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“Where were you?” It takes an unholy amount of effort to keep myself from whining, but I manage it. Still, my voice is all broken glass.

Connor winces, and tension blooms between us. “I had to do something after work, and it ran late. I texted.”

We texted saying we’d miss date night, Daphne. We’ve got an important case at work that needs our attention.

I hate that Pack Parker’s voices creep into my head like this. Like these men are the same when I know they aren’t. They would never treat me like my exes did, but it’s so hard to remember when they’re making the same mistakes.

No, whenConnoris making the same mistakes.

He’s going to hurt you just like they did, some insidious voice screams, and I don’t have it in me to fight it.

I pull away, needing him off me, but he follows, wrapping his body tight around mine. I don’t even realize my heart is racing, breathing ragged, until he purrs. “Breathe, Daph. It’s nothing bad, I promise.”

But does his promise mean anything when he keeps breaking them?

Connor cradles my cheeks, trying to catch my eye. I don’t want to look at him. “I’m sorry I let you down, but I swear to you, it was important.”

“Work?” I ask.

“No. Something else.”

The thing he isn’t ready to tell me. I feel it in my gut, even if he doesn’t say it. I almost push, almost make him spill because not knowing is making me go crazy, but I don’t. At this point, I’m not sure knowing will make things better. I’m not sure anything will.

“I can’t handle you breaking promises,” I whisper, fighting through memories that have no place here.

“I’m sorry, Daph. It won’t happen again.”

I want to believe him, I do, but Connor’s word is starting to mean less and less. Still, I let him hold me, his warmth seeping into the chill running over my bare skin. Let his hand sweep up my back in that comforting touch I’ve missed.

Who knows how long it’s been when he finally asks, “Do you still want to do game night?”

I debate cancelling, but I really want to spend time with the pack. I feel better when I’m around them. “Yes.”

His relief is sweet on my tongue. “Get dressed and we’ll start, okay?”

He moves to the others, furious whispers following as I search for my lingerie. I upend pillows and shake out blankets, finding nothing. It’s actually kind of ridiculous that I’m doing this butt ass naked, but whatever.

After searching the entire living room with my dripping cunt in full view, I finally realize that the panties are gone and pull on my skirt without them before rushing to the bathroom to freshen up. As I close the door, I hear Connor head upstairs, muttering, “This is torture.”

If he’d been here on time, he could’ve joined. Now he gets to suffer. And yeah, maybe that makes me feel better too.

When we’re ready, he leads me to the table where Nate and Dez have already pulled out a stack of games. “I’ve never played any of these.”

“Ohh. I get to takeyourvirginity this time,” Nate teases, winking when my face flames.

“I didn’t know!” I say, shoving him away with a little growl.

The second he kisses me, I melt like the lovesick bitch I am. “I know, kitten. Glad it was you, though.”

Awwwww. Cute alpha.

While the others set up the game, Connor tries explaining it but I’m the type that needs to see it in action before I understand, so he offers to be on my team.

“C’mere.” He pats his lap, and I slide on happily. There aren’t enough hours of the day to cuddle these men the way I want. No way am I turning down an opportunity like this.

They pass out the cards and I lean forward on my elbows, trying to figure out what the hell we’re doing. After Connor instructs me on my first play, he whispers, “Lift up.”

I do it absently, bracing against the table so I can see what Nate does. When Con finally leads me back to his lap with a hand on my hip, I’m surprised to feel the head of his cock press against me.