Page 54 of Knot Our Reality

“She has giggles and unable to walk. So I help.” Alexei sets me down, tapping my butt when I go to climb inside.

I spin around, eyes wide, to find him smirking at me. “Something wrong?”

Eyes narrowed, I shake my head. It’s not like I have a problem with him touching my butt. I just didn’t realize we were that comfortable with one another.

I wouldn’t mind him touching it in another context, that’s for sure.

Male groans sound out as I settle into the back seat between Gavin and Paxton, leaving the middle seats for the twins.

“What?” I ask, glancing between my suitors.

Paxton chuckles. “I don’t know what you were thinking when you climbed into the SUV, Emilia, but you were perfuming like crazy.”

My cheeks flush, but I remain silent. There’s no way I’m telling them what was running through my mind.

I’m seven months pregnant, and not once have I wanted sex. Now, it’s all I can think about. It’s ridiculous.

It’s not like I can just take one of my suitors for a roll in the sheets. I mean, sure, Icould, but it would be something more than a one-nightstand. I’m not ready to start thinking about choosing any of my suitors for my pack yet, which means I need to get this shit under control.

Luckily, none of them press the topic. We fall back into the easy conversation we’d been sharing at breakfast, and it’s just…nice.

Instead of heading into town, Mike drives us further out. Twenty minutes later, he pulls into the Crimson Sands Desert Tours parking lot.

“What is desert tour?” Nikolai asks, frowning through the window.

“I’m heading inside. Stay in the car until I come back.” Lucas is out of the car before anyone can say anything else.

I shake my head. “It’s a tour of the desert.”

The scowl is back on Nikolai’s face. “I do not know what means.”

“We’re going to ride around the desert with a tour guide who will point out things to us. We’ll stop for lunch and a surprise part of the way through. It’s going to be fun,” I assure him.

“Ignore Nikolai. He spoilsport. It sounds fun to me.”

“I don’t want to argue with the grumpy one,” Paxton says slowly, his eyes on Nikolai. “But it really does sound like a lot of fun.”

Nikolai shakes his head. “Bet it not safe. Terrible idea.”

Mike has been trying to hide his laughter, but at this, he just loses it. “Holy shit, Nikolai. I didn’t think you could get any grumpier. By the way, Lucas is on his way out.”

I bounce in my seat. It’s been a few years since I’ve been to Joshua Tree, and I’m more than ready to get out there.

I’m most excited about visiting the Joshua Tree Waterfalls. It’s a massive lake with a thousand-foot waterfall.

According to historical records, it didn’t exist before the Event. It’s believed that it formed following the earthquakes that ravaged California. Even though it’s in the desert, the waterfall runs year-round, with the lake being fed from underground as well.

I’m just glad it exists. I remember it being utterly relaxing when my pack and I came years ago.

Before I can dwell on thoughts of the past, the back door to the SUV swings open. Nikolai and Alexei exit first, and I quickly follow them, allowing Alexei to help me out.

“We can head right inside,” Lucas tells us as Mike shuts off the vehicle. Gavin and Paxton climb out, Mike joining us moments later.

The twins walk on either side of me as Lucas scoffs, shaking his head. “You are aware it’s mine and Mike’s job to keep her safe, right?”

“You can do from in front or behind her,” Nikolai says. “We guard her too. She be safe with us.”

Instead of arguing, Lucas gives one last shake of his head before turning back toward the building. Mike’s laughter trails behind us as he falls in at the back of the group.

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