Page 126 of Knot So Social

I roll my eyes. “Not today. I know you were hobbling worse after we . . .”

Heat burns in my cheeks. I’m a grown woman, so I shouldn’t feel shy about making love with an alpha.

“Totally worth it.” The joy in his gaze lights up my belly.

Alessandro waits in the kitchen, the bright down lights playing over his lovely olive skin. Shadows still lurk under his eyes, but at least he’s alert. And smiling at me in a way that melts my heart.

He opens his arms. “Cara mia.”

I hurl myself at him.

He laughs as he embraces me. “What a welcome. I could get used to this.”

Like I’m getting used to these alphas being in my space, even with all my professed reservations.

They belong here.

“Are you feeling okay?”

“Sì. I was a bit woozy when I woke up, but now I’m good. Jeremy even cooked for me.”

That’s when the realization hits me that two men I have feelings for are hanging out together under my roof. I step back and chew on my lip. “Um, did you two . . . get to know each other?”

Jeremy snorts and stumps in behind me, crowding me toward Alessandro. “We did. And we found out we have a lot in common.” He drops a kiss on my neck, his warm breath making me tingle as it mists over my flushed skin. “Just so you’re fully prepared, we’re both planning to court you.”

My belly flutters. “And . . . if I don’t want to choose?”

Jeremy leans his weight on me, pinning me into Alessandro’s chest. He nibbles on my ear.

“I think I might like that,” he murmurs.

My knees go weak, but disbelief fights for control of my mind. I glance at Alessandro.

He smiles and nods. “We would be honored, cara mia—my darling. If you’ll allow us to win you over.”

Their dual warmth pressing me front and back steals my breath.

Packs are common enough, sure, but usually the guys know each other, or have been friends previously. I’m the only connection these two men have, but it’s enough for them?

I chew on my lip, thinking it through. There’s one more person that’s been on my mind since waking up. My cheeks heat and I fumble my words as I ask, “A-and what about J-Joel?”

Jeremy straightens and sidles over to lean on the bench next to Alessandro, where I can see him. “He went home yesterday to organize some of his stuff.” He studies me, and I’m certain he’s reading me like an open book. “You should tell him exactly what you want. I think he secretly likes being bossed around.”

That Joel? The one who spoke so sternly yesterday and pulled away from me? I can’t picture him enjoying being bossed around at all. And yet something tells me Jeremy would know.

I cover a chuckle. Popping my hands on my hips, I ask, “Well, what if he wants to court me too?”

Jeremy shucks his brows. “Then make him work for it.” He softens and cups my face, adding, “I’ve shared everything I have with my brother my whole life. I don’t plan to stop now, if that’s what you want.”

It’s true I don’t know the alpha at all, but if he’s anything like Jeremy, he’ll be a good man. And clearly, I can’t stop thinking about him and his scent.

My defenses are crumbling and I’m powerless to stop it. But today isn’t about me.

I huff in a breath. “Well, let’s deal with one thing at a time.” Swinging to Alessandro, I slap both hands on his chest. “You scared me.”

Alessandro winces. “Colpa mia.” He lifts my hand to his lips. “Truthfully, I wish you had not seen me like that, but there’s no place I’d rather take refuge than with you.” He looks up over my hand, dark lashes brushing against his lids around his wide eyes. “I’m eternally grateful to Jeremy and his brother for their help, and to you, for rescuing me.”

I resist the urge to shake off his thanks.