling,” Emerson said.

  “Okay,” Lyric agreed absently, because her mind was still foggy with everything Emerson.

  She snapped out of it by the time the beat of the music was fed through her in-ears, but the way her chest felt funny, with still new emotions fluttering through her, persisted through the night.

  When she stepped off stage, Javi was waiting for her, and she smiled at his return and let him lead her to the bus.

  They stopped short once she saw the collection waiting on the couch.

  “What’s that?” she asked, referring to the goodies. As she drew closer, pulled in by the scent of honey and lavender, Nohen’s voice followed.

  “I know we don’t have a tub on the bus, but I figured you could use them tonight since it’s our last hotel night.”

  Lyric reached for one of the bath bombs, inhaling the sweet mixture of scents with a smile. “These smell amazing. Does this mean you’re going to share them with me?” she asked with a smug grin.

  But Nohen’s brow dipped. “They’re for you, there’s no sharing with me.”

  Lyric giggled. “I was hitting on you, dummy. You’re supposed to say yes.”

  Nohen’s cheeks heated. “Ohhh. Then yes, I’m happy to share.”

  “Thank you,” she said, getting to her feet and pulling him close for a kiss. “You’re so sweet.”

  “Only the best for the best,” he murmured against her lips.

  And it was the best. They parted ways for the evening as they checked into their hotel rooms, and a few hours later, Lyric came out of the bath smelling fresh and scented and feeling oh so relaxed. At least until she heard the hushed voices outside her door.

  Through the peephole, she found Emerson and Nohen, who were having a heated conversation.

  Their faces drained of blood as she cracked open the door and arched an eyebrow at them.

  “What’s going on and why are you loitering outside my hotel room?”

  Lyr
ic wouldn’t put it past Henry to start round the clock protection. She held in her snicker at the image of them all taking shifts.

  But her humor quickly dissipated as Emerson and Nohen both turned to her, serious expressions taking over their features.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked, dread making her cold even though her skin was still pink from the hot water.

  “Who did you mean?” Emerson questioned, crossing his arms. Nohen matched his posture, and Lyric thought they looked far too similar to characters getting ready for battle in a video game.

  “What are you talking about?” She wanted to take them seriously, really, but they just looked so cute standing there all stern and flustered.

  Nohen sighed. “You said, ‘Love you,’ before you fell asleep. After the… bonding. So who is it?”

  Lyric tilted her head. “I don’t understand.”

  “Who do you love? Which one?” Emerson asked, his finger dancing between himself and the beta.

  Lyric’s eyes widened with understanding. “Oh my god,” she said, a laugh sputtering out of her. “You’re both totally serious right now.”

  She cackled. Laughed and giggled until tears burned at the corner of her eyes and she retreated to the bed. The snick of the lock clicking followed her, and she blinked up at the two of them as she sank down onto the mattress.

  The glare she received from the two of them sobered her up a little, and she scratched at the bond mark over her collarbone, the one belonging to Emerson. His gaze dropped to where she was scratching, and a smile slowly grew across his lips.

  “Both of you, duh. Is this what all this had been about?” she asked, motioning to the basket of bath goodies, the tissue paper fallen to the side like a forgotten bouquet.

  “Maybe,” Nohen grumbled, crossing his arms and avoiding her gaze while his cheeks flushed. Lyric’s heart tipped over.

  “I can’t with you two,” she said, shaking her head and getting to her feet. She wrapped her arms around Nohen, crossed arms and all, and looked up at him, pouting until he finally glanced down at her. “I love you. I’m sorry sleepy Lyric didn’t have the consideration to clarify.”

  Nohen rolled his eyes, though his lips twitched before a genuine smile curled them. “I love you too.”

  He uncrossed his arms and wrapped them around her, picking her up in the process as he kissed her.

  Once she’d reassured her beta, she turned to the pouting alpha. “And do I really have to clarify for you, hmm?” she asked, tugging her robe aside and showing off the shiny scar of his bite mark. “This wasn’t enough?”

  Emerson kicked his chin up. “Alphas like verbal affirmation too, you know.”

  Lyric hid her giggles in his chest. “Well, I love you too, Emerson. Happy?”

  “Immensely,” he answered smugly before picking her up.

  Her heart ached. “I guess Mom was right. I did find an alpha to write me a song.”

  “Not just one,” Emerson purred.

  “And not just alphas,” Nohen added.

  Their bond was filled with nerves, and it made her want to squeeze them tight.

  “I loved it. Thank you,” she said, throat tight.

  “You’re welcome, princess. Now can we go to sleep?” Emerson asked.

  “Yes. Can we invite Adra though? I don’t want anyone feeling left out.” She scratched at her cheek. “But then what about Henry and Javi?”

  Emerson chuckled, his chest bouncing against her. “If you wanted to puppy pile, we should’ve just stayed on the bus.”

  Lyric shrugged. “Then can we go back to the bus?”

  Emerson looked over at the beta, who already had his phone out and was tapping away at the screen.

  “Don’t see why not. We are using the buddy system, aren’t we?” Nohen asked.

  Lyric chuckled, and quickly grabbed her things, including appropriate clothing, before following them down to the bus.

  It was small, and maybe a little cramped, but it was theirs and nothing felt better than sleeping somewhere that smelled less like lemon cleaner and more like home.

  That night, she fell asleep sandwiched between all her alphas and her beta, even if there were still a few she hadn’t claimed.

  As morning dawned, and she rolled over face to face with Javi, who blinked against the early light, she wondered just how long her own patience was going to last.

  Her patience wasn’t holding up strong. In fact, it was growing weaker with every ingredient Javier added to the big ass bowl of brownie mix.

  The white tee stretching across his broad chest was well worn, the sleeves stretched out and loose around his thick biceps which flexed and moved like liquid as he stirred the bowl.

  “Want to help?” Javier asked.

  Lyric shoved her hands under her thighs to stop herself from reaching out to feel his muscles, but did nothing to control her dreamy expression. “Nope,” she answered, popping the ‘p.’ “I’m fine just supervising.”

  “Supervising, hm?” he replied with a knowing smirk.

  Lyric chuckled. “You’re doing a great job, if anyone asks. Stars across the board.”

  “I’ll be sure to let management know,” he teased with a wink.

  Lyric was glad she was seated, because otherwise her knees would have gone weak.

  He added the dry ingredients to the bowl of wet ingredients and stirred even more, holding the bowl to his abdomen with one arm, and mixing with the other.

  “So what makes these brownies fun?” she asked. The ingredients looked pretty normal to her. No rainbow M&Ms or weird chocolates in sight.

  Javier nodded to one of the empty bowls. “THC infused butter.”

  Lyric’s cheeks flushed. She palmed her forehead. “Oh my god. I was thinking rainbow sprinkles or something. I’m so dumb.”

  The deep chuckle that drifted across the counter was like a dessert itself, and Lyric could have indulged for hours.

  “It’s a recipe from my friend Green, different than the one we made earlier in the tour. It comes highly recommended from his omega.”

  “Another omega? Do you know many?”

  Javier shrugged. “Not really my omega friend. I only know Green, and I’ve never met his omega.”

  “Oh, okay. Have you talked to Emma recently?”

  Javier nodded with a fond smile. “Yes. She’s doing great, and she’s so excited to come to the show. Thank you again for letting me invite her.”

  Cheeks flushing under the praise, Lyric waved a hand through the air. “Don’t worry about it. I’m excited to see her again, especially since she’s such a big part of your life.”

  Javier lifted his gaze to her, something shining through that she couldn’t name, but it warmed her from the inside out.

  Silence filled the small space as she watched him work, and only a few moments later, the pan slid into the oven with a clank.

  “While we wait for those to get done…” His tan cheeks flushed as he opened the microwave and pulled out a Tupperware container.

  “You already made something?” Lyric inquired, sitting up taller from her spot on the counter.

  “I made something special for you,” he explained, sitting the container down and cracking the lid. A familiar scent wafted from the plastic, and Lyric grinned as he continued. “They’re lavender and honey blondie bars.”

  “Javi…” Lyric started and then stopped. She didn’t have words. “Did you make this recipe up?”

  He shrugged. “I had the blondie recipe already, I just modified it to fit the taste I wanted. Will you try one?”

  “Look at you using words,” Lyric teased.

  Javier huffed, but his lips twitched the tiniest bit before he pulled out a blondie. “Here.”

  Lyric reached out a hand, but Javi dodged and shifted the bite closer. His warm gaze was intent on her face as he lifted the treat to her lips. Holding his gaze with hers, she bit down through the soft, chewy delight and hummed as the unique flavor hit her taste buds.

  Hi
s gaze was so curious, a hint of worry buried in their depths as she chewed. Lyric wrapped her hand around his wrist and pulled him closer, until he stood between her thighs.

  “They’re delicious. But everything you make is. You made them with me in mind?”

  Javi swallowed, and Lyric tracked the movement. “Yeah.”

  Her patience washed away. “Wanna find out how close you got to the real thing?”

  Javi’s eyes widened slightly, as if he couldn’t believe those words had just come from her lips. To be fair, Lyric was a little surprised too, but that was what happened when she watched Javi work in the kitchen like a fucking professional in that tight white, basically see-through tee, with those jeans that made her want to stick her hands in his back pockets and squeeze.

  And finally, maybe she could.

  Javier dropped the blondie on the counter beside her, and lifted a hand, cupping her face. His palm was warm against her skin, and she nuzzled into him as he lowered his head.

  Once, twice, his lips brushed hers with all the gentleness of a feather, and Lyric reached up, curled her fingers in his dark hair, and pulled him even closer.

  She parted her lips beneath his and brushed her tongue over the seam of his. He got the fuckin’ message and pressed even closer. He was hot, nudging her thighs wider apart and making a space for himself until she could curl her legs around his waist.

  Sliding his hand around the back of her neck, he cradled her as he tilted her up for a deeper kiss. His other hand drifted from her shoulder, brushing her hair to the side, to slide down her back and pull her even closer with a palm against her lower back. Pulling a whimper from her throat with a roll of his hips, he ground against her and Lyric gripped him tightly.

  As Lyric pulled away from their kiss for a breath of air, chest heaving, she slid her hand over the top of his and tugged it down from her cheek before leading it to her thigh. She could have gotten lost in his chestnut eyes as they bore into hers, searching her gaze for something.

  Subconsciously, Lyric might have been trying to play it safe with Javi, but why? What was the point when he kissed her like this, lips full and pillowy against hers, the kisses themselves as purposeful as the way he mixed ingredients in the kitchen?