“You don’t belong here,” he tells me, his voice low and a little rough—exactly the kind of voice that inches along your skin when you close your eyes. The kind of voice you could easily get lost in.
“Rourke,” I whisper his name, something in my chest suddenly so tight.
With his hand on my shoulder, he offers me his other. “Come on,” he says, the corner of his mouth tugging into a smirk. “They’re waiting for you.”
I don’t know who he means. At least, I don’t think I do. Still, I slip my hand inside his and let him help me to my feet. I wear heels, and even then, the alpha is still worlds taller than me, but I’m not intimidated by his stature or the fact that he could crack me wide open with his pinky finger. No, I only feel at peace. Happy, even. The tear that had escaped me earlier would be the only one to fall. My eyes are clear and my vision is crisp.
And right now, all I see is Rourke.
He leads me with confidence through the empty ballroom. Together, we zigzag through the crowd of tables, until we reach the exit, where we pause for only a few moments. Rourke tosses me a fast look, that smirk still on his face, and then without a second more to lose, he opens the door.
I don’t know what I expect to see on the other side. A hallway, maybe? Regardless, what we step into isn’t anything I could’ve anticipated. Out of the ballroom and into a large, wide-open bedroom that feels like home.
And front and center in that bedroom? A huge bed, built for more than two people—and in front of said bed stands two more alphas, clearly waiting for me and Rourke.
“Asher,” I whisper the one alpha’s name, then glance at his brother. “Mason. What are you doing here?” Rourke stands beside me, still holding onto my hand, a wordless comfort. Having them here, even though nothing’s happening, makes me forget why I was so upset in the first place.
Why was I crying? Why did I feel so lost? How stupid I was.
The smile Asher gives me is one of genuine comfort. He steps forward. “Didn’t Rourke tell you? We’ve been waiting for you.” That smile only deepens when he adds, “We missed you, Jess.” When he says my name, my body tingles in the best way, like I’ve been waiting years to hear him say my name like that.
Beside me, Rourke nods and whispers, “We’re ready for you.” Those words, such simple words, carry a weight with them I’m not prepared for, and yet all I can do is stand there and stare at Asher and Mason while Rourke squeezes my hand.
Mason is slow in tilting his head as his hazel eyes study me in a way they never have before. “The real question is, are you ready for us?” For the first time, he doesn’t sound mean or off-putting. No, he sounds the opposite: warm, welcoming, and full of desire.
Desire for me.
As the three alphas around me continue to stare at me, as they wait with bated breath for me to answer them, I realize I can’t lie. I can’t fight it, can’t fight them. Everything I thought I wanted, everything I used to believe I needed… I was wrong. I don’t need any of it. They’re all I need.
We could end up anywhere in the world and I’d be content. We could live out of boxes beneath a bridge in the city and I’d be happy. We could even stay up in the mountains and make ourselves a new home somewhere far away from everything I’m used to, and I would be absolutely down for it.
So, in response to Mason’s question, what answer could I give other than a breathless “Yes”?
The moment that word escapes me, Rourke pulls me past Asher and Mason, to the bed, where he finally releases my hand. As the others move to the opposite side of the bed, watching every movement we make, Rourke helps me out of my clothes while my heart beats like a drum in my chest.
I don’t think I’ve ever been this excited before, this desperate. I want these three more than anything in the world. How crazy is that? I can’t smell them—and scents are one of the most important things in matches, if notthemost important thing—and yet I need them like I need the air in my lungs.
I don’t need to smell them to know I need them. I don’t need to memorize their scents to feel them in my heart. Somehow, someway, we’re still connected in a way only fate could understand.
The three of us were never supposed to cross paths. Odd circumstance after odd circumstance led us here, to where we are now, and I can’t imagine it happening any other way.
For the first time ever, destiny has dealt me a good hand.
Rourke’s blue gaze is intense as he stares down at me, the hunger and desire written across every handsome feature. His hands move to my sides, where he spins me around to get to the back of the dress I wear, and his thumb toys with the zipper for only a few moments before he tugs it down. The dress loosens around my body, and with a soft yank from the alpha behind me, it tumbles to the floor—and just like that, I wear nothing but panties.
My chest is free and already heaving. I’m half-naked, but I don’t feel insecure or upset. No, the only emotion inside me is the same these guys feel: hunger. Hunger laced with acceptance.
With the direction I’m facing, I can see Asher and Mason across the huge bed. Their eyes ravage me. Behind me, Rourke helps me to crawl onto the bed and get in position. Strangely enough, none of the guys work on taking off their clothes, butI’m too blinded by my own need for them to stop and tell them to join me in the ranks of the mostly-unclothed.
There will be plenty of time for them to get naked with me. If they want to worship me first, who am I to stop them?
Rourke is the one who crawls on top of me first, and I can honestly say I’ve never felt more comfortable than I do right that moment. His body blocks out the world. His chiseled good looks and wide, muscular frame look downright sexy in all that black. Pair his darker features with those brilliant blue eyes, and I am a goner.
Seriously, how did I ever think I could deny an alpha like this? There’s something about him that drives my inner omega crazy even though she can’t smell him. Maybe it’s far out there to admit, but I don’t think I could go a day without seeing him. I think I’d go mad.
One look from Rourke and it sets me off. The hunger on his face is plain, and he runs his tongue over his bottom lip, as if he’s mentally preparing himself to devour me. My whole body quivers in response, and my thighs clench together of their own accord.
I want this. I need this.
