The scent hit me first. Vanilla and sugar. Bennett strode into the room, tossing his gloves into the trash can and putting the box of cupcakes on a desk as he came closer. It was his same uniform from the party—dark jeans which clung to his thighs in ways that made my mouth water and a dark t-shirt straining over his chest. This one was navy blue. “Give us a second, Ry. Make sure everyone else is ready.”

The Beta grinned. “Will do.”

Grabbing a wheeled chair from one of the desks, Bennett rolled it in front of me, moving the coffee table away so there was room and trapping me between his knees. “First things first, what I should have done that night instead of letting you run away.”

His hands came up around my face, one slipping behind my neck as he kissed me. It wasn’t hesitant, and it wasn’t out of control. It was just a perfect kiss, and my mind went blissfully blank. The same sense of safety I’d felt when we were dancing clicked into place, and I moaned softly, unable to help it.

I was perfuming again—frankly amazed I’d lasted this long without it—and at least we weren’t in public.

He pulled back but didn’t let me go. “The only reason I didn’t come after you was because Eva told me she would help bring you when she called. Otherwise, I might have turned into a bit of a stalker just so I could scent you again. See you again.”

“Really?”

A huffed laugh. “Esme, I’ve barely been able to think the last two days, and I’m not the only one. The others are barely letting me in here alone with you because they’re so eager.”

“Rylan told me about the shirt.” I bit my lip.

“It has a place of honor.” He leaned forward, inhaling deeply, the simple sound of it sending tingles through my entire body. The purr I’d only gotten the barest hint of at the party came to life, rich and deep. “Looks like I’m not the only one.”

I colored pink all over again only for his hands to tighten. “Don’t be embarrassed. I don’t think you have any idea what you having my scent still on you is doing to me.”

Every one of my senses was overloaded. It was entirely possible I would pass out. He’d kissed me, was purring for me, and I wanted more.

“Would you like to meet them?”

I nodded. “Yes, please.”

“You feral beasts can come in now,” he said, lifting his volume a little.

The door opened like they’d all been hanging on bated breath. Now it wasn’t just my scent and Bennett’s, it was all of them.

“Holy fuck,” someone said under their breath. “The shirt was nothing compared to this.”