Page 127 of This Pack of Ours

“Shit, Adrian, this was like the perfect gift,” I said, tucking it back into my bag. “It’s cute and cozy and peaceful and I love it so much. I loved itsomuch it really scared me when I thought I was leaving, and I’m so sorry I made you think I didn’t like it.”

I bit my lip, wondering if he’d be annoyed, but instead he looked relieved.

“Oh,” he replied, but there was a smile tugging on his face. “Does this mean that you’re okay with me holding your hand now, too?”

I blushed. He… wanted that?

“Yeah,” I said, snatching his hand before he could change his mind or tell me he was just joking.

“Okay.” He was now grinning ear to ear. “I got us tickets already. Shall we?”

He held my hand as we walked through the tropics, peering at the turtles and snakes. We went to the balcony overlooking a freshwater fish pool, and I kept blushing because he was just staring at me every time I looked at him.

“Thanks for not telling anyone. About my eyes,” I said as I watched a large carp brush the surface. “And—for diverting the others that morning. And I heard how you told the story, too. You made it seem like it was your fault, not that I crept up on you in the dark.”

“It was nothing,” he replied with a shrug, and stepped closer to me so our shoulders were touching.

He was so warm beside me and he smelled so good. I turned, looking up at his brown eyes. He hovered for a moment, then leaned down to give me a kiss, his hand slipping around my waist. He was gentle and sweet, and I also found myself blushing as we pulled apart.

“Oh,” I said, my cheeks burning. “You don’t have to…”

“I want to,” he said gently. “I wantyou,Juniper. I love seeing you fierce and confident, like you could handle anything. Like you’d take on the world. And I love seeing you like this, too, when you seem so peaceful and calm.”

He took my hand, making my stomach swoop.

“I want to come alongside you and give you anything you need, and I want to help you find more of these quiet moments, too. And I’d be honoured if you joined our pack—not because you love Kit, but because I want you here. I want to fall in love with you, too, Juniper. If you’ll have me.”

His face was bright red by the end, and I swallowed heavily as he finished.

“I want that, too,” I said, and pulled him down for another kiss, my heart swelling. I hadn’t expected this from him. He had Kit, and I did too, but to know that there was going to be a place in his heart for me made me so happy.

“Fucking finally,” said a voice from behind me. “Took you long enough dude. I know I promised I wouldn’t step in, but seriously?”

I turned around to see Ez leaning on a fake stone wall behind us. He kicked off and came over, taking my hand and tugging me down the corridor.

“Um, I’ll see you later, Juni,” said Adrian as I was taken away.

“It’s my turn, hot stuff.” Ez gave me a wink, and I chuckled.

“So wait, who’s going to be after you?” I asked.

“Um, ouch?" he said. “Don’t even think about that, sunshine. It’s just Ez and Juniper time right now.”

He was leading me down the hall to the deep sea section.

He stopped under a glowing display of jellyfish and looked me up and down, before helping me do a little twirl. I curtsied as I finished, and he let go of my hand to give me a little round of applause.

“I didn’t know you could get any more beautiful,” he said. “But you continue to surprise me.”

“Are you okay?” I asked, tapping him on the head. “You just said beautiful instead of hot or smokin’ or something.”

He pushed me back against the glass, and his forehead met mine, his hands resting on my hips.

“You’re sexy as hell, too,” he said in a low voice, before leaning in and nibbling my bottom lip. My hands tangled in his hair as I caught him in a kiss. He pressed closer, his body so warm compared to the cool glass behind me. His eager tongue met mine, and his hands were moving down my hips, following my curves. I broke away and swatted his hands from where he was groping my ass. A swirl of arousal had awoken between my legs, and for a second I wondered if it might trigger my heat, but I was in the clear. For now.

“There arekidshere,” I said, glancing around in mortification. He smirked, but pulled back, taking my hand again.

“I just want it on the record,” he said as we walked in front of a tank of moon jellies. “That I was thefirstto say I loved you. It was the day after your heat, and Kit had just texted us to ask if we’d want to see you again, and I told themallthat I knew I was in love with you.”

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