His other mates are still sitting on the couch, stupefied and envious of his brilliance.
Well, except for Gideon, whose arms are crossed.
And maybe Leo, who just hasn’t met a dog he liked.
The puppy barks again, and Nix breaks the kiss just as Rowan is really enjoying it, whispering, “Thank you, Ro. She’s perfect.”
Rowan has to let him go so Nix can pull the puppy from his arms, kiss its snout, and coo sweet things in her ear. Nix even rubs noses with her—and not with Rowan.
Rowan likes nose rubs.
He may have miscalculated by adding yet another lovable creature that needs Nix’s attention.
Well. Damn.
“Didn’t really think that through, did you?”
It’s Finn, sidled up beside him in that white sweater, arms crossed in thatknow-it-allway he has that makes Rowan want to show him who’s boss. It’s maddening that it makes him horny, and that only pisses him off more.
“What? I am not fucking jealous of the dog, Finn.”
He is.
Hesois.
And he just knows he’s going to have regrets.
But seeing Nix—getting dog “kisses” and laughing, cheeks bright pink—has their bond singing. That feeling alone will keep him going for a long time.
Grayson joins them, and he’s looking a little worse for wear. “You did good, Ro.”
He puts his head on Rowan’s shoulder and rubs his nose on his shirt.
“Ew. Quit that.”
Rowan doesn’t push him off, though, because Grayson really looks unwell.
“Hey, you okay? You look real shitty for a guy who had the best night of his life. Youdid, right? He liked all that shit?”
The dog barks, and Nix and Luca are chasing each other and the puppy around the room in a giggling-barking frenzy.
Rowan notes that it’s only Nix doing the giggling, by the way.
They’ve got the…what do they call it?The zoomies.
Rowan is sure Luca has taught the others because this isn’t the first time Luca has parkoured off the couch, the table, and the wall at top speed.
Rowan usually finds it enjoyable because happy Luca is the best thing.
Plus, he invariably falls on his juicy ass, and Rowan is the preferredplease kiss it betterperson.
“Was perfect,” Grayson sighs.
Finn snorts. “Leo took Nix out to his parents’ place, told no one, and left his phone here. When I got home, Jay had torn the place apart looking for him and discovered Grayson lying on the path with Broken Bond Syndrome.”
Rowan looks to Finn to see if he’s kidding and sees his mate’s red nose and puffy eyes. He doesn’t look good at all, either.
“Whoa.”
