“I don’t need your help.” I bat him away and proceed to get out by myself.
“Careful, it’s a little slippery on the stone path,” Tae warns, offering me his arm. “May I?”
I eye the uneven, rocky surface. As much as I want to channel my inner Kady and exert my independence, recent events have proven that my balance needs serious work, so I accept Tae’s arm over the risk of breaking mine. Jagger’s shoulders slump, but what did he expect? A few sweet words don’t erase a year of nothingness.
Ahead of us, Nash marches to the battered front door and mumbles what I think is, “Welcome.”
“Thanks,” I squeak as I slip past him into the warmth, not daring to look up at the burly alpha.
I step into a small hallway that smells of pine, presumably from the wood paneled walls and staircase. On my right is a large living area, complete with a huge open fire with a stack of logs, that snakes around to the back of the house, leading to the open plan kitchen with a table long enough to sit a small sports team.
“Make yourself at home.” Tae kicks off his sneakers. “Can we get you anything?”
God, their scents… They’re everywhere.
“Somewhere comfortable to sit and wait this out.”
“You can use my bedroom?” Jagger offers. “I have a big bed that?—”
“No bedrooms,” I state firmly.
Being surrounded by pillows and blankets that smell only of Jagger will be too much.
“How about in here?” Tae gestures to the huge couches. “Although, I can’t promise the sofas will be very comfortable.”
“I ordered new ones that’ll be arriving next week,” Jagger explains. “My manager picked these out.”
Tae winces. “They look good but feel like bricks.”
“It’ll do.” I fumble with my boots as I slip them off and nearly stumble.
Jagger grabs my elbow to steady me. Why is he so intent on trying to touch me all the time?
“Let go of me,” I snap, wrenching myself out of his grasp.
Nash’s nostrils flare. “Give her space, Jag.”
Jagger’s mouth opens, stung, then he inclines his head in agreement and backs away, tucking his hands in his pockets as if he can’t trust his arms to stay down at his sides.
I glance at Nash, leaning against the wall, watching on. His jaw is tense, and all the muscles in his forearms are roped, almost as if he’s holding himself back. We still haven’t addressed my awkward crying episode.
“We haven’t been formally introduced,” he says, noticing me staring as I sit down. “I’m Nash.”
“I hope you liked your chocolate chip cookies,” I say while squirming around on the sofa. Tae’s right. It’s much less comfortable than it looks. “About the other night when we met…”
He merely shrugs. “Don’t sweat it.” He frowns as I try to fluff what’s a poor excuse for pillows. “We can find you some blankets.”
“Yes!” Tae jumps into action, exiting the room before I can even respond. “I’ll gather up what I can.”
“Dim the lights too,” Nash growls as he rifles around in a cupboard behind him. When he digs out some candles, I decide he’s my omega fairy godmother.
Jagger stays standing in the corner, watching on, keeping his distance.
“Here!” Tae is slightly breathless when he returns, arms filled with an assortment of blankets and pillows.
While Nash and Jagger light the candles, I take the supplies from Tae, allowing my nesting instincts to kick in. I tear into the blanket pile, sorting through them then the cushions. I select a corner spot on the sofa to create a cocoon of plump pillowsand cozy blankets. I have my back turned to the three of them, although I can still sense their presence.
“Uh… Delilah?”
