Page 40 of Bonded By Christmas
I pull my hand to cover my mouth as I finish chewing. “More of that, please. You weren’t kidding. The chef is amazing.”
Grim chuckles, and his contentment filters through the bond.
My eyes widen as I examine the connection. His attraction to me comes first, followed quickly by his joy at pleasing me.
It’s intense and addictive, and I find myself grinning up at him like a total weirdo. I don’t think it’s even fully clicked yet, but I get to keep this hunk of alpha forever, and that blows me away in the best way possible.
At the same time, we barely know each other. We’re going to have to put a lot of effort into learning everything there is to know about the other person. Not to mention, we’ve got some important conversations that need to be had.
Callum joins us at the table, and Grim lets me spin to face the table rather than staying chest-to-chest with him. It gives me the chance to see Cal, and it allows Grim to feed himself in between offering me bites of the delicious breakfast spread.
Knowing Wilder has an in-home chef is kinda crazy. When I lived here for those few months, his dads cooked most of our meals, and the rest of the time they ordered takeout or brought me home something after taking my mom out to eat.
“Do we have a plan for today?” Grim asks, offering me a drink of the soda. He tried to get me to have the water at first, but I quickly educated him on how much I need caffeine, especially first thing in the morning.
“I believe Wilder has a meeting,” Callum says.
At the same time, I say, “I need to call my job and give notice. Also, I have no clothes, so if someone could take me to my apartment, I’d appreciate it.”
“I do have a meeting.” Wilder strides into the room looking as well put together as always in his three-piece suit.
I’m in a fuzzy Santa robe, Grim’s shirt, and reindeer slippers with no bra or panties.
I’m baffled how I’m supposed to bounce back from this. He’s the epitome of a handsome businessman, and I look like…
Damn.
I don’t even know what I look like, but I’ll never be elegant enough to fit in around here, and that makes my stomach feel weird.
“I’ll need one of you to come with me.” Wilder glances between Callum and Grim. “However, I’ll leave that at your discretion.”
“You want us to choose who goes with you and who stays with Lacey?” Callum asks.
“That is what I said.” Wilder smiles and adjusts his tie.
“I’m staying with Lacey,” Grim growls.
“Now, now. Let’s keep things fair. I’ll flip you for it.” Callum laughs. “Don’t you need to go shopping? You can do that on your way home.”
“I’ll pass.” Grim plants his hand on my stomach, and his annoyance filters through the bond.
Wilder rolls his eyes and focuses on me. “I have a small gift for you. How about we let them hash that out among themselves?”
My eyes widen as my insides light up.
How could he possibly have a gift for me? He hasn’t had time to shop. Then again, I vaguely remember him confessing that his tattoo, at least in part, has objects that signify me. He gracefully sidestepped giving a direct answer when I asked if the portrait was me. However, the lightning and gardenias tell me it is.
Wilder quirks an eyebrow, almost like he’s reminding me he’s waiting for an answer.
I nod before I can stop myself.
Everything in me wants to know what a gift from Wilder looks like.
Chapter Eighteen
Wilder
Iknew prying Lacey away from Grim wouldn’t be easy, but I’m persistent. If my first plan hadn’t worked, I would have offered to bring her to my meeting and followed it up with a shopping trip.
