Page 31 of Queen of Spades

“Grandpa energy,” Grady says, covering it with a fake cough.

“Grady,” I snap. “Don’t be a dick. Do you happen to have one of those contracts you’re always talking about?”

“Nah, baby,” Grady says, fingering me while ignoring my clit. Likely, he doesn’t want to get me turned on again just yet. “Not in my pockets or anything, but if Granddad over there has an email he’d like to give me, then I can shoot a copy his way.”

“A contract for what?” Cassian bites out, reminding me that he’s also here.

Grady pulls his fingers from my core, bringing them to his mouth and sucking off my slick. “It’s a heat contract. We use fill-in alphas for Anni’s heats.”

“And you’d invite me into your nest?” Ward asks, leaning forward and nipping at my lower lip.

“I don’t really have a nest,” I admit, following his mouth as he pulls back. “We usually rent one of the private rooms here at the club or use one of the omega sanctuaries. The Omega Exchange is seriously fancy, and they have room service.” I nod dramatically. I’m still feeling woozy or a little high off their pheromones.

“That sounds nice.” Ward runs his fingers over my cheek.

“How about a compromise?” Cassian asks. “I need a fake girlfriend and your skills. You need alphas and a safe, comfortable place to ride out your heat. Let’s help each other.”

Grady laughs, running his hand down my arm. “Let’s hear your terms again. I think negotiations start at a hundred grand.”

“Grady,” I snort, shaking my head. “We’d be helping each other, so no money needs to exchange hands.” Not that I really couldn’t use a hundred thousand dollars. Or even fifty, if Grady and I split that amount. It’s only fair, considering he’d be my built-in security.

“Hey, I’ve got plants that need to be fed and watered regularly,” Grady lies.

I look at him over my shoulder. “Since when?”

“Fine,” he concedes. “It’s just the one, but it’s some seriously needy vegetation.”

“I’m weirdly proud of you for keeping a plant alive,” I admit, biting my lip.

This is how I know my instincts are firmly in control. My brain instantly believes he’d make a great dad because he has a damn houseplant. It’s a ridiculous correlation to make, but the breeding impulse is nearly impossible to fight. Luckily, I have an IUD because, logically, I know I’m not ready for kids right now. Even if my instincts want me to burrow into a warm, safe nest and pop out litters of little alphas and omegas.

I bat my lashes at him, and he grins in return.

“Yeah, no way you make it to three weeks before your heat hits,” Grady says. “Your pupils are blown, and you’re giving me googly eyes. I’d say a week, max.”

“Well, then, let’s come to some sort of agreement,” Cassian says, ruining a perfectly sweet moment. “Shall we?”

I let Grady do the majority of the negotiating for me.

Cassian needs someone who can pass for his girlfriend to watch a game with his father. I have no idea why beating his father at cards is so damn important, but I don’t press for answers that I have no right to.

The alpha pheromones have me kinda loopy, and Grady has always coordinated everything when it comes to volunteer alphas.

I’m basically looking at Cassian and Ward the same as any faceless cocks. Except, I’m slightly more attracted to their scents than I have been with any of the alphas in the past.

On the plus side, the club has mandatory STI screenings that must be passed to be approved for membership. I’m more than a little relieved that it would have been done this month, since they just joined.

Grady and I are good. We both got tested to be hired at the club, which was ironic because I was a virgin. We’ve also gotten tested after each heat, even though he always requires the guys to be tested beforehand.

Condoms are practically impossible during heats, since knotting fucks up their efficacy rate.

Blah, that’s an unsexy thought.

I’m grateful when their talk comes to an end, and Grady carries me out the back exit and to the parking garage. Once we exit the elevator, he turns and heads for his truck. He opens the door, lifts me into the passenger seat, and helps me buckle up. My entire body jolts, and my jaw falls open. I could’ve sworn I saw Kane standing at the edge of one of the concrete columns, but in the blink of an eye, he’s gone.

“What’s the matter?” Grady spins, assessing for threats.

“Nothing. I’m tired.” I laugh, shaking my head. “I think I caught a reflection and thought it was a ghost for a second.”

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