I try to laugh it off, but my voice wobbles as I move away. "It is warm in here. The heater must be broken."
If anything, the room is chilly. I can feel the cool air on my arms, but my body is betraying me, warming from the inside out. I tug at the collar of my sweater, trying to let air in.
Jett notices immediately. He moves closer, one long, sure stride at a time. He stops beside my chair, close enough that the heat from his body reaches me. Cedar and gunpowder mix with something warmer.
He touches the back of his hand to my forehead. “You're overheating," he says.
Because I keep trying to get away and one or both of you decide to touch me.
Pine arrives, and stands behind me, his presence large and steady. The room feels smaller with all three of them, but in a strange way, safer too. His scent is darker, metal and ink and sandalwood. It settles around me like a weighted blanket.
Great, now there is no way out. I'm surrounded.
I shake my head. "I'm fine. As long as everyone keeps their knots to themselves."
Did I really say that out loud?
Cassian crouches before my chair, his large hand settling on my knee.
"I'm not," I insist, but my words come too fast, too desperate.
Jett raises an eyebrow. "Then why are your pupils blown like that? And why mention knots? Now I'm thinking about it."
My breaths come shallow and uneven. Heat coils low in my stomach. I can’t deny my body anymore. My scent thickens, and the three of them breathe it in at the same time.
Their eyes change, just slightly. Darker. Focused. Possessive.
It thrills me.
"This isn't happening," I whisper, covering my face with my hands. “I'm planning a wedding and not having a heat spike in the office."
"Tell me about it, I haven't even had lunch yet," Cassian winks.
Cassian stands and helps me to my feet. His touch is gentle, but the moment his hand closes around my arm, a chill runs down my spine. My whole body reacts to him, and I hate that I love it.
“The good news is that you’re not in full heat, but your body is close. The scent, the temperature, the shaking. It’s just a spike.”
“I'm not shaking." I lift my chin.
My legs tremble, but the office is big enough with two small couches and a chaise lounge. There’s enough space for them to take care of me, I just need to let them.
All three of them see it.
Cassian's voice turns softer. "Let us help you sit."
So why did you get me to stand up?
He guides me toward the couch in the back corner of the office. I want to argue, but my knees feel unreliable, so I follow him. The couch is small, meant for clients who want cozy meetings and floral samples. Right now, it feels like a trap, especially once Pine and Jett follow.
I lower myself onto the cushions. My heart beats too fast. I sit on Jett’s lap. Pine’s to my left. Cassian leans against the desk across from us, arms crossed, watching me carefully.
"I can handle this alone," I say, even though I don't sound convincing.
"No," Pine answers, voice deep and quiet. "You shouldn't have to."
Jett studies me with dark eyes. "You're breathing too fast. Try to slow it down."
He takes my hand, intertwining our fingers without asking for permission. His skin is warm, and the contact sends a shiver rushing up my arm. I feel too much. Everything is too sharp. My senses are on fire.
