Page 86 of Crushes and Confections

“I was a little afraid you’d come out of your heat angry it happened,” he admitted. “Omegas get territorial sometimes.”

“It’s you,” I said easily. “There’s no jealousy there, I promise. They both love us, and we love them and each other. That’s what matters.”

“You’re right. I’m being ridiculous,” he agreed. “All these damn hormones are getting to me. I need some fresh air soon, or I’m going to go crazy.”

“Back to reality tomorrow,” I said. Though in truth, I wasn’t quite ready to let go of the little corner of peace we’d claimed for ourselves. But life moved on, and we had only two days to prepare for the Sweetheart Swing, finish up the big orders I always got around this time, and we still had the last courting riddle to figure out.

None of that mattered tonight, though.

The alphas joined us again and we shifted so we were all on the couch, me on Adrien’s lap, as we turned our show back on.

There were a few more episodes and I hoped I could stay awake long enough to see it through to the end. That would be a challenge when I was breathing in their scents and fighting my exhaustion.

But it was worth it. I was happier than I’d ever been, and it was thanks to all three of my mates.

CHAPTER 28

Vance

Even though we’d just spent a whole heat intertwined, part of me already missed Claire since she had gone back to work this morning. Thankfully I had gotten to spend the night sleeping between her and my handsome beta.

My bond with Riley thrummed with excitement as he finished getting ready, the two of us on our own for today, running last minute errands before the dance tomorrow.

I could feel the want coming from Adrien’s bond and knew he was struggling with the distance this soon after the heat too.

That didn’t mean Riley and I weren’t planning to steal them away for lunch already, or that we weren’t determined to tie up all the other loose ends so that all we had to do when they were off was relax.

“I’m a lucky alpha,” I said as Riley walked out, sliding his wallet into the pocket of his dark jeans.

His dark hair was still damp, and his dark blue dress shirt stretched across his muscles, the hint of his gold chain peeking out of his collar.

“Of course you are,” he said with a wide smile, coming over to me.

“This is where you say you’re lucky to have me too,” I teased affectionately.

“My entire body and bond know that,” he said with a laugh, giving me a peck on the lips. “I don’t think I’ll be able to wear a watch for a little bit until it’s fully healed.”

I loved the placement of Riley’s bonds, one on each wrist, and I made a vow right then and there to get him a new watch.

If it was going to cover part of my bite and be resting against it all day, I wanted it to be from me. Something special between him and me, maybe get an engraving on the inside too. I’m sure Adrien knew a list of good jewelers we could get something customizable through.

“I love you, Riley Ortiz,” I told him seriously, needing to express how much he meant to me.

“I can feel it,” he assured me. “I love you too, alpha.”

The two of us set out for our day, taking my SUV as we went and picked up our outfits from the tailors and the corsage we’d ordered for Claire from the florist.

Of course, when we went to pick it up, not only had that sneaky little beta prepaid, but he’d gotten us all boutonnieres to complement it too.

“I’m impressed,” I admitted a tad begrudgingly.

I couldn’t suppress the drive inside of me that made me want to provide for them, but I admired the quick thinking and smarts of my beta.

“I’m pretty impressive,” he said with a laugh, “Just not modest.”

“I’m one hundred percent okay with that,” I said, an easy grin on my face. “Where to now?”

“Can we stop by my mom’s before lunch?” he asked. “She’s off today and I want to pick something up before tomorrow.”

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