Chapter 43
43
brIAR
I wake up in a bed instead of Dash’s lap.
Fully stretching my limbs, I realize quickly that I’m in a giant bed.
The sheets beneath my bare toes feel like the softest silk, and the comforter weighing me down is warm, like it’s one of those fancy heated ones.
I squint my eyes open and blink through the sleepy haze.
The nest is filled with bright light, and the sheer curtains blow in the breeze coming in from the cracked window.
My smile is small but sincere.
I don’t think I mentioned needing to sleep with a window open to any of my guys, so it was most likely a coincidence that someone opened it while I slept.
It makes me happy either way.
Sunday mornings used to be loud while I was growing up, so when I moved out on my own, it was a bit jarring for them to become silent.
I expected things to be the same here, but as I sit and stretch out my arms, I’m pleasantly surprised to hear sound coming from downstairs.
The soft rub of fabric on my torso has my eyes dropping.
I wasn’t wearing this shirt last night, nor is it mine at all.
My belly fills with flutters when I pinch the shirt and stare down at the Rayton Riptides logo on my chest. The rich scent of peanut butter fills the air around me.
I grin and slip out of bed.
It’s hard to keep my pace controlled as I flick the lights on in the ensuite and twist in the mirror to see the back of the shirt.
Number 99 is written there in thick, blocky letters, confirming my suspicions.
I stand there staring at myself for longer than I’ll ever admit to anyone before reluctantly stripping out of the shirt and hopping into the shower.
I’m in and out in a few minutes and rooting through all the drawers in the vanity in search of a toothbrush.
It’s surreal to search through a fully stocked bathroom knowing that it was four men who filled the drawers and cabinets.
Even more so when I realize every product is one that I own and use daily.
Wait . . .
I freeze with my hand in a drawer of hair ties and bobby pins and stare at the pink electric toothbrush sitting beside the sink.
My pink electric toothbrush.
“They didn’t . . .”
But they did.
Drawer after drawer, I find my things from home combined with restocked extras.
Hundreds of dollars are in this bathroom, all spent on me.
I make quick work of brushing my teeth and hair before throwing Dash’s shirt back on and leaving the room.
On a whim, I make a detour for the walk-in closet and whistle, stopping in my tracks.
The Montgomery pack works fast.
Similar to the bathroom, the closet is full of racks of my old clothes and new ones in similar styles and colours.
I trail my fingers over the sleeves of all the hung skirts and dresses and shake my head in disbelief.
I’ve never been picky about my clothes, but I do have a specific style.
It’s a mix of more relaxed fits, lace tights and undershirts, and some skater skirts that I can’t seem to let go of.
I like to be able to dress however I want and feel that day, and that means that I have more clothes than I necessarily need because I like options.
I don’t know which guy was in charge of purchasing new clothes for me, but they did a phenomenal job.
The labels inside the shirts are fancier than any of the ones that came with me here, and even the fabric of the skirts is softer.
Despite the plethora of things to wear, I opt out of changing.
Dash’s shirt is massive on me and covers me down to my knees, which I doubt they’d care if it didn’t go past my butt.
On my way out of the closet, I notice the tall stack of pink silk sheets all alone on their very own shelf.
I press my lips together to hide a laugh while pinching the material between my fingers.
They’re the exact same ones that were on the bed my first night here but in the perfect pastel pink colour.
My favourite.
I didn’t pay attention when I woke up, but I guarantee if I went to look, I’d find the ones that are on the bed match.
I’m giddy as I leave the closet and swipe my phone from where it rests on the dresser.
The time steals my excitement momentarily, alarm making my stomach turn before I see the texts waiting on the screen.
Clove: Thanks for letting me know.
Don’t wake her up. Let her sleep and I’ll call tomorrow for an update.
Clove: Consider this a well-deserved Friday off, Briar.
Love you *heart emoji*
I run a hand between my breasts, over my heart, before opening the conversation one of the guys must have had with her last night.
Dash, most likely.
The update he gave her was simple but effective.
I was safe at their place for the foreseeable future after having a rough day, and I would call to give her an update when I was ready.
There was nothing said about needing a day off work, but I’m not surprised Clover offered one, anyway.
And I’m also not surprised that I’m going to accept it.
Me: Love you back. Talk later, thank you xoxo
Once I send off the message, I leave my phone on the dresser and hurry downstairs.
Three of the four doors I pass are open the same way they were last night.
Dash must be a late sleeper.
“I think she’d like to be woken up with breakfast,” Jasper says.
Hearing his voice first thing in the morning has me in knots.
The good kind.
Ronan grunts deeply, and while I can’t see him yet, I know he’s scowling.
“Or she could like her sleep like Dash.”
“Only one way to find out,” Landon adds.
My steps falter, and I bite down on my lip.
A part of me didn’t truly believe that yesterday really happened, and I’d wake up today to the same reality I’d been living just a few days ago.
One where Landon hadn’t made such a drastic change and decided to give this a shot.
But he’s here and, from the sounds of it, helping with breakfast?
Not wanting to announce myself yet, I creep toward the staircase and hover there, waiting to take another step.
“Pancakes, waffles, or french toast?” Jasper asks.
Landon huffs. “French toast is boring. Do pancakes and add something to them.”
“Don’t say lemon. I’ll get a fucking hard-on,” Ronan warns.
I flush and immediately try to keep my scent from exploding when I clench between my legs.
This horniness is getting to be annoying.
If I’m going to go into heat, can it just happen already?
Jasper’s laugh is soft.
“You wouldn’t be the only one. I’ll do chocolate chips.”
“She got enough chocolate last night,” Ronan grumbles.
“You’re jealous?” Landon asks.
I move down the first two steps and pause, waiting for Ronan’s answer.
“You know I am.”
Jasper hums, and from my new spot, I can watch as he moves around the kitchen, gathering cooking supplies.
“He deserves the time with her.”
Landon’s shirtless, in a pair of low-riding plaid pyjama pants that expose most of the V leading to his groin as he leans back against the fridge.
I swear, they’re purposefully trying to get my heat to come.
He’s so good-looking that it’s a crime in and of itself, but add in his half-nakedness, and I’m drooling.
Ronan’s no better. Yes, he did put a shirt on this morning, but it’s torn at the shoulders and sleeveless, so really, does that count?
The flex of his biceps as he stands on the opposite side of the kitchen and watches Jasper try to mix pancake batter is straight-up arm porn.
“The sooner we’re all in this together, the better it will be,” Jasper says.
Landon scratches the back of his arm.
“Yeah, I know.”
“Are the pancakes supposed to be celebratory, then?” Ronan asks.
Jasper dumps the powder pancake mix into a giant silver bowl and reaches for the milk he’s set beside it.
“Maybe a bit. I’m just trying to impress her and show that we’re willing to put the effort in. We’re already behind. If it weren’t for Dash last night, we wouldn’t have had a chance to get her things into the nest without her noticing.”
“Best idea Landon’s had in months,” Ronan mutters.
It’s such a small tidbit of information, but it’s incredibly important to me.
I move down another two steps.
Landon rests his head against the fridge and watches Jasper use a whisk in the bowl.
“We have to talk to her about what she wants to do with her furniture. There’s room for it here.”
“We can leave it there,” I say, announcing my presence.
All three of them whip their heads in my direction and smile.
Or, well, Ronan smirks, more like.
I’ve still got to get a big grin out of him.
“Good morning, love,” Jasper drawls.
I hop down the remaining stairs and try not to expose my excitement by running to them.
“Good morning.”
“How did you sleep?” Landon asks, his voice deepening slightly.
Flicking my eyes between each of them, I bite my lip and plant my hands on the far side of the island.
They watch me closely, like they’re scared if they look away for even a second, I’ll disappear.
I could get used to being watched like this.
Like I’m the thing they cherish most in the world.
“With those soft sheets I love so much, it was the best sleep I’ve had in a long time. Maybe the new pink colour helped some too.”
Jasper’s cheeks burn a deep pink while his smile grows.
“You like the shade?”
“It’s my favourite.”
“Thank fuck. Now he can stop being so nervous,” Ronan says.
Jasper glares at him.
“Ronan.”
“We didn’t swear secrecy.”
Landon pushes away from the fridge and takes the two steps it takes to reach me.
I crane my head back to meet his eyes and release a soft, happy sigh.
“Do you like chocolate chips in your pancakes, Haven?”
“As long as they aren’t white chocolate chips. I’ve got a horror story from my childhood about those.”
He gathers me in his arms and cups my face, tilting it back before kissing me.
I shut my eyes and reach for him, holding him even tighter than he’s holding me and pulling him close.
His skin burns beneath my fingers, so hot and hard.
When the kiss ends, our mouths linger, and as he speaks, they nearly fuse together again.
“Tell me that story.”
“It’s not that exciting. Just traumatizing for my stomach.”
His eyes don’t waver.
“Tell me anyway.”
“He’s not the only one who wants to know. Don’t hog her, jackass,” Ronan scolds, appearing at my side.
I move from one set of arms to another.
Ronan’s caramel coffee scent quickens my pulse as I make the move and press up on my toes and kiss just below his mouth.
His hands find my backside before he’s squeezing and using the hold to tug me against his body.
“Morning, Petal. You’ve got me real fucking jealous of the sleepy beta upstairs right about now.”
“Because of last night?”
“That and this shirt you’re wearing. There’s one with a five on it waiting upstairs for you.”
“Technically, it’s still your name despite the number,” I tease, smoothing a hand up his back.
He drops his head and chases my lips, stealing a fierce, teasing kiss that I know was meant to punish me for that comment.
It’s not him who replies, though.
Jasper’s voice is closer now, but I can’t see him past Ronan.
“If you let us give it to you, it’ll be yours too.”
“Either way, it’s the number that’s fucked me up,” Ronan mutters.
I bat my lashes and press my hands firmly to his chest. “How about I wear yours next time?”
“We’ll have to make a schedule at this point,” Landon says.
Jasper hums. “I’ll order a new calendar.”
A large, firm body moves against my back, and I turn languid, melting into them.
Jasper’s clean laundry scent hits me when I roll my head back along his chest and moan blissfully.
Having my alphas surrounding me like this is euphoric.
I feel their touches like zaps on my skin and immediately crave more.
This position is foreshadowing of what’s coming, and it’s safe to say that I really freaking approve of it.
Jasper uses a ghost of a touch to pull my hair behind my shoulder before dropping kisses along my neck and to the shell of my ear.
I stop breathing.
“Don’t let them bully you into wearing their clothes,” he whispers.
I turn my head until I can see him.
“Do you have a different approach?”
His smirk makes him look younger, almost boyish in the way Dash is.
“I would prefer you wear it when I can take it off of you.”
Woah .
“When do you want to do that?”
“Soon.”
“Okay.”
Ronan’s deep laugh pierces my chest, and I look at him with a brow lifted.
“What’s so funny?”
He stops laughing.
“Nothing.”
“Mm, that’s what I thought.”
Jasper kisses my neck a final time before taking a step back and moving around Ronan.
I lose sight of him a beat later, but the scrape of a whisk on a silver bowl tells me exactly where he’s gone.
“Tell us your story now,” he calls to me.
Ronan steals another kiss before shifting to pull a bar stool out for me.
I take the seat and lean my elbows on the island, watching Jasper move around the kitchen.
The seat beside me is taken by Landon and the other by Ronan.
“Alright, but don’t be disappointed when it doesn’t meet your expectations,” I warn.
Jasper shakes his head and sets a pan on the stove.
“You could recite the alphabet and I’d be enthralled.”
“Is that your kink, Jas? A good ol’-fashioned alphabet reciting?” Landon asks, humour heavy in the words.
Jasper sneaks a surprised look at the pack leader before rambling his response, almost like he’s not used to Landon’s teasing and doesn’t want to miss his chance to reply.
Or maybe he just forgot what it sounded like.
Have they all simply forgotten how to have fun together?
“That or a multiplication chart. Twos and fours are my thing.”
Ronan chokes.
“There’s the nerd we know and love. Clark Kent’s here in full force.”
“Careful, Superman is my secret identity, right, Briar?” Landon asks, a hand falling to my upper thigh.
I can’t help but poking at him.
“You don’t want to share?”
His eyes darken, voice smoky.
“Not with that.”
The smell of pancakes cooking helps keep me from slipping off the bar stool and getting on my knees for each of the men in here right now.
I’m not above begging them to bend me over this island and eat me for breakfast, either, but I’m starving, and Dash isn’t here.
“My mom used to bake all the time for Christmas when I was a kid,” I start, hoping this will be a good distraction for all of us.
“She has a habit of always overbuying things when they’re on sale and filled an entire two-litre tub full of discounted, melting white chocolate. I snuck out of my room one night and went down to the kitchen and proceeded to scarf at least three cups of them. A few hours later, I was throwing them all up. To this day, I can’t even smell them without getting queasy.”
“It’s a good thing Dash’s scent isn’t white chocolate, then,” Jasper says, failing to hide his amusement.
I scowl lightly. “You’re not allowed to tease me about this!”
Landon squeezes my leg.
“We’d never do that.”
“What happens if we do?” Ronan asks.
“Do you want to find out? Because I wouldn’t think you’d want to risk being locked out of the nest . . .” I trail off.
He takes my hand and threads our fingers.
“No teasing.”
Jasper shakes his head, chuckling under his breath while flipping the first two pancakes before sprinkling in brown chocolate chips.
“Do you have plans today, love?”
“Nope.”
“Do you want some?”
“Absolutely,” I say while my stomach growls.
“Do you have a favourite nesting store, or are you open to us choosing where we go?”
I stare widely at him before slowly looking at Landon and Ronan.
They keep quiet, but Landon’s lips quirk into the tease of a smile.
“You still want to go nest shopping with me?” I wince at the surprise in my voice.
Jasper flops two pancakes onto a round plate before twisting to meet my gaze.
“Absolutely.”
“I’m open, then. Completely open.”