Page 77 of Forget-Me-Nots and Apricots

"And yet," Gabriel said, not moving closer but not backing away either, "here we are. Four Alphas, who've never been drawn to anyone outside our pack, all feeling the same pull toward you."

My heart hammered against my ribs. "Is that why Dakota kissed me? Because of some... pack instinct?"

Gabriel's expression softened. "No. Dakota kissed you because he wanted to. Because he couldn't resist anymore." His eyes held mine, intense and unwavering. "Just as I'm finding it increasingly difficult to resist."

Heat flooded my body at his words, pooling low in my stomach. "This is insane," I whispered, more to myself than to him. "I've known you for days, not months or years."

Gabriel studied me, his expression thoughtful. "Sometimes time isn't the measure that matters. Some connections form instantly—like your flowers finding the right soil, the right conditions to bloom." He paused, taking a careful breath. "I'm not asking you for anything, Vivian. None of us are. We're just acknowledging what's happening."

I wrapped my arms around myself, suddenly feeling vulnerable despite being fully clothed. "And what exactly is happening, Gabriel? Because I feel like I'm being pulled in four different directions at once."

"Maybe you are," he acknowledged, his voice gentle. "Maybe we all are. This isn't a situation any of us anticipated."

"That's not very reassuring," I muttered, turning back to my flowers, needing something tangible to ground me.

I heard Gabriel move closer, felt the warmth of him behind me though he didn't touch me. "We would never make you do anything you aren’t comfortable with…but we also are having a hard time staying away from you.”

I felt my breath catch at his words, torn between the irrational desire to lean back into him and the equally strong urge to flee. "So what happens now?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Gabriel remained motionless behind me, close enough that I could feel his warmth but carefully maintaining that sliver of space between us. "That depends on you," he said, his voice a low rumble that I felt more than heard. "We can take a step back, focus solely on your safety and the case. Or..."

I turned slowly to face him, needing to see his expression. "Or?"

His blue eyes were darker now, intense with barely restrained emotion. "Or we acknowledge this connection and see where it leads—at whatever pace you're comfortable with."

I searched his face, looking for any sign of deception or manipulation, but found only sincerity and that same careful restraint. I held my breath as I looked up at him and decided I would follow my instincts. It has never lead me wrong, so even in this situation, I hope it would lead me down the right path again.

“Okay.” Just as soon as those words left me I felt lips on my own , my arms instinctively wrapping around Gabriel's neck as he pulled me against him. Unlike Dakota's kiss—fierce and explosive—Gabriel's was controlled intensity, a slow burn that ignited every nerve ending in my body. His lips moved against mine with deliberate precision, as if he'd calculated exactly how to make me melt against him.

One of his hands cupped my face, thumb stroking my cheek, while the other settled at the small of my back, pulling me closer until there was no space left between us. I gasped against his mouth, and he deepened the kiss, his tongue sliding against mine in a way that made my knees weaken. He tasted like coffee and something distinctly Gabriel—rich and complex and addictive.

When we finally broke apart, both breathing heavily, his forehead rested against mine, his blue eyes dark with desire. "I've wanted to do that since I first laid eyes on you.”

I laughed, feeling free for the first time in forever. I was doing this, and I didn’t regret it. Things definitely were going to get interesting around here.

“I guess a meeting with everyone is going to have to happen.” I told him, as he gently released me, his eyes still dark with hunger as he watched my every move.

"I think that would be best," Gabriel said, reluctantly creating more space between us, though his eyes never left mine. "All four of us need to talk with you together, so everyone understands where we stand." He brushed his thumb across my bottom lip, his touch feather-light. "No pressure, no expectations. Just honesty."

I nodded, trying to ignore how my body still hummed from his kiss. "When?"

"Tonight. After dinner." Gabriel's expression turned thoughtful. "These feelings... they're new for all of us, Vivian. We've been a pack for years, but we've never felt this kind of pull toward anyone else."

"Not even separately?" I asked, genuinely curious. "None of you have been in relationships?"

Gabriel's lips quirked in a half-smile. "Relationships, yes. But nothing that ever felt like this." He glanced at my work table, his expression shifting to something more practical. "How much more do you need to finish tonight?"

I followed his gaze to the half-completed arrangements, forcing my mind back to the task at hand. "A few more hours, at least. I want to get the centerpieces done before I call it a day."

"I'll leave you to it, then," Gabriel said, taking a deliberate step back. "We can talk more at dinner. All of us."

I nodded, suddenly feeling nervous about the prospect of facing all four Alphas after what had transpired with two of them. "I'll be there."

Gabriel's eyes lingered on me for a moment longer, his expression softening. "Take breaks," he reminded me, echoing Dakota's earlier concern. "And hydrate. The greenhouse gets deceptively warm this time of day."

"Yes, sir," I replied, the teasing response automatic. His eyes darkened at my words, much like Dakota's had earlier.

"Careful," he murmured, his voice dropping an octave. "Or I might not leave."

---