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For anyone who is overworked and overlooked, wishing three men would come spoil them. And teachers. You’re pretty amazing.
Sometimes the idea of having a strong, manly alpha do physical labor for you just made sense.
Gravel crunched behind me. I turned to see Rome Chandrasinghe stepping onto school grounds. SGS’s new music teacher and one hundred percent alpha. Even his big umbrella couldn’t obscure that striking black gaze, warm tan skin and his neatly stubbled jawline.
You wanted a strong, manly alpha? Here you go! Now make conversation like a regular human while your tongue decides to stop working.
His eyes crinkled with amusement. “Just kidding. Jesus, it’s big. Do you need help with bringing it in?” “Yes, please,” I said gratefully. Rome exhaled loudly. “Thank god. If you had said no I don’t know what I would’ve done.”
James Chen was a vet, Rome’s longtime partner and from what little I had seen of him around town — the perfect, charming counterpoint to Rome’s darker intensity.
“You think a lot of yourself, don’t you, Rome?” I teased him lightly. His answering smile made my chest flutter peculiarly. “You should try it sometime, Ivy.”
You’re just Ms. Winter. Wrangler of children, and — I glanced down at my shapeless woolen sweater — sexless caterpillar.
I’d heard him speak at the last town meeting but I did not remember him sounding so…lush. A husky baritone that strummed something fundamental within me.
James’ jaw was tense, a stillness in his limbs reminiscent of a beast poised to strike.
“Oh my god, it’s happening, I can’t believe it,” he muttered urgently. “Rome, it’s Felix.”
Logan Bennett was such a huge alpha his shaggy head almost scraped against the top of the frame. There was a neatly wrapped present in his hand. He noticed the three of us and gave a polite wave.
Felix was watching me. Looking outrageously smug. This was getting out of hand. I bent down, getting eye to eye with him so I could lay down the law. Man to…cat. Only to be hit with a burst of Ivy Winter’s delicate gingerbread scent. Fuck. It had been months since I first scented her and it hadn’t lost its allure. Not one bit. In fact, I think it was getting worse. My alpha was driven to the point of distraction by it lingering in the halls of the school. Being able to help her with the miniscule task of carrying her fish tank today was like a feast for my caretaking instincts. I almost
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didn’t know how to explain it wasn’t just about stuff. It was my alpha not wanting to settle for anything less than the absolute best for her. I’d grown up seeing how my dads doted on my mom, and how much her happiness meant to them. How was I meant to do anything less for my own omega?
James went silent but I could feel a yearning, complex emotion weighing on his heart. “She’s beautiful, Rome,” he finally said. “Yeah, I know.” She’s everything. At least…I think she could be. Felix began to purr, the soft
I turned into the wine aisle and crashed directly into a solid, extremely large male chest. “I’m so sorry!” I winced and held up my hands, shuffling away like an apologetic crab. Logan Bennett bent down to pick up my candy. “Did Carmen make you get that?” he asked shortly. “N-no. I wanted it,” I stammered, taking it back from him.
Logan was a silent, aloof grizzly bear of a man.
Rome came to an abrupt stop. “Should I go fight him instead?”
The familiar chime of the door rang out and Ivy Winter stepped in. Or rather, was blown in from the buffeting wind outside. For some reason my ass was almost out of my chair to do god knows what — shield her? Help her get her hair off her face? Punch nature itself? I was a goddamn moron.
All I knew was that when Ivy looked at me, I didn’t feel the need to hide.
This feeling was just… If I could bottle it, I’d be a millionaire.
Who the fuck did he think he was? Health and safety was the bare minimum for a food business. I was going to have to find Kenny and cut some strategic wires in that stupid cart of his.
“You like pickles?” “They’re my favorite.” I pushed my plate towards her. “Take mine too.”
“Oh.” I saw the light dim in her eyes somewhat. Why did that gut me? I’d fucked up somewhere and I didn’t know how to fix it.
had my marshmallow-loaded hot chocolate and a riveting baking competition on my television. The newest episode of The Grand Sugar Rush Showdown had just dropped. Big Friday night for me, indeed.
“Hi sweetheart.” James was smiling as usual but there was a tightness in his eyes this time.
“Not trying to upset you, gorgeous. But I think there’s a chance something has gone wrong. Rome told me you were sick today at lunch. When do you normally take them?”
Logan kissed me like we had forever, sweet and careful. As if there wasn’t a reddening flush sprawling down my neck and chest. As if my head wasn’t growing woozy and lightweight as my hormones went haywire.
As soon as Logan and I broke apart, Rome was there. If Logan had kissed me like we had forever, then Rome kissed me like he was going to keep me forever. He was possessive and hot, bearing down and encompassing my whole body with his. The crush of his mouth to mine was desperate, and I rose up to meet his heat with my own.
“I will look after you no matter what,” James promised in a whisper only for me. I believed him. I trusted him. I sucked in a
Logan became her personal pillow for most of the night.
I could already see how devoted Logan was to her. He’d love her so hard once he moved past whatever hang-ups held him back from going all in.
Logan, between my thighs, groaning as he—
No. Calm down. I forced myself to see reason. Ivy likes him and he brought you coffee. Plus if you hit him he will absolutely crush you with that wrecking ball he calls a fist. “Thanks for the coffee, Logan. You didn’t have to do that,” I said once I was zen. James looked at me like I was a psychopath from how quickly my mood had changed in the bond. “Maybe tell us what happened from the start,” he said, taking the coffee from Logan and guiding us to move into the living room. Logan sank into an armchair. “I didn’t even make it into Beans ‘n Bliss. I was walking past the window and she was in
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Logan’s shoulders dropped and he expelled a resigned breath. “Yeah, I thought that might be the case seeing the way you were with her,” he said quietly. “I get it and I wish you the best. She deserves the world so—”
Logan wasn’t even considering his own happiness, only Ivy’s. So much so that he needlessly fell on his own sword for it.
was almost afraid of how unstoppable he would be once he won her love.
“I can recommend some TikToks for you if you think women do not like a gruff man who’s good with his hands,” James offered.
Rome had on his usual long coat. Wide lapels perfect for grabbing onto and pulling his head down to me. He wore black on gray on black like a dark prince. James was cheery in a khaki puffer and orange beanie today. I wondered how many different colors he had. I also wondered what state his hair would be in if I pulled his hat off and entangled my fingers in it. And finally Logan. Logan, Logan, Logan. His beard had gotten even thicker since I saw him last and I wanted to feel it scrape against my…cheeks. He had a sherpa-lined jacket that I wanted to crawl inside. I could probably wrap myself
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My omega was absolutely preening at this. Practically frolicking out of my chest and demanding that I scent-mark all these delicious-smelling men.
Court me…properly?
“I know it’s Christmas and you probably have plans over the next few days. But after…” Rome cleared his throat nervously. “Each of us would like to take you out. Then all of us together, as a pack.”
“Princess, you don’t have—” I rose up onto my tiptoes at the same time as I reached for his fleeced collar. His beard was so much softer than it looked as I scent-marked him. I forced myself to stop before I nestled in and made myself at home in it.
could tell Logan had gotten me a book but I was stunned when I peeled off the paper to reveal a special edition of the first Runeweaver Knight. Logan, where on earth did you get this? LOGAN I asked Naomi for help You’ll get the rest. I won’t leave you with an incomplete set My former student probably had a field day helping him pick which edition to get me. I ran my fingers across the silver foil and admired the sprayed edges depicting a set of blades. You know that could be years, right? The series is still ongoing. LOGAN That’s ok with me
He flopped his hand around gracelessly before suddenly gesturing at me. “I was on a date with her tonight. Can you fucking believe, I mean, just look at her. I can’t even pretend I’m not afraid of needles to try and impress her so you’re gonna have to give me something, doc.”
“So fucking sweet, gorgeous.”
“I will see you tomorrow,” he promised me. James laid a firm hand against my throat and I whimpered. He feathered kisses along my jaw until the frenetic beat of our hearts slowed. “Now, are you ready for Logan or do you need a moment?”
Well, if I was trying to feel less worked up then the appearance of an alpha smelling like an enchanting pinewood forest was not helping. Logan hadn’t bothered with his jacket or hat so I got the full brunt of his bronze, tousled hair and broad chest. The top button on his shirt was undone and god help me that dark fuzz of hair peeking out made my knees weak.
I’d been thoroughly spoiled tonight with Rome’s flirtations and James’ kisses. But as Logan opened the passenger door for me, I couldn’t help but lean against him a little. He pulled me close and kissed my forehead and it was like the final piece falling into place.
“There’s something else I’ve been dying to taste anyway,” James said, kissing his way down my front. “Well, at least properly. Licked off Rome after the heat doesn’t count.”
