Page 64 of Vegas Baby!

“Do you want a full meal or a grazing plate?” Micah asked.

“Grazing, please.”

“I’ve got it. Go have a seat.”

Luke and I wandered over to the couch, Bryce and Jesse creating space for us to sit. Bryce draped his arm over my shoulders and I snuggled against his side, breathing in his cranberries and rum scent. Luke laid a possessive hand on my thigh, but didn’t make a peep about Bryce hogging me. That was good. The four of them needed to get good about sharing.

Micah returned a few minutes later with a plate for me loaded with chunks of rotisserie chicken and dip, grapes and strawberries, cheddar slices and crackers.

“Thank you.” I munched away on my food while Luke served himself some of their leftover spaghetti.

“Were you good with Luke about expressing your needs?” Micah asked me in front of everyone.

I pursed my lips at him putting me on the spot.

“She definitely let me know what she wanted,” Luke replied for me.

Bryce kissed my temple. “Good girl.”

I squirmed, and all of them stilled at the flood of candied pecan into the air. “Nobody look at me like that. I need to finish eating.”

Luckily, they turned back to their game and my hormones settled down. Baby growing was hard work, and by the time their game had finished, I was half-asleep.

“Are you ready for bed, sweetness?” Jesse asked.

“I feel like my sleep schedule is going to get super fucked up if I go to bed right now.”

“It’s a possibility, but you need to be listening to your body. Whatever schedule you need, feel free to follow.”

“Okay. Then I think I’m ready for bed. Nest is open if anyone wants to crawl in when they’re going to sleep.”

Luke jumped on the offer. “I’ll take you back upstairs.”

I got properly ready for bed, brushing my teeth and washing my face, and he briefly disappeared to do the same before we reunited in the nest.

“We’re good, right?” he asked.

“Mhmm.”

“No regrets?”

I shook my head. “Nope.”

Tension flowed out of him and he offered me the same lazy smile I remembered from our childhood. “Good. Now get over here so we can snuggle.”

I wiggled closer and he plastered up against my back, draping his arm over me.

“Would it be way too soon and freak you out if I said something that’s usually reserved for later in relationships?”

“I’ve known you since before I could form memories. I don’t think there’s much you could say that would freak me out.” I turned my head to try and see his face, but he tucked it against my throat.

“I know I don’t deserve to say it yet, but you’ve always been important to me and I wanted you to know that I love you.”

My purr roared to life. “I love you, too. Pretty sure I always have.”

His purr matched mine, offering me comfort and security. He was the last one in my bed and the first one to tell me those words. It felt right that he’d be the first to offer them. I’d kind of expected him to be the last, though I’d hoped he wouldn’t be.

“I’m going to be a good alpha for you. I promise.”

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