“I knew you’d be sweet,” he says as he pulls away, placing the hat back on my head.
I stare up at him, wondering if he feels this connection too. When he grins down at me, his Earl Grey scent is heavy and thick, wrapping around me like a comforting blanket.
“Let’s get you out of the sun,” he says, easily tossing an arm over my shoulders, dragging my frame next to his.
A girl could definitely get used to this courting stuff.
CHAPTER 13
STERLING
When Nateand Hailey get back to the cabin, it’s like the tension between them has completely vanished. Nate seems lighter and Hailey…well, she’s torturing the fuck out of us with her scent right about now. The whole place smells like a cherry bomb went off, and it’s taking more effort than I would like to keep myself in check.
I want my own time to pull her away and get to know her, but I don’t want to be too aggressive. Her history with Alphas seems complicated and I don’t want to do anything that would upset her. She seemed to enjoy my flirting, my easy touch on the back of her chair, but I don’t want to scare her away by being too domineering too fast.
We eat dinner, play a few games, which I’m pretty sure Hayes lets Hailey win the last round of Jenga. And for a man who hates to lose, him doing that says something.
The sun has gone down, and there’s a chill in the air now. As much as I’d like to invite Hailey to the hot tub, just the two of us, I do the right thing as pack lead, and suggest we all get in.
Hailey goes to her room to get changed while we go into the other room.
“I would like some time alone with Hailey to get to know her better,” I say.
Nate gives me an easy smile.
“Yes, Alpha,” Hayes says, and I give him a look. “Hey. I’m being a really good sharer, okay? Nate and I will act like we’re getting too hot or something and give you some alone time.”
“How gracious of you.”
“I know, right?” Hayes says and Nate snorts.
“Things seem to be going well though, right? It’s just kind of easy? It was never this way with Erin,” Nate says.
“It should be this easy,” I remind him. While I haven’t ever officially courted an Omega, I’ve seen firsthand what a real pack looks like, how an Omega should be treated.
My parents are the best people I know and they gave me the tools to be the man I am today. I don’t know if that’s the reason I was drawn to Hayes and Nate, because they both needed guidance, but it’s led us to this point. Maybe I’m drawn to Hailey because I know I could give her what she’s looking for in an Alpha—protection, care, and devotion.
I just need the opportunity to show her what kind of man I am, and that’s proving difficult when all of us are vying for her attention. Our relationships are already solid. Hayes and I have been together for a year and Nate joined three months ago. It’s been easy, effortless. Adding Hailey into the mix feels like it could be the same thing.
Once we’re all in our swimsuits, we walk out to the foyer where Hailey’s standing with a white, fluffy robe around her.
“Ready?” I ask and she nods.
I grab a few drinks as we walk down the steps. Nate flips the hot tub lid and pushes it off as he and Hayes get in.
Hailey takes off her robe and sets it on the hook and my mouth goes dry as I take in the raspberry colored bikini that clings to her body. I clear my throat and hold out my hand forher, which she uses to get into the hot tub. She makes a hissing sound as she stands in the water, letting her body get used to the temperature, before fully sitting down.
Hayes presses the button to start the bubbles, and the jets start pumping from the sides.
“Have you played two truths and a lie before Hailey?” Hayes asks. The Omega grins at him.
“Why yes, Hayes, I have played said game. You go first.”
“I won the third grade spelling bee. I’ve never broken a bone. I sang karaoke with Rod Stewart.”
Nate and I obviously know the answer, but Hailey squints her eyes and taps her chin.
“You’ve broken a bone,” she guesses, and Hayes’ jaw drops.
