Chapter Twenty-One
Jett
“Are you sure you’re okay, Baby? That was intense,” I asked Evan as we cuddled in the bed we had in the playroom.
When we moved here after Caroline, we’d had the room custom built. Sometimes I missed the one in the basement of our old place.
Brennan enjoyed having it here in our suite to ensure that no one could get in but us.
“For the millionth time, I’m beyond good, Hot Stuff,” Evan sighed. “That was so much fun.”
“It was. Drink some water.” I rubbed his arms and legs as he finished his water, contentment flowing through the bond.
Yeah, we both needed that.
We cuddled a bit longer, and I looked at the clock above the door. I had no idea what time they were coming back. Brennan felt a little annoyed. Maybe the Queen Mum was there? His family sometimes went to these things.
Well, I’d comfort him later. Right now, caring for Evan was my focus.
“How about a shower? Go turn on the water, and I’ll clean up? Then maybe we can watch a movie and have some hot chocolate?” I asked him.
“That sounds perfect.” Evan kissed me.
I quickly cleaned everything up and set Mr. Mopps, our little mop robot, to work. Later, I’d come back and finish. Grabbing my phone, I looked at the photos I’d taken. Really, it was a work of art–he was a work of art.
A text from Grace asking if we were okay made me frown. I’d text her later. I could feel her a little through Evan’s bond, and right now, it seemed like she didn’t feel good.
Locking the playroom door, which led directly into our bedroom, I went into our bathroom.
Closing the door behind me, I joined Evan in the hot shower. My arms wrapped around him. For a long time, I just stood there, holding him under the sprays, letting him know how much I loved him–and feeling his love for me through the bond.
Never, ever did he–or Brennan–make me feel like I, or our love, was lesser because I was a beta.
I didn’t feel like I was missing anything because I couldn’t bond them back.
Really, I didn't understand why that was even a thing people worried about.
I could feel them, and they could feel me, just fine.
Gently, I washed Evan. The redness had faded, and there were no bruises, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t be a little tender. I had some cream I’d use after our shower to make him feel better.
“Do you really think Bren will let Grace stay with us tonight? I’d like to be with you two tonight, but I don’t want her to sleep alone.” Grabbing the shower gel, Evan washed me.
“I can always stay with you two, and let Bren sleep alone for once, considering he always complains that I hog the bed.” I laughed. “But I don’t know what his plans are tonight. This feels like a date. He might want her all to himself.”
I mean, I would.
“No fair. I wanna see.” Evan pouted.
A powerful wave of irritation came through the bond from Brennan.
“Someone pissed in Bren’s bourbon,” Evan muttered.
“He probably ran into the Queen Mum at the concert.” I continued to hold Evan.
“I hope Grace punched someone in the tits.” He pressed his head to mine.
The bathroom door flew open as the scent of annoyed pine hit me. Brennan marched in, holding Grace in his arms, both fully dressed. Grace even still had her high heels on.
“See, they’re fine,” Brennan told her gently as he opened the clear glass door of the shower. “Look.” His gaze shifted to us, blue eyes filled with irritation. “Evan, come here and turn around so that she can see all of you.”
What the what? I didn’t care if Grace saw me naked–it was what was happening.
What was happening?
“Yeah, okay?” Confused, Evan came to the edge of the giant shower and spun around in front of the open door.
“See. He’s just fine.” Brennan continued to hold her. “Do you need to touch him?”
Grace nodded and reached out and patted Evan’s ass, her hand trailed up his back, getting a little wet from the spray.
“Evan, are you okay?” She bit her lower lip.
“Yeah, I’m delightful.” He leaned in and gave her a wet kiss. “The concert was nice? I’ve heard Kari play before. She’s good.”
“It was. After I even got to play a little with Kari, until fucking Caroline showed up. Don’t worry, I didn’t punch anyone in the tits. Um, Jett, are you okay?” She peered around Evan.
Brennan made the spin around sign with his hand. I turned around.
“Can I touch?” Her voice grew small.
“You can touch my ass anytime, Babydoll.” I got close to her.
Her manicured hand patted it, and her hand moved up my back, her fingers tracing my tattoos. She looked to Brennan. “You were right. They’re okay. Sorry. I…”
“Don’t apologize. You didn’t know, and you were worried.” He shot us another irritated look.
Her text. Is everything okay? Oh fuck.
“Come on, Grace. We’ll let them finish up. I’ll talk to them later.” He carried her out of the bathroom.
Evan closed the shower door and blinked. “Why do I feel like I’m in trouble?”
“Did you tell Grace about tonight?” I held him, feeling his confusion through the bond.
“Yep, I told her that we were having quality alone time. Oh, I didn’t tamp down the bonds. Wes doesn’t care, and well, I’m still getting used to her and how the bond is different with her. Shit.” His look became stricken.
“Did you explain to her what quality alone time means?” I gave him a squeeze. It was an honest mistake. But I also understood Brennan’s annoyance.
Did she freak out at the concert?
“Oh. Fuck. She kept reaching out to me through the bond, so I thought nothing of it.” Evan frowned, scent souring. “Shit. I… I fucked up.”
“It’s okay–and she’ll be okay. Why don’t we make her some hot chocolate, too, and she can watch the movie with us? Bren carrying her around like a stuffed animal probably means that she needs some extra reassurance.” I brought Evan to me and gave him a squeeze.
Part of this was on me, I should have double checked.
Evan nodded. “Yeah, that’s a good idea. But what about Bren? He seemed pissed.”
I patted his shoulder. “Bren won’t stay pissed at you for long. Let’s rinse off, and you can go tell her that you’re sorry.”