38. Lars
38
LARS
I stretched with a quiet groan as I woke. My back was fucking killing me. Our plans to transform Olive’s nest couldn’t happen soon enough.
I blinked my eyes open and was met with big brown eyes. Big, brown, exhausted eyes that looked so fucking sad.
“Morning, sweetheart.” My voice was hoarse with sleep, and I wondered if my omega had slept at all. Last night after dinner, we’d gone up to the top of the lighthouse for a while and just sat together before heading to bed early. I’d fallen asleep instantly, and now I wished I’d forced myself to stay awake so Olive wouldn’t be alone in the night.
She didn’t say anything.
I shifted so I could tug her closer to my chest and run my hand through her hair. “Is it still a dark day?” The sky outside was dim and gray, the stormy weather persisting.
Olive nodded against my chest. I brushed my cheek against hers, hoping my scent provided her some comfort. What could I do to support her? I wished I could take all the darkness away.
A purr started up in my chest and Olive let out a little sigh, her breath a puff against my bare skin. I stroked my hand up and down her back. I could get her breakfast. A pumpkin spice latte. Cuddles. And then it hit me—Olive craved routine.
“Do you want to go out to the water?” My voice was a whisper against her hair.
“Oh.” She trailed her fingers against my skin, and I forced myself to be patient and wait for her to say more. “I don’t know if I have the energy.”
“It’s a good thing you have me, then.” I glanced back out the window. It was sprinkling and looked cold. I grabbed one of the fluffy blankets from Olive’s bed and wrapped it around her until she was completely bundled up. I located my clothes on the floor and threw them on before picking her up.
“My little omega burrito,” I said as I carried her out of the room. I stopped by the front door to shove my feet into my boots and then headed outside. I winced as icy air hit us, and I held Olive tighter. “You okay, kitten?”
“Yeah.”
I pressed a kiss to her forehead and quickly headed down to the beach. The waves were rough and choppy, crashing on the shore in a way that made me distinctly nervous. “Do you want to get in the water?” Please say no. Because if she said yes, I would be the one carrying her in.
She freed her hand from the blanket burrito and ran her fingers through my beard. Now I felt like a fucking kitten, purring as she pet my face. The corner of her lips twitched like she was tempted to smile.
“Can we just sit and watch the waves for a few minutes?”
“We can do whatever the fuck you want, sweetheart.”
I walked us over to the large flat rock and arranged her on my lap so she was facing the waves, my arms like iron bands around her as I tried to use my body to shield her from the drizzling rain and bitter wind. Even with the stormy weather, I had to admit there was something peaceful about being out here, with just the wind and waves keeping us company.
Olive shifted on my lap so she could run her nose down the column of my throat, followed by a gentle kiss. “I’m sorry I’m like this.”
I scowled and threaded my fingers in her hair, tugging her head back roughly so she was forced to meet my gaze. “If you apologize again, I’m spanking your ass until you can’t sit for a week. Understand?”
Her lip jutted out in a pout and, fuck , she could never find out how much power that little lip had over me. “Don’t you wish I was different?”
“I wish you didn’t have to experience this pain, but I don’t wish you were different. You’re my Olive, my kitten.”
“Still not sure about that name.”
I grinned and pressed a tender kiss to the tip of her adorable nose. “Nah, you’re definitely sure about it.” I tucked her to my chest and stood. “Now, let’s get back inside and ask the guys to bring us breakfast and pumpkin spice lattes.”
She nuzzled into my neck. “I think you just might be addicted.”
I inhaled deeply, catching her scent mixed with the salt in the wind. “No fucking doubt about that.”