I try not to scowl as I fiddle with the water. Three rainshower heads, and I need a fucking degree to take a shower. It’s goddamn excessive, but Lily gives a happy shiver as I park her on the wooden bench and strip out of my clothes. “Then what is it?” I’m not proud of the tense edge to my voice. “If what we do together isn’t making you happy...”
“Wait up.” Lily is on her feet, a little unsteady, but a fierce look on her face. “Stop reacting to what you saw in there and feel me through the bond.” She presses a hand to my chest, right over my lily tattoo. “Is that clear enough?”
Warmth, trust, happiness, and a great big dose of love.
And just like that, all my petty jealousy runs down the drain, and I groan. “Shit. Yeah, I can feel you, sweetheart.” I give her a look that’s both sheepish and a little awestruck, because the depth of Lily’s feelings for me always takes me by surprise. Even when I’m a jackass, it seems, because when I draw her into my arms, her flushed skin wraps me in her rose petal scent. “I’m sorry, LeeLee.”
She squeezes me tight, still as fierce, but now for the right reasons. “I love you, Logan. I waited a long time to get here with you, and I don't want to change anything about us.”
“Me too, babe. I’m a narrow-minded dick sometimes, but I love you so much.” I nuzzle my bite, her happy little gasp spreading through my limbs as we move under the steaming water. I grab a bottle of something expensive off the shelf and lather it between my hands, sighing at how badly I nearly fuckedthis up. “I jumped to conclusions, instead of just asking you how you felt.” I hesitate, but as I run soapy hands down her back, I realize that I’m not just regretful; I’m actually insanely curious. “Can you tell me what you like about that?”
She hesitates for a moment, then tips her head back, lashes fluttering as I work the sweet-smelling suds into her muscles. “I like the fact I don’t have to think. Or worry. Or choose one thing over another. I just get to put it all down.”
Lily is the epitome of a multitasker, and while I know it’s not always by choice, it’s hard to get her to delegate things. “You mean the day-to-day stuff?”
“Yes, but alsome. The masks, the responsibilities.” She looks up at me, something fragile and hopeful shimmering in her blue eyes. “Sometimes, when I’m really anxious, I feel like I’m going to fly apart. I usually have to push my way through it, but what you saw in there grounds me. I can let go, because I know that someone else is going to take care of it.”
If I hold my own feelings at bay, I can admit that it makes sense. I joined up because of both duty and itchy feet, but I stayed for the routine and sense of purpose. There’s a lot of responsibility in being a Marine, but there's also something freeing about following orders for a living.
And maybe there’s some redemption in admitting that I can’t give her everything she needs, but that’s okay, too.
Isn’t that what a pack is for?
“Can you wait here a sec?” I back out of the shower, hooking a hand towel off the vanity to swipe up some of the water streaming off me. “Just keep soaping up those perfect breasts while I grab something.” She looks at me with wide eyes, but when she nods, I can’t resist adding, “Good girl, LeeLee.”
And holy hell, that feels good rolling off my tongue.
Despite being naked and frisky, it only takes me a moment to convince the guys that they need to relocate to the bathroom.Lily’s eyes blow even wider when we return, but there’s no mistaking the joy on her face as Tristan saunters right up to our girl. He wraps his arms around her, kissing away the water clinging to her temple. “Ah, the joy of communal showers,” he hums, nuzzling her cheek. “This is one of my favorite parts of pack life. Getting filthy dirty, then working up a sweat getting squeaky clean.”
She laughs at his cheeky wink, but when Tristan turns his attention my way, his expression is as serious as I’ve ever seen it. “Are you sharing, or are there limits you want to set out?”
“No limits, other than the obvious.” I rub a hand across my jaw, feeling even more of a jackass when I see the hesitation in Lily’s face. “I messed up. I should’ve just asked, instead of assuming the worst.”
To my surprise, it’s Otley who steps forward, extending a hand. “I should’ve waited and talked to you about it. You’re mates, and this is a lot to take in.”
I accept his handshake, but his apology doesn’t sit right with me. After all, it’s Lily’s decision what she does with her scent matches, not mine. “Maybe, but I’m willing to learn, if it makes Lily happy.” I look at my mate, relieved to see the smile back on her face. “I think you missed a spot,” I tell Tristan, nodding towards Lily’s soapy thighs. “You want to take care of that for her?”
“With pleasure,” Tristan purrs, sinking to his knees in front of Lily. She immediately sags against the wall, her lips parting as he starts to lick and squeeze her thighs. If she looked like putty before, she practically melts against the tile as Tristan props one of her feet on the bench and sinks his face into her pussy. He’s clearly not one to hold back, and I groan as Lily rolls her hips, a spark of lust-soaked happiness lighting up our bond.
Tristan pauses to shoot a coy smile over his shoulder. “You like the view, guys?”
I grunt, my hand on my cock because there’s no denying that they’re hot as hell together. “It’s always been the best reason to look out my bedroom window.”
Lily gives me a soft smile at my admission, and when an approving growl rumbles from Otley’s chest, she bites her lip, her gaze darting between us. “I like you seeing me like this. Is that okay?”
Checking in. Limits and consent. Stuff I’ve always been aware of, but I’m gonna have to get better at it if this is a regular thing.
“It’s more than okay. You’re gorgeous together,” I admit, because Tristan really knows how to bring the rosy glow to her lips. As she clutches his damp curls and moans out a plea for more, I nudge Otley with my elbow. “What do you think, Alpha?”
“Too beautiful for words,” Otley rumbles, and we exchange a glance that’s all masculine appreciation. “But if you’re really ready to share, why don’t we take this back to the pack nest?” He cocks a brow at his mate, who’s clutching a dazed Lily, his fingers now working just as hard as his tongue. “We can work up a sweat and then get squeaky clean again.”
Lily gives a heartfelt moan, and I grin at the other alpha. “Lead the way.”
I knot Lily twice, but not before Tristan brings our girl to a bone-melting climax in the pack bed. I’m pretty sure the beta likes being watched, too, because he shoots me a wink as his alpha leaps on him, rolling him to the side the moment his tongue leaves Lily’s satisfied pussy. I watch them for a moment, my own cock hard as the other alpha drops his mate on his dick. I wince at what has to be a raw stretch, but Tristan just gives a blissful smile, riding his alpha like he’s the toughest cowboy in the county.
I figure I still have a thing or two to work out about their dynamic, but my attention quickly returns to Lily, who’s also watching them with admiring eyes. She looks so comfortable in her own skin, slick thighs parted and pert nipples gleaming, I can’t resist crawling up her body and sucking the smile off her lips.
“You sore, baby?” I ask, nipping at her mouth as my hand brushes over her belly and slides between her legs. She’s sopping wet, slick and cum coating my palm as I press two fingers into her heat. “Damn, I thought that greedy beta was gonna clean you all up.”
