Chapter 39 Vann
VANN
Whoever decided spas are only for women was a fool.
This is just what we all need. After having our nails done, which for my pack meant having our cuticles pushed back and hands massaged—though I was tempted to get mine painted purple since it’s Raven’s favorite color—we ended up in the baths.
The place has ice baths, hot tubs, and even a mud bath.
Rhodes and I were the only two brave enough to try that last one.
I don’t think Rhodes was into it, just curious, and maybe—hopefully—he did it for me.
I’ve always liked playing in the dirt. There was something oddly hot and primal about seeing him covered in mud.
Made me want to roll around with him. We didn’t stay long, though.
Now I’m relaxing in the sauna with my teammates and my omega. The little wood-lined room is outside of the rest of the spa, across a little courtyard covered in snow. Foster chose to stay outside, refusing to come in even though Raven gave him her puppy-dog eyes. That man is stronger than I am.
“Does he ever relax and have fun?” I ask as the door slowly swings closed and the rest of us sit down on the dark wood benches.
Raven stares at the sliver of Foster she can still see through the window. I don’t think she really wants to be left alone with us, and I hate that.
“Who?” she asks as she pulls her towel up a little tighter. She’s wearing a swimsuit underneath, but she keeps adjusting the towel like she’s nervous we’ll catch a glimpse of something. Man, I wish we could. Wonder if she can tell I took off my trunks and am naked under here now.
“Mr. Suit-wearing Bodyguard.” I sigh dreamily and pretend to swoon. “I really want to see that man in grey sweatpants.” Or nothing but a towel. He’s worn his suit the whole time we’ve been here.
Raven gives me a conspiratorial grin and leans closer, clearly forgetting for a moment that she doesn’t like me. “It’s every bit as hot as you’re imagining.”
“Shit, I’m coming to your place, then. That man could probably get me pregnant with just his smolder.” I bump my shoulder playfully against hers.
She gives me a shy smile before seeming to realize how close we’re sitting and scooting away. I look to Rhodes, who’s staring at the tiny window in the door with his lips turned down. Did he not like my comment about the bodyguard? Is he jealous? It may make me a dick, but part of me hopes he is.
“Vann. You can’t get pregnant," Tanner deadpans.
Why’s he always gotta ruin my fun?
“Did you know chainsaws were first invented for childbirth?” Rhodes says casually.
“What the fuck?!” Orion and Tanner exclaim at the same time.
Rhodes shrugs. “Yeah, they were made to… you know… cut throu—”
I cut him off. “No. Nope! That is one random fact we don’t need you to expand on Rhodes. Good god, now I need brain bleach to wipe that from my mind or I’ll have nightmares later.”
“Did you know sea otters hold hands while they sleep to avoid drifting apart?” Raven pipes up.
I yank my gaze to her, incredulous that she just matched Rhodes’ random fact spouting.
“I’m gonna get whiplash from this conversation,” Tanner mumbles, pinching the bridge of his nose. The man can’t help his smile, though.
“Y’all are like a nerdy match made in heaven. You’d kill at trivia night,” Orion says.
Now it’s Raven’s turn to shrug. “Vann said he needed to think about something different. And otters are cuter than chainsaws, right?” She sends a coy look to Rhodes.
I can’t help but to grin. This woman is so weird and amazing and mine. I dart a glance at my beta, who has a damn twinkle in his eye while he softly smiles at Raven, like he just met his soulmate.
I waggle my brows at both Raven and Rhodes. “Make me the filling in your nerdy otter sandwich, I’ll make sure you don’t float away.”
A moment later, Raven snorts and everyone starts laughing. And man, does it feel good.
Once we’re all sweating like we just ran a marathon, I lead the way out of the sauna. I’ve barely stepped a foot outside when a snowball comes hurtling through the air and hits me square in the chest.
I search the area and find Foster with a subtle smirk that only lifts one side of his mouth. “How’s that for fun?”
I scoop up a handful of snow and throw it at him.
Before I know it, we’re in an all-out snowball fight in our swimsuits.
It’s the most fun I’ve had in a while until I notice Raven’s shivering.
We all seem to notice at the same time, and she’s soon huddled between five warm bodies as we corral her toward the spa.
Ana and Harriett are just coming out of the locker rooms when we come in. They take in the state of us with horrified expressions. Ana scowls. Harriett gasps.
“You’re supposed to be cleaned up already. We’ve got a photoshoot,” Harriett says.
Another one? Man, this woman likes publicity. Poor Raven.
“I’m actually not feeling so well,” Raven says, huddling closer to her bodyguard. “I thought maybe I could go back to the hotel.”
“You’d probably feel fine if you weren’t horsing around in the snow with four alphas,” Ana mutters under her breath.
But all I can think about is my omega. “What’s wrong, birdie? Can we help? What do you need?”
Tanner elbows me in the ribs.
“Ow,” I grunt.
He glares at me. I search the bond, and ohhhh…. Raven’s feeling fine. Though there’s a touch of arousal that I’d very much like to explore. Yeah, she’s sick. Very sick. Yep.
And I’m gonna make her all better as soon as I can.