“So responsive,” Hudson murmurs. “Isn’t she, Cade?”
My eyes flash straight up, meeting icy-blue depths fixed firmly on my face.
“She is,” Cade agrees.
For a moment, I wonder what it would be like. Feel like, to be pressed in between them both, covered in their scents and their bodies.
“You’re getting all worked up,” Hudson notes, the rasp of his stubble brushing against the back of my shoulder as he breathes me in. The scent floods the kitchen, the sweetness cutting through the acrid burnt smell of what wassupposedto be lasagne.
“No time for that,” Cade scolds lightly, but there’s heat in his eyes as he watches us across the table. “We have plans this evening.”
A little moue of disappointment flickers in my chest, but I belatedly catch on when he glances at me. “Me?”
“If you’re available to join me.”
A mixture of apprehension and curiosity causes a whole flock of butterflies to take flight in my stomach.
I haven’t spent any time with Cade alone. Truthfully, he feels so aloof sometimes, it’s like he’s unreachable in a way the others aren’t. I twist away from Hudson, needing to clear my head of his fresh scent so I can think this through.
“Where are we going?” I ask. Cade grins.
“Somewhere I think you’ll like.”
ChapterThirty-Seven
Cade
Apprehension curls in my chest as we pull up to the gallery.
The ride over has been silent, Gabrielle deep in thought that feels too important to interrupt. Her eyes keep sliding over to me and away.
I run a hand down my casual shirt, smoothing away any creases as I open her car door, holding out a hand.
She exits, brushing off her dark denim jeans and tee as she stares up at the imposing building in front of us.
“What’s this?” she asks me.
“You’ll see.” I hold out by hand in a silent question, and she reaches for it, our fingers curling together as I lead her inside.
“Good evening! Do you need any – oh! Mr. Reyne!”
“Rebecca.” I give the beta my most practiced smile, aware of Gabrielle tensing at my side.
I wonder if she realizes that territorial instincts are typical omega mating behavior.
My shoulders deliberately relax as I pull her closer. “This is Gabrielle.”
Rebecca’s shoulders slump in the corner of my eye as I smile down at the omega at my side. A true smile, not the practiced public puppet smile I gave before. Gabrielle’s shoulders relax, and we continue on.
“You come here often?”
I shrug. “A fair bit. I’m a patron – I gave some money to the museum in return for a lifetime membership.”
I feel her smile. “You like art?”
“I do. If I hadn’t gone into law, I would have been an artist, I think. Likely not a very good one.”
Her light laugh trails off as we turn the corner, her breath stuttering into a gasp. “Oh, Cade.”
