When our eyes lock, electricity courses through me. What is it about these men that set my body on fire?
I lick my suddenly dry lips. "And Liam? What do you do for work and play?"
"I run a security company. We do protective details more than anything else, but we'll also do guard duty at events." A wicked grin slides onto his lips. "And I like to play with omegas for fun. Well, with Chase and you, at least."
Fucking hell. Is it hot in here? It's definitely hot in here. I tear my eyes away from Liam and lift my hand to fan myself. I turn bright red when I realize I just admitted that he got to me. See what I mean? Dealing with the four of them isn't the same as dealing with the other suitors. And I don't know if that's work in their favor, or against it.
"Liam," Chase hisses . "Knock it off."
Liam just shrugs. "It's what I like to do, and she asked."
Asher runs a hand down his face. "Knock it off, Liam. You only said it to get a reaction out of Sophia."
I lift my eyebrows as I force myself to meet Liam's eyes once more. "Did you now? Did I give you what you wanted?"
He nods slowly, eyes dipping down to take in my heavy breathing that lifts my boobs up and down. "You absolutely did."
"Excellent." I tear my eyes away once more, focusing on my food as I try to beat back the arousal shimmying throughout my body. I need to get the conversation focused on a safer topic, but I can't seem to think of one. All I can think about is how hot these four men are naked and what it felt like to ride their cocks.
"What brought you on Heated, Sophia?" Asher asks, his voice soft.
I could almost kiss him, even if this isn't the best topic to move to. At least I can hopefully stop thinking about taking them to my nest and stripping them naked. Riding their cocks and marking them as mine.
WHOA!
Where the hell did that thought come from? They're not mine, and they may never be. It's way too soon to think about mating them. And yet, my mind keeps going back to the scene my imagination has built over and over again.
"Sophia?" Chase's voice is soft as his fingers run along the back of my hand.
When I lift my eyes, I know he must see the desire there, but he ignores it and gives me a soft smile. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah," I croak before lifting my water glass to my lips. "Sorry. It's easy to get overwhelmed here."
I turn my hand over and link my fingers with Chase's, taking comfort in his touch. "Honestly, I came here to try to forget about the four of you. Which, knowing it was all a misunderstanding, makes me sad."
"That's okay." Carson shoots me a grin. "We have another chance, and believe me, we're going to try our damnedest to prove to you that we're meant to be."
I gulp at his words and his heated gaze. I think I'm going to give Finn a call as soon as we're done with dinner. I need to talk to him before the group date tomorrow. Otherwise, it might turn into an actual fuckfest—though, part of me perks up at the idea.
Yup, I definitely need to meet with Finn.
An hour later, I find myself sitting across from Finn. As soon as I'd crashed into his office and dropped into the chair thirty minutes ago, I'd spilled the story of how I met Pack Lewitt. Then nothing. It's been twenty minutes, and I haven't said a word. I'm sure it would drive a normal person crazy, but Finn just sits in his chair patiently waiting for me to be ready. I can't seem to get my thoughts together.
"Did you know?" I blurt suddenly, leaning forward in my seat. I don't know why, but I need to know if he knew they were coming.
Finn shakes his head. "Not until after they'd arrived. Bree gave me the heads up that you might need to talk tonight."
"No shit." I shake my head. "I'm a mess. Part of me is elated that it was all a misunderstanding, but part of me can't help but wonder if what happened between us wasn't a sign that we weren't meant to be. I don't really know them. Yes, I've slept with them, and I got to know them on a surface level, but that's it. What if I don't like the men they are?"
Finn taps his hand on the arm of the chair as he considers me. "You had dinner with them so you've spent some time with them now. Do you feel like they're completely different men than the ones you met two years ago?"
I immediately shake my head, and he hums.
"So if that isn't the problem, then what is? It's obvious to anyone looking at you that you've been thrown for a loop, but I don't think you're hitting on what you're actually worried about."
"What if they hurt me again?" I whisper. "They already did it once—even if they didn't know it. How can I trust them, take them at their word? If I let them in again, that's it. If I give them this chance, I'm going to end up choosing them to be a part of my pack. It's like there's a part of me that knows they're mine—which is ridiculous, I know. But it also scares the shit out of me because I don't really know them. I know the sex is amazing, but a relationship can't be built off sex. At least not a lasting relationship."
"First, let's address why you think it's ridiculous that you feel like they're yours." Finn's expression gives nothing away as he watches me.