“Deal.” With his ear pressed to the door to listen, his index finger against his lip, I cover my mouth to stop myself from giggling. Expression serious, he gives me a curt nod to indicate that it’s okay for us to sneak out.
“I thought you didn’t like to take risks?”
“Some risks are worth taking,” he replies. “And with a dress like that, there’s only so much self-control an alpha can have.”
THIRTY-ONE
Sabs
“How did everyone sleep?” Luca asks while laying out breakfast foods across the table. He gets up early every day to go for a run and stops at all the best cafes on his way back to get the best food as soon as they open every Sunday.
“Not well,” Adler groans, resting his head on his hands. “I’ve been working out since 5am because I couldn’t get back to sleep.”
“Don’t work yourself too hard.” Luca clucks his tongue. “You have to be careful to avoid overstraining yourself before the game.”
“Don’t worry.” Adler rolls his eyes. “Drax was there to spot me.”
“Aw, are you two gym buddies now?” I tease while tearing into my toast. I don’t know where Luca got this sourdough, but it’s delicious and thick as a doorstop with a perfect crust and a fluffy middle.
“We’re in the gym at the same time, if that’s what you mean,” Adler says, though his lips twitch.
“Don’t worry. You can come back to the nest tonight.” I reach across the table to pat his arm, softening my expression. “Thank you for giving Orin and me some… space.”
He mutters something under his breath that sounds like, “Don’t get used to it.”
Adler, rather reluctantly, agreed to sleep in his bedroom to give Orin and me the nest to ourselves to watch the final episode ofDesperate Housewivesin true comfort. Let’s just say we didn’t get much watching done. It turns out that Orin is just as gifted with his mouth as he is with other things. We didn’t have sex again, which means we haven’t knotted yet. Despite me being pretty close to begging for it, he says he wants to wait to knot until we bond, whenever that may happen.
“Someone looks like they had a good night,” Luca comments as Orin strides in, freshly showered. His gait even seems lighter than usual, each step containing more of a bounce.
“I didn’t get a lot of sleep.” His grin makes my stomach flutter.
“Lucky bastard,” Adler growls.
“Hey, you’ve had me all to yourself since I moved in,” I remark cheekily. “You have to share.”
“It doesn’t mean I don’t miss you, firecracker.” As I stand to move over to get another cup of coffee, Adler pulls me onto his lap and breathes in my scent. “Mmm.” His cock hardens beneath me. “I needed this.”
“It’s been less than twelve hours,” I remind him. “And Drax and I are going out today. Remember? You’ve got to train for your big game.”
“I never thought I’d be jealous of that asshole,” Adler mutters, but there’s a new fondness in his tone.
“Who are you calling an asshole?” Drax appears in the doorway. He looks incredible in a tight white tee that shows off all his muscles, and his loose gray sweatpants make me want to put my hands down them to caress his massive bulge. “You ready to go, Sabs?”
“Here.” Luca presses a to-go coffee cup into my hand. “For the road.”
I kiss his cheek, making him flush. “You’re the best, Luca. You know, I think I could get used to this.” I take a sip to find Luca’s added extra caramel syrup, just the way I like it. “Four alphas doting on me feels pretty damn good.”
“Where are you both heading this morning, dynamite?” Orin asks.
“Hot yoga.” I choose to ignore Drax’s slight grimace. We’re planning to have a real date another time, but right now, I think we’re both craving each other’s company. “Then I’ve got volleyball practice. I haven’t seen them all since bonding, so I’m looking forward to it. And then maybe do some studying.” I yawn. “I’ve been keeping up with all my classes online, but I’ll start going in person again next week.”
Thank god for SVU’s bonding adjustment policies.
“Let’s go!” I nudge Drax, swinging my gym bag over my shoulder.
I’d almost forgotten that my bonding with Adler was the talk of campus until we arrive at the gym. Instantaneously, I feel everyone’s eyes on me as soon as Drax and I walk in. Thankfully, Drax’s stony expression has any alpha looking in my direction hiding behind the exercise machines.
“I’m so excited for you to try it out,” I tell Drax as I lead him to the yoga studio. I haven’t been as much lately since there’s one at the mansion, but this gym used to be like my second home. I’d much rather work out surrounded by my sweaty alphas than a bunch of jerks flexing their muscles for attention or attempting to outlift me with poor form. “You’re gonna love it.”
