Page 21 of Love in Excess

He doesn’t immediately grab onto that. “Regardless, I do have to check in at work. I’ll be back for another date, though. Maybe dinner.” My brows furrow in confusion before he explains. “Hunter seems to be playing matchmaker. He mentioned that today might be a little long and that if I wanted a second date, tonight would be the best one.”

I snort and then nod, recognizing that we’re all pushing a little bit in our own ways. “Okay. Dinner. Do I get a kiss before you leave or is that too much?”

“Find me my shirt from yesterday and I’ll give youtwokisses.”

I let out a little squeal and dash into the laundry, praying that Hunter was his thorough self last night. He always takes good care of me that I know it’ll extend to Lincoln. And just like I thought, there’s Lincoln’s clothes sitting folded on top of the dryer, crisp and clean. I rush back over to him with the clothing, Lincoln staring at it amused.

“When did he even have time for that?”

“He’s a magician. Kisses please!”

He laughs as he slips on the shirt and changes into the shorts, leaving the pants he borrowed from Hunter on the small stand by the door. “Coming right up, sweetie.” And then he wraps a hand around the front of my neck before dragging me into a full, tongue licking kiss, any hesitation from the night before gone. It’s like last night opened a different door, Lincoln leaning into a slightly different, more dominant persona that I haven’t yet explored.

An embarrassing moan tears from my throat as I cling to him, slick coating the liner in my panties. Thank fuck I put it on or I’d be a sticky mess and Lincoln would be able to smell my arousal. His cock thickens against my belly, desire building beneath my skin until I’m starting to wriggle against him. I wouldn’t mind him staying a little longer but…

Lincoln breaks the kiss, his irises a little darker than usual. “As much as I’d love to give you that second kiss, I think it’s best we postpone it. Until tonight, sweetie. Stay safe, okay?”

I barely manage a goodbye, still trying to catch my breath before he’s gone and I’m left wondering what to do for the day.

CELESTE

Crepes? Eaten.

House? Cleaned.

Well, sort of. I started mopping the kitchen out of boredom and then started in on my nest before counting all of the pillows and realizing there were an odd number. Mentally, I made a list of everything I’d need from the nesting store before then pouring over takeout flyers to figure out where I wanted to take Lincoln for dinner.

He thought he was going to be asking me out on a date but no, not this time. Maybe next time. Probably not. I finally settle on a cute little place with outdoor seating, perfect for Jasmine, and I can already picture his shy smile when I drag him there.

I was gonna text him the details but I decide to give it a few more hours before I bother him again. Hunter said slow andwhile last night was anything but, I’m trying. However, that means at least two more hours of boredom before I bully Hunter into having lunch with me.

I can’t even waste my time with Jasmine, my heart hurting a little that she’s alone just like I am.We’ll have to rectify that,I tell myself. Tonight, at dinner, I’m going to let Lincoln know that Jasmine can stay with me. Then we can both keep each other company until our Daddies get home.

I grimace at the awful joke and quickly shake it away, reminding myself never to say something so disgusting again. Instead of just sitting here, twiddling my thumbs, I grab my list and head for the nesting store. A few pillows and then lunch with my Alpha, what could be a better morning?

Lunch with both my Alpha and Beta would be better.

I smirk at the thought of sharing a meal outside with both of them, Lincoln shooting us shy glances until he’s comfortable enough to show off those expressions he made last night. I shudder at the thought of him being all growly and dominant like Hunter does before trying to think of spiders. If the wrong person catches my heat scent, I’m going to be fucked.

The bell jingles as I step inside, and I’m hit with the warm, clean scent of cotton and lavender. My shoulders relax as I wander the aisles, my fingers trailing over soft velvets and fluffy wools. I’m eyeing a deep purple throw, imagining it draped over my nest. Needing a picture to make sure it matches the ones in my nest, I pull out my phone and hold the blanket up to capture the rich color.

Perfect.

I’m just about to put it down when a voice cuts through the quiet. “Fancy seeing you here,” Carter muses, his tone slick with something that makes my skin crawl. “I would’ve thought Hunter did absolutely everything for you.”

My heart lurches into my stomach as I turn around, absolutely horrified to find Carter standing a few feet away. He’s got a healthy black eye and a split lip, no doubt from my Alpha and Beta defending me two days ago. I have no idea how I didn’t catch his scent before now but it hits me all at once, sour citrus and stale beer.

I swallow nervously, trying not to show him my discomfort. “I do things myself,” I say, keeping my voice steady, though my fingers tighten on the blanket. “But I like when he does them too. Why does that bother you?”

Carter laughs, the harsh sound setting my nerves on edge. “Because he and some other fucking beta tried to hand me my ass for not treating you right,” he says, stepping closer. “Come to find out, you just use people. Already got another Beta, huh? That’s what I heard.”

My blood runs cold because no one should know that. Which means Carter is just angry that he got beat up. “What are you talking about? Are you keeping tabs on me?” The thought of him sniffing around my life, digging into what’s mine, makes my skin prickle. He knows where we live which means he could have been watching last night and when Lincoln didn’t leave…

He cackles as he reaches for me but I swipe out of his reach. “Don’t touch me! You have no right to touch me.” The handprint on my arm is no longer visible but the memory from that moment is still there, fear kicking up in my chest.

Carter’s smirk doesn’t falter. “Stop playing hard to get, Celeste. I took you out to a fancy dinner and you ate your fill just to reject me? Is Hunter low on funds or some bullshit? Does he not feed you?”

“And I don’t owe youanything,” I snap back at him, clutching the blanket to my chest.

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