Amara Gamba - CEO, Elite Comfort Services
I stare at the message, the subtext crystal clear. None of us vetoed sexual activity. I had left that section of the contract blank and none of them had added any provisions before signing.
Because I need one more reminder of how much I get in my own way.
I set my phone down and tiptoe toward the bedroom door, which is slightly ajar. Curiosity gets the better of me. What if I just take a peek?
The sight that greets me makes my mouth go dry. The four of them sprawl across the massive bed like puzzle pieces that somehow fit together perfectly. Lucas lies in the center, one arm flung over Cash, who’s curled against his side. Matheo is on Lucas’s other side, his broad back rising and falling with each deep breath. Kyren is practically dangling off the edge next to Matheo, one leg thrown over the other alpha’s as if to anchor himself.
They look so right together. Complete. The thought sends an unexpected pang through my chest.
I already know that I don’t belong with them, that this is temporary.
So why does the sight of their perfect fit make me feel sad?
I think about last night—Lucas’s hands on my skin, his gentle words about submission and relief. How heunderstood what I needed before I did. The way he took care of me afterward, tucking me in like I was precious.
But I’m also paying for the privilege of having them to myself. For the next week, at least. And they’ve already made it clear that it was my choice to sleep on the couch. Maybe I could just slip in beside them? The bed is certainly big enough.
And it looks so warm…
My phone pings loudly from where I left it on the coffee table. I jump, my heart racing as I dart back to silence it.
Too late. On the screen, a message from Josie glares at me:
JosieGrossie: Where are you guys?? Everyone’s at breakfast wondering why you and your alphas are MIA. Mom’s asking questions!
“Everything okay?”
I whirl around to find Matheo standing in the bedroom doorway, hair tousled from sleep, eyes half-lidded. He’s bare-chested, wearing only a pair of gray sweatpants that hang dangerously low on his hips.
For a second, I forget how to breathe. The sweatpants hide absolutely nothing about his proportions.
“I—yes. Fine. Just Josie.” I hold up my phone, trying desperately to keep my eyes on his face. “Everyone’s at breakfast already. I was just going to head down.”
“Give me five minutes.” He runs a hand through his hair, making it stand up even more. “I’ll go with you.”
“No, that’s okay. I mean—” I clear my throat. “You don’t have to. You should go back to sleep. I know it was a late night.”
His eyes darken slightly, and I wonder if he knows what happened between Lucas and me. If he heard.
“Trinity, as far as anyone needs to be concerned, we are your pack. We go where you go. Isn’t that the whole point of this?”
Something warm unfurls in my chest at his words, even though I know it’s all pretend.
“I’ll meet you downstairs.” I turn away abruptly, needing distance from his half-naked body and the intensity in his eyes. “Take your time. I have to check on a few things for the wedding anyway.”
I grab my phone and practically flee the suite, my heart hammering against my ribs. This is just business, I remind myself. Just a contract.
So why does it feel easy to think of so much more?
Islip into a seat at the breakfast table, my pulse finally slowing now that I’ve scanned the restaurant and confirmed Egret and his pack aren’t here. Small mercies.
“There you are,” Josie beams at me from across the table. “I want you to meet Egret’s sisters.”
My stomach drops as I turn to face the two women sitting beside her. One short and curvy, the other tall and thin with a face striking enough to grace magazine covers. I recognize them immediately from that awkward family day during sophomore year when Egret hadn’t bothered to tell me in advance that he expected me to go to dinner with his parents and I ended up wearing yoga pants to a Michelin-starred restaurant.
“This is Amelia. She works as a federal prosecutor.”Josie gestures to the taller woman. “And Isabelle is over here. I can’t believe my future sister-in-law is a model.”
