Chapter 20 Johan #2
I smile. “Sweetheart, we both know you’re a white hat, which just makes your last name all the more appropriate. From what I’ve seen, all of your jobs have been for the greater good. Just like mine.” I pause. “Well, mostly. There are a few enemies we’ve absolutely targeted in nefarious ways.”
But they deserved it.
And I don’t elaborate on why.
Given Lark’s experiences in life, she already understands that there’s evil in the world that can only be taken down by dark deeds.
However, none of that matters.
All I care about is the future. About us.
“I want to partner with you, Lark. If you’ll have me.” It’s not a proposal like the one Noah offered, but it’s my own form of offering commitment.
I want her in my life.
As my other half.
As my omega.
As my everything.
She studies me for a long moment. Then, in a very serious tone, she asks, “Does that mean I can keep the laptop?” The twinkle in her eyes is the only indication that she’s teasing me.
Except, I think she’s also serious.
So I sigh and shake my head. “That thing is worth a hell of a lot more than a diamond ring, Lark. I hope you know that.” I lift my hand from her hip to her face, cupping her cheek. “But what’s mine is yours, sweetheart. If you want the laptop, you can have it.”
“If you’re nice, I’ll let you borrow it,” she offers, smiling now.
“How generous of you,” I deadpan.
Her resulting nod is solemn. “Yes. Sometimes I can be generous.”
I snort. “Cocky, too.”
“I did break through several encryptions,” she points out. “My arrogance is well earned.”
“As the one who programmed those, I agree,” I admit, then press a kiss to her lips. “Now we should probably finish this shower before the tub overflows.” Because I just remembered that I left it filling nearby.
It’s a huge basin, so it shouldn’t be too full yet. But it will be soon.
“So we’re taking a shower and a bath?” she asks, her brow furrowing.
“Yep. Shower to get clean. Bath… to do other things.” I waggle my brows at her. Then set her down on the ground so we can accomplish the first part.
She seems incredulous.
But that incredulity dies when I start lathering us up with soap.
I’m thorough.
Touching her everywhere. Along with myself—all while her eyes watch hungrily.
Then I rinse our bodies off, wash our hair for good measure, and ensure we’re both suds-free by the time the shower ends.
Afterward, I pick her up and carry her to the bathtub.
“I’m capable of walking,” she grumbles at me.
“I know. But I like the feeling of having you in my arms.” I start up the two steps toward the tub, only for a bloodied Noah to run into the bathroom and jump into the bath before we have a chance to enter.
Water sloshes everywhere, drawing a curse from my mouth.
“Thanks, tech boy,” Noah says as he surfaces. “This is exactly what I needed.” He shakes out his wet hair like a damn dog, then holds out his arms. “I’ll take that from you, too.”
I glower and move backward a step. “Absolutely fucking not.”
“Hey!” He pouts. “We’re supposed to share. And it’s very much my turn with the omega.” He holds out his hands again. “Come on. Gimme.”
I grunt at him and leave the bathroom instead.
He shouts something after me, but I ignore him, walking swiftly through Lark’s quarters and out into the hallway to head toward my bedroom.
Only to be blocked by Laz.
“It’s not like you to drip water all over the fucking hardwood floors, so I’m not going to bother pointing it out more than I just have. But I would like to remind you that there are staff who frequent this corridor, and I would personally be very displeased if they saw our omega in this state.”
“Then perhaps you should move so I can safely hide her in my room,” I mutter at him as I try to step around the towering asshole.
He sidesteps with me. “I’m not finished.”
Of course you’re not, I think, irritated.
“Ms. Bianchi requires food. So whatever you have in mind is going to have to wait. Now take her back to her room so she can get dressed. Breakfast will be ready in ten minutes. Then we’re having a pack meeting on how to handle the Ricci situation.”
My back stiffens. “Has something else happened?”
He stares me down. “I thought that would have been obvious by Noah coming to get the two of you. Our sparring was cut short. And we need to talk.”
“Noah failed to mention any and all of that,” I inform him flatly.
“Hmm” is all the stubborn alphahole says. Then he adds, “Ten minutes,” and walks away.
It’s then that I realize he’s still only wearing a pair of boxers.
Yet he gave us a hard time about being naked. “We should probably ask the staff not to frequent this hallway for a while,” I call after him. “Seems safer than facing your wrath.”
I don’t wait for his response, just turn and head back to Lark’s room.
When I go to open the door, I find her grinning up at me. “Something amusing you, little hacker?”
Her smile grows. “Life.” That’s all she says. She doesn’t elaborate. And I don’t press for details.
Instead, I give her a kiss and draw my lips to her ear. “I owe you a bath, Lark. And I promise when that happens, you’ll have a whole new appreciation for life.”