Page 7 of Devotion

“This is so exciting. Playdates and parties! I can’t wait for them to be the best of friends. And cousins.”

“Well, not by blood,” I offered. When she looked at me quizzically, I continued. “Eden will be their cousin by blood because... you know, magic. But this one is all Kingston.”

“How can you tell?” Rosie asked, blinking her big Blackthorne eyes at me. “Am I supposed to be able to tell?”

Ben nuzzled into her again, nipping her ear. “He knows t-the s-same way I do.”

Rosie’s cheeks went pink, and Ben let out a low growl. “Sunday, I have to go. Something suddenly came up.”

I laughed. “Oh, I’ll bet it did. Have fun. I’ll tell you as soon as they know.”

She was too busy kissing her mate to pay me any attention as I ended the call.

“She sounded happy.”

I jumped with a little yelp, my hand flying to my chest. “Jesus, Caleb. You promised me you’d stop sneaking up on me. Don’t make me get you a bell.”

He smirked and leaned against the wall with his arm crossed. Fuck, he was hot all sleep rumpled like this. His eyes had that hooded darkness to them which reminded me of things best done in the bedroom. Or any available surface, really.

“Don’t take the lord’s name in vain, Miss Fallon. Haven’t you learned anything in our sessions?”

My thighs clenched together on instinct. “I guess I need more scheduled.”

“That can always be arranged. I’ll just make a standing appointment for you, shall I?”

“Yes, please.”

He was just about to swoop in and kiss me again when the door opened and three familiar sets of footsteps filled the air.

“Honey, we’re ho-ome,” Kingston sang.

“As if we needed the heads-up,” Caleb muttered, reluctantly letting me go.

“God, I hope he kept his mouth shut. I really want to be the one to tell them.”

Caleb pressed a kiss to my forehead before whispering, “If he didn’t, he’ll have to take it up with me. I’m sure there’s an old well around here somewhere.”

“It smells amazing in here, Kærasta.” Alek’s voice echoed from the hallway as the three of them came into the room.

My heart fluttered just like it always did when I saw him, broad, strong, and beautiful. My Viking had no idea how much he affected me. When he cut me a glance and smirked, I instantly changed my tune. He knew. Oh, Alek Nordson definitely knew.

His cheeky little wink only confirmed it. “What’s this?” he asked, spying the envelope I’d laid on top of his plate.

“Don’t open it!” I blurted.

“Way to send mixed signals, Sunshine,” Kingston teased, taking his seat.

I blushed as I explained, “I want you all to open them together.”

“Color me intrigued,” Noah murmured, coming over and giving me a kiss before claiming his spot at the table. “Dove, is everything all right? Your heart is racing.”

Shit.

He was so in tune with my stupid heart, and I couldn’t control how nervous I was to tell him. The last thing he needed was for me to remind him of how hurt I’d been when he found out about Eden. Dragging that up again wouldn’t do us any good.

“Sit down, Alek,” I said a little too sharply. “Please? You too, Caleb.”

I would have sworn Kingston and Caleb were laughing at me, in on the news as they were, but they had pretty good poker faces because there was no hint of it in their expressions.

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