76. Chapter Seventy-Five
Chapter Seventy-Five
Scarlett
Icheck Sapphire’s phone to see it’s almost one a.m. by the time I’m getting ready to go to bed.
I’m glad I packed short pajamas. I’ll probably sleep naked, but I can at least pretend to be chaste around the guys until they all go to their tents.
I took off my underwear while I was changing in the bedroom.
The soft blue pajamas are nice, even if they’re not my style.
“I think I’m all ready for our hike tomorrow,” Kian says, as he fastens his backpack closed.
“You say that like it’s a gentle walking trail or something,” Trick complains.
Kian laughs. “It’s not like it’s mountainous, or icy, or something.”
“It’s a tropical jungle. Full of weird bugs and snakes and who knows what else.”
“Golden Palms lists all the wildlife that you can find out here in their brochure. There are no dangerous species of snake.” Kian smiles as he places his backpack on the ground next to the cockpit door.
“What about bugs?”
“What about them?”
“Are there any venomous bugs out here?”
“Not usually.”
Trick does not look pleased with that answer, but Kian just shrugs.
If he’s not gonna reassure Trick, I will.
“I’m sure it’s all gonna be fine. If there was anything out there that might be dangerous, Golden Palms would have to list it in their brochure, for health and safety reasons.” I look at Kian. “Right?”
“Yeah, of course,” he agrees. “It would be a liability if they didn’t.”
“Hm.” Trick doesn’t seem any less concerned. I guess he’s the anxious type.
I smile at him. “If we do see any weird bugs I’ll squish them for you.”
“So romantic,” Kian murmurs, pouting lightly.
“I’ll squish them for you both?” I try.
“Better,” Kian says. “But I’m not that bothered by bugs.”
“You think Riley will kill me if I steal another shirt of his?” Trick asks, moving on to another worry.
“You can have one of mine,” Kian offers.
Trick blinks. “Might be a bit tight.”
“I don’t hate the thought of that,” I admit, knowing it would look good.
“Might not be comfy though,” Kian says. “Just steal one of Riley’s. He’ll complain, but he always brings stuff he doesn’t even wear.”
“That’s what I thought,” Trick says. “Do we have scissors in the first aid kit?”
“Scissors?” Kian asks, as he pulls the kit out of Xane’s backpack.
“I’m thinking I should turn a pair of my pants into shorts.”
“Oh right. Because you packed for an emo vacation.”
Kian locates the scissors and passes them to Trick, handle out.
“Thanks,” Trick murmurs.
He puts them on the table and looks through his case.
So far, he’s put a single dress shirt on top of his food supplies, a bundle of underwear and socks, and the bottle of sunscreen I helped him with earlier today.
“This is gonna look so dumb,” he mutters, before he gets started, turning away and sitting on the cabin floor next to his bag.
“Don’t worry,” Kian sings as he sinks into the seat opposite mine. “I’ll make sure to take plenty of pictures of you in your dumb outfit so I can bribe you with them later.”
“Ha ha.”
“How’s your packing going?” Kian asks me.
“I’ve got everything I need,” I tell him, patting the top of the backpack.
The boring black one-piece swimsuit is probably an unnecessary addition, given that we’ll be moving away from the water and into the jungle, but our destination is the resort, so I’m keeping it with me.
I’m not taking the low-heeled shoes. I packed flat sandals I can use at the resort, and, thankfully, I brought a pair of sneakers I can use for the hike.
They were hiding at the back of Sapphire’s closet, and they look like they’ve never been worn.
Probably back up gym sneakers she never had to use.
My sister thinks of everything.
In this situation, that worked out lucky for me.
I kinda wish I’d packed more casual stuff, but considering this was supposed to be work, I went with office skirts and camisole tops. Not the best for the situation, but it could have been worse, I guess.
“Then, do you need help making your bed?” Kian asks, raising an eyebrow slowly, suggestively.
My heart skips a beat at the insinuation. This feels familiar.
It’s late at night, and I’m alone with two of my dream men.
This is usually the start of a sexy little fantasy.
“I guess it’d be okay if you helped me find the sheets,” I tell him as I get up from my seat.
“The bed can be a pain to move. I’ll open the storage for you.”
I gesture to him to go ahead of me.
I don’t think I’ve seen anyone jump to their feet so quickly.
He slips by, clearly pleased, and opens the partition door to the bedroom.
“Kinda dark in here,” he calls out. “Let me set the mood.”
I get up, wondering what he’s talking about.
A second later, the room brightens up.
There are slim light panels on the walls.
It’s a warm, soft light bathing the small room.
He smiles back at me. “Ta-da.”
“Okay, I’ll admit it. I’m impressed.” I walk into the room and stick to the side as he goes to the end of the double bed. He leans in and pulls up the mattress.
“And here we have sheets.”
He brings the bed set out. It’s a shiny light champagne color.
“Is this silk?” I ask, as he lets the mattress down.
There’s a clunking sound as it locks back into place.
“Only the best for my future mate.”
I reach out to touch the fabric.
It’s so soft, and it feels cool against my skin.
I’m gonna sleep so damn well tonight.
“Feels kinda weird to have this all to myself,” I admit, as we sort out the sheets.
“Well, it would be kinda presumptuous if I said it was for both of us to enjoy.”
Oh, he’s so looking for an in.
I feel like I already gave him one on the beach when I kissed him after Trick kissed me.
Maybe he thinks I’m not into moving this fast.
“I wouldn’t mind sharing,” I admit. “I’d rather have your company, and Trick’s, than be alone, but I’m not sure your lead Alpha will like it if we get closer.”
“Closer?” he asks, dropping the pillow he just picked up.
“I mean … I’m sure we’d get up to something if we were in the same bed all night.”
His jaw drops. I think he’s actually speechless.
It makes me smile. It’s kinda cute that I can shock him so easily.
“You don’t think we would?” I ask, raising an eyebrow at him.
I find a pillowcase and pick up the pillow he just dropped.
“Uh … That would be up to you,” he tells me. “But you’re right. Xane won’t like it. Which is why we might need to be sneaky.”
“Sneaky?” I dress the pillow and pick up the other.
“Trick and I are gonna have to go outside and pretend we’re sleeping in the other tent until Xane is too busy with Riley to notice we’ve left the tent to join you in here.”
“That’s the plan, huh?” I tease.
“It is,” he says, stretching the fitted sheet over the mattress. “Whatever happens in here, we both know you’re our mate and we want to be close to you. Even if you make us sleep on the floor.”
“You’re not sleeping on the floor.”
“Oh, thank God.”
He pushes the sheet into place, and I move the pillows to let him finish with the corners.
“Just don’t forget to bring Trick with you when you come back inside.”
That makes him laugh. He finishes placing the fitted sheet and I toss the pillows into place.
I drop the sheets onto the bed and he spreads them out.
“All done,” he murmurs, looking up at me.
It’s the same way he’s looked at me ever since he came out onto the tarmac to greet me at the airport. He’s completely and utterly into me, and it makes my stomach feel all fluttery.
The “m” word doesn’t seem so scary when I think about him being mine.
I’m so not used to this feeling.
My body heating up, sure.
Sexy thoughts around insanely attractive men, of course.
Butterflies in my stomach and thoughts about forever? Never.
I didn’t know being into someone could feel this good.
It’s a feeling I want to chase, to keep hold of.
Kian moves closer, leaning in as he takes my hands in his.
He dips his head, and I close my eyes, waiting for the touch of his lips against mine.
It’s a soft brush that makes my skin tingle. My lips part with a gasp, and he pushes closer, dropping my right hand and pulling my lower body flush against his.
His tongue invades my mouth while his cock hardens against my belly.
He feels big, and that makes my pussy clench.
My tongue slashes against his, inviting more.
He moans softly, hips starting to rock lightly as he holds me close.
His shaft throbs against me, and everything starts to feel urgent.
I break the kiss to say yes.
Yes to his claiming.
Yes to his mark.
Catching my breath, the moment is stolen from us as the presence of his lead Alpha in the main cabin is followed by a loud shout.
“Kian! Get the fuck out of there. We’ve got a long day tomorrow.”
Kian sighs, resting his head against mine. “Give me a second!”
My heart is pounding as he straightens and looks back at me.
His eyes are dark, and I can tell he wants more.
I do, too, but I can’t seem to form words.
“To be continued,” he murmurs, before he lets me go.
I press my lips together, feeling vaguely dazed.
He leaves the room, and I move to the doorway.
Xane doesn’t glance over. He’s already leaving.
Kian follows him out.
Trick gets up from the floor and comes over to me.
“See you in a while,” he whispers, leaning in to kiss me quickly. “I’ll make up for that kiss then. I promise.”
I smile back at him and he leaves the cabin.
I’m all alone now, but I know that’s not gonna be for long.