Page 91 of Lilacs and Leather

“I’m apologizing in advance, love.”

Rhett’s serious tone and troubled frown make me stop short. He’s not usually one to be cryptic, and it was enough to make my stomach twist into anxious knots. I’m about to ask what he means, but a door to our right opens with a bang. We both turn to see Lucas kicking the door closed behind him. At some point, he changed out of his work clothes into a pair of gym shorts, leaving his chest bare. I have to swallow the sudden moisture at the sight of his toned stomach and lean but muscular arms, and the multitude of tattoos that cover the pale skin of his chest, stomach, and arms. I see his pack tattoo on his left side, the design slightly more elaborate than Mateo’s or Rhett’s. The largest piece is the half-sleeve on his right bicep, which is made up of various images of cooking utensils and food.

“See something you like?” Lucas purrs, pulling my thoughts back to the present.

I clear my throat and look away, my face warm. “Just... I like your tattoos,” I manage to get out.

Rhett snorts, and his arms tighten around me. “We both know how much you like to admire... tattoos,” he comments neutrally, making my face heat further.

“So, we’re just having a family movie night, right?” Lucas teases, moving around us to the sectional.

“I fucking wish,” Rhett growls, fingers digging into my skin for a moment.

“Good thing I brought this booze up with me,” Lucas tosses back, gracefully vaulting over the back of the couch and plopping down into one corner.

“Get a glass, and a shirt,” Alexandra chides, moving off toward the couch as well to curl up against one arm.

“But I’m already comfortable,” Lucas whines.

“That wasn’t a request, Lucas.”

The command in Alexandra’s voice makes my spine straighten, even as I tuck my chin to my chest and drop my eyes to the floor. Rhett sucks in a breath at my reaction, his exhale a low purr as he buries his face in the crook of my neck. Lucas huffs and I hear him get up.

“Would you like some wine, Lydia?” I hear Alexandra ask lightly.

“Yes, ma’am,” I reply before I can catch myself.

Rhett hums a little laugh in my ear that makes me shiver. Alexandra doesn’t say anything to me, but I can feel her eyes on me, and I shift uncomfortably in Rhett’s embrace.

“If you keep reacting to her like this, you’re going to find yourself in Lex’s playroom much sooner than I thought you would,” Rhett whispers in my ear.

“Am I doing something wrong?” I mutter, keeping my eyes down.

“Quite the opposite, little one,” Rhett chuckles.

I feel his fingers under my chin, lifting my gaze from the floor. When I bring my eyes up, I suck in a sharp breath at the absolutely predatory look in Alexandra’s eyes. My pussy clenches, and my knees shake a little. I feel my nipples tighten against the material of my bra, my breasts heavy and aching. My heart gallops away in my chest, and I can’t decide if I should drop my gaze again or keep contact with the hazel inferno staring back at me.

“The last time she looked at someone like that, Lucas couldn’t walk for a week,” Rhett breathes into my hair.

I shudder and finally manage to look away as Lucas steps into my periphery, holding out a glass of wine. I see he’s still shirtless as he continues past us, vaulting over the back of the couch again in one smooth motion that makes my thighs clench involuntarily.

“I said get a glass,” Lex snaps.

“I did. And I gave it to Lydi,” Lucas returns completely unruffled.

Her growl is enough to make me blush all over again, and I take a drink to clear my head. As much as I want to give in to the sizzling heat that’s ping-ponging its way through the room, we have to talk about what happened today. I set my shoulders and set out from Rhett’s embrace.

“What happened at Alice’s?” I ask, voice barely above a whisper.

Rhett sighs and looks at me for a long moment. His eyes are clouded with emotion, the frown pulling on his lips deep.

“Something tells me we’re going to want to be sitting down for this.” Mateo sighs, stepping around Rhett toward the couch.

Rhett steps up to me again, and I let him guide me over to the couch. I sit between Mateo and Rhett, both alphas sliding close to keep contact with my skin. Lucas has resumed his position in the couch’s corner and takes a long pull from the bottle. I take a drink myself, steeling myself for whatever I’m about to hear.

Thirty-Five

Rhett

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