Wolf's Pack (Wolves Next Door #3) - Auryn Hadley Page 0,138

back of her head.

"There are some things we've always done together," I admitted. "So, Pax was waiting on me."

"And you're sure?" she asked. Her eyes searched mine for a moment before she turned to Pax. "Because I don't want you to feel like you have to say this just because everyone else has."

"Honey, hearing you say that to Ian that night? I've never been so jealous in my life. I want it too. I want you. As a friend, lover, mate, and so much more. I want to lick icing from your knee and ruin our big plans together. Yes, I'm sure that I love you."

Then she turned to me and my guts clenched. "I didn't prepare a speech," I mumbled. "But yes, I'm sure. I just want to know that this? It's not because we're simply comfortable, or because you feel like you have to be with us. When you're around, my worst days become my best. I can't stop thinking about you, Elena. If this isn't love, then I have no idea what else to call it."

She bit her lip and nodded. "I was waiting for you to say it first. I..." She glanced over at Pax. "I love you both. All five of you, if I'm honest. And I know that's not fair, but this feels so right to me, and I can't say that I have a favorite or a best. All I can say is that I don't want any of this to change. I love you, Pax." Then her eyes returned to meet mine. "And I love you, Trent. I knew I would from the moment you jumped right in to help Gabby with her play. Maybe I just have a weakness for men who are good with kids, or... I dunno. But if this isn't real, you both are going to break my heart."

"Not going to happen," Pax said as he leaned in to kiss the side of her neck. "Not without breaking ours too."

"Fuck dinner," I decided, and pushed forward to claim her mouth.

Elena met me halfway, yet when her hand clasped my neck, I was pretty sure she left a little icing behind. Oddly, I couldn't think of anything more perfect.

CHAPTER 42

* * *

My mouth found Trent's, my hand reached back for Pax, but my mind was stuck on one thing. They loved me. Both of these men had done all of this just to have the chance to say it. I didn't even care about the cupcakes or wine. Dinner suddenly seemed very unimportant. I just wanted to wrap my arms around both of them, kiss my men, and be right here, right now.

Trent's tongue explored my mouth and he crawled just a little closer, pushing me back into Pax. I felt a hand move around my waist - Pax's - then up, pausing just beneath my breast. The sound of our lips, the rustling of our clothes, and the new leaves blowing in the gentle breeze were the only sounds close by. This little area was like an oasis from the world, sheltering us from sight without trapping us away.

So I grabbed Trent's hand again, lifting it even as I broke our kiss. The moment my mouth was free, I sucked at his middle finger, but my eyes held his. Behind me, Pax groaned his approval.

"If you keep that up, this will go from a date to an exhibition," he warned.

So I released Trent's hand and turned to face Pax. "There's no one out here."

He just trailed his hand up the side of my neck until he cupped my jaw. "There could be. Elena, we wanted to impress you. To show you that we're worth the trouble."

"But that's the thing you don't seem to understand," I told him. "Neither of you are trouble. You're always worth it. Pax, so far as I care, nothing's changed. I still want to hear about your adventures with the latest contractor or Trent having to crawl into a drainage culvert. I like having the chance to notice that you've all but moved in together because Gabby and I spend too much time at your place." Then I looked back at Trent. "I want to be surprised that you stopped at the office again to give me a ride home, or went out of your way to give me a ride that half-block to work because it's raining. But I also want the rest of this."

"Which 'rest'?" Pax asked.

My eyes held Trent's. "Thinking of