Page 106 of Follow the Rhythm
“I told you, this is your choice,” he said.
“Do we have to ‘court’?” I grimaced at the old-fashioned word. “Can’t we just skip to the good part?”
Charlie laughed. “I don’t want to speak for Ellis, but I think dating could be pretty good.”
“Any time I get to spend with you is ‘the good part,’” Ellis said.
I smiled despite myself. He’d said it without a shred of irony. So I kissed him again, just because I could.
Kieran helped me get ready for our date the next night. I’d invited him to come with us, but he said it was important for me to go alone. It took much longer than it should have to get dressed because we kept getting distracted.
“And this isn’t weird for you? At all?” I asked as he helped clasp the strap of my shoe.
He finished one ankle and moved to the other. “Does going on this date make you feel any different about me?” he asked.
“Of course not,” I said immediately, a little offended. “I love you.”
“And I love you. If Charlie and Ellis make you happy, then I’m happy.” He slid his hands up my calves, and his fingers stroked the skin behind my knees.
“You make it sound so simple.” I squinted at him suspiciously.
“It is simple for me. You’re building your pack, and I’m thrilled I get to be part of it.” He kissed the healing marks where I’d scraped my knees chasing him down the street.
“But it’s normally the other way around, right? The pack chooses an Omega?” It was how it had always worked at the Omega Center.
“Fuck normal,” he said with a predatory grin. His hands slid up my thighs. “Now, we either need to leave now, or you’re going to be late. Because I’m two seconds from ripping this dress right off you.”
The restaurant was on the top floor of an insanely swanky hotel. Kieran had wanted to walk me upstairs, but he’d already made me ten minutes late, and I didn’t trust him not to start something in the elevator. I was flustered and slightly sticky from the humid evening air. I took a few deep breaths and fanned myself with my hand. It was just Charlie and Ellis. I didn’t need to be so worked up.
I emerged into what looked like a greenhouse. The walls and roof were all made of glass, and plants sat in every conceivable space. Ellis and Charlie were waiting for me, and they both hopped up from a bench as I stepped off the elevator.
“Sorry, I’m late,” I said, huffing. “You can blame Kieran.”
“Let’s have a look at you,” Ellis said as he took my hand and twirled me. I was wearing a skater dress in midnight blue, and the skirt floated up slightly as I spun. “Yes, just as I suspected. We can hardly blame him when you look this delectable, darling.”
Charlie grinned at me. “It’s unfair when he does the whole ‘British guy’ thing. It makes anything I could say sound very lame in comparison. But he’s right. You look incredible.”
“You guys look alright, too,” I said, with a sly smile. Ellis was wearing a white V-neck, the sleeves pushed up to his elbows, black slacks rolled to the ankle, and honest-to-god suspenders in a black and white floral pattern that no one without his innate charm could pull off. Charlie was more understated in a dark grey button-up and jeans, and they complemented each other well.
The hostess led us to one of the ten or so tables tucked into the forest of greenery. No one looked twice at us, which meant they were either even more famous than Ellis, or so rich that it didn’t matter. Maybe both. I forced myself not to look at anyone or search for familiar faces.
The round table was small and set for four. It made me smile, imagining all the future dinners when Kieran would sit in the fourth spot.
“This place is great,” I said, looking up at the evening light shining through the glass ceiling. If it weren’t for the panoramic city views, we could have been in a jungle.
“Just wait until sunset,” Ellis said.
We ordered and made it through the starters, talking about Ellis and Charlie’s visit to his parents’ house and the new tour design I was working on with Ursula. It was easy, talking and joking with both of them without the weird pressure of trying to hide how I felt.
“Charlie told me about how you met, and all the sordid details of his double life as a heat Alpha,” Ellis said when our entrees came out.
I pressed my lips together to suppress a smile and shook my head in mock disapproval. “I’m honestly surprised it took this long.”
“Hey, I’m excellent at keeping secrets,” Charlie replied.
“Either way, based on his calculations, your heat should be approaching? Soon?” Ellis asked, looking at me through hisridiculously long lashes. “Have you thought about where you’ll want to ride it out? So to speak.”
My heart flopped in my chest. “Honestly, no, I’ve been a little preoccupied. Why? Are you suggesting something?”
