“It was great,” I said, leaning into him.
“How were the desserts?” Ben asked, scowling at the café.
“You know, it was rather disappointing,” Clementine said loudly.
“I agree,” Westin said, catching on. “Just average.”
Poppy joined in. “Josie was telling us how everything you’ve made issomuch better, Ben.”
Ben puffed out his chest, a huge smile spreading across his face. “Is that right, precious?”
“Of course,” I said, giggling as he twirled me around.
“Fuck, I love you,” he murmured against my ear. “I’m feeling hungry for that sweet pussy of yours.” I shivered in pleasure. His heated gaze met mine as he stopped spinning and I slid slowly down his body, feeling his hardness.
“We’ll have to have you all over soon,” Ben said, turning to the group.
Poppy’s alphas did a bro chin-lift in acknowledgment. I caught Westin’s gaze, and we both rolled our eyes. Alpha posturing was so ridiculous.
As I looked at Westin, I realized she looked unsteady. “Westin, can we give you a ride?” I asked.
“Oh no, I’m fine. My aunt’s place is just around the corner.” She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes and her scent was stressed.
Part of me wanted to push her to tell me what was going on, but I also knew what it was like to feel vulnerable and need to protect yourself. “If you ever need anything, I’m here for you.” I pulled her into a hug, surprised at myself for initiating physical contact. Westin’s smile looked genuine when we pulled away.
“Thanks,” she said. “See you soon?”
“Absolutely.”
My alphas ushered me to the car and I slipped into the back with Ben.
“Do you actually think my desserts are better or were you just saying that?” Ben asked the second the car door was closed.
“Yours are definitely better,” I said, snuggling into him.
“Of course they are,” he said, kissing me on the forehead as Theo pulled out of the parking spot and headed home.
ChapterSixty
Ben
Iflipped through my recipe list while waiting for Josie to get out of the bath. She kept weaving the idea of me opening up my own bakery into conversation, and now I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Her confidence in my abilities bolstered my own, and I felt genuine excitement about the future for the first time in years. I knew I should catch up on my programming work, but more and more, it felt like drudgery.
Suddenly, a jolt of anxiety and anger rang through the bond so strongly I almost doubled over. I took off towards Theo’s office. Cam came up the stairs from the gym just as I was rounding the corner, eyes wide as he scanned the hallway for threats. We shook our heads, unsure of what was going on, as we barreled our way into the office.
Theo looked up from his chair as we barged in, his face drawn. Cam closed the door behind us.
“What’s going on?” he barked. “Where’s Josie?”
“Upstairs in the bath,” I responded.
Theo ran his hand through his hair. “That was Amirah on the phone.”
A chill ran down my spine.
“Remember Glen’s press conference that we caught on TV the other night?” he continued.
“How could we forget,” Cam muttered.
