Page 43 of Packed Up In Vegas

It took a half second for my brain to process the statement, initially wondering why I would want to, before my instincts caught up, screaming yes! in the back of my brain.

“Does that delicious scent of candied apple mean you would like something of his?” Diego asked.

My cheeks warmed again, and I nodded as small as I could while still being perceptible.

Kai dug through Diego’s dresser and pulled out an oversized T-shirt. “I’ll wear it while I cook and bring it up for you before you get out of the bath.”

Kai kissed the top of my head before departing and Diego turned me toward the bathroom. An enormous bath sat beneath an archway with a copper chandelier above it and copper mosaic covering the alcove where the bathtub was nestled. A separate shower with warm brown stone and matching cabinetry filled the rest of the space. It was better than any hotel I’d stayed in before.

Diego got the water running and added a splash of pumpkin spice bubble bath.

“You take bubble baths?”

“You think omegas are the only ones allowed to be luxurious?”

“No, it’s just a little unexpected.”

He politely stepped out into the bedroom while I stripped off my clothes from yesterday and slid into the warm water. Diego let me soak, and I could hear him bustling around, but he didn’t come back in until I was thoroughly relaxed and my fingers were pruney. He set down two fluffy towels on the edge of the bath along with the shirt Kai had gone downstairs in. Then he brought in my suitcase, leaving it next to everything else.

“I’ll be in the bedroom when you’re ready.”

The towels were like clouds and I dried myself off slowly to enjoy them before locating fresh underwear in my suitcase and pulling Kai’s shirt on over top. It smelled deliciously of his cinnamon scent and hung to my mid-thigh, making it more dress than shirt. I debated for a moment whether I should wear shorts beneath it, but I had worn dresses this long with just panties. The light was wavering outside the windows, a tell that the day was going to be blistering hot. No need to add more layers than necessary in that case.

Diego’s gaze swept over me and my whole body reacted to his attention, goosebumps raising down my arms and my stomach clenching. “No one’s ever looked so good in my clothes before. Come on, precious; let’s get you acquainted with your new home.”

We started with the balcony outside his room that overlooked the pool. It was so tidy, cut in a perfect rectangle with white tile around the edge and centered in the courtyard I had seen bits of yesterday.

“Kai’s room has the same view as mine,” he told me. “Miles and Amir face the front lawn.”

“I don’t know how so many people can have grass in the desert.”

Diego leaned down, whispering conspiratorially, “Don’t tell anyone, but the grass is fake. We weren’t going to waste that much water out here. The few plants we do have are watered by an underground irrigation system so they use way less water and they were all picked for their ability to thrive in drought conditions.”

“Well, that’s a relief. I was about to judge you guys.”

Diego laughed and looped his arm around my shoulders, taking me back inside and down the gorgeous rounded staircase. There was an old-timey movie theater tucked behind it, with red velvet stage curtains, plush leather seating, and a popcorn machine ready for use.

“You can pick whatever we watch for your first movie night with us,” Diego told me.

The scent of chocolate filled the air.

“Smells like breakfast might be ready.” Diego ushered me into their exquisite kitchen, where Kai was flipping pancakes shirtless, looking more like a snack than the food he was preparing.

“Perfect timing.” He smiled at me, depositing three stacked pancakes on a plate with multiple others. He had also prepared another plate with bacon and a bowl of cut fruit along with a pitcher of juice.

“I’ll go wake the others,” said Diego, leaving me with Kai.

“Come pick anything you want,” said Kai.

I moved slowly around the island to stand next to him, and he wrapped his arms around me, pressing me to his chest. “I know we can’t fix everything, but I hope you’ll let us try. I really want you to be happy here.” Heat sparked in his gaze that dropped to my lips.

I wanted his kiss but I was frozen, looking up at him, unable to bridge that gap.

“Can I?” he asked quietly, his thumb brushing against my bottom lip, sending shivers through me.

I nodded, closing my eyes as he descended toward me until a rush of cinnamon on my tongue unlocked my limbs. I wrapped my arms around his neck, gasping against his mouth when he scooped me up to set me on the counter.

He tasted so fucking good.

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