Page 70 of Jinx

I snorted a decidedly non-attractive sound. “I don’t need to be Quinn to know that’s a lie.”

“Then I’ll tell you every day until you believe me.” His long fingers moved to trace the line of my jaw, and my heart stuttered at his touch.

“When did you get here?” I changed the subject. “I didn’t hear Bel leave.”

“I came in around 10:30 last night.” He continued to stroke my skin like he needed the reminder that I was in front of him. “You were out cold.” He tilted my face up to capture my lips. He was careful, tender, and pulling away far too soon. “Why did you leave?”

The question was like cold water on the ember that had started to glow from his kiss. “Bel didn’t tell you?”

“I want you to tell me.” He kept me close, fingers tracing an idle shape on my hip.

I chewed my lip, avoiding his too-observant gaze. “Quinn said some unkind things.” And those unkind things were still lodged between my ribs like a blade. “I can’t be there—can’t be with you—if it’s going to ruin his life more than I already have.”

Alaric’s hand stilled, and I felt the tension ripple through him. “He’ll get over it.”

“Maybe he won’t, Ric.” I pulled back and finally looked him in the eye. “And, you know, maybe he shouldn’t. I did a terrible thing.” He took a breath to argue, and I put two fingers over his lips. “I know it saved his life. Maybe all our lives. But none of that changes the fact that I completely disregarded his wishes. I hurt him, and now…” I swallowed hard. “If he can’t find a way to forgive me, then this just can’t work like you want it to. I won’t tear his family away.”

Alaric shifted to prop himself up on an elbow, kissing my fingers before twining them with his own. “It’s not a matter of forgiveness.”

“Prince—”

“It’s not.” His words were firm but not harsh. “Pixie, he’s scared. He...His situation is unique, and his fears aren’t without reason. He needs you more than he’s able to admit yet. Don’t give up on him. On us.”

The sincerity, the hope in his eyes made my chest tight, and a watery laugh escaped me. “I actually thought I’d be able to run away from all this.”

“And now?”

I smiled. “I think you’d probably chase me down if I tried.” Then I quickly added, “But I’m not moving in. Not until Quinn’s dealt with whatever he needs to deal with. One of you can stay here at night.”

“Just one?” Alaric rolled over me and braced himself on his forearms.

My cheeks heated. “Yes. The neighbors are probably already talking.”

“About how lucky you are.” He dropped a playful kiss on the tip of my nose. “Fine. Now, let’s do something that has nothing to do with any of our current drama.”

I twisted my lips and raised a teasing eyebrow. “What did you have in mind?” I almost held my breath, hoping the answer was something like staying in bed but with less clothing.

His look turned devious. “Shopping.”

I blinked and then blinked again. “Shopping? Why? For what? Is that even safe right now?”

“Yes, shopping.” He lowered his face to my neck. “Because we’re going out tonight.” His trim beard tickled my skin as he answered my questions in between kisses. “And I want to spoil you a little.”

I tried not to squirm as he stoked the flicker of need that was always burning for him. But with a final nip at my collarbone, he pushed back up onto his knees. My mouth went dry while my eyes drank up the view of his sculpted torso.

“Or…” I dragged my fingertips over the ridges of his abdomen, loving how his skin pebbled with goosebumps at my touch. “We could skip shopping and stay right here.”

Alaric rumbled with a low sound and claimed my wandering fingers with his own. “Mischievous little Pixie,” he growled. He fell back over me, pinning my hand over my head, his mouth only an inch from mine. “Maybe I just want to buy you a pretty dress so I can fuck you in it later.”

All the air slid out of me, forced from my lungs by a swell of desire. “Okay.”

With a promise like that, I’d do whatever he wanted.

Later that evening, I was back at the house, standing in Lucian’s bedroom and staring at the garment bag lying over his bed. The room lacked any personal touches, as if it were a waypoint and not his home. But he had a full-length mirror, and my cat. Orion watched me with his green eyes from his place on Lucian’s pillow. Little furball had really made himself at home.

I still had no idea where we were going, but Alaric did let slip that the other guys were joining us. Even Quinn, who had no business being out and about while he was still recovering. But apparently he’d insisted, and Rami signed off on it. I tried not to get my hopes up, but there was something about having all of them with me that settled an anxious fluttering in my chest.

“What am I doing?” I muttered to Orion. He responded by tucking his nose into his bushy tail and dozing off. “Thanks, good talk.”