Page 50

Chapter

Thirty

LEXIE

C andles flicker across the expansive dining table, illuminating the mouthwatering feast laid out in front of us.

The rich aroma of perfectly seasoned roast lamb mingles with garlic, rosemary, and a sweet fragrance I've never smelled before.

My stomach growls embarrassingly loud, reminding me that despite all the physical activity, I haven't had a proper meal since breakfast, even if Aidan has been supplying me with plenty of tasty snacks.

"I can't wait for you to try this recipe," Aidan says with a grin, pulling out my chair. His hand brushes my shoulder, a casual touch that somehow manages to feel both soothing and possessive. "Good thing we made enough to feed a small army because I'm starving."

"You and me both," I tell him.

If there was any doubt Aidan's love language is food, it's gone now.

I sink into the offered seat, wincing slightly as certain well-used muscles protest. The pleasant ache between my thighs serves as a vivid reminder of everything we've done this weekend. All five of them. In various combinations. My body feels simultaneously exhausted and more alive than ever.

"Everything okay?" Darren asks, noticing my slight grimace as he takes the seat beside me. His scent, as subtle as it is on the suppressants, is always calming.

"Just a little sore," I admit, feeling my cheeks heat. "In a good way."

Zayn chuckles from across the table. "I'll take that as a compliment."

"As you should," I quip back, finding my confidence. It's strange how comfortable I've become with them all in such a short time. With five different men. A pack. My pack? The thought sends a flutter through my chest that I'm not quite ready to unpack.

Jax enters from the kitchen carrying a bottle of wine in each hand, Dmitri following with another behind him. "We couldn't decide," Jax explains, setting the bottles on the table. "So options it is."

"This is... a lot," I say, taking in the spread before us. Roast lamb, golden-brown potatoes, three different vegetable sides, fresh bread, and what looks like homemade cranberry sauce. "You didn't have to go to all this trouble."

"It's no trouble," Jax says, smirking proudly. "After everything that happened earlier, you need proper fuel."

"Besides," Aidan adds, "we like taking care of you."

The words fluster me automatically.

When was the last time I was with one person who actually enjoyed looking out for me and treating me like I'm special, let alone five of them?

"We should probably discuss things," Jax says carefully, looking around at the others at the table. "If you're up for it."

A weighted silence falls over the table. Five pairs of eyes focus on me with varying degrees of intensity.

"Things?" I ask with a laugh that sounds nervous despite my best attempts. Maybe I've been reading this whole situation wrong.

"You're special to us," Aidan says earnestly. "All of us."

I look around at them, these five impossibly beautiful men who have somehow decided I'm worthy of their collective attention. It's overwhelming, but not in a bad way.

Not at all.

"You're all special to me, too," I admit honestly. "But I'm still processing. This wasn't exactly how I expected my weekend to go when I signed up for that dating app."

Darren laughs, the sound warm and genuine. "Yeah, well, I didn't expect to present as an omega at twenty-seven either. Life's full of surprises."

I give him a smile and squeeze his hand. "It definitely is."

"What we're trying to say," Jax begins, pouring a rich, ruby-red wine into my glass, "is that we'd like this to continue. Beyond just this weekend."

The wine catches the candlelight as it swirls in my glass. I take a sip to steady myself, the flavor grounding and smooth on my tongue.

"Continue," I repeat carefully, looking around the table. "You mean... all of us?"

"That's exactly what we mean," Zayn says, direct as always.

My heart hammers against my ribs. I set down my wine glass to hide the trembling of my fingers.

"We understand it's a lot," Darren adds quickly, his hand finding mine under the table. His touch is warm, reassuring. "No pressure. No timeline."

"We can give you all the time you need," Dmitri agrees, his deep voice resonating across the table. "Take things as slow as you need."

I look at each of them in turn, trying to process what they're offering. What they're asking.

Five incredible men. And they all want me. Not just for a weekend fling, but for something more ongoing. Something real.

"I don't know what to say," I admit, my voice softer than intended.

"Take all the time you need," Jax assures me, his gray eyes sincere. "We're not going anywhere."

"Unless there's a road game," Aidan interjects with a grin, breaking the tension. "But even then, we always come back."

I can't help the laugh that bubbles up. "Good to know."

I take another sip of wine, using the moment to gather my thoughts. Am I interested in continuing this? My body's emphatic response throughout the day suggests an obvious answer. And the fact that I'm apparently their scent match adds a whole other layer of rightness.

But also even more potential for this to crush me like nothing ever has before if it all goes wrong.

I think about the conversations we've shared. The intimacy. And as terrified as I am of letting these men in even more than I have already, I'm more terrified of losing this. Of not seeing where it leads.

"I'd like that," I say finally, surprising myself with the steadiness in my voice. "To continue this. To see where it goes."

The change in the atmosphere is immediate, like a collective exhale of relief. Aidan's face splits into a wide grin. The others are smoother, but I can tell they're excited. And Darren... Darren squeezes my hand so tightly I can feel his pulse hammering through his palm.

"We were hoping you'd say that," Jax says, his voice rough with emotion.

"Though we would have respected whatever decision you made," Dmitri adds solemnly.

"Respected while obsessively trying to change your mind," Zayn adds.

I can't help but laugh. "I appreciate the honesty."

"To honesty," Jax says, raising his glass with a faint smile on his lips. "And to the most beautiful woman any of us has laid eyes on giving us a second chance we definitely didn't deserve."

"Technically, it's a third," I tease, but I raise my glass in salute.

We all take a drink, letting the realization of what we just figured out settle in.

"So," I say, setting down my glass and reaching for the platter of roast lamb, suddenly ravenous, "how would this work, exactly? Practically speaking."

"However you want it to," Jax answers smoothly. "There's no rulebook for this."

"Though there are some logistics to figure out," Aidan adds, passing me the potatoes. "Like schedules and stuff."

"Hockey season means we're on the road a lot," Darren explains, taking a generous portion of vegetables after putting some on my plate.

I'm not used to other people feeding me.

Making sure I have what I need first without having to ask, but it seems to come intuitively to them, and it feels…

nice. "Home games are easier, but away games can mean three or four days away sometimes. "

"So you'll have space from us if you need it," Zayn says dryly. "Or…"

"Or?" I ask, tilting my head.

"Or you could come with us when you want," he says with a shrug. "The tour bus is nice. We'd make sure you have your own space. Clear some of Darren's shit out of the extra room."

"You make it sound like I'm a packrat or something," Darren grumbles, stabbing his meat with his fork.

"Or something," Aidan says with a snort, getting a piece of bread lobbed at his head.

The idea of going on the road with them is at once overwhelming and exciting. Five men and one me in one small space.

But… the opportunity to get to know them better when they're out on the road under high-pressure situations isn't the worst idea. And I have to admit, I'm already starting to miss them just thinking about them being gone.

"I'd be willing to try that," I say, deciding to take it slow. "It sounds fun."

Their faces all brighten, even though I can tell they're trying not to spook me too much. It's kind of endearing.

"When we're home, we should probably have some one-on-one time," Dmitri reasons. "So you can get to know us as individuals, too. Zayn might not hold up well under scrutiny."

"Oh, fuck off," Zayn grumbles at his deadpan joke.

I can't help but chuckle.

"Like dating," I say, reframing it in more familiar terms. "Just... with five of you instead of one."

"Exactly," Aidan agrees enthusiastically. "Five times the date options!"

"Five times the scheduling nightmares," Zayn counters dryly.

"We'll make it work," Dmitri says with confidence.

I take my first bite of the lamb and have to stifle a moan. It's perfectly cooked, tender and flavorful, with herbs and spices that complement rather than overwhelm.

"This is amazing," I tell Jax and Aidan, who exchange pleased glances.

"Wait till you try the potatoes," Aidan urges. "Secret recipe."

I comply, sampling the golden-brown potatoes that somehow manage to be crispy on the outside and creamy within. "Oh my god," I manage around the bite. "If hockey doesn't work out, you could definitely open a restaurant."

"I've been telling him that for a while" Darren says, nudging Aidan with his elbow. "The rookie's got skills beyond the crease."

The conversation flows easily after that, shifting to lighter topics. They tell me stories about road trips and team pranks. I share anecdotes about particularly demanding customers and my sister's attempts to set me up on blind dates.

"So your sister," Aidan says, reaching for seconds, "what is she going to think about this arrangement?"

I consider the question seriously. Jessica has always been supportive, but this isn't exactly a conventional situation.

"She'll probably be surprised," I admit. "But she already knows I'm seeing Darren, and she met all of you after the game. She already likes you."

"I guess the VIP box worked its charm," Zayn says with a grin.

"It definitely did on her husband, Luke," I say with a laugh. "He's the hockey fanatic."

"The important thing," Jax interjects, "is that we want to be respectful of your existing relationships. Family, friends. This arrangement doesn't have to be public yet if that makes you uncomfortable. If it adds too much pressure."

I appreciate the consideration, but I find myself shaking my head. "I'm not ashamed of this," I say firmly. "Sure, it's unconventional, but I don't want to hide you guys away like some dirty secret."

"Good," Dmitri says simply. "No hiding."

Those simple words settle anxiety within me I didn't even know I was holding onto.

These men aren't hiding anything, from each other or from me. They just want to move forward, exploring this connection we all feel, with all the cards on the table. It's new. Refreshing.

And I desperately hope I'm not setting myself up for another disappointment.