Ambiguous words always leave the most to the imagination.
Especially for Nathan Lockwood and Chase Shaw.
They all understood at once. Erin Xavier was the person most intimate with Zoe Pierce.
Nathan Lockwoodâs gaze darkened as his eyes met Zoe Pierceâs. Zoeâs vision seemed to blur for a moment. She decisively abandoned Erinâs side and perched on the arm of the sofa.
"Zoe," Nathan Lockwood called to her.
Zoe Pierceâs body swayed precariously. Hearing her name, she let herself slide down.
Right into his lap.
Nathan Lockwood looked down at the clearly drowsy Zoe Pierce and asked, "Is there nothing you want to say to me?"
âShe worries about Chaseâs headaches, and sheâs been with Erin the most. But what about me? Is there nothing she wants to say? Nothing she worries about for me?â
Drinking didnât make him flush. His cool, pale skin was unaffected, though his words carried a faint scent of alcohol.
Zoe Pierce stared at his face for a long time, then suddenly got up, leaned over his shoulder, and whispered into his ear, tugging on it, "Nathan Lockwood, can you let me see it..."
"I donât think Iâve ever seen it."
Her words made Nathan Lockwoodâs ear itch. He asked, "Havenât seen what?"
"Didnât you say... that youâre pink?"
"I want to see..."
"They arenât as pale as you... theyâre not that color..."
The manâs previously composed face instantly became unreadable.
Even Nathan Lockwood, known for his calmness and intelligence, couldnât help but feel a mix of anger and amusement.
If it were anyone but her, this would be a clear-cut case of sexual harassment.
"Zoe Pierce, youâre drunk. Is this all you can remember?"
She spoke so recklessly, completely oblivious to the consequences for the rest of them.
Zoe Pierce looked at him, a little confused, not understanding his tone. "Youâre the one who told me... If you donât want to show me, then donât... Why are you being so mean?"
She seemed genuinely wronged. She scrambled to get off Nathan Lockwood, but as soon as she stood up, she swayed as if she might fall at any moment.
Nathan Lockwood grabbed her hand and forcefully pulled her back down.
"Zoe Pierce, are you actually drunk or just pretending?" He wasnât sure if he hoped she was truly drunk or not.
Zoe Pierce turned back and glared at him. "Iâm not drunk."
âAlright, sheâs wasted.â
Nathan Lockwood held his breath, feeling a little helpless. She had successfully, and cluelessly, teased every single one of them.
He lowered his voice again. "Iâll show you. Iâll show you everything."
âIf she wants to see, of course Iâll let her see.â
But Zoe Pierce didnât want to look anymore. Having been rejected once, the drunkard was now in a huff. She scanned her surroundings and spotted Miles Sherman standing off to the side.
"I donât want to look. I want Miles."
"Miles..." she called out, her voice soft and tender, as if she needed him desperately.
A hint of a smile flashed in Miles Shermanâs eyes. He walked over and stood by the sofa, listening to Zoe Pierce repeatedly refuse Nathan Lockwood. "I said I donât want to look! I wonât!"
Noticing Miles Sherman had come to her side, Zoe Pierce propped herself up on the armrest and stared at him intently.
"Nathan, let go," Miles Sherman advised, seeing Zoe Pierce struggle more intensely.
Nathan Lockwood reluctantly let go. Miles Sherman caught Zoe Pierce in his arms and helped her towards the room. As they walked, she tattled, "Nathan Lockwood tried to force me to look at him. He was mean to me. I wonât look."
Miles Sherman laughed. "Then we wonât look. Letâs go to sleep, okay?"
Zoe Pierceâs voice was drowsy as she murmured, "Okay..."
Once they were in the suiteâs bedroom, Miles Sherman loosened the zipper at her collar, took off her shoes, and covered her with a blanket.
Finally, he gave her a loving kiss on the forehead. Seeing her eyes about to close, he asked, "What about Miles then? What do you want to say about Miles?"
âWhatever it is, I still want to hear her opinion of me.â
âHer completely honest thoughts, now that sheâs drunk.â
Zoe Pierce fought against her sleepiness, lifting her eyes at his words. "Boyfriend. My current boyfriend."
"Miles... is very gentle..."
After saying that, she nuzzled her pillow and, paying no more mind to Miles or anyone else, drifted off to sleep, reeking of alcohol.
Miles Sherman sat on the edge of the bed. Hearing her last, almost-mumbled words, his gaze softened completely.
His fingers brushed a stray lock of hair from her cheek, lingering there for a moment. His voice was just as soft. "Go on, sleep peacefully."
"Good night."
He sat for a while longer. Once he confirmed her breathing was deep and even, Miles Sherman got up and went outside.
The table was a mess of cups and plates. The other three men were all leaning back in their seats.
"Is she asleep?" Chase Shaw asked.
Miles Sherman nodded. "Drunk."
"Zoe Pierce is a terrible drunk," Erin Xavier complained. He wouldnât dare let her drink outside, afraid sheâd get drunk again and say something else shocking.
"Hah," Chase Shaw scoffed.
Erin Xavier paused, then took a sip from a nearby bottle of mineral water. He could understand Chase Shawâs displeasure. After all, anyone who personally heard what Zoe Pierce said would be annoyed.
He pretended not to hear the scoff.
"We canât let her drink outside next time," Nathan Lockwood said.
The main thing was, Zoe Pierce was a little too provocative like this.
All cute and charming, making people restless with desire.
Miles Sherman spoke up fairly. "With us watching her, she wonât drink that much outside."
Today was a rare occasion where Zoe Pierce really let loose. No matter what, they were there for her.
She was well-behaved.
Even when drunk, all she did was act a little spoiled.
The four remaining, relatively sober Alphas had no intention of continuing to drink.
Since everyone was present and no one else was around, Miles Sherman looked up. "The other day, I asked her what she thought."
"Zoe feels that the current situation is fine. She doesnât want to change it."
"She cares about everyone and canât choose."
"So, I made a proposal: we maintain the current relationship of being her boyfriends on a rotating basis."
"She said sheâd think about it."
After he finished, Miles Sherman glanced at the time on his Intelligent Brain. "Thatâs all. Letâs get to bed. In two more days, we need to start preparing to head back."
Director Quinn said they wouldnât be disturbed until noon tomorrow.
He walked back to Zoe Pierceâs room and, under the gazes of the other men, calmly closed the door.
Having made his decision, Miles Sherman wasnât about to cede the opportunity to anyone else.
He lay down on his side, fully clothed, tracing the sleeping Omegaâs face with his eyes in the darkness.
*
In a hazy state between sleep and wakefulness, Zoe Pierce sensed someone sleeping beside her.
Her muddled brain registered her head nestled against the personâs chest, and she dozed off again for a bit before it finally hit her: she was on the Border Star, not the Capital Star.
That meant there shouldnât be anyone next to her.
Her eyes shot open and she sat up.
And came face-to-face with the Alpha, whose eyes had also just opened.
She froze for a second. "Miles?"
Miles Sherman sat up too, looking at her. "Mm."
She glanced around the room, and fragmented memories from last night came flooding backâincluding, but not limited to, Erin Xavier covering her mouth, and her sitting on Nathan Lockwood while rejecting him...
âHave I really become a total pervert?â