Page 55 of The Flavor of Us

I roll my eyes, grinning as I show the text to Carleen.

She snorts softly, shaking her head. “That man is relentless.”

“You love it,” I tease, nudging her lightly.

Carleen just smirks, leaning back against the cushions as she pulls me closer into her chest. I settle in against her, letting my eyes flutter shut as her hand strokes softly through my hair. We have a date tonight. A real date. And it’s not just with Carleen. It’s withthem.With our pack. I press a soft kiss against Carleen’s collarbone before letting out a happy sigh.

Chapter twenty-six

ASHTON

When I saidnice, I should have known that our women were going to outdo us. My nice sweater and dress pants don’t carry a torch to the form-fitted evening dress Tati is cloaked in or the sleek black pants suit, complete with a tie Carleen is donned in. Even Ryder’s usually put-together appearance pales in comparison. Tati’s dark makeup brings out the hazel of her eyes, that wide smile on her lips only lengthens as we pull up to the parking lot.

I wanted to do all of this right. After Carleen asked for a day off to spend with Tati, I wanted to get my foot in the door and truly show our women what we had to offer. I knew Tati would agree because she’s so easy to please but I want Carleen to want to be here as well. The desperate need for her approval—the way I sometimes need Ryder’s has always made me wonder if I’m more of a Beta.

But the knot in my pants tells me otherwise.

Focus, Ash.

I clear my throat and step out of the car to open the door for Carleen, Ryder helping Tati out on his side. He’s so much larger than her, the size difference almost comical, and yet it fits a few fantasies in my head. And when his hand swallows hers as he leads her inside, I nearly melt against the car right then and there. Except Carleen is just staring at me, one brow raised, wondering what the hell is going on.

“You good, Ashton?”

Fuck, I’m already messing this up.

“I really wanted this night to be perfect, Carleen. You even marked our Beta. Goddess, your bite looks perfect on her and—”

Suddenly, I’m facing Carleen, my back against the car, her hands cupping my cheeks. “Breathe. There you go. Everythingisperfect. Tati is over the moon. She’s been squealing about it for hours, even said she had to dress me because we had to match.” Her smile is genuine but there’s something I still need from her.

“And you? You wanted to come too, right?”

Her chest rumbles with a laugh that slowly turns into a purr as she dips in low, brushing her lips across mine. “Tati asked me the same thing and yes, I want to be here. Tati might be the center of my world but that doesn’t mean I don’t want you too.”

There.

Thatconfirmation. I close the distance between us, gently grabbing her tie and pulling it toward me so her lips meet mine. Goddess, they’re so soft. She moans into the kiss as I let her direct the pace, keeping my hand tightened around her tie so I don’t start wandering and push her too far. My eagerness has never been a hindrance until this moment.

And it’s too perfect to ruin.

When she pulls away, I’m chasing her lips, the taste of peaches and fresh rain as I slowly switch our positions. Her back is flatagainst the car, her eyes wide as they search my expression. “I just wanted you to know, darling, that I want you too. Tati is going to be my obsession. My little doe, my perfect Beta. But you? You’re going to break me in the best of ways. I just know it. I'm falling in love with you, Carleen.” I drag the back of my hand down her cheek, Carleen leaning into the touch before kissing my knuckles.

“It’s really nice to be wanted, Ashton. You have no fucking idea. And, as chaotic as you are, in everything you do, I think I'm falling for you just the same.” Carleen lays one last kiss to my lips before I straighten her tie and then guide her inside.

Goddess, I’m going to be proving that to her every day of my life if she’ll let me.

The restaurant is cozy—low lighting, dark wood tables, and little flickering candles that make everything feel soft and intimate. Ryder chose the place, and of course, it’s perfect. It’s not overly fancy or pretentious, just comfortable enough for us to relax.

Tati is sandwiched between Carleen and me, and Ryder’s sitting on the other side of Carleen, leaning back in his chair like he owns the damn place. His sharp blue eyes scan the room occasionally, but mostly, they’re focused on us—onthis.And I can’t blame him.

Because this? This feelsright.

Especially after that moment outside. I feel closer to Carleen, like all of this can be part of our forever and not just a trial.

Carleen’s leaning in close to Tati, her fingers ghosting over the faint bonding bite on Tati’s shoulder. Her brows are furrowed, her lips pressed in a thin line as she inspects it like she’s assessing a five-star meal. “Does it hurt, sunshine?” Carleen murmurs softly.

Tati shakes her head, her hazel eyes shining under the dim light. “Nope. It’s fine. Promise.”

Carleen doesn’t look convinced. She presses a soft kiss just above the mark, and Tati melts into her side, letting out this tiny, satisfied hum that makes my chest ache with how sweet it is. Ryder watches them both, his face unreadable but his eyes are full of something warm and proud. Family.

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