I put my arms around his neck, but even on my tiptoes, I couldn’t reach his lips. He took pity on me and leaned down so we could kiss. “Thank you for taking a chance on me,” I whispered. “And you can mark me as much as you want. I love it.” I didn’t care how unusual it was—I would be happy for Wilder to mark me a hundred times, and King, too, because each silvery scar was a symbol of their love for me. I wished Leo could mark me, but I would just have to make up for it by putting my bond mark on him.
“You never have to thank me, sweetheart. I’m the one who’s been given more than I ever dreamed.”
He picked me up and sat me on a stool. We were crammed around the counter, my elbows bumping against Leo and Wilder as I ate, and I loved every moment. The pancakes were amazing, but I actually gasped when I took a sip of my coffee. “This tastes like a strawberry cardamom latte.”
Leo grinned. “I may have bribed Ella to sell me a bottle of their syrup.”
I squealed and launched myself at him, peppering his stubble-covered cheeks with kisses. “This is the best morning ever.”
He grinned. “You’re easy to please.”
It was just a passing, throwaway comment, but it made my breath hitch and eyes water.
“Fuck, what’s wrong? I didn’t mean it. You’re very hard to please.” Leo ran a panicked hand up and down my back in what I imagined was supposed to be a soothing gesture.
I choked out a watery laugh. “I’m fine, promise. Sorry for being silly. It’s just, my exes always said I was impossible to please and I needed to stop being such a spoiled, materialistic omega.”
The energy in the kitchen turned dark with fury.
“They saidwhat?” King’s voice was ice.
I chewed my lip. I hadn’t meant to reveal all that. I’d learned that people expected social, happy Lucy, so I was used to hiding when I was upset and returning once I’d pulled myself together again. My guys weren’t going to let that happen.
Wilder lifted me onto the counter and gripped my chin so I couldn’t look away. “We will hunt them down and feed them to the pigs that Easton’s friend owns. You aresofucking easy, sweetheart.”
I cocked my head and Leo made a strangled noise. “He means easyto please.”
I saw the moment Wilder realized what he’d said, and his look of horror made me burst out laughing. “I mean it’s true.” I winked. “I’mveryeasy around you three.”
King shot me a heated look, and the tension in the room broke. I moved back to my stool and squeezed Leo’s hand. “Thank you.”
“Just telling the truth. Although I certainly don’t mind if you want to be difficult and make us work for it.” His lips brushed my cheek. “Dealing with our bratty omega is fun, too.”
He returned to his breakfast while I squirmed uncomfortably and hoped my T-shirt was enough to stop my slick from leaking onto my chair.
King placed a fresh cup of strawberry cardamom coffee in front of me. “Finish your breakfast, princess.”
I took another bite, blushing at his murmured, “Good girl.”
Leo and King asked Wilder questions about the cabin, giving me a chance to process my feelings as they gave me casual, reassuring touches. When we finished, we decided to move to the porch. The day was warming up, the sun was shining, and the forest smelled alive. Porch-sitting was such a better way to experience nature than camping.
Wilder stole me onto his lap, his hand gently rubbing over the bond mark he’d put on my palm. “I never heard how your interview went. I’m sorry I didn’t ask before now. I hope I didn’t ruin it.”
I’d been in such a funk the past few days that I hadn’t told King or Leo about the interview, either…or about the email I’d received yesterday.
“You didn’t ruin anything. The interview was done by the time I realized you’d gone to the hospital. It went well.”
The guys waited for me to elaborate. When I didn’t, Leo carefully asked, “Did they tell you when they’ll let you know if you got it?”
I nodded slowly. “I actually got an email from them yesterday morning, just a few minutes before I walked in to the doctor’s appointment. That was the reason I was late.” I took a deep breath. “They offered me the internship. It would start July first.”
Wilder’s hold on me tightened, and he kissed my forehead. “Congratulations, sweetheart.”
“Thanks,” I almost-whispered.
King moved to my side, his hand firm on my thigh. “What are you thinking, baby girl?”
I played with the edge of my T-shirt. “I should take it, right?”
