Page 68 of Daisy

"Daisy," he breathes, my name rough on his lips.

The moment shatters when Hawk bangs through the door, arms full of pizza boxes and wearing the biggest grin I've ever seen.

"Food's here!" he announces cheerfully, completely oblivious to what he's interrupted.

Gunner clears his throat, gently moving my hand from his face. "Excuse me," he says, his voice strained. "Just going to the bathroom."

He disappears quickly, leaving me confused and a little cold without his warmth. Did I do something wrong? Was I too forward? I shouldn't have done that. I should have known better than to touch him like that.

I suddenly remember Dante is still in the room and heat floods my cheeks. I'd completely forgotten about him while I was... touching Gunner like that. My scent must spike with embarrassment and confusion because I see him watching me with gentle eyes while Hawk enthusiastically opens pizza boxes.

Dante gets up from his chair and moves toward me, crouching down on the floor beside the bed so we're at eye level. His ice-blue eyes are kind, understanding.

"Hey," he says softly. "Gunner's not upset with you, beautiful."

The endearment makes my chest flutter, but I shake my head. "He left because?—"

"Because he's the opposite of upset," Dante interrupts gently. "He needed to go calm down. You affect him, Daisy. You affect all of us. Your scent is... intoxicating."

My eyes widen. "Really?"

"Really." Dante's smile is warm. "We love seeing you so comfortable today. We love seeing you discover what you want, what feels right to you."

The reassurance settles something anxious in my chest. I didn't make a mistake. I didn't do something wrong.

Dante stands and holds out his hand to me. "Come on, beautiful. Let's get you some of that pizza before Hawk eats it all."

As I take his hand and let him help me up, I catch Hawk looking at me, then toward the bathroom door, then back at mewith a knowing wink that makes my cheeks burn. He definitely understands what happened.

"This is going to change your life, princess," Hawk says, pulling out a slice of pizza that stretches cheese in long, tempting strings.

Just then, Gunner emerges from the bathroom, and we all turn to look at him. He seems more composed now, though his cheeks are slightly flushed.

"Take a load off?" Hawk asks with a grin that's pure mischief.

Gunner shoots him a look that could kill, but there's no real heat in it. "Shut up, Hawk."

"Just asking," Hawk says innocently, though his eyes are dancing with amusement.

The teasing lightens the mood, and I find myself smiling despite my embarrassment. This feels so... normal. Like family teasing each other.

The pizza is everything Hawk promised. Cheesy and messy and completely delicious. I get sauce on my fingers and cheese on my chin, and instead of being mortified, I find myself laughing.

Actually laughing.

"Good?" Hawk asks, and there's something in his expression that makes my pulse skip.

"Really good," I say, then bold as anything, add, "You were right about it being messy."

"The best foods usually are," he says, and the way he looks at me makes heat pool low in my belly.

I think about the bathroom last night. About his scent and the way my body responded. About the pleasure I found thinking of him.

Does he know? Can he tell?

But when his eyes meet mine across the small table, something passes between us. Recognition. Awareness. The beginning of something that makes my skin feel too tight.

"What are you thinking about, princess?" Hawk asks, his voice low and knowing.