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“Of course,” Mia said quickly. “We wouldn’t want to intrude on your creative process.”

As they excused themselves to freshen up before dinner, I turned my attention back to Keir. “I’m still convinced you cheated. That was psychological warfare.”

Keir leaned closer, his breath warm against my ear. “Would you like a rematch? Double or nothing?”

“What would ‘double’ even be?” I asked, trying to sound irritated rather than intrigued. “You take my firstborn too?”

His smile was slow and deliberate, blue eyes darkening as they dropped to my lips. “Use your imagination, little fox. I’m sure it’s as creative as the rest of you.”

Drew loudly cleared his throat. “And that’s my cue to evacuate the premises. Come on, guys.”

Jake and Tyler followed Drew’s hasty exit, leaving me alone with Keir.

“You don’t have to stay with me tonight,” Keir said, his voice gentler than before. “Not if you really don’t want to.”

The fact that he was offering me an out only made the decision harder. I should take it—should maintain the distance I’d been so carefully cultivating. But a month of isolation had left me touch-starved and lonely, and the thought of falling asleep to Keir’s heartbeat was more tempting than I wanted to admit.

“I keep my promises,” I said finally, meeting his gaze. “Even ones made under duress and blatant cheating. But if you snore, all bets are off.”

His smile was genuine this time, reaching his eyes and making them crinkle at the corners in a way that artists would kill to capture. “Good. Because I’ve missed you, Finn. We all have.”

Before I could respond, he leaned forward and pressed his lips to my forehead—a brief, gentle touch that was over almostbefore I registered it had happened. Not a claiming, not a demand, just a promise of what could be.

“Just so you know what you’re getting into,” he murmured, pulling back just enough to gauge my reaction.

“That’s cheating too,” I whispered, my voice embarrassingly unsteady.

Keir’s laugh was soft and warm against my skin. “Like I said—all’s fair.”

Chapter 10

The sound of the front door opening broke the moment, my heart racing as I heard Cade and Logan’s voices carrying from the foyer. I pulled back slightly from Keir, trying to regain some composure after that unexpected forehead kiss.

“Sounds like the alpha cavalry has arrived,” I said, aiming for casual despite the warmth still lingering where Keir’s lips had touched my skin. “Should we go practice our ‘we weren’t doing anything suspicious’ faces?”

Keir’s eyes remained locked on mine, his pupils dilated in a way that made my mouth go dry. “I wasn’t planning to hide anything.”

“Of course not,” I replied dryly. “Because nothing says ‘normal Friday evening’ like betting your brother into a sleepover.”

His laugh was low and dark, sending a shiver down my spine. “When you put it that way, it sounds almost innocent.”

“And we both know it’s not,” I muttered, finally standing and putting some much-needed distance between us.

Elena’s voice rang through the house with perfect timing. “Dinner in fifteen minutes! Everyone wash up!”

“Saved by the housekeeper,” I said, smoothing down my shirt unnecessarily.

“Temporarily saved,” Keir corrected, rising from the couch with that predatory grace that made my stomach flip. “We still have our sleeping arrangement to look forward to.”

Right. The bet. In the aftermath of that forehead kiss, I’d nearly forgotten I’d agreed to spend the night in Keir’s room. With Keir. The same Keir who was currently looking at me like I was something he couldn’t wait to unwrap.

“I’m sure it’ll be thrilling,” I said, despite the heat I could feel creeping up my neck. “Nothing says excitement like watching you snore into your pillow.”

“I don’t snore,” he replied with mock offense. “And there are far more interesting things we could do than sleep.”

“Like what? Alphabetize your sock drawer? Compare investment portfolios? Practice your brooding alpha stares in the mirror?”

His smile was slow and deliberate. “I was thinking more along the lines of continuing our conversation without an audience.”