Chapter 21 #2
“Well, what we haven’t told anyone is that Teddy…he never turned off his mic and camera that night. And I…well, Maverick and I…we didn’t mean to, but we just…kept watching.”
My eyes scan her face carefully. I may have just created a huge problem. It was never meant to be a secret—at least, not from Wren—but there just hasn’t been a good time to bring it up.
“So…so you saw me back then? When I first presented?” She asks the question carefully, but her expression stays neutral—I can’t get a read on what she’s feeling.
“I did.” I swallow, looking into her amber eyes.
“And…you wanted to know me? Even then?” Now her voice is unsure, like she’s not sure what to think.
Honesty is probably the best policy here. “Song Bird, I…I was obsessed. After that night, I searched your name at least three times a week. Nothing new ever came up, but I wanted to know you, so, so, badly.”
“And…Maverick?” She bites her lip. I don’t know what the two of them got up to after their nap, but it must’ve been something good based on the wet patch that was in the front of his sweatpants when he left the nest earlier. One that he promptly told me to say “not a fucking word” about.
“He…seemed just as enraptured as I was,” I admit. “Though, I can’t speak to what he’s done since then to follow up.”
She nods, her eyes getting this far off look as she stares at her sand-castle. “I’m not sure what to do with that,” she says softly. “Maybe I should be mad or something, I don’t know. But…” she finally meets my gaze. “Is it messed up that I’m just happy you were interested before you scented me?”
“Oh, Wren, no.” I shake my head before chuckling.
“I mean, I might be biased. But I don’t think it’s messed up.
I think it’s natural to feel that way if you’ve…
felt the opposite way for so long.” Clearing my throat, I reach over and brush my hand against hers.
“I want you to know, Wren…if we had known about your parents…how they really treated you…we would have found a way to get you out.”
She gives me a sad smile. “I know. It’s my fault. If I hadn’t been so intent on saving face in front of Teddy…” she shakes her head.
The words are out of my mouth before I can think twice. “It’s not your fault—”
“But it is.” She shrugs. “It’s okay, Brennan. I can own up to it. If I hadn’t been so…so proud—”
“If Teddy had told you what he helps us with…?” I arch a brow at her.
She frowns. “It’s not Teddy’s fault either.”
“I know.” I take her hand. “It’s nobody’s fault but the ones who treated you so horribly, Song Bird. Don’t you dare try to take on that burden.”
My heart picks up speed when she smirks. “So it’s my piece-of-shit father and raggedy-old-bitch mother’s fault?”
A laugh bursts out of me. “Yes. It’s your piece-of-shit father and raggedy-old-bitch mother’s fault.”
She giggles, getting to her feet. “Let’s go with that.” She starts to brush herself off, but while some of it comes off, most of it sticks to her legs. She frowns, looking down and swiping again.
“You’ll probably have to get in the water to get it off.” I stand as well, brushing off my own chest and legs. My alpha swells with pride at the way our mate’s eyes roam over the bare skin of my torso.
That is, before she sticks her bottom lip out, looking at the water. “But it’s so cold.”
We had only dipped our toes in before deciding we’d be better off playing in the sand, but I’m sure it won’t be that bad—just a quick splash.
“Come on.” I smile at my girl, grabbing her by the hand and leading her towards the water.
“Wait, Brennan! It’s too cold!” she cries as our feet submerge. It’s crisp, to be sure, but it’s not freezing. When I turn to look at her, I can still see the undercurrent of stress from our conversation about her parents.
It might be a stupid idea, but I need her to get out of her own head.
I needed an umbrella to the face, and she looks like she needs a splash of water.
So, I drop her hand, unable to hold back my grin as I bend over and splash some water on her legs.
Only…I don’t just get her legs. I forgot how short she is.
Oops.
“Brennan!” She lets out a shocked gasp, staring at me with water dripping down the soft swells of her breasts. A bead or two clings to her eyelashes, and her eyes are wide in indignation. “You did not just do that!”
I raise my hands innocently. “Do what?”
She fights a smile, and that’s how I know it’s safe to continue.
I lift my foot, flinging more water at her in a small kick.
My omega laughs, bending down and flinging some water in my direction. I take the splash happily, just glad that she seems more present in the moment.
I kick some more water at her, my hands still raised.
“You’re gonna regret that,” she taunts, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
No, I don’t think I ever will.
She takes both hands, cupping them together before lowering them into the water, and hitting me with a splash easily twice the size of anything I’ve done to her so far.
I’m absolutely drenched now, from head to toe.
Oh, so the little omega wants to play, huh?
I let out a playful growl, taking a step forward.
She shrieks in laughter, stepping deeper into the water.
“Get back,” she giggles, gasping as the chilly water hits her thighs.
“I don’t think I will,” I grin, continuing towards her.
“Brennan!” she shrieks again, splashing me in an attempt to deter me, but I keep going. If she had shown even a single ounce of fear, I would back off immediately. But there’s nothing but excitement in her eyes as she treads deeper into the water.
She’s not fast enough though, and I lunge forward, taking us both into the water.
Wren’s sweet voice calls out in a squeal of laughter as I’m careful not to let her head submerge. Her legs wrap around my waist, the water coming up to my chest.
My hands support her perfect ass, and she stares into my eyes as I move us deeper into the water. It hits my shoulders now, but as long as Wren holds on, she won’t go under.
She giggles, putting her arms around my neck as I let out a small chuckle. “I’ve never…played like that before,” she says excitedly, “that was so much fun.”
And, just like it does every time I’m reminded of how deprived my omega has been her entire life, my heart sinks a little.
But I push it aside. I can’t let anything distract me from this moment. Not when she feels so good in my arms, her cheeks flushed from exertion and her amber eyes peering into my damn soul.
She throws her head back and laughs, the sound carefree and like music to my ears. “All I felt when you were chasing me was this…thrill. And even though my heart is beating so fast now,” she looks at me, letting out another breathless giggle, “I was never scared.”
“I would never hurt you,” I vow, my words more solemn than I intended, but I mean them just the same. “Ever. Wren, I know it hasn’t been very long, but…”
Whatever words I was about to say are swallowed by her mouth covering mine. Apple and spice explode on my tongue as she holds me close, her own tongue delving into my mouth.
My fingers dig into the supple flesh of her ass as she lets out a little moan, pulling closer to me.
I don’t know how long we spend in the water, making out like a couple of teenagers alone for the first time, I just know that I fucking love it.
Her body presses into mine, and I’m acutely aware of her breasts pushing against my chest.
Our mouths continue to move against each other, tasting and nipping, perfectly content to leave it at this simple exploration.
That is, until my omega shivers.
I pull back, and she pouts, her pupils blown and her chest heaving. “You’re cold, Song Bird.”
“I’m fine,” she protests, even as her teeth start to chatter. She tries to pull me back to her, and I let her, but only press a single kiss to her lips.
“Come on, Beautiful. Let’s get back on land. We can go home, get you all warm, and we can kiss and cuddle in the nest for as long as we want.”
She huffs, before nodding. “Alright, fine.” Then she glances over my shoulder, and her entire face turns red.
“Song Bird?” I frown, turning my head to see what has her looking so flushed.
Welp. That’ll do it. Ethan, Teddy, and Maverick are all on the beach, watching us with smirks. Mav and Ethan have taken up residence in the beach chairs, while Teddy lays flat on his back on the blanket.
She immediately buries her face in my neck as I chuckle, starting the tread back to shore. I keep her in my arms the entire time, relishing in the way she curls into me.
“What are you guys doing here?” I ask Maverick as he approaches, draping a towel over Wren’s back. She peeks at him before grabbing the corner and pulling it under her chin.
Her voice is soft. “Thank you.”
“No need to be embarrassed, Baby Girl.” Maverick presses a kiss to her head. “We’re just happy you seem to be hitting it off with each of us.”
“‘Sides, Dove,” Teddy pipes up from the blanket, “Your heat is comin’. You’re prolly gonna want all of us at the same time at that point. Might as well get used to everyone seein’ everythin’ all at once.”
Wren lets out a horrified squeak, burying her face again. “Ethan,” Maverick growls without looking away from Wren, “smack Teddy for me.”
“Oi!” Teddy shouts as Ethan bends down and knocks him upside the head. “Wot?! It’s true!”
“You know her best out of all of us, jackass, and you say shit like that?” Maverick snaps, turning his head.
“I do know ‘er the best.” Teddy’s grin is back. “Which is why the air is swirlin’ with apple-spice goodness right now.”
Oh, shit. He’s right. I was so focused on Wren’s reaction, I didn’t even notice her scent growing stronger with her arousal.
“She was just making out with Brennan,” Ethan shrugs. “It could be from that.”
Wren turns her face outward, peeking at Maverick.
His eyes are fixed on her. “Which one is it, Baby Girl?”
I feel her throat move against my chest as she swallows. “I’m still getting used to all this,” she says quietly.
“I know,” Maverick soothes, running a hand down her back.
Fuck, he turns into a completely different person with her.
“But that doesn’t answer my question,” he adds gently.
“Your heat could hit at any moment, and if all of us being with you at the same time isn’t something you’re comfortable with, we need to know. ”
“I…” she huffs a breath, frustrated with herself.
“That’s okay,” Mav soothes again, no judgement in his voice whatsoever. “Absence of an answer is non-consent. Only one at a time in the room, okay?”
“No!” She straightens suddenly, her expression panicked. “No.” Her face turns red at her sudden outburst, and Teddy, the little shit, suppresses a smirk from the blanket.
“Oh?” Maverick’s brows raise. “So you’re telling me…you want a cock filling each of your sweet holes when the time comes?”
Her breath hitches. And even though her face turns even more scarlet, I’m so damn proud of her when she keeps eye contact with Maverick, nodding once. “Yes.” Her voice is a breathy whisper, and if my cock hadn’t already been as hard as a rock, that would have done it.
“Good girl, telling us what you want.” Maverick smiles softly at her. “Never be afraid to tell us, okay? All we want is for you to be happy.”
Her perfume smells even stronger than it did a moment ago, and I guess our omega has a praise kink. “Okay.” She nods again. “I won’t be afraid.”
“That’s my girl.” He presses another kiss to her head before looking at me. “To answer your earlier question, you weren’t answering your phone, and it’s nearly five. I was starting to get worried.”
I wince. “Sorry. I left my phone on the beach.”
Ethan stands, stretching. “That’s what I told him, but he’s a worry-wart.”
Maverick rolls his eyes. “You can never be too careful. Especially with her face all over the news right now.”
Teddy gets up, and starts to fold the blanket up. I don’t have to lift a finger as the guys pack up all the beach stuff, toys included, and distribute it between the three of them. “I can take a bag,” I offer, feeling useless.
“Nah, mate, you got the most precious cargo right there.” Teddy claps my shoulder as he passes. “That’s wot bein’ a pack is all about, innit?”
When I glance down at Wren, I see that she’s fallen asleep. Her eyes are closed, her lips parted slightly as she breathes softly against me.
Fuck.
Something in my heart stirs at the sight. Is this…love? It can’t be, not yet. We’ve only known each other for a few days.
But at the same time, I can’t deny the way my heart swells when I look at the freckles dotting her nose and how she rests against me.
After all she’s been through.
After all the torment she’s endured.
She’s opened her heart to us.
And I’ll be damned if I let anyone or anything close it again.