Chapter 20
JUNE
The night has settled around us, stars scattered across the Montana sky as Kai’s blue Mustang eats up the road.
Being this close to Kai is impossibly hard. So much warmth pouring off him, raw energy contained in that body, not to mention his scent that turns me on constantly. I stand no chance. No matter how much I tell myself I’m in control, I lost that battle long ago with these rodeo stars.
This is why I agreed to come with him tonight.
As their chaperone, I figured it was my responsibility to make sure nothing crazy happened.
And out of the three men currently turning my life upside down, Kai is the most unpredictable.
The one most likely to do something reckless, impulsive, dangerous.
I adore that about him. I shouldn’t, but I do.
We’re scent matches. All four of us bound together, and now that I’m an Omega in the open with no more hiding or pretending to be a Beta, my body seems determined to remind me of that fact at every possible moment.
My default is still to hide. To tell myself I can’t have things, that wanting is the first step toward disappointment. But maybe my body is going to prove me wrong. If our bodies are calling to each other this strongly, does that mean I’ll go into heat with them soon?
The thought sends a shiver down my spine.
I’ve never had a heat. The suppressants I’ve been taking made sure of that, but I stopped taking them several days ago, and already I can feel the difference.
The ridiculous attraction, the way my body burns whenever they’re near, the way my panties don’t survive more than an hour in their presence…
It’s not full heat yet. I don’t know exactly what that feels like, but I imagine it’s more than this constant, simmering need. This is just the prelude to something bigger, more overwhelming, waiting just around the corner.
Will I be enough for them when it happens? Three Alphas, one Omega. Can I satisfy all of them?
“What are you thinking about so heavily?” Kai’s voice cuts through my spiraling thoughts. I glance over at him, one hand on the steering wheel, the other resting on the gearshift, looking like the poster boy for every damn sexy cowboy fantasy ever imagined.
His face is all sharp angles and soft curves in the dashboard light.
Those pale gray eyes that seem to see right through me.
The strong jaw, the full lips that curve so easily into a grin.
That small kiss we shared, the one at the rodeo parking lot, was enough to burn me up for hours.
I know those lips would be magic against my skin.
“Just probably overthinking as usual,” I say lightly. “Like, why am I getting a surprise? What did I do to deserve special treatment?”
He laughs. “Well, I feel like we need to spend more time showing you why we’re made for one another. Get to know us well enough that you know you can’t bear to be without us.”
“That’s very confident of you.”
“That’s me.”
“I’ve noticed.”
His grin widens, and my heart races.
We keep driving, leaving the lights of town in the distance. The road curves through open countryside, past fields and fences and the occasional farmhouse glowing in the darkness. I have no idea where we’re going, and the anticipation is almost unbearable.
Then I see a sign illuminated by soft lights: HONEYSPUR FESTIVAL GROUNDS.
The fairgrounds are supposed to be closed at night, but as we pull closer, I notice lights beyond the gate. And someone standing there, waiting.
Kai parks the Mustang and comes around to open my door. I slip out, my hand finding his automatically, curiosity burning through me.
“What’s going on?” I ask.
“You’ll see.” His eyes are bright with excitement. “It’s a surprise.”
“I do love surprises,” I admit.
He squeezes my fingers and leads me toward the gate. A man I don’t recognize hands Kai a set of keys, exchanging a few words I can’t quite hear. Something about everything being set up, about locking up when we’re done.
Then we’re through the gate, and it swings shut behind us, and—
Oh.
Oh.
The fairgrounds have been transformed.
Fairy lights are strung everywhere, draped across the rides, wound through the trees, outlining the paths in a soft golden glow.
The main lights are off, leaving the grounds bathed in shadow and sparkle, like something out of a dream.
It’s beautiful and eerie all at once, a fantasy world created just for us.
“Are we completely alone?” I whisper.
Kai nods, his smirk illuminated by the twinkling lights. “You’re all mine.”
Something flutters in my chest. “You know this is the setup for about a hundred horror movies, right?”
He chuckles, nudging me with his side. “Trust me, doll. If anyone shows up, I’ll be the monster they should be terrified of for spoiling a night meant just for you.”
We stroll deeper into the fair, and I can’t stop looking around. Every ride is outlined in fairy lights, creating silhouettes against the dark sky. The Ferris wheel rises like a glittering crown. Shadows pool between the attractions, adding depth and mystery to the scene.
It’s magical, like stepping into a snow globe filled with stars, and I absolutely love it.
Then I hear the faint tinkle of merry-go-round music drifting through the night air. We round a bend, and the carousel comes into view.
It’s huge, one of those two-tiered antique kinds, with a sweeping staircase leading to the upper level and ornate horses prancing on both floors.
Every light on the carousel is blazing, turning it into a beacon in the darkness.
The music is coming from within, that old-fashioned carnival melody that sounds both nostalgic and slightly haunting.
And in front of the carousel, there’s a table with a proper dining setup, two high-backed chairs that look as though they belong in a palace. A golden tablecloth. A vase of flowers in the center. Silver domed covers over what I assume are plates of food.
“Oh, Kai…”
He’s grinning now, that infectious smile that lights up his whole face. He takes my hand and leads me closer.
“I wanted to take you out to dinner tonight,” he says. “Just you and me. But it had to be special. Not some ordinary restaurant, that wouldn’t do for you. So I created something you’ll never forget.”
My throat is tight. My eyes are stinging.
No one has ever done anything like this for me. Not Tanner, who thought romance was letting me pick the movie. Not anyone before him. I’ve always been the one making the effort, planning the surprises, trying to make other people feel special.
And here’s Kai, this wild, reckless cowboy with a reputation for trouble, creating a literal fairy tale just because he wanted our first real date to be memorable.
“I feel like I should have dressed for the occasion,” I manage, laughing to keep from crying with happiness. “Something like a gown.”
He pulls out my chair for me, his hand warm on my lower back. “You are spectacular exactly as you are. This is about us. There’s no one here to judge us having a quiet moment together.”
I sink into the chair, still overwhelmed. The place setting in front of me is elegant with white porcelain plates that have gold trims, crystal glasses, golden cutlery that catches the light.
Kai moves around the table, lifting the silver domes one by one, and my breath catches.
It’s not a traditional meal. It’s a feast.
The entire table is covered with what looks like the most elaborate charcuterie spread I’ve ever seen.
Plates of aged cheeses in every variety.
Crackers and crusty bread. Clusters of deep purple grapes.
Chocolate-dipped strawberries, their coating gleaming.
Heart-shaped sandwiches on silver trays.
Curled meat slices arranged into the shapes of roses.
Fresh figs split open to reveal their pink centers.
Honeycomb dripping with golden sweetness.
Pink rose petals scattered like confetti.
And that’s just the beginning.
There are sushi rolls arranged in neat rows.
Pastel macarons stacked in a tower. Sliders with tiny toothpick flags.
Miniature pizzas with crispy edges. Meatballs speared with fancy picks.
Tiny jelly candies in every color of the rainbow.
Cheese-stuffed dates. Prosciutto-wrapped melon.
Things I don’t even recognize but desperately want to try.
I’m salivating.
“My mouth might have fallen open,” I say, “because I can’t find my words.”
Kai laughs, taking the seat adjacent to mine so we’re close enough to touch. “I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I tried to get a bit of everything.”
“Kai, I’m…” I shake my head, genuinely struggling. “I’m blown away by how incredible this is. I want to eat literally everything, and you did this for me.”
“That’s the goal, and I need to convince you that I would do anything you want. Ask me the wildest thing, and hand on heart, I’ll do it.”
My breath catches, and I hate how fast my chest tightens with it.
I love hearing it. I love the promise in his voice, the certainty, the way he says it like it’s already done.
And that’s the problem. Kai does not say things lightly.
When he offers something, he means it literally.
It should make me feel safe. Instead, it leaves me feeling a little shaky, because I know what men like him do when they decide they’re all in.
They crash in like a wave and drag you under with them.
“You’re saying that like you don’t have a limit,” I manage, trying to keep it teasing when it comes out softer. “And that’s… insanely sweet. Also terrifying. Because I can tell you actually mean it.”
He reaches across the table and takes my hand, and the contact sends warmth flooding through me. “I mean it.”
“No one has ever done anything like this for me before,” I admit quietly. “You’re going to make me cry.”