Page 66 of This Pack of Ours

Wasn’t me ‘showing off those pretty moans’the only thing hedidn’tdespise about me? Because that was supposed to be safe, that was supposed to be the one thing Vander liked.

“Be that as it may, heisstill your mate. And no matter your personal feelings, youwillgive him basic respect.”

“Or what, Jhin?” Vander said, lifting his face so it was inches from Jhin’s. “You gonna fucking make me?”

There was an insanely charged moment where Jhin and Vander just stared at each other, the challenge hanging between them.

Vander’s eyelids lowered, just a bit, and his neck was arching slightly under Jhin’s grip. His tongue darted out to wet his lips, Jhin’s eyes following the movement. The anger on Vander’s face changed slightly, shifting to an expression I’d seen on him earlier today, when his eyes had met mine in furious desire.

Oh.

Oh.

It all clicked into place. Vander wasjealous.The relief washed over my body in a wave, making me sway on my feet, because that explained everything. And that meant he did still want me. The moment stretched out, Vander’s body pinned under Jhin’s ironclad grip. Then Jhin released him, taking a deep breath.

“Go on your walk,” he said, letting Vander go. “We’ll discuss this in the morning, when I have a clearer head.”

“Great,” snarled Vander. “Looking forward to it.”

Then he looked right at the door, and I stepped back, pressing my hand harder against my mouth. Had he seen me? The door was only opened a crack, and it was dark in here.

I anxiously waited for him to slam open the door and start yelling at me, but instead I heard his heavy footsteps recede down the hall.

I tiptoed over to the bed, trying to slip in so Juni didn’t wake. I shouldn’t have bothered. She wriggled over and took my arm.

I tensed, wondering if she’d overheard the conversation as well.

“So, Jhin hadn’t gone to bed yet?” she whispered, her voice light and teasing. I relaxed.

“Oh my god,” I said, elbowing her, my face going red. She burst into giggles and came closer, wrapping her arms around me. Her familiar scent settled me, bringing me back to just us. Me and her.

“Okay, what did he do—because you sounded like you went to heaven.”

“He, um, may have used his mouth. On me.”

She rose up on her elbows.

“No. Way.”

“Right?” I hissed.

“And he was good?”

“Juni, I think I realized I’ve never had anyone who actually knows what they’re doing dothatbefore. Oh, shit, and then he just sent me to bed, and I didn’t even give him anything.” I glanced toward the door, feeling a little guilty.

“He’s… so nice," she said, resting her head on my chest, her voice a little wistful.

In the dim, colorful glow of our lava lamps, I could see the curve of her elegant neck, and I looked away quickly, trying not to think of that time all those years ago when she’d let me bite her on a drunken whim.

The next day, I’d woken up, and I’d been able to feel her. Every spark of joy before she started humming, the determination that had filled her when we discussed our plans for the Safe House, the contentment when she’d curled up next to me on the couch. It had left me feeling empty after it faded, and that’s when I’d known I wanted that with her forever.

For a second, I opened my mouth to ask her again, but I hesitated. I needed to make sure it was the right time, because I didn’t know if I’d get another shot after this. So instead I just closed my eyes and listened to her breathe in the darkness.

JUNIPER

I’d slept in a bit after my late night and was sitting by myself on the balcony. I had to catch up on all my emails, no matter how much I didn’t want to.

I was just staring at the latest email I’d opened, trying to figure out if I should trash it or not.

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