By the time we pile back into the SUV in the early hours of the morning, I'm floating on a cloud of contentment and excitement.
"Where do you want to go next? Your place or ours?" Darren asks finally, his voice low and intimate in the darkness of the car.
The underlying question is clear. This night doesn't have to end with a chaste goodbye at my door. It could continue, could evolve into something more.
Something involving all of them.
The thought sends a jolt of heat through me, equal parts anxiety and desire. I've only been with Darren so far, only crossed that physical line with him. The others have been respectful, keeping their touches appropriate despite the obvious attraction.
"Yours is probably best," I decide, surprising myself with the certainty in my voice. "My apartment isn't exactly built for entertaining a huge pack. And you're well aware of the sweater situation."
He chuckles. "I don't mind worshiping your body on a stack of wool, but your customers might."
Warmth spreads across my cheek, matching the warmth building between my thighs as Darren strokes my knee.
The city lights blur past the SUV's tinted windows as we wind through nearly empty streets. Did I really just agree to go back to their place? To their mansion after a night of being wined, dined, and treated like royalty?
Yes. Yes, I did.
As we pull into the driveway of their mansion, I'm struck again by the sheer size of the place once more. It's not just big, it's fucking enormous. The kind of home that has history etched into its bones.
"Home sweet home," Aidan says cheerfully as Zayn parks the SUV in the circular drive. "Part two of the evening awaits."
The casual confidence in his voice sends a flutter through me. There's no pressure in his tone, just an easy assurance that whatever comes next will be good. Will be right.
Darren's hand squeezes mine gently as the others climb out of the vehicle. "You okay?" he asks, his voice pitched low for my ears only. "We can always call it a night, get you a cab home if you're tired."
The concern in his eyes is genuine, and it warms something in my chest to know he's giving me an out if I want to take it.
"I'm good," I assure him, leaning in to brush my lips against his. "Better than good, actually."
His answering smile is slow and full of promise. "Then let's not keep them waiting."
The house is quiet as we enter, the late hour wrapping the space in a hushed intimacy that feels both welcoming and slightly charged. Jax moves ahead, turning on soft lights that illuminates the living room. Dmitri heads toward what I assume is the kitchen, while Aidan and Zayn linger near us, their movements casual but their eyes tracking me closely.
"Can I get you something to drink?" Aidan asks, already heading toward a sleek bar set up in one corner of the living room.
"Water would be nice," I reply, slipping off my jacket. Darren takes it from me before I can look for somewhere to put it, his fingers brushing mine.
Dmitri returns from the kitchen, a platter of what appears to be artfully arranged cheese, fruit, and chocolate in his hands. "Thought you might be hungry after dancing," he says, his accent slightly thicker than usual as he sets the platter on the coffee table.
"You guys really know how to treat a date," I say, unable to keep the smile from my voice. "First the VIP treatment all over town, now gourmet midnight snacks?"
"We aim to please," Zayn says, dropping onto one end of the large sectional sofa. Despite his relaxed posture, there's something in his eyes that's anything but casual when they meet mine. Something hungry. "You'll find that out soon enough."
My pulse kicks up a notch.
Jax returns from wherever he disappeared to, having shed his jacket and rolled up the sleeves of his henley to reveal muscular forearms. He's carrying what looks like a stack of soft throw blankets. "In case you get cold," he explains, setting them on the arm of the sofa nearest to where I'm standing.
It's such a thoughtful gesture that I feel a rush of unexpected warmth. These men are fussing over me like I'm rare and valuable. Like I'm…
Well, an omega.
I never realized just how much of a second class citizen I was in my other relationships until this. Never had anyone, alpha or otherwise, so devoted to making sure I'm comfortable, fed, warm. The contrast between their intimidating physical presence and this gentle attentiveness is doing things to me I hadn't anticipated.
Aidan appears at my side, offering a glass of water. "A lovely cabernet, courtesy of the Brita," he teases.
"Thank you, good sir," I say with a giggle, accepting the glass and taking a sip. "Very posh."
