Page 32 of Knot Your Kismet

19

Foolish Thinking

Calista

I’ve never been to the pool before, and I’m both excited and nervous to be standing with Lucas just inside the pool house.

Our bodies glisten with the steam from the shower, the mint fragrance of his skin like a breath of fresh air. It cuts through the steam, and I can’t help myself from rubbing my palms against his. He keeps our fingers tightly together.

“You look like you want to go for a dip,” Lucas murmurs, kissing my cheek. It’s as if he can’t keep his lips away from me, brushing them to new parts of my skin every few seconds like he wants to kiss every inch of me. I’m nearly certain he already has.

“We don’t have swimsuits.” I glance at him in my periphery, gauging his reaction. I know it’s not a real excuse, considering how secluded the pool is with its six-foot cinderblock wall covered in vines around it. It’s intended to be private. Even the groundskeepers know they can only come into this location during a specific time.

“We don’t need swimsuits, Lis. It’ll be fun.” Lucas nudges me forward, getting me to walk with him toward the glass door.

“I can’t swim,” I admit, twisting my lips to the side. “The last time I was in water, I almost drowned, remember?” The moment the comment leaves my lips, it steals the light from Lucas’s eyes for a second. I wish I hadn’t brought up the yacht party.

“I won’t let you go. We can stay in the shallow end if you want. Or…there’s always the hot tub.” He lifts and drops his eyebrows, choosing not to focus on what I went through.

And I’m glad for it, because that’s the last thing I want on my mind.

“If you hate it, we can do something else. I just—you’re so sexy. So beautiful. I’ll savor every second of this.” Lucas slides his hand around my waist and pulls me closer until he lifts me off my feet once more, carrying me from the pool house and into the bright sun shining over the glittering crystal-clear pool water.

He kisses my neck a dozen times, and I giggle and laugh when he spins me around. Without warning, he jumps into the pool and cool water engulfs me, but I don’t go under.

My panic melts away when my brain realizes Lucas wasn’t lying. He’s not letting me go even though I know I could touch the bottom.

“See? I got you, Lis. Just relax. Enjoy it.” Lucas spins me around again, and I spot a figure sitting on a lounge chair under the canopy of a large tree. My eyes adjust to the sunlight to finally recognize Jensen. He lies with his arms over his head, intently watching us. Flutters tickle my stomach, and I can’t stop myself from smiling. I know he loves what he sees, because I catch the scent of his lust from here.

So does Lucas.

His arms tighten around me, and he spins around again, facing his brother. I swivel to get a better view. I don’t want to take my eyes off him. I imagine him pulling off his shirt, exposing his muscular body, and joining us.

I sure know how to fantasize.

“Nolan is looking for you. He said he thought you were with Lucas, and I knew that my baby brother would probably bring you here.” Jensen sits up and strolls toward the edge of the pool. “I’m glad I volunteered to come check. The view is spectacular.”

A smile stretches across my mouth, tightening my cheeks until they ache. “Mine could be better. Can’t you tell this is a no-clothes zone?”

Lucas chuckles in my ear, not saying anything as I dominate the conversation with Jensen. It’s so nice that they’re not at each other’s throats. Alphas in the city choose not to share. At least most of them. They tend to keep their packs heavy with betas since they don’t like competition. But they also don’t have the same kind of power as packs elsewhere. Those packs are stronger because of how many alphas they have, and they know how to spread out power properly.

“I guess I could fix that. If you insist.” Jensen grabs the bottom of his T-shirt and slowly begins to tug it up, giving me a show of his abs.

“I do insist—”

The squeak of the gate opening stops Jensen from continuing, and Lucas groans in my ear. I don’t even have to see Nolan to know he’s found us.

“Jensen, you were supposed to get them, not join them. We have shit to do. The lieutenant is waiting. If we don’t act now, they’re going to think we don’t give a shit.” Nolan crosses his arms, flicking his gaze from Jensen to my naked body in Lucas’s arms.

He tightens his jaw but doesn’t look away.

“You’re telling me that you would’ve dragged them out? Don’t bullshit me. I can see you want to join the party as well, brother.” Jensen squares off, puffing out his chest a bit.

The alpha hormones are going to start raging with me right in the middle. And damn, do I want it right now. It’s been a while since the three of them have been with me in one place.

“No, but I would have reasoned with her to get her to come with me. This is why I’m the leader.” Nolan turns his gaze to me, ignoring the fact that his comment pissed Jensen off. “Cali, I got word from the police department, and they would like you to go down and make a statement. This will ensure that Pack Loomis is handled appropriately. This isn’t their first attempt at trying to override their alpha’s orders. They think he’s too old to continue, and they want to take over.”

I don’t respond, my mind whirling. I wanted to forget about them and move on. This will only drag things out. Why can’t the police just do their job without me? There were plenty of other witnesses. I’m sure the yacht even had cameras.