The bratty blond smirked. “He seems to have lost his ability to blink.”
Liam wasn’t sure if he should be pissed or in awe of them. “You guys are just fucking with me?”
Then again, after what Teagan had endured, getting spanked—no matter how pleasurable Liam would make it—was more than likely on his mate’s “not a chance in hell” list.
“I wasn’t messing with you.” Teagan shook his head, strands of silky hair falling over his forehead. “I still want to try it. I’m…curious.”
Where was his sweet, shy mate? Just an hour ago, Teagan was uncertain about Liam staying the night, anxious even. Now, there was a gleam in his eye that had Liam lightweight nervous.
Hayden’s soft lips brushed the shell of Liam’s ear. “You made him feel safe when you revealed you’re more than capable of protecting him.” He didn’t sound jealous or resentful. In fact, his dark-haired angel sounded aroused. “Good luck putting his kink back in the bottle, honey.” He nipped Liam’s earlobe then licked away the sting.
Holy. Shit. Liam’s cock became ramrod hard at the blatant interest in Teagan’s hazel eyes and Hayden seductive tone. As if he was driving home his point, Teagan squirmed slightly, like he was already imagining sitting on his red, stinging ass.
A low, guttural growl rumbled through Liam’s chest.
These two were definitely going to keep him on his toes.
Or flat on his back. Liam didn’t give a shit which, just as long as all three of them were naked.
Chapter Seven
“You know I worship the very ground you walk on, right?” Zeppelin ran a finger through Preston’s hair, his mate’s head resting on his lap. After the long day he had working the grill, Zeppelin didn’t plan to move a muscle.
Unless Preston wanted to have sex or… Nope, that was the only exception.
Turning slightly in bed, Preston glanced up at him. “What did you do wrong? I knew you shouldn’t have threatened Liam in front of Teagan. If you scared the unsuspecting human, you can take your pillow and sleep on the couch, buster.”
Zeppelin loved how his mate had stepped into the role of pack caretaker. He was always welcoming the new mates, making them feel at home in what had to be a frightening moment for them. Now, it was like an exclusive club for them, always hanging out in the kitchen, despite being kidnapped and taken to the demon realm.
The house had once been just a structure where a group of men simply lived together. Now it felt alive with warmth and connection, as if the very walls had begun to breathe.
“I offered Teagan a ribeye,” Zeppelin defended. “Why do I have to be guilty of something when all I’m doing is reminding you how much I love you?”
Preston gave him a look that said Zeppelin was full of shit. “Fine. I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt, but I know damn well you’re smoothing the way for something.”
It was hard to get anything past his mate. Zeppelin hoped he wasn’t about to hurt Preston’s feeling, but someone had to tell him. Bracing for the fallout, he said, “Your deviled eggs are horrible.”
Zeppelin winced—because it honestly killed him to hurt his mate’s feelings—but cracked an eye open when he didn’t hear a peep. Not even an indignant huff.
“I’m sorry, Preston. You know I would never say or do anything to upset you, but you’ve got to stop torturing everyone with those eggs.”
Was his mate fighting a smile? Zeppelin had his answer when Preston burst out laughing. Was his honesty too blunt, or was Preston having some mate-life crisis? Zeppelin was becoming increasingly concerned. “Sunshine? You okay?”
“I was wondering when you were going to finally say something about them.” His mate pushed himself into a sitting position then twisted sideways to face Zeppelin. “I know they suck.”
“Then…” Zeppelin was seven kinds of confused. “Then why do you keep making them?”
Preston crossing his arms never boded well, especially when he added a scowl. “Because nobody stops me. I knew they were awful the day we had the cookout after Jalen’s recovery. He told me how my deviled eggs needed an intervention. That’s why I never make him eat any. I was going to toss out the recipe, but the pack went out of their way to lie to my face.” He poked Zeppelin in his chest. “And everyone keeps pretending those disgusting things are amazing, so I’ll keep making them until the pack learns to be honest with me.”
Zeppelin chuckled. “My diabolical mate.”
“And now that you’ve finally admitted how awful they really are, you’re no longer obligated to pretend you’ve eaten a few when I know they end up in the woods fifty feet away.” He narrowed his eyes. “Our pack? They’ll suffer until they fess up, and you better not tip them off, mister.”
Preston’s fiendish grin had Zeppelin ready to screw his mate until he waved a white flag.
Living in a remote mountain town could sometimes drag ass. He admired his mate for finding ways to entertain himself, and although this was a harmless lesson, he said, “You know they’ll never tell you the truth, right?” He tucked a strand of hair behind Preston’s soft ear. “Not if they value their lives.”
“You’d kill your own pack just to save my feelings?” Preston’s eyes softened. “That’s so romantic!”
