Page 24 of Crushes and Confections

She cast a look behind the bar, two of the triplets seeming to feel the weight of her eyes as they looked up from what they were doing. She quickly looked back towards us with a small shake of her head and I knew we weren’t going to be diving into all of that tonight.

“What about Vance and his partner?” Autumn asked. “I know you’ve been tight lipped about the whole thing and I won’t pry but I assume if y’all were having dinner with them, that might be a thing too.”

“There’s interest for sure,” I said. “But we’re all getting to know each other right now. They want to take it slow and build up. That doesn’t have to mean me and Riley though.”

“Well maybe what your beta needs is a nudge,” Lindsay offered. “Admittedly, it’s not for everyone, but it’s worked for me a time or two.”

“Oooo,” Autumn crooned, bouncing up and down in her seat excitedly. “Tomorrow at the auction. He’s helping you transport the goodies right?”

Adam, one of the triplet owners of the bar Lindsay had been not so subtly staring at, came over to the table this time, giving us another round.

“I’d ask if you ladies are behaving, but you all have that look in your eye right now. I’m not going to have to break up any fights tonight am I?” he asked with one eyebrow cocked up in question.

“That was one time, Adam!” Autumn said, narrowing her eyes. “And they didn’t even get into a fight, it was just a misunderstanding.”

“Well, they’re in the back booth again so have fun, but don’t wreck my bar, okay? That goes for all of you,” Adam said, looking towards me before looking intensely at Lindsay.

“No problem, boss,” she said with a twitch of her lips.

With fresh drinks in our hands we got back into our conversation at hand, scheming on ways I could drive my beta insane. In the most delicious ways of course.

“He’s going to stop by the bakery and transport the majority of them in the morning for me with the van. I’m going home after the morning rush and getting ready and I’ll be meeting him there.”

“That’s perfect, you can get all tarted up as sweetly as your desserts and make him come begging to you on his knees,” Lindsay said with a large grin.

“Please tell me you have a dress,” Autumn said.

“I was planning on wearing that black and pink suit I wore to the distribution meeting we had,” I said with a shrug. “I’m donating to the auction so it’s kind of business related.”

“But it’s a Dates & Delicacies auction, it’s all about sweets and seduction, romance and ravishing betas we need to step up to the plate,” Autumn beseeched.

“I see now why you’re in marketing,” I said with a laugh. “I have a few dresses but I don’t know if any of them would work.”

“Hold that thought,” Lindsay ordered as she went to the counter, and negotiated with Ollie before returning with three small glasses. “Shots first.”

“To the auction!” Autumn cheered. I clinked my drink against theirs before swallowing down the fiery liquid. The warmth spread through me and I found myself giving into the little fantasy they’d created.

Me, dressed up in a dress that hugged every curve, red painted lips, and my curls falling down my back. Riley seeing me and his eyes darkening with lust. Then he would whisk me away, unable to resist my charm. A couple of dashing alphas trailing after us.

“There’s way too much thinking going on, you clearly need another round,” Autumn joked before turning to the bar. “Another one, bartender!”

Adam didn’t look amused and instead carried over three waters while Ollie, the triplet who was totally scoring the most points tonight, came over a moment later with a fresh round.

“I’ve got a red dress,” I admitted. “It’s a sweetheart neckline and I always get self conscious because of how much it shows.”

“Then it’s perfect,” Lindsay protested. “You’ve got amazing boobs, use them!”

Autumn cracked up at that but agreed. “Exactly.”

“It’s not super sexy outside of that. The sleeves are sheer and the skirt flows, but it hugs my hips before flaring out.” At this point I was just rambling, letting their excitement and the gentle buzz keep me going.

“Red lipstick is a must, play up to that theme,” Autumn said firmly. “You’re going to be absolutely irresistible.”

The attention that was on me was starting to overwhelm me so I changed the subject to them and the auction.

“Are you participating in the auction tomorrow?”

Autumn grinned wickedly. “Yes and they don’t know it. I’m going to see just how crazy I can drive my guys. Poor Jack and Hunter will both be bickering and I have a feeling that Boone will be the one to win.”

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