Seth on horseback, hat tipped low. Carter in mid-motion, reins in hand, grinning at the camera with that golden-boy charm. Kai, all muscle and intensity.
And here I am with them in their truck, wearing one of their mating marks.
Heat creeps up my cheeks again, and I catch Carter watching me in the rearview mirror. He grins, slow and knowing, and mouths a single word:Mine.
I duck my head, fighting a smile. Okay. What is wrong with me? I am completely, utterly lost.
Kai is already out of the truck, and in seconds he’s on my side, pulling open the door with a flourish and offering his hand. “My lady,” he says with mock gravity.
I take his hand, letting him help me down, and my smile is probably too wide, but I don’t care. “Such a gentleman.”
“Only for you, doll.”
Seth chuckles as he rounds the truck, and before I can say anything, he’s right there in my space, fingers brushing hair from my face and tucking it behind my ear with surprising tenderness.
“Don’t worry,” he murmurs. “There’s no rush to make any decisions. We’re a pack now. You and us.” Then he leans in and kisses me.
I freeze on the spot. It’s not a quick peck, not a chaste brush of lips. It’s a real kiss that’s deep and claiming, his hand cupping the back of my head, his mouth moving against mine with a hunger that makes my knees buckle. And I’m gripping his shirt just to stay upright.
When he finally pulls back, I’m breathless. Dazed. My lips are tingling, and there’s a very good chance my underwear needs changing.
“That’s—” I manage. “That was?—”
“Unfair is what it was.” Kai is right there, practically in our faces, and I laugh despite myself. Seth doesn’t seem bothered, just smirks at him.
“Back up, buddy,” Seth says.
“Fuck no.” Kai’s pale eyes are fixed on me, hungry and a little petulant. “Carter gets to make her scream, you get to kiss her like that, and what do I get? Left behind? Forgotten?” He pouts, and it’s dangerously adorable on a man built like a weapon. “I’m feeling very neglected here.”
Something reckless surges through me. I’ve already gone this far. Already let Carter mark me, already kissed Seth in a public place where anyone could see. What’s one more kiss?
I grab the front of Kai’s shirt and pull him down to me.
He makes a surprised sound against my mouth, then his hands are on my cheeks, cradling my face like I’m something special, and he’s kissing me back with everything he has. It’sdifferent from Carter, different from Seth—Kai kisses like he’s showing me the stars and he’s trying to make sure I’ll remember this moment for the rest of my life. His tongue sweeps into my mouth, tasting, exploring, and I moan softly before I can stop myself.
When we finally break apart, he’s inches from my face, gray eyes blazing. “You have no idea what I have in store for you,” he whispers.
An excited shiver runs down my spine. “You worry me, Kai, when you say things like that.”
He grins and gives my rear a playful smack that makes me yelp. Then his arm loops around my back, pulling me close.
“Let’s go, doll. We’ve got a rodeo to win.”
I glance over and catch Seth’s father watching from across the lot. He’s standing near one of the equipment trailers, arms crossed, expression unreadable. Our eyes meet for a split second before he turns away, and I have no idea what he’s thinking.
To him, I’m just the chaperone. Just some Beta they hired to keep his son and the other riders out of trouble. If he saw those kisses, saw the way they’re touching me…
I push the thought aside. Today is not the day to worry about it.
And here I am, walking into a rodeo with three star cowboys at my side, life speeding up in ways I never expected. Everything seems to be telling me they’re meant to be in my life. But things in my life have never been simple or perfect. Quite the opposite. And I’m terrified of what the future holds.
Today is not the day to think about it, I remind myself, echoing Seth’s words.
I’m such a terrible liar. Even to myself.
Once we’re inside, the guys peel off toward the stables where the other performers are gathering. I’ve got a pass around myneck, courtesy of Belle’s photography credentials, that gives me behind-the-scenes access, so I figure I’ll start there.
The arena is even more impressive from the inside. Rows and rows of seating surrounding the central ring, a massive Wildfire Star Rodeo sign spinning overhead, banners featuring the star riders—including my three Alphas—rippling in the breeze. My heart races at the sight of their faces blown up twenty feet tall.
