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Bending my head down, I place my lips by Ripley’s ear. Her head tilts to the side in such easy submission that I can’t stop the purr that rumbles up my throat, rattling against her back.
“Ready to go, Sweetheart?”
Ripley trembles in my hold, vibrating with anticipation. “Yes.”
She pulls away from me momentarily, walking over to Kian and River. River’s eyes brighten when her attention is on him again, and he gets this dopey smirk on his lips. Ripley digs her way into Kian’s arms to reach our wily omega, popping through so she can give him a kiss. He groans when she pulls back, making her laugh lightly.
Popping back up, she moves her face closer to Kian’s, grinning mischievously.
“Gonna give me a kiss, my little buttery bagel?” She asks with a seductive lilt to her tone.
Kian coughs out a laugh, nearly choking on the air. “They just get worse, Starlight.” He croaks out, grabbing the back of her head and smashing their lips together in a scorching kiss that surprises me.
“You love it, boo-boo kitty.” She says when she pulls back, batting her lashes.
“Banned!” Kian yells out with a choked laugh, shoving her away.
“What? Come on!”
“Straight to the banned pile, Rip,” Kian tells her seriously.
“Ugh. Fine! You’re no fun, sloppy nuts.” She sighs, and River howls with laughter beneath Kian’s arms while Kian gags.
“BANNED!” He hollers, his left eye twitching behind his glasses as he stares Ripley down and she cackles like a hyena.
When she goes to open her mouth again after catching her breath, Kian places his hands over her lips, effectively silencing her. “Go on your date with our alpha, Starlight. You’re keeping him waiting.”
When he pulls his hand back, he gives her a peck on the lips before pushing her my way.
“Make sure he treats you like the lady you are, Little Bird. If he doesn’t make you come at least once while you guys are out, then he’s not fucking worth it!” River calls out at her back, making her giggle and me roll my eyes when she reaches me.
I grab her hand, leading her out the front door. Before it fully shuts behind us, she calls out, “Be good, River. See ya later, monkey buns.”
Kian groans and then the door snaps shut.
I shake my head with a laugh as I help her in the car, buckling her in. In the driver’s seat, I examine her. “You have an unlimited supply of these nicknames, don’t you?”
“Oh, for sure. Who knows how long I can keep this up, but if I’m lucky, it’ll be for a lifetime. I hope I never run out of name combinations.” Her lips kick up as she rolls her head to look at me.
I pull out and head off to our destination.
“River was right that first day he brought you home. You are an absolute delight, Sweetheart.”
***
“No freaking way!” Ripley squeals excitedly, bouncing in her seat as I pull into the gravel parking lot for the Thirteenth Gate haunted house.
This is just our first stop of the day, but it’s still too early to take her to Field of Screams, the haunted corn maze and trail walk I got us tickets for. A day of laughs and screams seemed like a good idea the other day when I was trying to think of something I could take her to do, just the two of us.
Her eyes take on an excited gleam when she looks at me, her hands clasped under her chin as she gives me a giddy smile.
That look. That one right there is the one I was looking for when I planned this.
Normally, I’m not one to go to haunted houses or trails. Can’t remember the last time I went to one. Maybe high school? It’s never been my thing, to be completely honest. But it is Ripley’s thing, and Ripley is my thing, which means I can endure a few hours of unnecessary fright to make her happy.
I park in one of the few empty spaces left and get out. It may be early in the day, not quite noon, but Hellgate’s The Thirteenth Gate doesn’t have to wait until night to terrorize you. Although, I’m sure this place is frightening as hell in the dark.
There are no windows in the warehouse that stands ominously in front of us. It’s in an empty part of town, nondescript on the outside other than a sign with the name of the attraction.
