“It does…” I take a deep breath. “Make sense.”
Their gazes lock onto me, their fingers brushing my cheek and temples as I swallow back my cries and try to find the words.
“I began preparing for this business years ago. I planned everything, saved up, paid for advice, then went to the bank and got a loan. I had to prepare a five-year plan to get the salon, to show them I could do this, to prove that a packless omega could create and run a profitable business. I haveeverythingplanned out.”
They stare at me, but say nothing.
“This…” I point between us, voice stern. “…isn’t in my plan.”
My gaze darts between them, hoping I’ve made it clear that whatever was building between us can’t happen.
“Thankfuckshe’s not concussed.” Luc sighs.
Val studies me again, then glances at his brother. “Still think we should get her checked out.”
“Hello?”I snap,almostbarking as I brush away the remaining tears. “I’m right here. Did you listen to what I said?Thisisn’t—”
“—part of your plan, we heard you, Ve,” Luc murmurs, lowering his face so our eyes become level. “The best things in life often aren’t.”
Before I have a chance to respond to that heart-fluttering comment, Val’s cupping my jaw and turning me to him.
“If your brother didn’t come into your office, what do you think would have happened?”
I am in no state to be answering that type of question. Not with the way he says it, laced in a dirty grit with those intense hazel eyes, more black than brown.
“I would…” I swallow, and his eyes track it. “I would have stopped…”
He slowly shakes his head, and my words fade away, losing all confidence.
“You might have tried, at first. But my brother and I, we’re relentless.” There’s no lightness in his tone or his gaze. “I’ve never planned for an omega, never wanted one, but I want you.”
My chest tightens; my mouth goes dry. “You hardly know me.”
“You know our line of work, Revea.” Val’s soft growl catches on my name, raising goosebumps along my arms. “We learn quickly, and we act fast.”
When his eyes drop to my mouth, my brain finally snaps back online.
“No,” I say, not a bark, but stern enough that his gaze locks with mine.
I lean out of their touches, my eyes wide as their hands linger before, slowly, lowering.
I swallow. “Let me make myself clear. This—” Now I point between the three of us. “—isn’t happening. No way. I’m not risking my goals just because two stupidly attractive alphas with your big arms and your sink-fixing and nice growls…” I shake my head, cutting off my stupid rambling, adding a sharp, “I will not let this impact my business.”
There’s quiet for a second, but their expressions aren’t exactly what I expect. A little too calm, composed, like they expected everything I said and were just waiting for it to be over.
“The big arms bit was about me,” Luc murmurs to his brother.
Val scoffs, “You wish.”
My jaw drops. “Hello?!” I shout, their eyes back on me. “Did you listen to a word I just said?”
“Loud and clear, ma’am.” Luc grins, then continues. “You’ve worked hard, you’ve got goals, you’re ambitious, driven, independent.” The way he says those words sounds awfully raspy, a little heated.
“You know what you want, and you don’t want us to negatively impact that, especially this business,” Val carries on, eyes darting to my mouth when he adds, “And we won’t. We promise.”
Right. Well, that’s… exactly what I said. They listened, and they’re agreeing to it.
“Okay…” I say slowly, a little shocked.
