Page 46 of Knight Life In Vegas

Sammy pouted, but very diligently continued his work brushing Applesauce. She was living her best life with all of this attention.

“I see we’re going to need an extra thorough bath tonight,” Charlotte said as she came in with the others. She didn’t sound upset, thankfully, but she was definitely right. It had taken no time at all for the boys to get covered in dust and horse hair.

“Being a knight is messy work,” I told her, offering her a bright smile.

I got lost in her hazel eyes when she turned them on me. “Thank you for being so sweet with them.”

“Who could be anything but?”

She looked like she wanted to respond in the contrary, but simply shook her head and smiled. “I need to get them home for bath time.”

“Can we walk you out?” Eduardo asked. “It won’t take us long to change.”

Charlotte chewed her bottom lip. “Okay. We have to go collect the stroller for Lucy before the arena gets closed up.”

“Meet us in the gift shop,” Chico said. “The boys can pick out something free of charge.”

“You don’t have to do that,” Charlotte insisted.

“Privilege of being the boss.” Chico patted her on the shoulder. “We’ll see you in a few minutes. Please don’t run away.”

Her cheeks flushed pink at the reminder. “I won’t.”

As soon as Charlotte and her squad were out of sight, my pack and I were practically tripping over one another to get to the locker rooms and strip out of our knightly garb into regular street clothes. I would come back after and finish up with the horses, but for now I was ready to break a speed record on fastest change out.

We met them in the gift shop, the boys picking out some plastic swords. She winced when they bellowed and began a mock battle.

“Swords are for outside or the arena,” Eduardo stated. “Promise you won’t play with them in the house. You don’t want to break any of your mom’s things.”

“We promise,” Sammy said, probably automatically since he kept poking Ollie with the tip of his sword.

“Thank you,” she whispered to Eduardo. “I suppose I should introduce everyone. Beau, meet Dylan, Eduardo, and Francisco. Everyone, this is Beau and Lucy. And you all know my kids, Sammy and Ollie.”

The mystery man had a name now. Chico gave me a look that promised more information when we had time to talk.

“Boys, say thank you,” Charlotte told her children.

“Thank you!” they chorused.

“Okay, time to get you two home.” Charlotte gathered them up, taking them each by the hand. She stared at me for too long, like she was expecting something more, but I wasn’t entirely sure what. Her expression softened, body leaning closer, even as she anchored herself holding onto her boys.

Maybe she was as drawn to me as I was to her? I fist-bumped both of her boys with a bright smile before checking out her bodylanguage again. Definitely longing in those hazel eyes… Okay, time for a little risk.

“Would a hug be asking too much?” I inquired.

She didn’t respond with words, but relief lit up in her gaze and she got her sons to link hands and to both hold onto the stroller before she stepped into my embrace. I almost died right there. Holding her felt so fucking good, like everything in the universe was perfect for the brief seconds she allowed me to have contact. Her hands shook when she pressed them against my back, her body melting when my purr kicked on. I pulled in deep lungfuls of her scent, wanting to drag her back to the stables to hear her fall apart for me again. Maybe stables were too much… She was pretty classy, so beds were probably more her speed, but a man could dream.

Eduardo cleared his throat and I dragged myself into the unfortunate reality of having to let her go. She made the cutest fucking whimper when she hugged Eduardo next, and her breathing hitched when Chico got his turn. It was a damn good feeling to realize she wasn’t unaffected by us.

“Okay,definitelytime to get home,” Charlotte said when she finally stepped away. “Thank you for tonight. And the other nights.”

Her cheeks were flaming pink when she added the last bit. I knew I was grinning like an idiot, but I couldn’t stop. She headed off with her kids and Beau, and we watched until she was out of sight.

I turned to Chico. “We’re not letting her go, right?”

“Not on your fucking life.”

Iwoke in the middle of the night, skin sweating and core aching. My body was pissed off I’d been with four scent matches and gone home alone. It wasn’t entirely my fault. I couldn’t ask Ava to babysit this often just to roll around with my fated mates, and I couldn’t have them over when my kids were in the next room. My bedroom wouldn’t fit all of them, even despite the other logistical issues.

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