Mated to the Triplet Alphas Chapter 144: Hot & Bothered

Leo’s body was pressed against mine as he expertly guided my hands, his fingers warm and firm over my own. The heat radiating from the grill was hardly the sole reason my skin was flushing.

“Like this,” he murmured, his lips a mere inch from my ear. “You have to arrange them by density. Mushrooms cook much quicker than peppers.”

I attempted to focus on the vegetables, but my mind was consumed by the sensation of his chest against my back, solid and warm. His hands completely dwarfed mine as he assisted me in threading the pieces onto the skewer.

“I’ve got previous kitchen experience,” I pointed out, trying to maintain a normal demeanor despite the rapid fluttering in my chest. “I worked as a maid for many years, remember?”

Leo let out a chuckle, the sound resonating through his chest and into my back. “Cooking and grilling are different disciplines, sweetheart. You can trust me on this.”

He adjusted my hold on the skewer, his fingers sliding between mine in a manner that felt significantly more intimate than the action warranted. As he spoke again, his lips brushed against the shell of my ear, sending a shiver down my spine as his breath danced across my skin.

“Hold it this way,” he whispered. “Gentle, yet firm.”

My breath caught in my throat. Was he still talking about grilling? The underlying double meaning was not lost on me, and judging by the smirk I could sense against my ear, it was entirely intentional.

“Now it’s your turn,” he stated, releasing my hands but maintaining his body flush against mine.

I fumbled with the next skewer, acutely aware of every point of contact between our bodies. The vegetables persistently slipped off as my usually steady hands trembled.

“I’m normally much better at this,” I mumbled, feeling quite embarrassed.

“Are you?” His voice dropped even lower, his lips grazing the highly sensitive spot just beneath my ear. “I have a feeling you excel at many things, Hazel.”

A heat began to spread across my skin that had absolutely nothing to do with the grill before us. I bit my lip to suppress a gasp when his hands finally settled on my hips.

“Allow me to help you focus,” he said, though his touch was having the precise opposite effect.

His thumbs began tracing small circles on the small of my back as I tried to complete another skewer. When I finally managed to finish it without dropping anything, I felt an absurd sense of accomplishment.

“There you go,” he praised, his voice a deep rumble. “Now, for the placement.”

Leo guided my hand towards the grill, his chest pressed firmly against my back. The contact made me intensely aware of something hard pressing against my lower back. I nearly dropped the skewer straight into the flames.

“Careful now,” he warned, steadying my wrist. “We wouldn’t want to spoil all your hard work.”

I managed to position the skewer on the grill, but as I attempted to step back, Leo held me in place.

“We’re not finished yet,” he murmured, reaching for the tongs. “You still need to learn how to turn them at the absolute perfect moment.”

His free hand slid from my hip to my stomach, his fingers splaying wide across my abdomen. The possessive touch sent an undeniable shiver up my spine, and I struggled to maintain an even breath.

“When do I turn them?” I inquired, my voice coming out embarrassingly breathy.

“When they’re sufficiently hot,” he replied, and I detected the distinct smirk in his tone. “You must exercise patience. Wait until they’re actively sizzling.”

As if to underscore his words, Leo’s lips found the delicate curve where my neck met my shoulder—the exact spot where a mating mark would typically be placed. The fleeting contact caused me to shiver violently, a soft gasp escaping my lips.

“Leo,” I whispered, uncertain if I was imploring him to cease or to continue.

He hummed softly against my skin, the vibration traveling down my spine. “Just showing you the ropes, sweetheart.”

I was about to respond when Levi’s voice suddenly cut across the beach.

“Hey! Is the food ready yet? We’re absolutely starving over here!”

Leo pulled back with such speed that I almost lost my balance. The sudden absence of his warmth left me feeling strangely vacant. When I turned to look at him, his expression was perfectly calm and collected, as if he hadn’t just been intimately pressed against me, driving me wild with his touch.

“Almost done,” he called back, bestowing upon me a knowing smirk. “Just giving Hazel some pointers on grilling.”

I stared at him, utterly astonished by how effortlessly he had shifted gears while I was still attempting to calm my rapidly beating heart.

“Right,” I muttered, turning back to the grill with burning cheeks. “Grilling pointers.”

“Don’t you worry,” Leo murmured, his voice intended only for my ears. “We can resume your lesson later on.”

Within mere moments, we were carrying platters laden with perfectly grilled meats and vegetables to the table. My hands still exhibited a slight tremor, and the persistent throbbing between my legs made it difficult to concentrate on anything else.

“This looks absolutely incredible,” Liam exclaimed as we set the food down.

Lucas nodded in agreement, his gaze flickering between Leo and me with a discernible hint of suspicion. “You two certainly work well together.”

“Hazel is a remarkably quick learner,” Leo responded smoothly, taking a seat directly across from me.

Levi casually draped an arm around my shoulders as I sat down. “You okay? You look a bit flushed.”

“Just the heat from the grill,” I lied, deliberately avoiding Leo’s intense gaze.

Though the meal was a delight—savory cuts of meat accompanied by expertly seared vegetables—its flavors were mostly lost on me. Each time Leo's gaze met mine, his irritating smirk sent a flush creeping low within me. When he reached for items across the table, his actions seemed calculated, almost savage, bringing back the memory of his touch upon my skin.

I fidgeted in my seat, my legs crossing and uncrossing in a futile attempt to soothe the persistent discomfort that lingered.

“I need to use the restroom,” I announced at last, rising from my seat with haste.

“Is everything alright?” Liam inquired, his brow furrowed with worry.

“Perfectly fine! Just peachy,” I responded, perhaps a little too eagerly. “Won’t be long.”

I practically bolted from the dining area, heading towards the villa with all the speed my decorum would permit. Inside, I found the closest washroom and swung the door inward, longing for a solitary moment to regain my composure.

Before the door could latch, a hand darted out, arresting its movement. A surprised gasp escaped me as Leo entered, his imposing figure completely blocking the entrance.

“What do you want?” I challenged, retreating until I was pressed against the basin.

Leo remained silent. He advanced, bridging the gap between us. In a swift, seamless move, he reached behind me and secured the lock. Then, his lips met mine in an intense, fervent kiss.