Chapter Forty-OneGrace #2
“Breathe, my good doctor.” His voice went rumbly, setting me at ease.
“In this family, nice clothes to attend functions aren’t gifts, they’re necessities.
As for the jewelry, I admit, I went overboard, and didn’t truly take your tastes into account.
I just saw it and knew it would look amazing on you. ”
The necklace was dainty compared to what Brennan’s mom was wearing. It was diamonds and rubies, and the largest part rested right across my cleavage. The dangly earrings were long and big. But then none of these were daily wear.
“I love the jewelry. I’ve never had anything this nice.” My voice went small. It had been a long time since I’d had nice things. I’d just been trying to get by.
Even when I had, it wasn’t like this. My family had been fine, but not rich by any means–especially with four kids.
“You deserve nice things, my good doctor. In the future, I’ll try to tailor them more to your liking. I do hope that you’ll allow for the occasional item that’s flashy. Some of the events that we attend aren’t understated.” He smiled as we turned into their neighborhood.
I put my hand on the necklace. He wanted to get me more?
“Too much, too soon?” His voice went rumbly again. “Wes calls me a show-off. But please, let me do this. Wes, Evan, and I all have different ideas of how to spoil you–and you need and deserve all of them.”
I kind of enjoyed being spoiled. It wasn’t even about the material things. It was the attention. The care. Like Wes getting Mr. Hippo for me. Or taking me to the paddle boats. Evan making sure my favorite ice cream was always in the freezer.
Maybe Spencer didn’t ask about my dress preferences, but it was perfect. The only issue was that the shoes were a little uncomfortable, but they were stilettos and probably chosen so the dress didn’t need to be hemmed. He’d also thought of everything today, even the hair, nails, and makeup.
There were also the little courtesies I got from all of them.
Praise, kind words, tasty food. Granted, lap sitting and being fed could get annoying, but it was also nice because that meant I had someone to be annoyed with.
That I wasn’t lonely and eating ramen out of a mug at ten o’clock at night with only a plant for company.
“Okay.” My voice went quiet. “I don’t mind bling; I’m just not used to it. But why?” I wasn’t even part of their pack.
“Oh, my good doctor, the fact you ask breaks my heart,” he said as we pulled into the garage.
My shoulders rounded. “Sorry.”
He parked the car and put my chin in his hand and his eyes met mine. “Don’t be.”
Spencer got out and helped me out of the car, like I was a princess. We went inside, him opening the door for me.
“I do hope you’ll accompany me to more of these,” he said as we went up the backstairs. “There’s so much I attend alone. It would be nice to have someone to talk to about all the projects and technologies.”
“That sounds fun. I want to learn everything. It was an incredible experience.” Spend more time with him, and meet more scientists? Yes, please.
“I can’t wait.” Spencer brushed my hair with his hand as we stood in front of the piano.
“Grace.” Wes, in only a pair of shorts, came barreling down the main stairs and picked me up, twirling me, making me laugh. “How many people fell asleep?” He pretended to nod off.
“It was a very fascinating and festive affair,” Spencer told him.
Evan joined us, also only in shorts, smelling of Wes, curry, and sex. He gave me a giant hug, and I rested my head on his shoulder, my arm around Wes’ waist.
Wes’ fingers traced my necklace and then looked at Spencer. “Are you making a move?”
“When I make a move, you’ll know. Tonight was for science.” Spencer’s eyes danced. They were so beautiful, the brown irises shot with grey.
Taking my hand, Spencer kissed the back of it, his lips soft. He looked up at me, his look growing coy. “Thank you. I can’t wait to do this again. Good night, my good doctor. You’re a delight.”
With a nod, he disappeared into his room and closed the door.
“I’m confused.” Frowning, I leaned into my men, not knowing how to feel as so many different emotions bombarded me at once.
“I’m pretty sure he means to court you at some point,” Wes said, picking me up, and carrying me up the stairs, princess-style, Evan behind him.
“What does that even mean?” I leaned my head on his shoulder.
Wes put me on the couch in the sunken living room, sitting on one side, Evan jumping to join us, and me in the middle. It wasn’t as wide as the one in the downstairs living room, but was deep and comfy.
While I had an armchair, it seemed like I always ended up on the couch with them.
“At some point he might want to be your alpha, too,” Evan said.
“Wait, what?” I chewed on my lower lip. He was sexy and polite…
Wes planted a kiss on my temple. “Only if you want. He’ll back off if you aren’t into it–and don’t worry about it affecting your job. He’s not like that. I’m happy to run interference when and if you’re ready.”
“That would be okay, for him to be my alpha, too?” I curled into them the best I could in the dress. Part of me was here for it. Go to all the science dinners and conferences.
I was still trying to figure things out with Wes and Evan–and understand this world.
“Only if you want. As long as being with him doesn’t mean you don’t want to be with us, I don’t have an issue with it. Spencer’s a good man,” Wes told me.
“You’re not ready yet. Soon, but not yet. You’re great for each other. The things you’d do with him differ from what you’d do with us,” Evan added, arm around me.
I could see that. “He said all three of you had different ideas of how to spoil me, and I deserved all of them.”
“You do.” Wes played with my hair. “That necklace simply can’t compete with Mr. Hippo, though.”
“Nothing can compete with Mr. Hippo. So, it’s not weird?” No, I wasn’t quite ready for Spencer. But I wasn’t against the idea.
“Not at all. The dinner tonight was fun?” Wes asked. “Spence will ask you to do more things, and if you don’t like them, tell him so he won’t.”
“I had fun. I like it here. But I’m still afraid everything will come crashing down. I mean, I even have a fake designation.” I sighed, my shoulders rounding with the weight of everything.
“Peaches, we talked about this. Yes, I guessed–and was right. As far as all the tests the doctors have run on you, you’re a gamma.
Considering everything, especially with what Wes told you about you always being his omega, it makes sense.
” Evan snuggled me. “Something in your world kept you from being the omega you were meant to be.”
“Probably because there are none there. This world is weird.” It was hard to admit to myself that I fit as well as I did here.
“But it has us in it.” Wes leaned over and kissed me, hand caressing my thigh through the dress’ slit.
Brennan came up the stairs, still in his suit. “Evan, I’m home.”
“Over here,” Evan called.
“Hey.” Brennan’s face lit up as soon as he saw Evan.
“Hey.” Evan’s look softened, but he didn’t get up off the couch.
“Oh.” Brennan looked at Wes and me, face falling.
“He didn’t look like he had fun tonight and probably needs a cuddle. I won’t be jealous, promise,” I whispered, giving Evan’s ear a nibble. “Go make up with him.”
I knew they were fighting. Because of me.
“If you insist.” Evan kissed my cheek. “Fuck her good for me, Wes.” He got off the couch.
Wes picked me up, throwing me over his shoulder in a firefighter carry as Evan went over to Brennan.
“Hey, what are you doing?” I laughed as Wes left the sunken living room.
“As beautiful as this dress is on you, I’d like to see what it looks like on my floor.” Wes waved. “Night, everyone.”