Page 87 of Knot So Sweet
The words should terrify me. Instead, they make something warm bloom in my chest. "You want to build a life with me?"
"We all do." He pulls me down for another kiss, this one slower, deeper. "If you'll have us."
I lose myself in the kiss for a long moment, letting my body say what words can't. When we finally break apart, both breathing hard, I rest my forehead against his.
"For five years, I didn't get to choose anything," I whisper. "Mark made every decision. Controlled everything, which is why I filed a restraining order against him."
"You did?" Liam asks, raising an eyebrow.
I don’t want to talk about him. Or my past. I just want to focus on the here and now.
"But you three? You keep asking what I want. Keep giving me options. Do you know how powerful that is?"
His hands move up my back, gentle but possessive. "You deserve choices."
"I want you. All of you."
"Even Garrick when he's being a grumpy asshole?"
I laugh, the sound bubbling up from somewhere genuine. "Especially then. He's cute when he's grumpy. Gets this little crease between his eyebrows that I want to kiss."
"You're going to spoil him."
"Too late. I think the three of you are already spoiled on me." I climb off his lap with reluctance, retrieving my cocoa. "Which is why you're all going to have to share me without killing each other."
"We can manage." He stands, stretching, and I watch appreciatively as his shirt rides up to reveal a strip of toned stomach. "We've been doing okay so far."
"Because I haven't made you choose yet." I curl back into my blankets, feeling bold. "But eventually, you're all going to want me at the same time. What happens then?"
The look he gives me is pure heat. "Then we'll figure it out. Together."
My phone buzzes on the coffee table, and I glance at the screen. Liam's name lights up with a text.
Liam:Garrick's hosting poker at the bakery tonight. Storm's coming in. You should come before the roads get bad. I'll teach you to play. Among other things.
I read the message twice, heat flooding my cheeks at the implication in those last three words. Liam's mouth is as talented at card tricks as it is at other activities.
"Poker?" I show Xaden the text. "Is this a real game or are you three just looking for an excuse to get me alone during a snowstorm?"
"Can't it be both?" He's already texting the group chat. "Come on. Before the weather gets worse. You know Garrick will worry if you're driving in this."
He's right. Garrick's protective instincts go into overdrive when conditions are dangerous. Which is sweet and also slightly annoying when I'm perfectly capable of handling myself.
But then again, having three alphas fuss over me isn't exactly a hardship.
"Fine." I stand, letting the blanket fall away. "But I'm bringing the brownies. And if Garrick thinks I'm folding just because he gives me that intense stare, he's got another thing coming."
Xaden's grin is knowing. "That intense stare works pretty well on you from what I've seen."
"That's different." I head to my bedroom to grab a warmer sweater. "That's bedroom eyes. Poker eyes are completely different."
"Sure they are," he calls after me, amusement clear in his voice. "Keep telling yourself that."
I pull on a deep blue sweater that clings in all the right places, then pause to check my reflection. My lips are still swollen from Xaden's kiss, my cheeks flushed. I look thoroughly debauched, and we haven't even gotten to the poker game yet.
Tonight's going to be interesting.
When I emerge, Xaden's waiting by the door with my coat, already holding the plate of brownies. "Ready?"
