42. Maisie
maisie
I’m not sure if I’ll ever get used to waking up next to massive Alphas. I didn’t think Callum would be much of a cuddler, but the giant Alpha is wrapped around me like a snake, holding me tight.
Last night was amazing. It’s exactly what I wanted to see from him and I’m not so scared of moving forward with bonding him and Lain now. My date with Lain is today, and everyone knows what’s going to happen.
“Just a few more minutes,” Callum says against my hair.
“Okay,” I say in a near whisper.
His few minutes are up and he grabs my glasses and puts them on my face for me, leaning down and giving me a kiss and he’s no longer tentative with it either. He kisses me like we’ve been doing it forever, and it feels nice to have the same sense of comfort I do with Lain and Greer.
“You’re bonding with Lain today,” he says, and I give him a nod, wondering how he feels about it. Is he jealous or feeling left out?
“Don’t tell him I told you this, but I saw him crying watching the movie The Princess and the Pack last year. Bonding means a lot to him.”
“It means a lot to me, too.” I run my arms down the massive muscles of his arms. Even stationary, you can feel and see some of the veins there.
“I know I still have a lot of work to do, but when you’re ready, I’m ready to solidify all of us as a pack, too. I’m willing to wait however long it takes, the ball is in your court.”
“Are we nuts for moving this fast?” I ask him, and he shakes his head.
“I’ve never been this sure of a bond.”
“Not ever?”
“Never,” he says easily. “With you know who.” He doesn’t say her name because of how I acted in heat and I can’t say I want to hear about her out of heat either.
“It just seemed like the logical next step. None of us ever struggled with holding back with her. But with you? It took everything in me to hold back during your heat. All of this to say when you’re ready, so am I, and that I’m happy you’ve bonded Greer.
” His fingers trail around my bond mark and he lets out a long exhale.
“I won’t torture you for long,” I tell him, snuggling even closer to him.
“Even if I deserve it?”
“Callum?”
“Yeah?” he mumbles against my hair.
“Shut up.”
I can feel him smile against my hair and he gives me a quick, “Alright.” He untangles himself from me and I get in the shower first. We’re truly going to need to make some bathroom modifications in here.
If there’s one thing I miss about my shower in Chicago is the rainfall feature and all the jets in the side.
The handheld showerheads had their own positives, but I wanted to pretend I was in a rainforest while I cleaned up for the day.
I’m definitely using some of my Dermdes hush money for some remodeling.
I’m quick washing my hair and face, getting as much done before Callum comes in and hogs up most of the water. Callum steps in next to me and hisses.
“Fucking hell, Maisie, are you trying to send us to the depths of hell? Christ,” he complains at the water temperature.
“It’s not even that hot,” I retort, and he blinks at me like I’m delusional.
“Yeah, if you compare it to showering in a volcano. Shite.”
“Fine, you big Alpha baby, I’ll turn it down.”
He looks down at me, properly offended, and grabs the shower head, touching the temperature with his hand before placing it between my legs. I gasp at the sensation and he grins down at me.
“What was that, baby?” he questions, a hand at my waist holding me steady while he tortures me with the shower spray.
When I don’t respond, he pulls it away, wetting the rest of my body.
“What happened to I’ll do whatever it takes, Maisie? I’m going to prove I’m a good Alpha?” I joke and he grins down at me, his large body taking up most of the shower.
“I was just cleaning you off,” he says, acting all innocent.
“Give me that,” I demand, trying to grab the shower head out of his hand, which he raises up so high, almost giving me the feeling of a rain shower. I glare and he leans forward and kisses me softly.
“If you want more, all you need to do is ask. Did I not make you come enough times last night?”
That has my cheeks heating, because what is wrong with me that I’m this into sex? I literally just had my heat and now I’m back to wanting to climb all these Alphas as many times a day as I possibly can.
Maybe I need to see a doctor.
Nah. I don’t want them to fix whatever sex drive these men have given me.
“Please make me come, Callum. I need it so bad,” I tell him, and like a switch flips, he gives me what I want automatically.
He brings the flowing water back to my pussy and I grip on to his strong arms for purchase.
It doesn’t take me long to finish, and as soon as I do, I feel ready to just go lie back in bed again.
These Alphas are altering my brain chemistry.
“Better?” Callum asks, and I sigh happily. “You better get ready. Lain should be picking you up any minute now.
My fingers trace over the tattoo’s on his forearms and I can’t help but to appreciate his impressive body. How does a chef achieve such a magnificent form?
“You’re really okay with me bonding with Lain tonight?” I confirm for what must be the third time.
“Yes. Now don’t keep him waiting, he’s probably pacing around downstairs being an absolute nuisance to Greer.”
I give him one more wet kiss and get out of the shower. I’m not sure when I’ll bond with Callum, but something tells me after I bond with Lain, every ounce of me will want to complete the pack and have the security of them all bonded to me.
Being bonded isn’t as terrifying as I thought it would be. Sure, Greer is up in my shit constantly, but I kind of like it. I’ve always had issues with expressing myself and being bonded has taken a lot of guess work out of things.
I have a feeling that bonding with Lain will feel different and magical in its own way, and I can’t wait.
When I’m finally dressed and through the ordeal of drying my hair and making it presentable, I head down to the kitchen. The first person to greet me is Fergus, his gigantic head landing right on my thigh as he begs for pets.
I scratch behind his ear. “Who’s the bestest boy?” I ask.
“We can’t give him a bigger ego, Maisie,” Greer says and I laugh, continuing to pet around the shaggy dog’s ears.
“His ego is proportionate to his adorable nature. Don’t listen to him Ferg,” Lain says, and as soon as our eyes meet, I swear his face goes softer. “Are you ready to go, love?”
I swallow thickly. Love.
“Yeah, I’m ready. Am I dressed appropriately?”
“Aye. Dressed to drive me crazy, as always. I got you this though,” he says, pulling out something behind his back.
It’s a green rain jacket with Lain’s Highland Tours stamped on the breast pocket.
“Am I officially part of the team, then?”
“Even better, I’d say you’re assistant manager,” Lain says.
“Who’s the manager?”
“Fergus, of course,” Lain says easily, and Greer rolls his eyes.
“Do be home before it’s too late or I’ll worry,” Greer says.
“Okay, daddy,” Lain replies and Greer pinches the bridge of his nose.
Greer grabs me by the rain jacket, zipping it up and giving me a sweet kiss. He doesn’t let go, which irritates Lain.
“Time for you to hand over the Omega.”
“I’m just enjoying my last few moments before you infiltrate the bond for eternity,” Greer says, and Lain slaps his arm. “Have a good time. I’ll see you both tonight.”
I give him another quick kiss back and take Lain’s hand. Fergus goes to follow us and Lain sighs.
“Lad, you know you’re a part of this pack, but well, you’ll need to stay back for this one.”
Fergus huffs indignantly, like he understands every word and quickly jumps on the couch, plopping his head on his paws as Lain puts on cartoons for him to watch while we’re gone.
We get into the truck and I glance over at Lain.
“Are you going to tell me where we’re going?” I ask, and he glances over at me.
“Dinnae fash, I’m not taking you out to the woods to murder ya.”
“I haven’t even listened to a single murder podcast since I’ve been in Scotland, I’ll have you know.”
“That’s good,” he says, but I can feel how tense he is. I reach out and take his hand in mind, our interlaced fingers sit gingerly against his thigh.
“I’m sure whatever you have planned is perfect, Lain.”
His palm is kind of clammy and I’m almost positive I’ve never seen this Alpha nervous since I’ve arrived. It makes him even more endearing.
The drive is longer than I’m expecting, but as we pull into the parking lot I remember the park we’re at. He doesn’t look at me as he gets out of the truck and comes to get me out of the passenger’s seat.
“We’re going on a hike?”
“Something like that.”
“There aren’t any other cars here…wait, murder is definitely on the table now.”
“Just come on,” he says, grabbing my hand and walking me down the trail to the waterfall. As luck would have it, there’s a trickle of rain that starts up as we walk.
“Are we going to the waterfall?”
“Mostly,” he says, still not looking at me as if he’s so nervous about this grand plan. I know that we’re getting closer when I hear the whoosh of the water in the distance and Lain finally slows his pace.
“I brought you back here because I’m pretty sure this was the place I knew I had to keep you, that you would somehow be the love of my life.
When it was pouring rain and you just smiled and looked up at the sky, I realized you were the most beautiful woman in the world and I wanted to put that look on your face forever.
I’m not proud to say that I was plotting all sorts of ways to make you stay. ”
He’s speaking so fast and my heart races as I listen to his words. We finally approach the waterfall, but there’s something on the edge. It’s a clear tent, filled with blankets and pillows on the inside.
I turn to meet Lain’s eyes again, and he swallows thickly before he speaks again.
“I love you, Maisie, and I want to spend forever getting stuck in the rain and laughing at the sky with you, if you’ll have me.”
I all but leap into his arms, and he catches me before bringing us into the clear tent. Rain splashes against the sides and it’s definitely the most romantic thing anyone has ever done for me.
There’s a small spot for our shoes and jackets, and we place them there before lying down on the pillows and blankets he brought.
The tent is unbelievable. It’s like we’re truly in our own little bubble. We’re still able to see the outdoors, but sheltered from the rain that taps against the clear plastic.
“I love you too, Lain, so much,” I say as our heads land on the plethora of pillows here. “This is…perfect, wonderful, just amazing, Lain. Thank you,” I say, tears welling in my eyes because my heart is just so full.
I run my hand through his hair, and he leans into my touch.
“I’m so glad I found you. I didn’t come here looking for a romance, but I found it with you. Not only did you make me fall for you, but for the Highlands. You mean the world to me.”
It’s not even a second after I finish the last word that Lain is pressing me back against the blankets and covering my mouth with his. Our scents mingle together in the tent as we kiss leisurely. Neither of us are in a rush to pop this bubble and want to make it last.
Realizing that I have a lifetime with Lain, that he’s about to be my bonded Alpha, has my heart pattering rapidly in my chest. This sweet man, the one who helped a couple of strangers on the side of the road with a flat tire and then promptly made it his mission for me to fall in love with this place, has completely won my heart.
Lain isn’t the type of man I knew I needed, but God, do I need him. He brings such a lightness to my life, so much fun and happiness. He’s my sunshine and I’m less nervous about sharing a bond with him, knowing that I’ll be able to feel his joy from here on out.
Without words, he grabs the hem of my sweater, helping me take it off. I immediately help him do the same. Lain’s lean muscle is on display. He has more of a runner’s body, or in his case, someone who hikes nearly every day.
He hovers over me, kissing my stomach, ribcage, and clavicle, before pulling the cups of my bra down to kiss and worship my breasts.
“I need you,” I whisper, and he gives me one of his dimpled grins as he torturously removes my pants and kisses every inch of skin bared to him.
“Not as much as I need you,” he says, his fingers sliding my panties to the side before his mouth is on me.
I don’t see stars as pleasure tingles through my body. No, I see a literal waterfall. If you asked me the last time I saw this place, if I thought I’d find the loves of my life and be in the process of becoming the person I wanted to be, it would have been a resounding no.
But with Lain’s beautiful face in between my legs and the stunning Highland scenery around me. I know one thing for certain.
I’m home.