“Sweetheart, that’s not what I meant, and I think you know it.”

“Yeah.”

My little Omega leaned harder into my body. It did nothing for the state of my cock, already hard simply because it was the morning and she was close and smelled like a fucking treat.

“It’s just the world she’s from. I’m from. It was so important when Eva was younger, trying to cultivate a brand which could be successful and not harm her career or my dad’s. It matters less now, but it’s still the way she is.” Then more quietly. “That little bit of control in her life is all she has left.”

I banded my arm around her chest, keeping her fully against me. “It’s good to understand where it comes from, even if she doesn’t mean any harm. It’s affected you.”

Esme shrieked as Ben pulled her away by the ankles until he had room to settle over her. Much like last night when our Omega was given every distraction she needed with our mouths between her thighs, showing her exactly how much we loved the dress.

“When you go meet your mom, wear what you want to wear. I don’t want you thinking about how the pictures of you will reflect on us, on your mom or Eva, or even on you. They’re just pictures, and people will forget about them. I would one thousand percent rather you be happy and comfortable with a few ‘bad,’” he used his fingers as quotes, “pictures than to keep feeling like you can’t be who you are. Okay?”

“She’s already pissed at me. You want me to poke the bear?”

Avery sat up. “If poking the bear is what it takes for Momma Williams to understand who you are, that you’re an adult and your own person, and your personal image isn’t going to shatter the family? Then yes.”

Rylan stretched. “Bonus points if you wear some of our lingerie underneath it, knowing we chose something for you. So scandalous, wearing something sexy under your clothes.”

She flushed, and Ben kissed her before he let her up. “I guess it’s time to get back to a regular schedule. Not gonna lie, I enjoyed the break. My tattoo ass is going to be out of practice from lounging in this nest.”

He wasn’t wrong. It was time to get back to the studio. Our clients had been good about pushing off appointments, and the guest artists who’d agreed to fill in during our absence were hits, so we were told. But we were behind schedule now. I would put it off forever to be with Esme, but she had a life and a career too. We needed to settle into a more natural pattern with her now that we were courting, her heat was over, and she’d agreed to move in.