Page 60 of The Beta's Bargain

By the time he finishes speaking, and we’ve walked through several more sections of the garden, I know I’m never going to be able to look at him the same. I also know that I really like this alpha. And I didn’t really expect to. It’s one thing to find them attractive, it’s another to like them as people.

I like all three of them. Perhaps more than like.

I push that thought aside and focus as he leads me through a dark archway. The path breaks into pieces and then vanishes, leaving the people that follow the path in a sphere of green vines and white wild roses.

“This is a very similar place to where I met Dylan for the first time. Falcon had told me about him, but I didn’t believe him.”

“It is?” I peer around with more interest.

“I was exploring gardens at a party that was boring me to tears. They didn’t design it to look like this. It was an accident. But I walked in, lost, swearing because I couldn’t find the path back to find Falcon, and he was just there. He turned and gave me this look that warned me off,” Gray laughs, “or at least it was supposed to, but I was entranced. It took a long time to convince him we were sincere. I stood and talked to him, but it wasn’t until I told him about the roses and how they should be red that he listened.” Grayson laughs again at the memory. “The irony is not lost on me. Perhaps I should start talking to him about roses again.”

“You have another chance.” I insist and put my hand on his chest. “I will help you.”

“Why?” Gray asks suddenly. “Why will you help us? You don’t know us.”

“I know, but you’re hurting. He’s hurting. I can see it, and I can help you.” Helplessly, I look away and shrug my shoulders. “I want to do a good job.”

“We both know this is now more than a job between us all. We torched that intent days ago.” Gray lifts my hand and kisses my knuckles. “Dylan’s changed too much. He needs more.” Gray says and spears his fingers through my hair. “And maybe…so have I.”

His lips crash down on mine. I gasp, and his tongue pushes in. Mangoes fill my nose, and then he pulls back.

“Did you ever dream of having more?” Gray whispers.

Did I dream of more? Of course, I did. But I’m just a beta. The words don’t feel right anymore, but I push all that aside.

“Of course, I dreamed of more,” I whisper.

“How far did you dream?” Gray asks. “All the way to the top?”

I open my mouth and stare up at him.

“Dream of me from now on, Nyxie,” Gray whispers, and then he pulls me back against his hard body. His hands move from my hair and slide down, cupping my ass and pulling me closer to him.

“I like these black work pants you wear. No one else can see just how perfect you are,” Gray growls and kisses down my neck.

I search for and find a bit of control, of reason.

“We shouldn’t be doing this. What about Dylan?”

Gray’s head snaps up, and he growls. “He’s watching.”

My eyes open wide, and I twist, looking around until I spot the omega. I expect him to tell me off, shout at me, something, anything, but as soon as our eyes collide, it’s like a spell has been lifted. He storms towards me and grips my hair at the base of my nape and yanks hard enough to pull my head back.

“Do you want my alphas?” Dylan asks.

There is no way to answer this without hurting him. I need to rip the bandaid off.

“I know I’m not supposed to, but I find them attractive,” I admit in a hushed whisper.

Dylan smiles. “Good.”

He reaches down with his free hand and flicks the button of my pants undone.

“Have you done anything like this?” Gray asks.

“No,” I whisper. I’m still watching Dylan as he slowly unzips my pants.

“Maybe we should take this inside-” Gray murmurs, but Dylan’s hand slides inside my pants, and I arch against him with a gasp.

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