45. Kaia
Chapter Forty-Five
Kaia
Two weeks. It's been two weeks since Adrian's date. Four weeks of settling into a routine, of choosing them over and over. And today…today is finally here. I wake before my alarm, excitement thrumming through my veins.
I bolt upright in bed, my heart already racing. I throw the comforter back into place—a hasty, imperfect attempt at tidiness that my younger self would have redone three times—and pad quickly to the bathroom to get ready for the day.
At the window, I pause. The sky stretches above the ocean in perfect, cloudless blue. A light breeze ruffles the palm fronds below, and the water is calm—glassy and inviting. The sun is already climbing, painting everything gold.
Boat day—it's finally boat day.
"Morning, sunshine," Lachlan says when I pad into the kitchen.
"Morning," I say, sliding onto a barstool. "It smells amazing."
"Lachlan's been up since six," Jonas says, smirking. "Someone's excited."
Lachlan doesn't look up from the stove, but I catch the corner of his mouth twitch. "I'm not excited," he mutters.
"You made pancakes shaped like boats," Jonas points out.
I lean forward, peering at the stack on the counter. Sure enough, little boat-shaped pancakes. My grin spreads wide. "You're totally excited."
Lachlan finally looks at me, his expression soft. Warm. "Maybe a little."
Jonas sets a plate in front of me: pancakes, bacon, and fresh strawberries. I don't waste any time. I dig in, shoveling food into my mouth like I haven't eaten in days.
Jonas laughs. "Kaia. Slow down. The boat isn't going anywhere."
I swallow. "I know. But I've been waiting forever."
"We noticed," Lachlan says dryly, sliding another pancake onto the half-devoured stack in front of me.
"You've mentioned it approximately forty-seven times," Jonas adds.
"That's an exaggeration."
"It's not. It’s honestly probably on the low side."
I grin and take another bite. I don't care. I'm too excited to care.
After breakfast, everyone scatters to get ready. I change into my swimsuit: a simple, black two-piece that Finn insisted I buy during our second mall trip, and throw on a loose white cover-up. I grab sunscreen, a towel, and my sunglasses.
My heart is pounding. Not from anxiety. Just anticipation.
I can't remember the last time I felt this kind of uncomplicated excitement.
I run downstairs, taking the steps two at a time.
Strong arms catch me at the bottom. Steady.
Grounding. Lachlan. He spins me slightly, pulling me against his chest. His scent wraps around me—driftwood and ocean and salt.
"Caught ya," he murmurs into my hair.
I laugh, breathless. "What's your prize?"
His eyes darken and his hand comes up to cup my face. "What I wanted from the first day I met you," he says quietly. "You. And a kiss."
Now it's not just my excitement for the boat that's making it hard to breathe.
He leans in, slow and deliberate, his lips brushing mine softly at first before the kiss deepens. His hand slides into my hair, and I melt into him.
When he pulls back, I'm dizzy.
"Good prize," I manage.
He grins, eyes burning into mine. "Yeah."
"Oooh, I want in on this." Jonas appears from the kitchen, grinning. He steps up behind me, and Lachlan shifts, still holding me but making space.
Jonas leans in, his hand settling on the other side of my waist. His kiss is different, softer, slower, like he's savoring it. I'm caught between them. Lachlan's steady presence at my back. Jonas's warmth at my front.
When Jonas pulls away, I'm smiling so wide my cheeks hurt. "You two are trouble," I say.
"You love it," Jonas says.
"I do."
Lachlan's expression shifts. Just slightly. "Uh oh."
I blink. "What?"
He glances toward the stairs. "You should probably go interrupt what Finn and Adrian are about to do."
My stomach flips. "What are they…"
Jonas grins. "Or we could have our own version down here…"
I hesitate, torn. Because that sounds really good. "But the boat…" I say weakly.
Lachlan laughs, full and warm. "Better go stop them then."
I run upstairs, my heart pounding for an entirely different reason now. Finn's door is already open. I stop, frozen.
Adrian has Finn pinned against the bedroom wall. One hand braced beside Finn's head. The other gripping his hip.
They're kissing, deep, intense, almost swallowing each other; it’s hard to tell where Finn ends and Adrian begins.
Finn's hands are fisted in Adrian's shirt, and he's making these soft, desperate sounds that make my entire body go hot.
Adrian shifts, his mouth moving to Finn's neck. The Omega’s head tilts back, exposing his throat, and he moans.
My scent explodes. I can't stop it. Because this is the hottest thing I've ever seen.
Finn's eyes open and he looks at me, pupils blown wide, lips swollen. He grins, breathless. "Come join us."
I take a step forward, my body moving before my brain can catch up.
But then, "Guys." Lachlan's voice, right behind me. Steady. Amused. "She's been waiting for the boat for weeks. Come on. We can do all this on the boat."
Finn's face lights up. "Yes! I love boat sex!"
Adrian pulls back, laughing. He releases Finn, who stumbles slightly, still grinning like an idiot. Adrian looks at me, his expression soft. Apologetic. "Sorry, princess," he says. "He started it."
Finn protests immediately. "I did not!"
"You one hundred percent did," Adrian cuts him off.
Finn opens his mouth. Closes it. Then grins. "Okay, yeah. I did."
I'm still standing in the doorway, my scent thick in the air, my body buzzing.
Finn bounces over to me, his energy chaotic and bright. "You ready for the best day ever?" he asks.
I laugh. "Yeah. I'm ready."
"Good. Because I have plans."
"Plans?"
"So many plans," he says seriously. "Swimming. Sunbathing. Snacks. Maybe some…" He glances at Adrian. "Other activities."
Adrian shakes his head, but he's smiling. "Let's get to the boat first," he says.
We head downstairs together. All five of us. Jonas has packed a cooler. Lachlan has extra towels and sunscreen. Adrian has his phone and wallet. Finn has nothing except enthusiasm. I grab my bag and follow them out the door.
The morning air is warm, the sky clear. The ocean stretches out endlessly in front of us. And I realize this is it. This is what I've been waiting for. Not just the boat. Not just the day. But this. Them. Us. Together.
Lachlan glances back at me as we walk toward the dock. "You coming?"
I grin. "Yeah. I'm coming."
And I am. Because I'm not running anymore. I'm not hiding. I'm just here. With them. Where I belong.