Her Knotty List (MVP: Most Valuable Pack #4)

Chapter 34

chapter

thirty-four

Zane’s smile really ought to be illegal.

Combined with the fact that I’ve literally never seen him wear a shirt, the beautiful flash of his perfect teeth is lethal to my brain cells.

Well, the two brain cells I have left after what happened in the bathroom.

I still can’t decide what my favorite part was—the feel of Knox’s fingertips digging into my hips, Micah’s nuzzles and kisses, or watching Zane and Gunnar race each other to orgasm.

Having all of them naked at the same time essentially turned me into a moron. Maybe that’s why I agreed to Gunnar and Zane’s insane suggestion.

Now, Micah and Knox are both standing at the corner of the kitchen island, staring down at the tattered scrap of purple paper.

Gaping, really.

My scent singes a bit as I back into Gunnar’s protective embrace. His arms are thick and strong, snuggling me while he scent-marks my neck with his forehead.

He’s been so affectionate since I got out of the bath, barely letting me out of his sight when we all shuffled off to find another round of clean clothes. Thankfully, I have my luggage—including my own yoga pants, a red Christmas sweatshirt, and fuzzy, light-up reindeer socks.

I probably should have quit while I was ahead—I mean, seriously ? Pro hockey’s most handsome player still wants to snuggle with me while I’m makeup-less and wearing a sweatshirt with a giant Santa face on it? But then the guys pulled me aside to sheepishly confess that Zane had found my list hidden in Gunnar’s pants.

The way they both husked and growled about how hot it is convinced me they might have a point. Besides, they might still see each other as competition, but my Omega hates the idea of creating division among any of these alphas. It wouldn’t be fair for only half of them to know about it.

I want them all to get along. Especially if we’re staying together for my heat. When Zane pointed out that a literal list of common goals would be good for that purpose, I had to admit he had a point.

How better to get them all on the same page ?

Pun absolutely intended.

It all seemed fairly simple, then, but watching Knox scowl and Micah's eyes widen while they each scan over the paper practically leaves me vibrating in place.

It’s hard to be too regretful when Zane grins at me again.

“ Shona ,” he says softly, cupping his hands around my face and dropping a warm kiss to my lips. “You must be hungry, huh? I want to make you something good. ”

He’s been cooking non-stop for days. When I can’t resist his offer of maple bacon and fresh pancakes for brunch, I insist on making dinner sometime in the next few days.

He agrees with one of those silken winks, nodding at Knox and Micah. “Of course, gorgeous. Assuming those knot-heads haven’t died from shock.” He leans closer, muttering out of the side of his mouth, “Is Micah even breathing?”

I turn into Zane, laughing, and his dark eyes melt. “Beautiful, happy girl,” he praises, rubbing my cheek with his.

Gunnar hums his agreement, breathing deeply as my scent sweetens. Behind me, the thump of his heart starts to slow.

Knowing I can relax him actually relaxes me, too. And—stupid, I know, but—I think I’m starting to feel safe with him. Like he really does want me and like me.

Or maybe even needs me?

The soft kisses he places against the slope of my shoulder make all of that seem remarkably possible. Especially when he purrs and whispers, “You feel so good, Em. I think I’ve been missing you since before I even met you.”

My Omega still has a lot of feelings about that, but even she starts to soften as he purrs for me. His vibrating chest breaks up the last of the tension locked around my lungs, turning me into mush while I watch Knox step back from my list and raise his piercing gaze to mine.

Whatever he sees on my face tightens his. He speaks in his rough timbre. “Come here, little omega.”

Without releasing me, Gunnar walks us forward, putting me between two powerful walls of alpha muscle. Knox nods at him in acknowledgment before grasping my hips and lifting me onto the countertop beside Micah.

The fireman pushes my list to the side and takes advantage of being a step closer than Knox, swooping in for a hot, wet kiss. By the time he breaks away, we’re both panting.

“Sweet girl,” he breathes, “you surprise me in all the best ways. ”

Knox grunts in agreement , stroking my hair back.

He’s not angry or annoyed? Or even disapproving?

He’s… possessive .

That same lustful pride I saw all over his face earlier blazes back to life. “I love your list, little miss, but I hate that any other alphas have seen it.”

His absolute attention settles into me like a key sliding into a lock. It unlatches my voice and words just pour out of me.

“None of them wanted to look at it. So you guys are the only ones who have seen it.”

Collective anger stretches taut across the room. My gaze falls to my lap, but I feel them all turn to look at one another.

Zane’s buttery purr starts up. Gunnar’s hand slips lower, rubbing the small of my back as Micah touches the space between my shoulder blades. But Knox flexes that weighted blanket of reassurance he has.

“I don’t want to look at it,” he says, growling. “I want to destroy it. Scratch every last thing off. Twice.”

Zane appears behind the alpha, flashing a grin while he claps Knox on the back. “I’m with the Grinch.”

Gunnar’s purr replaces Zane’s, pressing into my arm while Micah cocks his head, musing, “We’ve already ticked a handful of things off.”

The hockey hot shot flashes his rare smile, hooking his arm around me tighter. “Dibs on number eight.”