Page 132 of Roulette Rodeo
"Except for Luca," she notes, showing she's been paying attention despite the food coma.
"Except him," Corwin agrees with a smirk.
We finish up, the conversation flowing easily now that Poppy's whirlwind energy has passed. Rafe goes to pay the bill without a word, probably needing a moment to recover from Poppy's targeted attacks.
I lean closer to Red, who's still mourning her empty plate. "Having fun?"
She nods enthusiastically.
"I am! I'm excited to adjust to all this. It's so different from... before."
"Don't worry about the political pack stuff," I tell her, wanting to ease any concern about the new laws. "We'll handle all that bureaucracy bullshit."
"Thank you," she says softly, then grins. "And thanks for the extra dessert."
The opening is too perfect to resist.
I lean in closer, dropping my voice to that tone that makes omegas shiver.
"I might have to take you up on your offer of trying something sweeter."
The blush that explodes across her face is magnificent. Red as her namesake, spreading down her neck and disappearing beneath her blouse. Her mouth opens and closes like she's forgotten how words work.
"I heard that," Shiloh says from her other side, not even trying to sound threatened.
I chuckle, not backing down.
"I didn't say you couldn't join."
Corwin groans from across the table.
"Don't go saying that or we're having a group fling."
"I won't be there," Rafe announces as he returns, shoving his wallet back in his pocket with unnecessary force.
Red shrugs, casual as anything.
"Your loss."
The look on Rafe's face—pure indignation mixed with something that might be want—is fucking priceless. He opens his mouth, probably to say something scathing, but Red's already sliding out of the booth.
She skips—actually skips—toward the door, then turns back with a grin that promises trouble.
"First one to the horse parking gets first dibs!"
The words take a second to register. First dibs on what? Her? Dessert? The right to?—
Then she's out the door, that infectious giggle floating back to us, and understanding hits all three of us at the same time.
"Fuck," Shiloh breathes.
"Did she just—" Corwin starts.
"Move!" I shout, and then we're all fighting to get out of the booth at once.
Shiloh's got the advantage of being on the outside, but I'm faster, vaulting over the back of the seat. Corwin tries to go under the table which is ambitious but ultimately unsuccessful. We hit the door at the same time, all three of us trying to squeeze through at once like some kind of alpha Three Stooges routine.
"Move your fat ass!" I grunt at Shiloh.
