Page 99 of Juliet & Her Romeos

In high school, I often fantasized that Ambrose would invite me into the locker room with him. Then I’d watch him change out of his football gear down to his jockstrap, which would frame his tight ass.

When I was lying in bed at night flicking the bean, I’d whisper his name that sounded like an invocation when said three times but sadly, it never summoned him between my thighs —Ambrose, Ambrose, Ambrose.

But none of that was real.

And he’s a man now.

I swallow, watching as the material tightens over Ambrose’s ass, as he leans forward further to straighten the presents.

It must feel amazing for people to wake up and find gifts laid out for them like this.

Maybe I will next year.

More than anything, I want to make something to be able to wrap like this for every member of my new pack.

Swan deserves to have a whole mountain of presents.

Excitement swells through me at the thought.

“Thank you for selecting me with a rose,” I burst out, bouncing on my toes. “As long as you protect and keep Swan and me together, I swear that we’ll be good for you. I can’t wait to bebonded to Vito as well. I’m going to love Bec with all my heart and make sure that I learn about his needs. I’ve always desired an Omega soul mate of my own. I’ve never felt right without being close to another Omega. Your brother is one of my best friends. Laurent will be delighted in his coolly unaffected way of his, when he finds out about this. I promise, Swan and I will treat your mates with respect and do everything to stand by them. I would just…it would mean the world to us, if we could still dance sometimes.”

I look at Ambrose, hopefully.

At the sound of my voice, Ambrose startles.

He sits up too quickly, catching his head on the lower branches of the tree. Pine needles rain down on his hair, and he cusses.

I laugh.

Ambrose emerges from underneath the tree with needles in his golden hair and covering his broad shoulders.

He looks like a rugged, primal Alpha King, emerging from the forest to claim me.

Actually, possibly tochase mewith the way that his cold amber eyes are intently fixed on me.

I’m used to Swan’s mercurial moods, however, so I merely drop to sit next to Ambrose on the icy floor. Then I reach to brush the needles off his powerful shoulders and out of his hair.

Hell, his hair is as soft as it looks.

Can I help it, if I enjoy carding my fingers through his hair and take longer than strictly necessary?

Ambrose sits still, as if in surprise. The tips of his ears turn red.

After a couple of minutes, while I inch even closer, until our knees touch, he coughs.

“I think that you got them.” Ambrose’s voice is deep and rumbling.

I nod, drawing my hand back.

“Of course you can still dance.” Ambrose studies me. “I’d never take anyone’s talent away from them. Mom did that to me with my football. After high school, I was banned from playing. Swan and you are inspiring. When I watched you, it was like you were talking to me through your dance. Don’t doubt it again.”

Huh, he’s as commanding as ever. But also, sweet.

I hate that his mom stopped him from playing football. He was the best in the school.

It must have hurt him to give it up.

I salute him. “As you will it, sir.”

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