18. Olive
18
OLIVE
I was sitting on the rolling chair in the watch room with a cup of hot tea. I’d run back into the house to get cleaned up and dressed, keeping Easton’s sweater on, and brought back some tea and cookies for all of us.
My body was loose and relaxed, the ache in my pussy a delicious reminder of what had just happened, although I was still in a bit of shock. What did it mean? They had called me their omega, but that had been in the heat of the moment. Was this just a casual thing for them while they were working on the lighthouse? And how did Finn fit into all of this?
The warmth I’d felt since I’d laid eyes on Lars this morning seeped out of me, replaced by insecurity. If I got too close to people, they would see the real me. My moods, my medical issues… it was too much for anyone to put up with.
Easton came up behind me as if summoned by my dark emotions. “How’re you doing, sunshine?” He brushed my hair to the side and kissed me on the neck.
I leaned back into him. “Good,” I lied. I loved hearing him call me sunshine, but I didn’t deserve the nickname. I was the least sunshiny person in the world.
He straightened up but kept his hands on my shoulders, tracing his fingers across my skin. “What got you interested in being a lighthouse keeper?”
I looked at him over my shoulder. His expression was so open and genuine, like he really wanted to know me. “I hadn’t considered it until I saw the listing online. I’d been working from home, doing data entry, but I was ready for something different.” I didn’t know what had brought on my desire to change my life, but one day, I woke up, and my tiny studio apartment and dirt-boring work-from-home job were suddenly unbearable. “I grew up on the water,” I continued. “My parents were lobstermen, and I was on the boat really since I was a baby.”
“Really?” Lars joined us, standing by my side. The measuring tape he’d been using to take some measurements Finn needed was clipped to his belt. He curled a lock of my hair around his finger and my omega sighed happily. I’d been touch-starved for years. If these alphas kept it up, I would grow too addicted to their casual touches, the way they kept me in their orbit like they didn’t want me more than an arm’s length away.
“Yeah. I thought I’d be a lobsterwoman, but it didn’t work out.”
“Why not?” Easton crouched down so we were closer to being at eye level, but I kept my eyes fixed on the horizon.
“My parents died and it was hard to go out on the boat without them. Maybe I should have tried harder, hired people to help me, but I just couldn’t pull myself together fast enough before I ran out of money. I had to sell the boat.” I shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal, like I hadn’t cried for days until my eyelids were so puffy I could barely see.
“Baby,” Easton said, his voice so tender.
I gave him a quick smile. “It’s okay. It was years ago. But I’m trained in ocean rescue and I always read the meteorological reports for my dad, and I don’t mind being alone. This was a good fit for me.”
Lars’s hand rested gently on my shoulder. “I’m glad you’re here, sweetheart.”
I leaned against his arm, and some warmth returned to me. Even if this was just temporary, I could let myself enjoy this moment .
“How did you all get into restoration stuff?” I asked, pushing my chair so it spun to face them.
“It was really Finn’s idea,” Easton said, plopping down on the floor and pulling my socked feet into his lap to massage them. My little omega heart soaked up his attention. “We obviously have no shortage of historic buildings up and down the coast. Fredrik, Finn’s grandpa, had these big coffee table books about architecture and they always fascinated Finn. He decided he wanted to get his degree in architecture, and the two of us followed him to school.”
Lars sat down next to Easton and placed his hand on my thigh, gripping tight. I now had two massive alphas sitting at my feet, and I couldn’t stop myself from perfuming. My pumpkin spice scent filled the air, and I blushed.
“Do you also have architecture degrees?” I asked quickly to distract from my scent.
“Nah,” Lars said. “I knew college wasn’t for me, so I went to trade school for electrical work.” There was a tightness in his eyes, but then he smiled and jerked his head at Easton. “He did a woodworking apprenticeship and the two of us supported Finn until he finished his master’s degree and apprenticeship.”
“We like to remind him of that since he’s the one who pulls in all the high-paying jobs now. Keeps him humble,” Easton said. He shifted closer to me and laid his head on my lap. The move was so familiar and intimate it made my breath catch. I switched my mug to my other hand and ran my fingers through Easton’s curls.
Hearing them talk about Finn made my heart pound. It was clear to see how much they loved their packmate. Would Finn be upset that the three of us had been together? Would he turn them against me? I shifted in my chair, my stress rising again. This was a bad idea. I should do something to create distance from us so I didn’t get hurt.
“I don’t want to leave,” Lars said with a sigh.
“Do you have to?” The words were out of my mouth before I could stop them. I wanted to roll my eyes. Apparently, my resolve lasted all of half a second.
Lars captured my hand and kissed my palm and wrist. “We have a weekly dinner with my family. Do you want to come? We’d love to have you there, and my moms would love to meet you.”
“Oh, I?—”
“Please come, Olive,” Easton begged, his arms encircling my waist with his head still in my lap.
The desperation in his voice brought a smile to my lips. Lars rolled his eyes and mouthed “drama,” which made me snort a laugh. For the briefest moment, I imagined what it would be like to go to dinner with them. What it would be like to be a part of a family again, even for just an evening.
“I’m going to stay here, but thank you,” I said softly.
Easton clutched at me tighter, but Lars gave me an understanding smile.
“We’ll be back tomorrow,” he said.
I nodded. Finn would also be here. Would they pretend nothing happened today?
Lars finally convinced Easton to let me go, and I walked with them down to the bottom of the lighthouse.
Easton pulled me into his arms, his large body surrounding mine as he pressed his face to the top of my hair. His rich chocolate scent drenched my skin and clothes, and I couldn’t wait to sleep surrounded by it. “Just in case this wasn’t clear, we’re courting you, baby.”
I froze.
“Fuck,” Lars said, pressing his body to my back. “It wasn’t clear.”
“But… What…” My words wouldn’t come out.
Easton pulled away enough to cup my face and force me to meet his gaze. “We’re in this, Olive. We want you, and not just for one perfect afternoon. For every afternoon. And morning. And evening?—”
“Yes, all day long,” Lars said with a snort.
“What about Finn?” I whispered.
“He wants to court you, too,” Easton said.
I scrunched my nose in disbelief. Nothing about Finn’s behavior said open to courting . And it wasn’t like I wanted him, anyway.
Liar liar .
“We’ll prove it to you,” Easton said. “We’ll be so good to you, sunshine. We’ll show you that we’ll be the best alphas for you.”
My heart was in my throat as he squeezed me into another hug and then reluctantly released me. I went to take off his sweater to return it, but he stopped me with a wink. “Keep it. It looks better on you, anyway.” He turned to Lars. “I’ll gather up our stuff outside.” With one final kiss, he slipped away.
Before my brain could catch up to what was happening, Lars pressed my back to the wall, blocking my view of the room with his broad chest. His hand collared my throat, squeezing just slightly enough for me to let out a whimper.
“I need you to tell me what happened between you and Finn.” His voice was deep and commanding. Not quite a bark, but enough to make my omega want to obey .
But I locked my legs and stayed strong. “Nope.”
Lars let out a little growl. “He’s my brother, and I love him. I don’t think he’s capable of hurting someone intentionally, but he can be careless, especially with what he’s been going through lately. It’s not okay if he did something to hurt you.”
I blinked. It was clear to see how much these alphas loved each other, but here Lars was, defending me .
He ran his thumb across my lower lip. “Tell me.”
I let out a shuddering sigh, completely hypnotized by his body, his scent, everything about this alpha.
“He just hurt my feelings,” I said. “That’s all.”
Lars scowled. “That’s not okay. No one gets to do that.”
God, he was so fierce, so protective. My omega fully approved.
“I’ve got it under control.”
“What do you mean?” His nose skated down the side of my face until he was pressed against my neck, scent-marking me. “Does this have anything to do with pickles?”
I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him close. “Maybe. My plan for revenge.”
He pressed me even harder against the wall. It was hard to take a breath, but I didn’t mind. I would be happy to be crushed by Lars’s body any time of day .
“If you need more ideas for your revenge scheme, let me know. I’ve lived with Finn for many years. But sweetheart, please give him a chance. Give us a chance.”
I ran my fingers through his beard. “Please don’t break my heart,” I whispered.
“Your heart is safe with me. I promise.”
He pressed a hard kiss on my mouth, and I parted my lips, letting him in. Right now, with his arms around me, his lips against mine, I believed his words.
We were both breathless when he pulled away. I clung to him, not wanting this to end.
“I have to go.”
He looked so furious about it I had to laugh. “Grumpy alpha.”
“I haven’t even fucking tasted you yet.” His hands ran down the front of my body and cupped my pussy through my leggings. A look of determination crossed his face. “I can’t leave without tasting you, sweetheart.”
I whimpered as slick burst in my panties. Lars’s hand slipped under my clothes until his fingers were pressed against my slit, moving back and forth. “Fuck, fuck . You’re so wet. God, sweetheart, is this for me?”
“All for you,” I whined, arching into his touch.
A thick finger slipped inside me as his palm pressed against my clit.
“Maybe I should leave you like this, whimpering and wanting. That way, you’ll be desperate to see me again, desperate and begging your alpha for relief.”
I shook my head, clutching his arm to keep his hand in place. “Don’t make me create another revenge plan.”
I could feel his laugh vibrate against my skin, into my very soul.
“Very well.” He thrust another finger inside me, and it was so thick I moaned at the delicious stretch. “Be a good girl now and come for me.”
I was already so on edge it barely took any time for my orgasm to break over me. I threw my head back, but somehow, Lars’s hand was there, cupping the back of my head to stop me from knocking it against the wall.
“So beautiful, so gorgeous. Fuck, I’m so damn lucky.”
I was a boneless heap, my limbs weak from pleasure.
Lars pulled out of me, his eyes fixed on mine as he brought his fingers to his lips and sucked them into his mouth. A fresh burst of slick drenched my underwear at the look of pleasure on his face.
“Be a good girl tonight.” He patted my pussy. “And no touching yourself until we’re back.”
I took a sharp breath. “What?”
“This pussy is just for us to play with.” He gave me a stern look and kissed my forehead. “Now, get inside, sweetheart. Do you have food for dinner?”
I nodded, still a bit stunned.
“What a good girl. Make sure you eat a nice big meal. You worked hard today.”
He gave me one more kiss and waited for me to open the door to the cottage. I gave him one last look before closing it behind me. I leaned against it, heart racing.
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Olive.” His growl reached me through the wooden door, making me shiver.