A slight gasp hitched out of me as the butterflies began to return. Noah went on as his other hand came up to cup my cheek.
“I’m your alpha. If you’ll let us be your pack, I will take care of you. We all will. No one is going to harm you. Not while we’re around.” He kissed the top of my nose and stepped back. “Think about it. We’re not going anywhere.” He walked past Lucas, slapping his ass roughly, as he grabbed a thermos of coffee that Lucas had prepared, plucked his hat from where it hung on a peg by the door and stepped out.
Lucas whistled. “That man sure can make your toes curl when he puts effort into it, can’t he, Darlin’?” He held out his hand to me. “You’re turning a little purple.”
That’s when I remembered to inhale with a sharp gasp. I don’t know how long I’d forgotten to breathe.
Lucas’s hand was warm as it engulfed mine, and he squeezed it, his smile knowing and kind.
His smile remained but turned serious for a moment. “He speaks for all of us, you know. Every word was true.” He wrapped an arm around me to bring me against his side. Warm lips pressed into my forehead as I was engulfed by his basil and mint scent.
“Now, let’s get you a cinnamon roll and coffee.” He swatted my ass and pointed me toward the table. “Go sit at the table. I have a surprise for you in a little bit.”
He promptly helped me sit on the kitchen chair, pushed it in easily, and shortly after set a plate with a freshly made cinnamon roll, and a mug of coffee in front of me. The roll was covered in the sweet icing that I’d gotten a taste of. I picked it up, ignoring the fork that was next to the plate and bit into the hot, sweet goodness.
Stupid fork would just slow me down.
Lucas loved the way I devoured his food. The brilliant glint that entered his eyes when I praised his cooking was intoxicating.
“Oh, Lucas,” My mouth was full because I kept taking bites as soon as I swallowed. “This is amazing!” I took a second to take a sip of the coffee, and it paired so well with the roll it was almost orgasmic.
“I know.” Lucas sat next to me with his plate and coffee mug. “All the better to seduce you into being my baby boo.” He fluttered his eyelashes at me dramatically, making me choke on the sip of coffee I’d been in the middle of. Lucas laughed and patted my back as I cleared my throat. “Sorry about that, Darlin’.”
Grabbing a napkin in the middle of the table, I wiped the liquid that had gone everywhere when I coughed up my coffee. “You’re not sorry, you jerk!” I laughed, making sure he knew I was teasing. “What’s this surprise?”
“You’ll see in a few minutes, my adorable penguin.” He booped my nose playfully as he finished his breakfast.
That was fast. I was only halfway through mine. Guys really had a different appetite.
I shook my head, mildly disgusted at how fast he could eat.
I savored my coffee and the rest of my cinnamon roll as I watched Lucas sashay around the kitchen.
What was he doing? Was that a picnic basket?
Oh, a picnic sounded lovely.
“Why don’t you go do your drive around, and then when you get back, it’ll be time for us to go?”
I was startled as James spoke from directly behind me. My hand flew to my chest, and I about jumped out of my seat. “Warn a girl next time before you speak so close to her ear,” I chastised him and swatted playfully at his bicep.
“He’s a stealthy bastard, that’s for sure.” Lucas leaned against the counter with a wide grin spread over his face.
The smile on James’ face as I gazed up at him left me breathless. He hadn't had such a carefree, serene expression on his face the entire time I’d been here.
It made me ache for him.
He reached out and cupped my cheek, running his thumb over my bottom lip. “You look beautiful this morning, little one.”
Unconsciously, my tongue slipped out to run over my bottom lip, but instead, it touched his thumb. Heat flooded over my face as James sucked in a harsh breath.
Desire swept through my body as I drew his thumb between my lips. My tongue circled the thick digit as my gaze never strayed from his. Those dark eyes flared to life like burning chips of obsidian.
It was like another entity was possessing me. Heat curled in my lower belly as the connection between James and I burned even brighter.
“Fuck, Bri,” James cursed. He slowly withdrew his thumb from my mouth. “You’re going to make me explode right here and now without even touching my cock.”
My eyes widened, and I dropped my gaze to the floor before I tried to turn away.