Page 29 of When She Needs Them Most
“How about some melon, then?” I move to jab at the fruit.
“A bite of the biscuits and gravy would be great,” she blurts out.
“Excellent choice,” I agree, making sure I scoop up a piece of sausage with the bite. The shocked looks on Linc’s and Kase’s faces would amuse me, but I’m more intrigued by the way Chelsea’s lips wrap around the fork. “That’s a good girl. If youchanged your mind after you ordered, you only needed to say something.”
Kase’s face pops up from whatever he’s examining on his phone. “Yeah, you need up to four hundred and fifty extra calories a day during the third trimester. That’s on top of a regular diet.”
“I’m sure stress and lack of room are a factor,” Linc says, slamming his shoulder into Kase’s.
Good.
I was attempting to locate Kase’s foot under the table to give him a kick, but I didn’t want to risk slamming into Chelsea.
“Small frequent meals.” Kase continues scrolling his phone, oblivious to our attempts to redirect his attention.
“You’re all very sweet,” Chelsea says, patting my thigh before readjusting until she’s sitting up in the booth rather than leaning against me.
My arm is still over her shoulder, and I fight the urge to pull her closer once more. If she would just accept our care, it would make this process much easier.
Dammit. I have a video call in thirty minutes with one of the officers she spoke to in Richmond. I’d like more information on the younger Raynor and if they even took the initiative to speak to him in person.
“We can stock up on some of your favorites when we stop by the grocery store,” Lincoln says, saving us all from the embarrassing silence.
Chelsea nods, grabbing her water and taking a long drink.
Everything in me wants to push to secure some type of verbal guarantee that she’ll be staying with us until the heating is fixed, but now hardly seems like the right moment.
A small piece of me may be experiencing some guilt. She’s already triggered Kase’s obsession and my interest. There’s little chance we could allow her to escape now.
But she has no idea who she’s dealing with. Nor does she know what we do for a living. Sure, she knows we run a branch of Shadow Security, but the darling little omega has no idea what that truly means. And I’d prefer to keep it that way.
At least, until she’s bonded to us and has no hope of getting away.
Chapter Thirteen
Chelsea
Arden’s phone rings as we’re on the way out of the diner. He pulls it from his pocket and frowns but doesn’t answer it. Stepping to the side, he grabs my arm with his free hand. He declines the call and shoves his phone away before focusing on the bottom of my coat. The deep wrinkles that form on his forehead as he realizes I’m too chubby to zip my jacket closed make me laugh.
“It’s a new development.” I shrug. “I swear it fit last week.”
“I believe you.” His eyes cut to Linc’s, and the alpha nods, like some unspoken agreement was just made. Arden bends, marking both my cheeks in his scent. He has such a commanding presence, it’s hard to explain, but my heart races at the move. It’s one of those intimate gestures that makes us seem better acquainted than we are.
“It’s Easton,” Kase says from behind me. “He couldn’t get a hold of you, so he’s trying me.”
“Tell him that I’ll call him back as soon as I’m in the car.” Arden keeps his mouth very close to mine as he speaks to Kase. God, having his focus on me is a lot. In a good way, but still. It makes me squirm as he studies my face. “I’d like it if you wouldhave dinner with us tonight. I’ll order from one of my favorite restaurants. All you need to do is show up. Will you?”
My lips roll together as my head bobbles up and down.
“Perfect,” he purrs the word.
My body shivers, and not from the cold.
“Have a good afternoon with Lincoln,” Arden says, brushing a quick kiss over my cheek. His lips are warm and gone all too soon.
I’m still processing that when fingers intertwine with mine. My head flies up, and Kase grins.
“I’ll walk you to Linc’s truck.” He tugs me gently, and I follow him toward the parking lot. I’m not sure when Lincoln disappeared, but he’s not with us. “He went to warm up the vehicle. I wish I could come with you guys, but I have a shitload of work I have to do today.”
