Page 57 of In Knots

He laughs, his face brightening. “I think homes that are snug are the best kind. You wouldn’t find me rattling around some mansion if you paid me. Sounds lonely as fuck.” He halts and meets my eye. “Sorry,” he mumbles.

“No, you’re right, it is really.”

“It’s why you read lots?”

I cock my head. “Is that why you read?”

“No, I read because I like it.”

“Well, same for me.”

“Do you work?”

I huff. “Sort of. I help my mother out at her foundation. But it’s not really work. It’s pretty dull really. I wish I could do something else.”

“Like what?”

I nibble on my lip. “I’m not sure I’ve worked that out yet. My mother wants me to be like her. A good wife, supporting her alpha, running her little charity projects.”

“But you don’t want that?”

“I thought I did. No, actually, I never wanted it. I just didn’t see any other alternatives.”

“But now you do?” he says, holding my eye.

“I don’t know.” He nods in that thoughtful way. “What do you like to do?”

I think of what I’ve been doing over the last few days with my alphas and his eyes glance down to my lap as I rub my thighs together. “I …’’ I swallow, trying to get a damn grip on myself. “I like to take photos.”

“Oh yeah,” he says. “You got a camera and stuff?”

“Yes, I take it everywhere I can.”

“You bring it today?”

“Yes.”

“You should take some photos then.” I smile at him and his eyes drop to examine the curl of my lips. Then we hear the noise of the other alphas as they stride inside the garage, their hands full of shopping bags.

Cam throws his book onto the counter and swings his feet off the desk.

“Did you buy the whole supermarket?”

“They couldn’t agree,” Bear says, reaching into one of his bags and chucking Cam a package wrapped in paper.

“Thanks, mate,” he says.

Buzz drops his bags on the counter. “It wasn’t that. We know the lady likes to keep her options open. So, we wanted to give her a choice.”

Bear laughs. “You like your options open, do you? So, you’re in no hurry to choose between my pack mates?”

“She doesn’t have to choose. She’s going to have us both,” Ryan says unpacking his own bag.

“Has had us both,” Buzz interjects.

I sink into my chair and bury my face in my hands, my cheeks scorching.

“Baby, we’re only teasing.” Buzz walks over to me and lowers my hands. “Are you embarrassed about this set up?”

“Set up?” I quiz.

He peers over at Ryan. “Ryan said you talked about being both our girls.”

“We did and I’m not embarrassed. It’s just …” I peer at Cam and Bear both watching me.

“Whatever makes them happy, hot cheeks.” Bear grins and Cam nods his agreement. “What are you going to choose for lunch? We’ve got a caesar salad, a prawn sandwich or a falafel wrap.”

“The wrap please.”

“Ahhh,” says Bear, tossing me over a bundle wrapped in foil. “My choice.” He winks at me.

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