Page 43 of Pack Rivals, Part One

Courtney's face lights up like this is the best news she's ever heard, and I didn't somehow lose my mind and my manners tonight.

"At the same time?" she asks eagerly.

"No, not at the same time … I mean, how would that even be possible?" Courtney opens her lips to answer that question and I slam my hand over her mouth. "No, wait, I don't want to know." Courtney waggles her eyebrows at me. "Did you not see how much those two men hate each other, Court?"

I lower my hand from Courtney's mouth. "Hate sex. Even better."

"Sex? I am not ready for any sex yet!"

Courtney jumps up onto a stool. "Are you sure? Because I think that might be what you need, Bea."

"Need? If one more person tells me I 'need' an alpha–"

"That's not what I'm saying." She motions for me to take a seat. "Look, the I'm-going-to-become-a-nun plan was a bad one. Sure to have you moping around for months. The date-lots-of-alphas-and-have-lots-of-wild-sex is a much better plan. In fact, it's scientifically proven to be the best way to get over heartbreak."

"Scientifically proven by who?"

"Me! And most other women on the planet."

"I'm not sure that is what a therapist would recommend."

"Yeah, but this way is more fun, on account of all the wild sex."

"I'm not sure I can do wild sex."

"Oh, trust me, sweetie, you can. And you might actually enjoy it. It might bring a smile back to your face."

Enjoy it? I chew on my lip, reliving the way both those alphas made me feel. Their hands, their mouths, their scents. I'm not sure my body has ever felt so electric.

Kissing is one thing though; getting down and dirty with one of them, I'm not sure I'm ready for that.

I'm not sure I'm ready for any of it.

These last few days have felt like a rollercoaster ride with no safety harness. Any moment I'm sure I'm going to be flung from the carriage and end up nothing but a splat on the ground.

I shudder.

"Is that a good I'm-thinking-about-all-the-wild-sex shudder? Or a bad one?" Courtney asks.

"It's a what-the-hell-am-I-doing-here shudder."

"You're enjoying yourself, that's all."

I nod, then peer up at her sheepishly.

"Hmmm, there's more isn't there?" she says.

"Yes," I squeak. "I agreed to go on a date. With both of them. Not at the same time. Separately. Tomorrow. Two dates in one day! This isn't me." I bury my face in my hands.

"Bea," Courtney shrieks. "This is unreal! You're living every woman in this city's fantasy." She lifts her hand for a high five and I slap it with a giggle.

"I'm going to mess this up," I tell her.

"No, you're not. You're a grown woman, Bea. And ignore what I said about the sex. You're in the driving seat here. Take this as fast or as slow as you want."

"Slow," I confirm. "I need to take it slow. I need to slam on the brakes and tell them no dating."

Slow.

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