I began to fiddle with one of my suspenders. “And I need to collect a pair of boxers. Any chance you’d be willing to part with yours?”
His eyes bounced to mine, and his smile graduated to a mischievous grin. “I’ll give you mine if you give me yours.”
“Um . . . um . . .” What the hell was I supposed to say to that? It’s winter and I’m not wearing any tights?
“Only fair.”
In a second, I was going to start fanning myself.
“Heard you needed a nut hut, Knickknack.”
I wheeled around, found Lucas standing there with his eyes narrowed on poor Jake.
“So, I’m actually going commando tonight—don’t like anything squeezing my balls, besides my girlfriend—but Liam’s got some cute briefs I’m sure he’ll part with if you ask nicely.” Lucas dropped his arm across my shoulders and shepherded me away from Jake. “You can repay me in gummy bears. Love those things way too much.”
Before I could locate my vocal cords, he plucked my cards from my hands and proceeded to chuckle as he read through them. “Fun game you girls got going. Check this out, Liam.” He handed our Alpha my cards while I stood there, still a little perplexed, because this wasn’t going to be half as stress-free with pack males around.
I fiddled with my suspenders again. “I thought you were kidding about the bachelorette, Dexter.”
“I never kid around.” He grinned wide, gaze traveling over my outfit until Lucas elbowed him hard in the ribs. Then his attention flipped to May, who was squeezing herself in next to me.
Cackling, she exhibited her forearm now inked with someone’s phone number. “I’m so recycling that card at a later date. Hi, boys. Come to join in on the fun?”
“Came to make sure y’all got home okay,” Lucas said.
Adalyn turned away from the bar with a fresh orange drink in her hands. “One down. Four to go. Nik, you got the guy’s underwear?”
“Almost had it until this one showed up.” I hooked a thumb toward Lucas.
The male exuded pride at having intervened. “The dude suggested a trade. I was protecting my packmate’s innocence.”
“I can protect my own innocence, thank you very much.” I was completely relieved he’d butted in, but would I ever admit it? Nope. “Besides, maybe I was interested in the trade.”
Liam’s gaze flipped to me.
“Anyway, I still need a pair of male underwear, and since Lucas isn’t wearing any . . .”
“Eww. How is that comfortable in jeans?” Adalyn grimaced as she sucked on her straw.
“He mentioned one of you”—he hadn’t mentioned Dexter, but like hell I was singling out Liam—“might have a pair they’d be willing to hand over.”
Dexter’s gaze flicked to Lucas, then to Liam. “I’m unfortunately in the same boat as Lucas, so I can’t help you there.”
“Seriously?” May looked down at their crotches. “Don’t zippers chafe?”
“Okay. My cue to leave.” Adalyn melted into the crowd.
“What about you, Liam?” May asked. “Are you anti-underwear?”
Liam handed me back my cards. “No.”
I waited for him to offer up his briefs. When his silence dragged on, I tucked my cards into the waistband of my skirt and turned to leave when I thought of something. “Aren’t you guys supposed to be in Alaska?”
Liam’s gaze slid to me, settled there. He was looking at my eyes and yet it felt like he was giving my soul a once-over. “We’re leaving tomorrow morning.”
“Were you hoping we’d miss out on all the festivities?” Lucas swiped a beer from the bar, then leaned back against it and plopped his elbows on the wood, as though settling in for a show.
“Yes,” I deadpanned.
