“That’s basically what you said, yeah.” I blush, pressing my face into Benson’s chest to hide.
“Well, I bet you don’t remember the way your eyes lit up like Christmas lights.” Nick snorts. “It was like my rejection unlocked something in you.”
“Jeez,” I mumble.
“But to answer your question, it was probably a year later, give or take. In my mind, you were still too young for me, but it didn’t seem like you actually wanted me yet anyway. Not really. You clearly enjoyed getting a rise out of me. I liked that you felt comfortable with me, though.” He reaches over, patting my hand. “But it wasn’t until I saw you hugging Benson just after Halloween that I realized I was waiting for you.”
There’s a long stretch of silence after that. I don’t really know what to say to any of that.
“For me, I think it was the first time I saw you dressed as Santa Claus while playing dress-up with Rhian and Sable. You did that a lot that year,” Benson teases. “Something about you stuffing a red jacket with pillows really called to my preteen hormones.”
“Oh my god, Benson!” I holler, giggling as memories of doing exactly that surface.
“What about you, Kai?” Nick asks when the beta walks past the door carrying a bundle of clothing. “When did you realize you liked Plum?”
I hold my breath as I wait for him to respond. Is he going to freak out and lose his shit again? Is this conversation too much for him? Shit, is it too much for me? I think for a second, quickly deciding that I’m okay, especially wrapped up in Benson’s arms. I want to know the answer.
Kai steps out of his room, his eyes landing on me. I can see the way he takes in how Benson is holding me, how I’m snuggled into the alpha, comfortable and content.
“Both of you always wanted this to be real, didn’t you?” Kai asks the other two men, making the three of us fall silent.“When she grabbed you at the Halloween party, I could tell you wanted her. I mean, who wouldn’t?” Kai’s smirk is charming as he tilts his head at Benson and then me. “I thought Plum looked terrified because of me, but that wasn’t all it was.”
“You’re annoyingly perceptive,” Benson complains, but I keep my eyes on the beta.
“You already liked him, just a little bit,” Kai adds, grinning when no one contradicts him. “Fair. To answer your question, I guess I liked Plum from the moment I met her. There was no defining moment. I think a part of me just knew there was no one else for me. Kissing her the first time was a bit of a risk, given how fiery she is, but she didn’t slap me…” Kai chuckles, and I roll my eyes.
“You pinned my hands to the floor above my head,” I say flatly, ignoring the heat that climbs up my neck at the memory. “How was I supposed to slap you?”
“After.” Kai shrugs, still grinning, but I can see the sadness that lingers behind the smile. His scent gives away how the memories really make him feel, even if he tries to hide it with a grin.
“She can slap you now, if you like?” Benson offers in a grumbly tone that reminds me of Nick.
“Not the kind of punishment I’m hoping for, but if that's what Plum wants,” Kai says, but I’m already shaking my head no.
“Are you done packing?” I ask quietly.
“Almost.” Kai turns away from us and back into his bedroom. The tension in the room makes me uncomfortable, and the alphas notice immediately.
“We can stop if we’re upsetting you,” Nick eventually says, but I shake my head.
“No, it’s not that. He’s just…” I huff, not sure what’s bothering me exactly. “Speaking.”
“We can fix that.” Benson grins, and I can’t say the feral glint in his eyes isn’t sexy.
“How?” I ask, but rather than answer, the alpha simply kisses my head and gives my ass a small squeeze.
Chapter Sixteen
I don’t know what Nick told Stella and Val, but they ended up staying at Kai’s all day Friday and didn’t return to the farm until Saturday night. They got back around when her guests started to arrive for the first official wedding dinner.
I’m grateful. Nick’s the one who talked to them once we were ready to leave. I wasn’t ready to face Stella’s concerned frown when she realized what I was doing.
Of course, she saved that for Saturday.
“Okay. Nick explained, but not like, in a way that made any sense. So spill,” she demands, pulling me into the empty den.
“I’m giving Kai another chance.” I shrug, glancing over at the beta.
She loves Val, and because Val loves Kai, she loves Kai too. She loved me first, though, and I know she struggles with letting go of the grudge against him because of me.
