I open my mouth to tell him that I choose him. All of them. Never in my life did I think that the romance I read about in those doctor’s office magazines would find me.
But the words get caught behind the knot in my throat as I stand there, trying not to cry. Trying not to throw myself at this man and tell him that I’ve been so lonely for so long and I’m so fucking tired of it.
Tired of having nothing. Tired of being at everyone else’s beck and call without anything to show for it.
But before I can open my mouth and use my words, a tear slides down my cheek as I tilt my head back and gaze up into his face.
“Hold me?” I ask softly, forcing the words through the knot.
He tucks me closer against his lean form, his hand cradling the back of my head as it rests on his chest. I press my ear to his racing heart, taking comfort in the rhythmic thumping. He runs his long, dexterous fingers through my hair as his body begins to slowly sway. His feet move with mine on top of them, and soon, we’re turning slowly in the gazebo.
“For as long as you wish, beautiful,” he murmurs.
The vineyard stretches before us, endless and waiting. The wind kicks up again, blowing the lovely smell of grape blossoms in our direction. His arm bands around my waist as the world falls away, cloaked by the night and held at the gates of the half moon that shines down upon us.
As if the world itself is carving out a moment meant for only me and him.
His words bounce around in my mind, forcing me to confront the one issue I’ve had this entire time. If none of them are going to stand in the way of my dreams, what’s stopping me from giving this a shot?
If my ARS isn’t a dealbreaker, then what’s holding me back?
Lia
Iwake up feeling wrung out like a dishcloth.
I roll over in bed with a flop and check my phone. My pillow is wet from sweating all night. Ugh. I hate the slow build-up to my heat.
I make a mental note to check my hormones with the pee sticks I get from the drug store. They can tell me how close I am to my heat dragging me under.
Something tells me I’m closer to it than I want to be.
I drag my phone in front of my face and the screen nearly blinds me. It’s been two days since the whirlwind of bowling lanes and vineyard candles whispering promises under a moonlit sky, and my body is still paying for it.
To be honest, I shouldn’t have gone on all three dates. Too much energy during a time where I need to be resting.
They’re becoming irresistible, though.
Dating three Alphas in one weekend should probably come with a warning label. Caution: may cause emotional vertigo and physical exhaustion.
I smile to myself when I see text messages from them.
Eli:Good morning, Alley Cat. You sleep okay?
Knox:Rise and shine, Sunshine. It’s a new day. Need any help with anything?
Walker:Morning, beautiful. I’m only a phone call away if something happens. Use it when you need it.
My fingers stumble slowly along the keypad of my phone.
Lia:Just waking up. I’m good. Still tired. That’s pretty par for the course at this point, though. How are you guys? Eli, how’s Amber?
After sending off the text, my phone falls to my pillow and I burrow deeper into my blankets on the floor of my apartment.
At this point, I’ve lost all hope that I’ll see any sort of money from my renter’s insurance for temporary furniture for this place. An air mattress I picked up keeps me comfortable enough, but it still doesn’t address the mountain of problems I still have.
How will I replace all the furniture and kitchen supplies I’ve lost? What about the clothes I can’t get back? How much will that cost?
When will I get back into my old apartment?
