Page 117

But that doesn’t mean ignoring the warning signs again.

The others finally spot us, and Nate deserves something special for choosing my outfit. The alphas look ready to eat me alive.

Dez meets me first, wrapping me in a hug that feels like everything I’ve needed lately. “Hello, gorgeous. Really living up to the name tonight.”

I don’t respond, too busy checking him out to even think. He’s wearing a dark crewneck sweater over light wash jeans. His face looks freshly shaven, hairline crisp like he just got a cut too.

I’m still gaping when he pulls me into his arms, the rumble of his laugh softening my spine. “Like it when you look at me that way, Daph.”

“How can I not?” Biting my lip, I wave at his body.

His purr is so sweet, I almost don’t hear it. “Save that for tomorrow. You’ve still got one more alpha to see.”

Connor’s hanging back from the rest of us, looking all sorts of uncomfortable. “Hey.”

Thank god for Nate’s massive hoodie hiding me as my fingers twist anxiously.

“How are you?” We say at the same time, cringe, and look away in unison.

“You two are so fucking awkward.”

Dez slams his shoulder into Nate. “Shut up.”

“No, he’s right.” Connor steps closer, scent twisted and obviously uncertain. “Do you want me to go?”

It would be easier. I could spend time with Dez, who’s been absent since the failed dinner, but I agreed to court the whole pack and that’s what I’m going to do.

“No, you can stay.” I take a deep breath, enjoying how his scent shifts to something less sharp. “You look nice.”

He’s wearing loose, straight leg jeans and a leather jacket that looks as old and broken in as the plain t-shirt underneath. He’s dressed up and comfortable at the same time. I like it. Maybe a little too much.

“You look…damn, Daph.”

“Nope. None of that.” Nate pushes between us, cutting off the eye contact that’s making my skin tingle. “There’s no place to fuck, and we all need to have some fun.”

“Wait, we’re racing each other?” I’m not sure why, but I’m excited at the prospect of playing with these alphas.

Nate grins. “Battle to the death, kitten. You ready for that?”

“I don’t know.”

They all share a look, but Dez is the one who asks, “Have you ever done this before?”

“Never.”

Nate looks absolutely scandalized. “Are you shitting me?”

“Not exactly something the upper crust does, babe.”

The biggest man I’ve ever seen fuckingmeltsat the nickname, and I decide I never want to ruin the dreamy way he watches me. “That’s okay. We’ll do partners and you can ride with me.”

“You’re too big for partners,” Dez says, pointing to a sign that specifically says the two-seater karts are for kids and an adult.

“Shit. Okay, we’ll just go easy on you at first.”

“Absolutely not,” Connor and I say together.

Nate pouts with a full lower lip and slouched shoulders that make me laugh. Dez pushes him toward the line. “Don’t worry, bud. Our omega’s gonna kick your ass.”