“Alright,” I say, feeling the city fade. “The faster we get to Lilah’s place, the faster I’m out of this heat.”
“And the faster we’re back in the hotel,” Dean quips smoothly.
Lakelyn swats his arm, her playful grin matching the warmth in her voice. “There is more to life than sex.”
“True,” Dean nods with mock seriousness. “But we’ve got a lot of time to make up for.”
Mason chuckles, his laughter deep and low, and I can’t help the smile that tugs at my lips. It’s tempting—tootempting—but I reel it in, focusing instead on the towering building we’re approaching.
The high-rise is more than impressive, even by New York standards. Polished glass reflects the city back at itself, and the sleek marble entryway gleams under the afternoon sun. A uniformed doorman steps forward, holding the heavy glass door open with practiced ease as we approach.
“Afternoon,” he greets, giving us a polite smile.
“Thanks,” I reply, leading the way into the cool, air-conditioned lobby. The sudden chill is a relief, and I take a deep breath, feeling the sweat on my skin start to dry.
Lakelyn lets out a soft gasp beside me, spinning in a slow circle as she takes in the space. “This lobby alone is bigger than my whole apartment used to be,” she mutters.
Dean leans toward her, his voice low and teasing. “Think of it as inspiration. Maybe Lilah can hook us up with a real estate agent while we’re here.”
Mason snorts, shaking his head as he presses the button for the elevator. “Yeah, because a penthouse in New York is exactly in the budget.”
“It could be for a few months,” I say, as the elevator dings almost immediately, its gold-trimmed doors sliding open.
We pile in, and Mason hits the button for the penthouse.
As the elevator ascends smoothly, Lakelyn peers over at me. “Do you think she’ll like me? Should I be worried?”
“Worried?” I repeat, smirking. “Not at all. She’s just excited to meet you. The unicorn that caught my attention. It’s a big deal.”
The others laugh, and the tension in my shoulders eases. When the elevator dings again, we step out into a wide hallway with double doors at the end.
I knock twice, and after a moment, the door swings open to reveal Lilah looking effortlessly glamorous in a casual tank top and shorts. “You made it!” she says, pulling me into a quick hug before gesturing us inside.
Her penthouse is…breathtaking. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame a view of the sprawling city skyline, the streets below a blur of motion. Modern furniture fills the space without feeling cold, and everything—from the glass sculptures on the side tables to the massive abstract painting on the far wall—screamsmoney.It’s everything I used to crave.
“Wow,” Lakelyn breathes, walking toward the windows. “This is…insane.”
“Isn’t it?” Lilah beams, clearly loving the reaction. “Come on, let’s sit down. Drinks? I’ve got a bottle of champagne chilling.”
I follow the others into the living room, sinking into the plush sofa as the city stretches endlessly behind us. The view is spectacular, but it’s the warmth of my pack close by that makes me feel grounded. For the first time today, I feel like I can truly relax.
“Rafe and Miles are still working. They’ll be home soon,” Lilah says, stepping into the living room with a bottle of sparkling water in one hand and glasses in the other. “Elliott just ran to the store for some snacks.”
She perches on the armrest of a nearby chair, her gaze sweeping over the four of us with a knowing smile. Her eyes linger on Mason, who has made himself comfortable beside me.
“I’m so happy you didn’t let him run,” Lilah adds, her grin widening.
Mason wraps his arm around my shoulders and presses a kiss to my temple, his lips warm against my skin. “He tried.”
“I believe it,” she replies, her laughter light and teasing.
The sound of the front door opening interrupts the moment. “I’m back!” a voice calls out, unmistakably cheerful and bright.
Elliott walks in, balancing two grocery bags in his arms. His easy smile lights up his face as he takes us in. “Oh, good! Everyone’s here already.” He sets the bags on the kitchen counter before striding over.
“Finally meeting in person!” he exclaims, opening his arms as if he’s about to hug everyone at once. “Mason, Dean, Lakelyn—this is long overdue.”
Dean raises an eyebrow but shakes Elliott’s hand firmly, the ghost of a smirk tugging at his lips. “Good to put a face to the voice.”
