Cam grasped my chin and turned my face so I was looking at him. “What did I say, baby girl?”
I whimpered at his stern tone, my insides feeling like jelly.
“Answer me,” he demanded.
“You want to take care of me.”
“That’s right. So you’re going to let us.”
“Yes, alpha,” I whispered. The words slipped out of my mouth before I could second-guess them.
“Good girl,” Cam said with a smile, releasing my face so I could eat the pancake Theo was holding.
We worked our way through the board, the guys always ensuring I got the first bite of everything. After a while, I felt uncomfortably full and pushed away from the wall, wanting to float in the water. Ben pulled me to the center of the pool and guided me onto my back, his hands on me at all times. I couldn’t remember ever being touched this much in my life, and I loved it. It was like the alphas knew how to give me all the tenderness I had craved my entire childhood.
I was weightless as the cool water lapped at my skin. Theo, Ben, and Cam stayed close, floating next to me. Their touches didn’t feel sexual or demanding; they were pure comfort.
After a while, I heard teeth chattering and opened my eyes. Cam was next to me, and his lips were practically blue. I pushed myself upright and tread water.
“Oh my gosh, you do not have to stay in here with me,” I said. I had forgotten they weren’t running 106-degree fevers right now.
“S’fine,” Cam muttered, barely able to speak as he tried to keep his teeth from chattering.
Seeing this intimidating alpha stay in a freezing cold pool just to make sure I was comfortable melted my heart. I reached out and put my arm on his shoulder to help keep myself afloat.
“I think I’m ready for the next phase of the day, anyway,” I said.
“Hmm?” he responded, wrapping his arms around me and pulling me close in a crushing embrace. Part of me still felt I should resist the intimate contact, but I forced myself to relax. His cool skin felt good against mine.
“I heard something about couch snuggles,” I said.
“You don’t have to get out of the pool yet if you don’t want to,” Cam said.
“I’m feeling okay,” I said.
His eyes narrowed, but his chattering teeth betrayed his sternness, and I couldn’t stop myself from giggling. He growled at me playfully, holding me tight as he lifted me out of the pool. Theo was there right away to wrap me in a thick towel. I had another pair of sweatpants and a tank top inside, but I needed to get the rest of my clothes.
“I need to go to my apartment to grab more of my stuff.”
“Weare going to your apartment together,” Cam growled.
I hid my smile in the crook of his neck. Cam was being a classic overbearing alpha, but somehow his treatment didn’t make me feel like he thought I was weak. It made me feel cherished.
ChapterEighteen
Ben
Josie’s apartment was a small one-bedroom in a busy part of the city, making me irrationally uncomfortable. Her heat had triggered my alpha instincts and I wanted to hide her away, preferably in my bed where I could cuddle and feed her all day.
The apartment itself was… well,minimalisticwould be a generous descriptor. The living room had a small, scratched-up coffee table and a dingy mustard-yellow sofa. There was a pile of blankets on the small living room window seat and stacks of books lining the walls. All her things seemed worn. I didn’t know why it hadn’t hit me earlier that my mate had been living alone with no financial support.
“How has she been affording food and basics?” I gritted out, keeping my voice low.
“Maybe her…friendhelped her out,” Theo said. None of us liked the idea of this unknown alpha.
I ran my hand down the chipped laminate countertop in the kitchen. There was barely any counter space. Maybe our kitchen would convince her to stay. We could bake together. I would feed her out of my hand, lick chocolate off every part of her body, bend her over the island and...
Theo cleared his throat pointedly as he felt my arousal through the bond. My face heated. I needed to get myself under control—I would never forgive myself if I did anything to make Josie uncomfortable. The thought was actually painful.
