I work as silently as possible because I want to let the guys sleep, but it’s not long before the bedroom door opens and shuffling footsteps sound in the hall. A sleepy and disheveled Carter appears, blinking blearily at me.
“You were gone,” he mumbles. “I thought…”
He shoves his fingers through his hair, making it stand on end. He’s gorgeous, even when clearly exhausted and sticky with all kinds of bodily fluids.
He’s human-shaped again, his powerful muscles reminding me he’s truly built like an alpha, no matter what form he takes.But for a moment, he seems so unsure. I stare at him, confused, and then it hits me.
Dropping the chef’s knife onto the chopping board, I hurry toward him and take his face between my hands. “Carter. Did you really think I left you? After everything we said and did last night?”
He drops his gaze to the floor, the tips of his ears flushing. “I don’t know. I guess I wasn’t thinking clearly.”
I nudge him until he looks up at me again, then say, “Well, let me beveryclear. I’m not going anywhere. I’m here to stay, and I’d never leave you like that.”
He swallows thickly, then nods. “Okay. I know that, now that I’m not panicking anymore.”
“You can’t help it if you panic.” I press a quick kiss to his lips. “But know that I’ll always be here to show you that there’s no reason for you to be afraid.”
He kisses me back, but when he tries to wrap his arms around me and pull me in, I swat lightly at his chest.
“No, no,” I scold him. “You’re sticky and gross. Shower first, cuddles later.”
He grins, his dark eyes flashing golden for a moment. “I don’t know if I should wash this all off. I smell like your pussy, Emma, and it’s the sweetest scent. I want more of it.”
My body warms at his words, my nipples tightening into hard points, but I cross my arms over my chest and glower at him. “No breakfast—of any kind—before you wash up. And you should know, I make the best waffles with maple syrup and bacon.”
“Mm.” Carter sneaks in another quick kiss, then steps back. “Any other day, I’d resist and demand at least a hug first, but I’m starving. Thank you for cooking for us, sweetheart.”
With that, he saunters off toward the bathroom, and I’m treated to the magnificent view of his naked ass flexing. Fromthe naughty wink he sends me just before he disappears from view, it’s clear he was aware I was watching. I sigh, knowing breakfast will never get done if I follow him into the bathroom, and turn back to the counter.
By the time the house is filled with the scents of cooking bacon and waffles, Troy and Sebastian emerge as well, looking as if they’d run a marathon yesterday, then partied all night. I stick to my decision and only give them quick kisses before shooing them off to the bathroom. One by one, they emerge again, dressed in comfortable, clean clothes, their hair washed, their scents subdued by bodywash. I stifle a sigh because I was the one who sent them away to clean themselves, but I can’t help myself—I want them to smell like me. I know they said that any supernatural would still be able to scent me on them, butIwant to scent it, too.
I’m quietly stewing in my thoughts, watching the waffle maker so I don’t burn our breakfast when Troy steps up to me from behind and wraps his thick arms around my middle.
“Mm,” he says, “smells delicious.”
“It’s my favorite waffle recipe.” I turn my head halfway to meet his gaze. “You’ll love it.”
Troy chuckles, the sound reverberating through me. “I wasn’t talking about the waffles.”
That has me standing up straight. I push away from him and face him. “What, then?”
“You’re feeling grumpy and possessive, aren’t you?” He crowds me against the counter, leans down to put his face against my neck, and takes a deep whiff of my scent. “So good. But you don’t have to worry, Emma. We’re right here.”
I give a helpless moan and wrap my arms around his neck, digging my fingers into his hair. Troy gathers me close and nuzzles my cheek, my neck, as if he wants to spread his scent all over me. My body molds to his so perfectly. He squeezes meclose, but it’s not a horny kind of hug—it’s pure comfort, and I know he’s rubbing my scent over himself, too.
“Okay, okay, my turn.” Sebastian squeezes himself between us, nudging Troy out of the way. “Take that waffle out, will you? It’s turning to charcoal.”
Troy grumbles at Sebastian and swats his ass in retaliation, but he does focus on the waffle maker, leaving us to our hug. Sebastian kisses me, tipping my head back to lick into my mouth—and as deep as the kiss is, it’s not charged with that raw sexual energy from last night but an expression of love and affection. I kiss him back, balancing on my tiptoes, and tug on his hair a little because I know he likes it. Then he pulls me into a tight embrace and rubs his cheek over the top of my head while I nuzzle his naked chest, happily leaving my scent on him.
When he releases me, I turn on the spot, searching for Carter. He’s setting the table, laying down forks and knives on placemats, seemingly ignoring us. I purse my lips to hide a smile. Maybe he thinks he has to wait or let his pack mates get first dibs or maybe he considers himself above all this because he’s the alpha, but he betrays himself by casting a furtive glance my way, checking if I’m still wrapped up in Sebastian.
I raise my eyebrow at him, and he straightens, his powerful shoulders rolling back. A part of me wants to stand my ground and make him come to me, but that’s not what he needs right now. I step forward quickly, almost skipping to his side, and wrap my arms around his waist for a hug. He lets out a surprised breath, then folds himself around me, a rumble starting in his chest.
Somewhere behind us, Sebastian is ordering Troy around, putting the last finishing touches on our breakfast, carrying pans and plates to the table.
Carter holds me for a long moment, and when I glance up at him, his dark eyes are shining bright, happiness glowing from inside him.
“I love you,” I whisper.
