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What should I do?
When his huge hand lands on my waist, I almost jump out of my skin.
I peer at his hand but don’t move. I should throw him off the way he threw me off. Step back from whatever this is, but this casual touch, it’s breaking my resolve. Am I that starved for attention?
Gods, this is pathetic.
Gold puts a plate of spaghetti in front of me, and I seize the fork before anyone can reach for it and bare my teeth.
“I’m doing it.” I claim and give them all narrow-eyed looks. I focus on the food, resolving to ignore all the maleness around me. The first bite is heaven. I close my eyes to savour it, and when I open them, I’m hit by chocolate and whiskey eyes burning with an inner light.
Shit.
Swallowing becomes a lot harder, but then Jet walks in, studies the situation, and turns to me with a wicked grin.
“So, kitchen sex again?”
I choke. Acton thumps me on the back, but it breaks the hold Gold has on me. Bar laughs and sidles over to drape himself against Jet.
“The deliveries are here.”
I jump up, look at the plate, and then around the kitchen. “Mine.” I snarl. My bark thunders out, causing all the guys to stiffen, their faces going tense. I run my fingers along the side of the plate and give them a warning glare.
Gold looks stunned.
I put the fork down in the food and give them all one last look before bolting to the back door.
“Annie!”
She pauses half in her truck. When she spots me, she waves and smiles. “Scarlett, I was worried about you.”
I laugh. “Do you still need help with the deliveries? You can pick me up here?” I’m almost desperate to escape.
“No, everyone but you lot are in town. Getting ready for the Winter Festival.”
“I forgot that was on.” I murmur. I’d always loved attending the festival with Gran on the first day Dad would dump us on her. Gran would drag us down there and get us pancakes and hot chocolate. She’d buy us a jacket each and let us run around under the watchful eyes of June Haven. Up until I was thirteen, I’d been alone, but showing Gold when he joined the family became a magical experience. A highlight.
“Yeah, umm, are you living here now?” Annie peers up at the manor and leans in close. “No judgment, but you go, girl.”
“No, I’m just staying while the weather’s bad.”
“Oh, okay.” She doesn’t even attempt to hide her disappointment. Annie’s face transforms into a deeper smile as she looks over my shoulder.
I turn and see Bar, Gold, and Jet.
“You know them all, right?” I ask.
Annie shakes her head, her cheeks turning a ruddy colour. “Just the redhead.”
“Idiot men.” I wave them over.
“Annie was a really good friend of my Grans. Annie, this is Jet, who you remember. He’d love the Winter Festival. And this is Barren,” I hesitate, seeing the coldness in the omega’s eyes. I’ve never seen him look like that. “Barren makes the quilts.”
“Oh, my, we adore those quilts. I bought three for each of my grandchildren. You’re quite talented. We’ve all been wondering who the mystery artist is.” Annie claps her hands together and then lurches forward, ignoring Jet and Gold as she pulls Barren into a hug.
Barren’s eyes defrost until he’s smiling just as wide and hugging her back.
“And you remember Gold? My um, stepmother’s son?” My face heats, and I struggle to look at her.
