“I didn’t know I was going to be hosting,” I said, my heels hitting the cabinets as I swung my legs. After I did my daily lighthousechecks and got dressed (in Finn’s sweater, no pants), he’d placed me on the kitchen counter and told me to “stay there like a good girl” while they made breakfast.
Yes sir.
I hadn’t put on my No-NonScent Deodorant this morning, so they could all scent me as I perfumed at his words.
“Forget about hosting. This isn’t enough food foryou.” Easton shut the fridge angrily. He moved to stand between my spread legs, and I wrapped my arms around him.
“I’ll buy more, okay?” I said. Easton’s scent told me he was really agitated.
“I’llbuy it for you.” His voice was pure grumpiness as he rubbed his cheek against mine, scent-marking me.
I would have protested to him spending money on me, but this seemed really important to him. Had Easton experienced food insecurity growing up? The thought made me hug him tighter.
“I’m assuming you want this creamer in your coffee, sweet girl?”
My cheeks heated as Finn held up the pumpkin spice-flavored creamer I’d splurged on. “Umm, yep.”
“Excellent,” Lars said, rubbing his hands together. “My favorite flavor.” He raised a suggestive eyebrow as he whisked something in a bowl, and I squirmed on the counter.
“What are you making?” I asked.
“Swedish pancakes. A staple in my home growing up.”
“That sounds so good. Thanks for doing that.” That stupid lump was back in my throat at how my alphas were taking care of me.
Finn nudged Easton out of the way and handed me my coffee. I looked down at it and bit my lip.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Nothing,” I said quickly. Too quickly, judging by his stern expression. Why did Finn scolding me get me so hot? “I want more creamer,” I whispered.
He grinned. “I should have known.” He poured more in until the coffee was a pale tan color. “That better, pretty girl?”
I took a sip. “Perfect.”
He grinned and ran his hands up my bare thighs. “I like you likethis,” he murmured in my ear. “Sitting so sweetly for us.” His heated gaze ran down my legs, but his expression quickly turned to anger as his hand froze on my leg. “Why the fuck are you covered in bruises?” He ran his hands down my calf. “Did—” He cleared his throat. “DidIdo this?”
The very air in the room transformed as all three alphas closed in on me.
“Huh?” I looked down at my leg and saw a series of small bruises. “Oh. No, I don’t think you did that. It doesn’t matter, anyway. I just bruise easily.”
Now Lars’s hands were on my other leg, his fingers carefully tracing the line of bruises I had no memory of getting. “Olive, if you’re lying right now?—”
“No, I’m not, I swear.” I caught Lars’s wrist and ran my thumb over his pulse. Fuck, I had to tell them. “I’m on blood thinners, and it means I bruise easily. I never even remember how I get them. They just seem to show up. I know they’re not very attractive.”
Easton huffed and shoved Lars out of the way, pushing so he was between my spread legs. “As if we fucking care about that. Why are you on blood thinners?”
I chewed my lip. This was the moment I’d been dreading—the first obstacle in our new romance that might just be enough to make them run.
Finn shoved Easton back so he and Lars had a little more space to crowd in around me. The cottage had a good-sized kitchen, but it seemed miniscule with these alphas in it.
“You said last night you have health issues,” Finn said softly. “Will you tell us about them?”
I nodded, fixing my eyes on a frayed spot on my sweater—Finn’s sweater.
“I have a genetic hormonal condition that affects the omega hormone omestrogen, and also increases risks for blood clots.” There. Simple. Easy.
Finn cupped my face, and his touch was so gentle I had to swallow back my tears. “I’m sorry, angel. Do you have a doctor? I’m sure we can findsomeone for you.”
