Page 30 of Unbonded (Pack’s Companion #3)

Corbus’ trip is expected to last a week, which will give the three of us plenty of time to overcome any getting-to-know-you nerves.

Not that Dash could ever make anyone feel unwelcome, plying Lachlan with delectable snacks while we snuggle together in the media room in front of his favorite romantic comedy.

We’ve kicked off our shoes and covered ourselves in fluffy blankets, Dash handfeeding me chocolate-coated strawberries and handfuls of popcorn that taste more like his sweet scent than the caramel coating.

It’s been a long time since I was pampered by anyone, and now I have two guys waiting on my every whim.

And I lap up every moment of it. Which mostly involves holding hands and sharing chocolate-smeared kisses before we fall asleep in the ultra-comfortable media chairs.

“I’ve got rehearsal,” Dash says the next morning as he drops a kiss on my sleepy lips. I rub my eyes, Lachlan making a cute snuffling sound at my side. “Are you going to Sweet Eternity today?”

“Mmm.” I stretch, blinking up at a Dash as he presses a cup of coffee into my hands.

“Thanks. Yeah, but just for a few hours. I thought we could meet you for lunch if you’re free.

” We talked loosely about our plans last night, and while we all have busy schedules, Dash is the one who’s most squeezed for time with opening night only a couple of weeks away.

“Maybe I could stay for your afternoon rehearsal as well?”

Dash beams at me. “Perfect. Text me when you’re on your way.”

Lachlan props himself up on an elbow on my other side, looking adorably sleep-creased. “Can I come watch you work?”

At first, I think he means Dash, but his brown eyes are fixed firmly on me. “Really? If you want to, but dressmaking isn’t exactly a spectator sport.”

“Hmm. Maybe he could model a few of your castaway swimsuits.” Dash shoots Lachlan a flirty wink. “I’d pay to see that.”

So would I, actually - assuming I wasn’t drowning in debt.

Although, what’s stopping me from paying him in trade?

I crook a brow at him, my gaze lingering on his perfect proportions.

Lachlan hasn’t lost an inch of his quarterback build, and my fingers itch to get busy with him, for a number of reasons.

“Have you ever been fitted for a custom jacket?”

“Now you’re just being mean,” Dash fake-pouts, then drops a soft, lingering kiss on my lips. “Whatever you get up to, I want pictures.”

I grab his arm, holding him close so I can breathe in his perfect scent. But I also take the opportunity to cup his cheek and search his eyes. “You’re really okay with this?”

‘This’ could mean a lot of things, but with the movie as a backdrop, I was able to ask Dash what he thought about the scent bonds we’d sprung on him. In true Dash form, he’d declared that it was a case of more the merrier.

“Sweetheart, if you could see inside my head right now, you’d be blushing all damn day.”

The guys laugh as they exchange a slappy hand farewell and I have to resist crawling into Lachlan’s lap and kissing the grin off his face.

But there’s no time for that right now, and after a quick shower and breakfast, Hector drops us at Sweet Eternity.

I’m planning to spend most of the morning working on a few projects in the back, but first I have to introduce Lachlan to Florence.

Luckily, my boss is busy setting up for a private fitting for one of her VIP customers, and she keeps it brief.

“Are you interested in modeling?” She looks Lachlan over in his form-fitting jeans and black Henley.

“We’re always looking for betas who can fill out a jacket in all the right places. ”

Florence is known for her straight-talking, but since this is their first meeting, I hurry to add, “Betas make the best models because they don’t transfer their scents to the clothes.”

A lot of alphas object to fabrics that smell of other alphas, but most betas aren’t big enough to match their proportions.

I’m not surprised that Florence wants to hire a guy with Lachlan’s looks and build, and it’s a relief to see that he hasn’t taken offense at the suggestion.

“I’m not sure if I’d be any good at it, but if it helps Katie out, I’m your guy. ”

Florence gives me an arch look but just waves us off with a small smile. “Well, if any of the customers ask why you have a handsome man back there, we’ll just tell them he’s your muse.”

“Muse, hmm?” Lachlan follows me into the salon where I took Dash’s measurements for his jacket, looking around with appreciative eyes. “This is nice.”

“It’s great,” I agree, setting down my bag and getting my workstation ready.

Florence handles the diary for consultations, fittings, and delivery, while I focus on the behind-the-scenes design and construction.

Today I have an alteration coming in, but other than that, I’m free to work on my projects.

“If I ever open my own store, I’d love an area like this. ”

I steer him over to the workbench where I do most of my cutting and while he settles on a stool, I unzip the garment bag I brought with me. Lachlan leans forward and takes a quick sniff. “That smells familiar.”

“It’s Bram’s,” I admit, taking out the heavy black jacket and setting it down on the counter. It’s not badly made – just conventional, which doesn’t really work for his dimensions. “He thinks he can’t look good in a suit, but that’s because he hasn’t seen me work.”

Lachlan smiles as I start taking measurements. “I like this side of you,” he says softly. “Confident. Energized. You’re really in your element.”

There’s only admiration in his voice, but I arch a brow at him. “So says the business major who told me most fashion graduates end up working retail.” I look around and shrug. “I mean, you’re right in a way, but at least I’m putting my skills to use.”

Lachlan winces and palms his face. “I didn’t mean it like that! I was worried Lee would fuck things up and you would have to support yourself in a really competitive market.”

“A clairvoyant and a muse,” I tease, jotting Bram’s measurements in my notebook. “It is competitive, but I was lucky to get this job before my unbonding. By the time it happened, I had enough happy customers for Florence to keep me on.”

Lachlan is scowling now. “Talent is talent. Your bonding status shouldn’t mean shit to your work.”

I shrug. “I’m in the business of eternal bondings.

It upsets some customers, like I’m a symbol of how fragile their dreams really are.

” I don’t give him specific examples, since the Mrs. Olsens of the world don’t deserve any space in his head.

He still looks upset, and I grab his hand, drawing him to his feet.

“Hey, it’s okay, really. I’m still employed, and I’m happy doing this work.

Now, can you stand here so I can check the lines of this jacket? ”

It’s really just a way to distract him, but Florence is right; Lachlan makes a great model. Bram’s jacket is too big for him, but he has enough bulk to make the fabric drape the right way for me to mock up a pattern.

“You smell good together.” I can’t resist rubbing my cheek on his shoulder, soaking up their combined scents. He instantly loops an arm around my waist, and I sigh happily as I stare up at him. “How are you feeling about everything? I know you and Bram didn’t exactly start off on the best foot.”

He scoffs, a hint of pink touching his cheeks. “I may have jumped to some conclusions, but in my defense, a lot happened pretty damn quick.”

“That’s an understatement,” I snort squeezing his hand, since a week ago Lachlan Cook was just a distant college memory.

“Plus, I might have overreacted about the uber thing.” He rubs the back of his neck, looking adorably flustered. “I don’t think Bram fits the stereotype.”

I agree. Bram might be highly dominant, but other than a few flickers of eyeshine, I’ve never seen his alpha traits get the better of him.

“You should spend some time with them when they get back.” It’s something we all need to do, but it’s important to me that Lachlan feels comfortable around the alphas, especially since he hasn’t always had the best experience with their designation.

“To be honest, I’m glad we’ve got this time together,” he murmurs, rubbing his lips lightly across my temple. “Gives me a chance to soak you up without them here to distract you.”

“You’re plenty distracting, believe me.” He smirks as I ease the jacket off his shoulders and drape it back over the counter. “I know Lee and the other alphas were hard on you in college, but I really think these guys are different.”

“Less to prove and more secure in themselves.” I remember Lachlan making insightful comments like this when we were sitting in a campus coffee shop, people watching.

At the time I thought he was being a little judgy, but Lee was the one who sneered the insults, not Lachlan.

He was just intrigued by the world around him.

“They’re a bit intimidating, to be honest,” he goes on, his brow furrowing.

“Not just their money and status, but I envy the way they have their shit together. I’ve got a long way to go before I can make even a fraction of a mark that they have. ”

“Everyone has stuff they’re working through, even Corbus Janssen.

” I don’t want to talk about Corbus behind his back, but I want Lachlan to understand he has a vulnerable side, too.

No one has everything worked out, but that’s the attraction of a pack.

We can help each other find our feet, and if we stumble in the process, there are plenty of hands to pick us back up.

“And this isn’t a contest, Lachlan. You have just as much to offer as anyone. ”