Page 37

And I was weak, because I wanted to sink into the enormous tub. Imagined myself luxuriating in it, with bubbles up around my ears.

“Will this room be ok? I’ll bring your bags up and leave them on the bed. Take your time and if you decide you want to skip the meal with us, that’s completely fine. Whatever you want.” Lloyd wrung his hands.

His eyes had been beautiful through a screen, but in person? Mesmerizing.

I laid Walden’s jacket on the bed and laughed ruefully. “You’re kidding, right? This is too much.”

More than anything I’d ever grown up with.

Lloyd stepped closer with a shake of his head. “You deserve everything wonderful in the world, Tully.”

I heard the words he silently tacked on the end.I want to give it to you.My cheeks flooded red, and a squiggle in my stomachintensified. This moment felt unreal and undeserved. If he knew who I really was, he wouldn’t say such things.

“Thanks, Lloyd.” I hurried to the bathroom.

10

Tully

I tried to maintain some level of decorum while eating, but failed. Ajax marinated salmon in soy sauce with a brown sugar rub, paired with sides of jasmine rice, steamed vegetables and macaroni and cheese. While I stuffed my face, they pushed their food around on their plates, except for Lloyd, who ate with a fevered pace like me. I lowered my fork and grimaced.

“I wasn’t sure if you liked salmon, hence the—” Ajax waved a hand at the macaroni and cheese.

“Macaroni and cheese is my love language.” I took another bite of the salmon, unable to help myself.

Ajax beamed, like he'd been waiting for my approval, which was ridiculous. I could cook well, if it was basic. Fenella hated the mess I left in the kitchen, so I’d been subsisting on whatever would keep in my room.

I snuck a look at Walden. He embodied everything you expected from a man whose ancestors founded this city. Lloyd coasted a hand over my knee, swallowing the last of his meal. His touch settled the rising embarrassment that bubbled away in my stomach. I was out of place at this table, with three sets of cutlery. Tiny silver spoons so shiny I could see my reflection in them. The sleeve of Walden’s jacket slid down my arm. I’d put it on without thinking after my glorious shower. Walden’s gaze flickered to it and he laid his fork down, picked up the material and folded it until it nestled neatly at my elbow.

“Better?” he rumbled.

His warm green eyes pierced through the iron of my protective shield and into the soft, vulnerable soul beneath. I viewed Walden through a filter of awe and a pinch of mortified hurt. This poised, handsome alpha managed the weight of his name with such ease. He’d only grown more untouchable in the time since I’d last seen him.

Yet he made no move to say anything about who I was, or what I’d been doing.

“Much,” I squeaked and ducked my head as heat flooded through my veins.

Anyone would think I voluntarily shut myself in a house for the past eight months and forgot how to interact with others normally. Let alone gorgeous, intimidating alphas.

Oh wait.

“I’m sorry for what happened with Fenella,” Ajax said from the other side of the table.

Pan snorted as he poured himself a hefty glass of wine. A few burgundy drops slipped down the curved edge. He collected them with a long, thin finger and licked them clean. The sight of his pink tongue sent a jolt through my body.

“My brother is leaving out the part where we were all so enamored with your scent she’d stolen. You should stick around,angel. Let us give you the same treatment.” His smile stabbed between my breasts and trailed down, down, down between my legs.

My mouth went dry, at Pan, but also at the rising scents that swirled around the table. Pan tilted his nose up and took an exaggerated sniff, eyes twinkling.

Ajax elbowed him hard in the side. “You’re drunk. If you’re going to open your mouth, at least put some water down it,” he snapped, but it only made Pan’s smile wider and darker.

He directed a wink at me. “You don’t mind, do you? Want to sit on my lap? I’ve got pianist fingers. Do you know what that means?”

He waggled his elegant digits. Chipped black nail paint swallowed the light and his chunky silver rings glinted. Sharp inhales echoed in the room, but I couldn’t look away from Pan’s hypnotizing grin. I pressed my thighs together. What would it feel like to have those fingers pry open my legs and play with me? I stifled a whimper.

“Out.” Walden’s nostrils flared.

Pan pouted immediately, tearing his gaze away with difficulty. “Walden—daddy,” he whined.