Page 47 of Laurels and Liquor

“Let’s get… yeah, my legs are shaking,” I reply with a breathy laugh.

“I know, right?” she replies, voice lighter than I’ve ever heard before.

It takes a minute to maneuver, but I eventually manage to scoop her into my arms and get us into bed, lying us on our sides. I want to hold her, but I’m not sure if that’s the right move. She’s never been a touchy-feely person before. Does she do after sex cuddles?

“I can practically hear you thinking from here. Just fucking put your arms around me, you colossal dork,” Lex sighs, half joking, half exasperated.

I chuckle nervously as I pull her to my chest, and we’re quiet again. A million thoughts race through my head, but I can’t pin them down. And it doesn’t help that her pussy is still pulsing, and each clench and release on my knot scrambles my brain all over again.

“Let me save you some anguish. This can mean something, or it can mean nothing. We can let our alpha bits calm down, clean up, and then go to bed in our separate rooms, and pretend like this never happened,” she goes on, not looking at me.

I swallow, my heart twisting unexpectedly. “Or…?” I prompt.

“Or we can sleep in this bed tonight, maybe have some lazy morning sex, and figure out what comes next over coffee. And let the pack know. Either way, we should tell them,” Lex finishes with a resigned, contented sigh.

I think for a moment, but I know my heart has already made its decision. I tilt her chin up so she can see the honesty in my eyes as I speak. “I don’t want this to mean nothing, Lex. And I don’t want to pretend it never happened.”

Lex smiles, a genuine thing that lights up her whole face and makes my heart skip a beat. “I was hoping you’d say that.”

My heart melts a little, even as my knot deflates, and her pussy finally unclenches enough for me to withdraw. She moves to sit up, but I pull her back down and kiss her again, gently this time. I cup the side of her face as we break apart, stroking her cheek lightly.

“Don’t get all mushy on me now, Mat. Or I’ll think you aren’t the beast who just fucked me silly. And Ireallyliked him,” Lex teases, her lips brushing mine as she stays close.

“Lucky for you, I’m a man of many talents.”

She laughs and pulls away fully. I recline back and watch her shed what’s left of her shirt and pants before moving to turn down the covers. Shucking my damp and sticky clothes, I slide under the blankets and pull her back to my chest, closing my eyes.

If you’d told me yesterday that I’d be falling asleep next to a naked and fully sated Alexandra St. Clair, I would have laughed. But now that it’s happened, I can’t believe we didn’t try this sooner.

Chapter twenty-two

Lydia

Myphonegoesoffin the middle of Lucas and me cooking brunch. Caleb and Gabby are in the sitting room, and their bickering reaches us even across the open floor plan. I catch something political and know it’s best to stay out of it. I’m switching out a batch of toast as a message chimes on my phone, and I glance at the screen. A grin splits my face as I see Mateo’s name pop up.

Mateo: Good morning, baby. Do you have a second to talk?

I swipe my phone from the counter and dial his number, and he picks up on the first ring.

“Lydia! I didn’t expect you to call so soon,” he exclaims happily.

“Hey, good morning. I’m cooking with Luc, but I can spare a few minutes to chat. What’s up?” I ask, leaning forward to rest my elbows on the counter, my back to the room.

“Just wanted to hear your voice. I miss you,” he coos, and I roll my eyes.

“Matty, it’s been less than two days,” I scoff.

“I know, but still,” he retorts playfully.

“If you’re that lonely, you and Lex could always work out some tension,” I tease, smirking.

Instead of the usual immediate denials, I’m met with the world’s loudest silence. I blink several times, waiting for him to respond.

“Mateo, you and Lex…”

“Look, it’s not like we planned it or anything,” Mateo grumbles when I trail off.

I let out a whoop of triumph, drawing the attention of everyone in the room.

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