She jerked out of his hold and turned toward him.
“Don’t moan. Neither of us were going to budge. It was the only logical solution and you know that.”
She wanted to stick her tongue out at him. Something she did multiple times as a child when he irritated her. Her tongue stayed in her mouth, though, and any petty action remained in her mind.
Now they had the challenge of getting dressed.
“You showered first. It’s only fair you get dressed first.”
This time, she wasn’t going to argue because she needed clothes, something to cover herself up. There was no way she was even a little bit tempted by this … guy, but just in case, she just needed to be sure.
****
After they had both gotten dressed, only letting go for as long as needed, they headed downstairs. Landon took the lead, still holding Alexa’s hand.
He was very much aware of the fact they had treated their bound hands as if the cuff was still in place. Only, it wasn’t.
His mother had it.
Speaking of his mother, she wasn’t at the front door or the sitting room. They found her enjoying a hot chocolate in the kitchen. The scent made his mouth water. He’d always been a sucker for a hot chocolate.
“Well done,” Gertie said, nodding at their hands.
“The only time they separated was to get dressed,” Alexa said.
“Wonderful news.”
Landon had an idea how their parents and the pack would be able to find out if they didn’t keep the cuffs on, or keep their word in holding hands. He and Alexa were terrible liars. Always had been.
He didn’t like to lie. Even as a kid, he’d found the whole experience uncomfortable, that even if his parents believed the lie, within a few hours, he’d confess. As he got older, the urge to lie had simply faded. There was no point in it, so he stopped.
Gertie picked up the cuffs that had been set on the counter.
“I hope you two will take this seriously. You both need to realize how important it is for you to become true mates, and to end this hatred once and for all.”
“Mom, can I talk to you for a second, in private?” he asked.
His mom looked toward Alexa and nodded.
“I’ll make a hot chocolate,” Alexa said. Her gaze went to his. “Do you … want one?”
It was on the tip of his tongue to ask if she was going to spit in it, but then he decided against it. “Yeah, I’d love one.”
He stepped out of the kitchen, and they made their way to the sitting room.
“What is it, sweetheart?” Gertie asked.
“We get it, okay? Our lesson has been learned. Can we just … call it quits?” Landon asked.
Gertie folded her arms across her chest and glared at him.
That wasn’t the right thing to say.
“Mom, please, don’t you think this is a little unfair, to force us?”
“I’m not forcing you, Landon. No one is forcing you, but you need to realize how important this is, not just for you, but for the whole pack. Cheryl is … she is being helped and guided. She truly believed there was a chance with you. I’m not going to state the obvious here.”
“I didn’t make her think there was going to be more between us. I swear. I’d never do that.”