Page 75 of Eclipsed Heart

Mom wanted to surprise you with dinner.He parked the car, his eyes shining.

My stomach grumbled in response. We hadn’t eaten anything but snacks since we’d left Heather’s, and we’d stopped once only for gas and a pee break.

The advisors and the dads pulled into the driveway behind us, and we all climbed out.

Bodey and I entered the house first, the smell of steak and potatoes filling my nose. Janet had to be cooking on the grill on the lower deck. The others shuffled in behind us, everyone removing their shoes and heading into the house.

We found Stella, Stevie, and Destiny sitting on the couch with Taylor and Alicia standing at the island holding glasses of red wine.

My mouth watered in response to the beverage and the delicious scent of food.

The three women on the couch jumped to their feet and rushed to greet their mates.

Stevie patted my arm as she brushed by, headed straight for Jack. He wrapped his arms around her, lifting her up and twirling her around despite Lucas and Miles standing close to him.

“What the hell, man?” Lucas complained, taking four large steps toward the hallway. “We’re right here.”

“Not in my mind,” Jack said, pulling Stevie into his chest. “All I see is my girl here, standing in front of me.”

Her cheeks turned crimson, and I swallowed my laughter, not wanting to embarrass her.

The four former advisors headed inside, each of them making his way to his mate. Michael didn’t pause as he practically jogged across the den to reach Janet on the back porch.

I rubbed my chest, feeling so warm. Even chosen mates who’d been together for a long time were still excited to see one another. My eyes turned to Bodey, who winked at me as he snatched the bottle of wine from the center of the island, where it stood next to a huge container of baked potatoes in aluminum foil. He filled a glass and handed it to me.

“Thank you.” I took a large sip and walked around the island as Jack, Miles, and Carl followed their mates back to their places on the couch. The guys took their spots behind their women, probably wanting to stand after being cooped up in the car.

“Always.” Bodey came behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist.

I nestled into his chest, taking another sip of wine. The warmth coated my throat and settled into my stomach like an internal hug. Being home felt so damn nice, especially after the hell we’d just gone through.

Stella glanced over her shoulder, moving so she could see around Miles’s huge form. “Are you still injured?” She scanned me from head to toe.

“I’ve pretty much healed.” I lowered the neckline of my fuchsia shirt, showing her the scratches by my mark.

“We’re glad you’re all back.” Stevie pressed her lips together, staring at me.

“Please.” Jack nuzzled her neck and said, “Don’t lie. You were only worried about me.”

She snorted. “I was, but I care about my sister and everyone else as well.” She thumped him on the back of the head, and he stilled.

“Man.” Jack straightened and pointed at Lucas. “You’ve even got her doing that now.”

Lucas shrugged. “Don’t be an ass, and you won’t have a problem.”

“You wanna see an ass?” Jack reached for the belt of his jeans.

“Dude!” Lucas shook his head. “Don’t. I’ve seen you on the toilet enough times while you’re pooping. I don’t need additional visuals. The image is too damn vivid already.”

“Jack Landry, if you drop your pants, I will spank your ass.” Destiny pointed at him. “Right here in front of everyone. I don’t care if you’re an advisor or not.”

Bodey’s shoulders shook with stifled laughter against my back.

“And whenshe’sdone with you…” Stella lifted her chin. “I’ll make sure your balls itch for a month like I did when I learned that you tried to hire a stripper to come to the house while Miles was there.”

“What?” Stevie asked loudly. “You didwhat?”

“Whoa.” He lifted both hands. “First off, I hadn’t met you yet.” He pointed at Stevie. “I wouldneverdo that now.” Then he lifted two fingers. “And second, it was a joke.”

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