Page 97 of Citius

Snuggling against his shoulder, I grumbled, “There’s a lot more going on than I realized.”

“No shit,” he said with a wry laugh while still trying his best to be gentle. “Yeah, Morgan somehow makes scrubs look sexy and gives killer banter, but I never thought I’d be into the same woman as CalandWyatt.”

“Yeah, the Cal thing was a surprise.” I shook my head, idly tracing the tattoos winding down his arms. “I see them together multiple times a week. Sure, he hangs around her on the sidelines, and they joke a bit, but it’s so…tame. No lingering looks, no covert touches. They’re always so focused and professional.”

“Isn’t that part of what drew you to her in the first place? How dedicated is she, and how she thrives on helping people?”

“Yeah.” I kissed the symmetrical geometric forms inked on his neck. “When you put it that way, it’s only natural Cal would be into her, too.”

Holding him tighter, I whispered my honest thoughts. “Part of me—alargepart—wants to be thrilled. The five of us… Well, four, since Owen seems iffy, but he’s always iffy. All of us liking the same omega should be thebestthing ever. Morgan could make the dream of Wyatt and Cal joining the pack a reality. But I can’t help but worry.”

Joaquin’s hand moved in slow, soothing circles along my back, making my words spill out faster.

“If it was just me and you, we could date her without too much trouble. She’s done with the football team in January. But throw in Wyatt and Cal… They’re alphas. All it would take is one dirty look, a jealous growl, and poof—her job’s gone. No more football with me, no tech fun with Owen and Cal, no gymnastics with Wyatt. I don’t want that for her.”

“Don’t lose sight of our options, babe,” he murmured. “One, convince them to pack up with us and file courting paperwork. Then, if anyone gives us shit, we use Cal’s connections to make sure no one loses out at work.”

“Cal won’t go for that. At least not while his grandfather’s still alive.”

“So, option two. Wait until her fellowship’s over and Charles the First croaks to make our move.”

“That could be months from now, years even. What if Morgan accepts a job in a different state without knowing how we feel?” I burrowed into the crook of his neck, voice muffled against his skin. “Why can’t you be a possessive jerk and just order me to get over her?”

“I’m a lover, not a barker,” he said, kissing my hair. “Which is why I’mallfor option three—seducing our hot neighbor on the down low. Living next door makes itsomuch easier not to get caught.” Wicked laughter poured into my ear. “Hold the elevator for her? Throw in a wink. Help bring up her groceries? Steal a kiss. Hard to reach lightbulb? Change it for her—in the nude.”

I pulled back to stare at him. “Oh my god, you’re terrible.”

“And you love it.” His embrace verged on suffocating before he kissed my forehead and eased up. “But we can’t letCharlesget ahead of the pack proper. You’re an easy sell, with your big heart and this gorgeous face.” His hand cradled my chin, angling it upward to rain kisses along my cheekbones and nose before finally claiming my lips. “And I’m hot as fuck. Completely irresistible when I put my mind to it.”

A hand slipped beneath the hem of my shirt, fingertips spanning my ribcage, teasing out newly awakened nerve endings.

“It’s the prickly one I’m worried about. Think a dick can rust from disuse?”

I slapped his shoulder. “Joaquin!”

“Not sorry,” he said, laughing as he rolled me onto my back, settling his weight between my legs. “I sincerely don’t know who could look at the two of us, in all our happily mated glory, and then look at Owen and think, yes, I find them all equally attractive.”

“You don’t see his appeal?”

Joaquin’s brows rose, curling his mouth into a wolfish leer. “And you do?”

“He checks a lot of boxes, you know. Notmyboxes. But he’s smart, dominant, tall, and has an incredible job. People settle for a lot less.”

“Should I be worried that you’re being so complimentary?”

“I don’t know. Can you name three gymnastics moves?” I teased, pinching his nipple through his shirt. “Or are you finally going to admit you were only watching those videos to stare at Morgan’s ass?”

Joaquin released an exaggerated gasp, catching my hand and pinning it between us. His thumb stroked the underside of my wrist. “How dare you question my gymnastics expertise. I know all the important terms—straddle, grip, twist, mount,” he whispered before capturing my mouth for a filthy kiss. “Release.”

“You’re hopeless.”

“Probably. But you’re stuck with me.” Joaquin’s fingers trailed up my arm, settling in the bend of my elbow, holding me tight. “So let me in, babe. I don’t want to be last to know when you have a bad day.”

A fresh wave of guilt threatened to pull me under, but I nodded, swallowing hard.

“Me either. So don’t…”

His thumb repeatedly brushed over my bonding mark, coaxing the words out of me.

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