Page 54 of The Flavor of Us

I can’t determine whether or not I hate it.

As I wake up a little further, I realize that she’s also dressed us—Carleen in that large shirt she always wore to bed and me in one of her shirts as well. That part I fucking love, being clothed in my Alpha’s stuff and I’m about to milk that every chance Iget. Carleen finally leans back, searching my sleepy expression. “How are you, Tati? After everything? After the other night?”

“You mean when we said I love you?”

Her face darkens, telling me that that’s not what she was referring to. I’ve been avoiding talking or even thinking about it because cuddling in my nest with all three Alphas had made it all better. Or so I hoped.

“Tati…”

“I’m okay. I think. For the most part? It was terrifying but you were there. You all were. I’m not sure what happens next time because there will be a next time. And you can’t always be there to save me. It was always Ellie and me against the world and now she’s started a family and I just want a stage to express myself.” I let out a heavy sigh, wondering how stupid that sounds. “Carleen, I want to go back but…”

“You don’t need to force yourself. I’m sure that Eugene will have no problems giving you a day or two off to collect yourself. He should have never touched you.” There’s a cute little growl to her words that makes me curl up to her chest and throw my arm over her hip.

“I don’t want to think about it. Can we just stay here for today or do you have to work?”

Carleen hums thoughtfully and then I feel her shift. A moment later, I hear the soft chime of her phone as she pulls it from somewhere behind her. She types something quickly, her brows furrowing in concentration before her lips curve into a smile. “Done,” she says, tossing her phone gently onto one of the pillows beside us.

I blink up at her. “What did you do?”

“Cleared my schedule,” she says simply. “It’s just us today, sunshine.”

A giddy, fluttery feeling bubbles up in my chest, and I can’t stop the grin that stretches across my face.

“Really?”

“Really.”

I practically tackle her, giggling as I press soft, playful kisses across her face. Carleen laughs, her arms wrapping tightly around me as she pulls me close, tilting her head so our lips meet in a proper kiss. It’s soft at first, slow and lazy, but it deepens quickly. Carleen’s hands slide down my back, pulling me tighter against her as her tongue sweeps into my mouth. I melt against her, sighing into the kiss as my fingers tangle in her messy curls.

When we finally pull back, we’re both breathless, our foreheads pressed together as we try to steady ourselves. And just like that, we’re back to cuddling—soft, warm, wrapped in each other.

The hours pass in a blur of slow kisses, whispered words, and long stretches of comfortable silence as Carleen nurses the bond on my shoulder. At some point, Carleen carries me to the kitchen and makes us something light to eat—toast and fruit and warm tea. We eat curled up on the couch, our knees touching, her eyes soft every time they meet mine.

I don’t know how long we stay like this, wrapped up in our little world, but I don’t care. I don’twantto care. I’m dozing lightly in Carleen’s arms again when my phone buzzes on the edge of the couch. I groan, fumbling around until I find it and squinting at the screen.

It’s a text. From Ashton.

Hey, doe. Ryder and I were wondering if we could steal you and Carleen for dinner tonight? Say yes. Please say yes.

My heart does a little flip, and a goofy grin stretches across my face as I clutch the phone to my chest.

Carleen raises a brow, smirking slightly. “Good news?”

“It’s Ashton,” I say, biting my lip. “He wants to take us out to dinner. Him and Ryder.”

Carleen’s smirk softens into a smile, her fingers tracing lightly over my cheek. “What do you want to do, sunshine?”

I shake my head, hating that it’s still her putting my needs first. If this is going to work, it’s going to be our pack. “No, what do we want to do? Do you want to go out on a date with them?”

“Yes, I’d love that.”

That’s all the confirmation I need as I text him back.

What time?

The reply comes almost immediately.

Pick you up at seven, little doe. Wear something pretty for me.

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