Page 49 of Stella

“Yes, Sunshine.” Logan’s voice was a grumble. He was always quiet, but when he was cooking, he was laser focused. “It’s a good plan.”

I swallowed, failing horribly at letting the sexy growl of his voice turn me on even more. “Okay then.”

“You’ll be our liaison, right?” Julian grinned, showing both dimples. “That’s my condition to saying yes.”

“I guess?” I pulled out the bok choy. “It might change depending on who’s here. Holly’s busy doing charity stuff, so Raina’s been stepping in too.”

Julian shook his head. “I only want to liaise with you.”

“You already said yes,” I raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t even play hard to get.”

“With you?” Julian looked right at me. Heat zipping through my body. “There’s no ‘hard to get’. There’s ‘here I am, come take me’.”

Damn. My brain short-circuited, and I laughed. “Sure, sure.”

I didn’t have a sexy come back. The image of Julian short circuited my brain, his arms circling my waist. Me licking his bondmarks. Luca leaning over to kiss me while Logan cupped my breasts.

But Julian always flirted.

Logan didn’t ignore me, but he was grouchy and quiet. And Luca reminded about practical matters like getting my oil changed, like I was a little sister to care of.

None of them had asked me on a date, or even tried to kiss me. If they’d wanted me, they would have made a pass by now.

I liked being able to send silly internet memes to Julian, talk about the latest episode of the trashy TV Luca and I watched, and ask Logan why my garlic mashed potatoes tasted bitter.

Me making a clumsy pass at a pack that had shown no interest would ruin all of that.

I passed Logan the bok choy and focused on the menu for the upcoming event.

I’d tried to be in a pack once, and it had ended as it had always been destined—with me on the outside.

I was only a beta, after all, and who was I to think a pack needed me? Pack Kahele already had three handsome, well-off men. If they’d wanted a beta, they would already have one.

My crush was only that. A crush. The longing in my chest had no place in reality, no matter how much it hurt.

Chapter14

Simon

Idragged Stella outside and pushed her against the side of the banquet hall.

“What are you…” Stella trailed off as I pressed against her.

“Are you trying to make me jealous?” I growled into her throat. Craved the taste of her skin on my tongue. I dragged my tongue up her neck, and she whimpered.

“Jealous? Why would you…”

“Flirting with those alphas.” I grazed my teeth over her throat.

Her scent flooded my mouth. She tilted her head back. “They already have an omega…” Her voice trailed off as I nipped her throat.

“Doesn’t matter.” I ran my hands down her sides, pressing my pelvis into her. My self-control was gone.

She moaned again, grinding against me, and then stopped.

“Wait, wait. Simon, stop.”

My libido came to a screeching halt. It was too soon. I was too much of an ass.

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