“You do matter. More than you will ever know,” I whisper back.
He lets out a shaky breath, like he’s been holding it for too long. And then his lips are on mine—soft at first, tentative, but the moment I respond, something shifts. The kiss deepens, his hands sliding up my back as he presses me closer, like he’s afraid I’ll disappear if he lets go.
Heat floods my body, every nerve ending sparking to life as I kiss him back, harder, needier. His scent—sweet and tangy—envelops me, pulling me under, making it impossible to think straight. My fingers tangle in his hair, tugging slightly as I press my body against his.
He groans softly against my lips, his hands sliding down to grip my hips, his touch igniting a fire that spreads through me, leaving me breathless. “Lakelyn,” he murmurs between kisses, his voice rough, filled with need.
I can’t get enough of him, the way his mouth moves against mine, the way his body feels pressed against me, the way every touch sends a rush of heat pooling low in my belly. My mind spins, dizzy with the overwhelming need coursing through me.
We break apart, gasping for air, but it’s only for a second before his lips are on my neck, trailing hot, open-mouthed kisses along my skin. I tilt my head, giving him more access, my hands fisting in his shirt as I try to ground myself against the tidal wave of sensations crashing over me.
My slight perfume seems to explode from me, filling the space with blueberries. Mixing with his pheromones in a heady and lethal combination. The combined scent goes straight to my head, making me lightheaded.
“Chad,” I gasp, my breath coming in ragged bursts as his hands slide under my shirt, his fingers skimming over the bare skin of my back. Every touch feels like fire, burning away any hesitation.
“Tell me to stop,” he whispers against my skin, his voice low, desperate, like he’s fighting against his own desires. But there’s no way I want him to stop. Not now.
“Don’t,” I breathe out, tilting his face back up to mine, my lips brushing against his. “Don’t stop.”
His eyes search mine for a moment, as if he needs to be sure, and then he’s kissing me again—harder, more insistent, like he’s been holding back for too long. His hands roam my body,and I arch into his touch, heat spiraling through me, making it impossible to think of anything but him.
We stumble back toward the workbench, knocking into a few tools as his lips move down my throat again, making me shiver. I grip the edge of the table, trying to steady myself as he presses me up against it, his body pinning mine. His hand slides up my thigh, fingers brushing dangerously close to where I ache for him the most, and I gasp, my head falling back as his mouth moves lower, his breath hot against my skin.
"You're perfect," he breathes, his voice rough and filled with raw emotion. "I don't deserve you, but I don't care. I can't stop."
I cup his face, pulling him back up to kiss him, slow and deep, pouring everything I feel into the kiss. Every emotion, every unspoken word. It’s too much, and yet not enough all at once.
And it’s shattered in the space of a second when the bell above the door jingles and Mason walks in. Chad jerks away from me like he’s been caught in the act, which to be fair, we have.
Mason pauses with his hand on the doorknob half-way outside and half-way in. His eyes dart between us. He’s frozen in place, something unreadable crossing his face. It’s almost dark and primal, like I can see his alpha peeking out at us. I curl my fingers around the workbench at my back, as I drag in a breath of pure pheromones.
“Mase,” I start. His gaze snaps to mine, and my stomach tightens. I glance at Chad. We had a plan. And with the way Mason’s watching us, now might be the best time to make the first move.
He doesn’t move, doesn’t speak, just stands there watching us. Finally, he lets the door swing shut with a heavy thud. The bell jingles softly. His eyes don’t leave us though, and something flickers across his face. Something that makes my nipples harden even more.
We're silent as he takes in the scene. His nostrils flare slightly as he inhales, taking our combined scent into his lungs. He flicks his tongue out to wet his bottom lip as though tasting the scent of us on the air. His green eyes gleam with something dangerous. Then he blinks and it’s gone, and it’s the Mason I’ve always known standing in front of us.
“Don’t stop on my account,” he says with a smile. “Although there are probably better places for that.”
CHAPTER 23
Mason
What the actual fuck!
Their combined perfumes hit me like a freight train, the sweet blueberry of Lake and the tangy sweetness of Chad is almost more than I can handle. Only it isn’t just them I can smell. I can smell another alpha and the possessive need to claim them both right this second still has a chokehold on me.
The air feels too thick to breathe, and my throat tightens, but I keep moving. My muscles coil with every step I take toward them, Lakelyn’s wide eyes tracking me while Chad’s gaze is slower, more deliberate. It lingers like a challenge, sliding over me in a way that makes my pulse pound in my ears. He’s messing with me. He knows exactly what he’s doing, making me feel like the third wheel to something I haven’t even agreed to.
Then, Chad’s lips curve into that cocky smile, and his voice cuts through the haze, soft but sharp. “Where do you suggest, Alpha?”
The wordAlpharolls off his tongue like a dare, and it lands heavy in my chest, making my heart stutter. My mind scrambles, trying to keep up. Did I say something? Did I suggest something? I blink at him, confusion flaring, before it clicks—he’s asking where else they should go. Somewhere better suited for whatever was about to happen before I walked in. Heat floods through me, pooling low in my gut, and I shift on my feet, trying to ease the ache building in my jeans without making it obvious.
Chad doesn’t miss it. His eyes flick down to where I’m standing stiff, and his smile widens, slow and lazy like he’s enjoying every second of watching me squirm. My fists clench again, this time out of sheer willpower to keep myself together. He’s got to be kidding. I grit my teeth, forcing my voice out in a low growl.
"Stay here if you want," I growl, barely holding back the possessive edge creeping into my voice. My whole body feels like it’s teetering on the edge, every instinct screaming at me to take control. "I don’t give a damn."
Chad’s eyes flick down again, and that lazy smile stretches wider. He knows exactly what I’m fighting. "You don’t, huh?" he murmurs, his voice soft but thick with challenge. "Because you’re acting like you care. A lot."
