Chapter 288

Neil holds me in the backseat of the sedan as my brain slowly comes back online. Tangled up in Neil’s arms, sitting on his lap, when I revive, I’m contented. All of my bones are jelly, and I’m warm through my entire body.

Neil hums lightly, a sound I can feel through the vibrations in his chest. He also gently cards his fingers through my hair.

It’s a moment of peace in an otherwise tumultuous night. I’m satisfied and content and –

I remember something.

Since Neil destroyed the pair of Beau’s boxers that I had been wearing, I am once again left without underwear.

“What’s wrong?” Neil asks. He must have felt me stiffen.

I lean back to look at him in accusation. “You destroyed my underwear.”

Neil’s eyes flash with heat. “Those were not yours.”

Gods, the jealousy in these brothers might honest to Gods kill me. But even if I’m dead, I’d still prefer to have underwear.

By now, the clothes in the washing machine have finished their cycle, but they still need at least an hour in the dryer. I did overstuff the load, so it’s possible an hour won’t be enough.

I sigh.

“I’ll get you a pair of mine,” Neil says.

It’s a sweet offer, but I’ve already played this game with Beau. If I decide to wear a pair of Neil’s boxer briefs, who knew what further jealousy it would ignite? Archer might see the waistband peeking out from under my pants and just rip it all off of me or something.

Okay, so… I’m not all that opposed to that scenario. But it’s something I would prefer to happen in the Pyramid or somewhere private, not at my Mom’s house.

Frankly, at this point, to keep the peace, I’m better off just walking around commando.

“I’m good,” I tell Neil.

He gives me a curious look but doesn’t press.

It takes me a few long, reluctant minutes to pry myself away from Neil. I was comfortable where I was, but it’s starting to get sticky and gross. Neil’s been ultra-patient, but I know he’s itching to clean off in a shower. It’s bad enough that I want to, too.

We wipe off with some baby wipes and a towel that was in the car, but it’s only a temporary fix. Especially for Neil’s germ-sensitive nature.

“You get the first shower,” I tell him as we both pull our clothes back on. “I’ll go after you.”

Neil nods and he leaves the garage first. I stay behind to switch my laundry over from wash to dry. After setting the timer, I head upstairs. It’s been long enough that I can hear the shower running. Good. It won’t be long until it’s my turn.

I open the door to my bedroom, then stop in the doorway.

Steven stands near the foot of the bed. He’s looking at my plethora of pictures on the wall: some snapshots of my youth, some pictures of me and Mom, a couple of ribbons I’ve won for physical achievements in gym class.

When I freeze, he turns to look at me. Now really isn’t a good time. I probably reek of Neil and sex. I know Steven’s a bit sensitive to that, and all of the brothers have shown varying levels of jealousy.

But Steven is here, and I’m here. I can’t just turn around and walk away.

“Chloe,” Steven says as he comes closer to me. He stops after a step. I see his nostrils move. He can smell me. That gives him a moment’s pause.

I don’t say anything. How would I explain myself? And do I have to? Steven, and all the brothers know of my affections for the others.

Yet after that moment’s pause, Steven starts forward again with fresh determination. He takes off his glasses, folds them, and places them into his front shirt pocket. Then he lifts his hands, cups my face, and kisses me square on the mouth.

It’s not a deep kiss, simply a press of lips to lips. But it lingers. And with the gentle way he’s holding my face, it all feels so romantic that it makes my heart swell.

He ends the kiss after a moment. When I chase his lips, he tilts his head so that he rests his forehead to mine.

It’s such a tender moment, it’s absolutely wonderful. But I’m also terribly confused. What did I do to warrant this? Didn’t we agree to keep our distance?

Steven swallows hard. He keeps his forehead to mine, even as he drops his gaze away from me.

“I didn’t like how close I came to losing you,” he said. “No. How close we came to losing everything.”

“But we didn’t,” I whisper. This moment feels too soft for loud voices. “I’m here. We’re all still alright.”

“For now,” Steven says. “But my father is not known for kindness or for letting things go. We survived the night. It’s the rest of them that worry me. It just makes me think…”

I blink at him. I lean back to get a proper look at his face. Whatever he is thinking about feels important. I want to face it head on.

But the moment stretches and he doesn’t elaborate. He just looks back at me for a long moment.

“Steven?” I prompt, but even that doesn’t seem like enough.

Down the hall, the shower shuts off. That sudden lack of sound seems to wake Steven from his thoughts.

Slowly, he lets me go and steps back.

“Forgive the intrusion,” he says. “I’m sure you wish to shower next. I’ll leave you to it.”

He walks around me without another word – or another look – and escapes out the door. As soon as his bedroom door closes, I hear the bathroom door open. Neil heads to his own room and closes the door.

The bathroom is now empty. The shower’s mine.

I look longingly at my bed. My adrenaline is wearing off for sure. I’m exhausted and want nothing more than to crawl under the covers.

But I’d rather be clean first.

With a groan, I trudge toward the bathroom.

Twenty minutes later, I’m clean and back under the covers. As soon as my head hits the pillow, my eyes begin to droop. Gosh, it won’t take me long to fall asleep like this.

First though, my anxiety has to have me replay some of the events of the day. Most I’m able to evaluate and then let go off. Most everything with Alpha King Hayes I don’t hold onto. We’ve won the day there. I can let those worries go for now.

No. What sticks with me is somewhat surprising.

My birthday is coming up, and since my wolf is beginning to manifest, so too might my mating bond.

I try to imagine what the perfect mate would be. Someone strong but kind, maybe. Someone who would let me be a warrior. Someone supportive?

With a sigh, I realize that’s all wrong. In the end, the only kind of mate I want are one of the brothers. Though even I couldn’t tell which one.

Maybe, when the time comes, I’ll be able to just shrug off my supposed mate. I’ve heard that can be painful for both parties involved but…

I don’t want to leave the brothers. I don’t want to lose what I have with them.

I’ve known from the beginning not to get attached, but it’s too late. I want to keep them.