“Just a book.”
Interesting. She’s not willing to answer. I look harder, seeing the cover has a woman and two wolves on it. Romance? I’ve been on TikTok enough, and somehow ended up on the book side of it, so I know that without a doubt it has to be smutty.
“What’s it about? I might want to read it.” And I will. If she loves to read, I will too, just so I can be a little closer to her. When I was younger, I always felt the woman should do what the man wants and enjoys, never vice versa. But as I’ve grown, I’ve learned it’s a fifty-fifty deal. Each side has to give and take to make a relationship work.
“It’s just an omegaverse book. The female main character is bullied and pretends to be a beta and meets a man online that she ends up falling for, even though she’s never seen him. Shehas a different identity she uses and she’s working to help take down a corrupt foundation.”
“That sounds interesting. Maybe I can borrow it from you this weekend and start reading it until I can get my own copy. Or even better yet, you can read it to me. Let’s start now. We still have some time before we’ll be at the hotel.”
“I… I… don’t think that’s a good idea,” she stutters.
“Why?” It’s taking everything in me to hold back the laughter that’s begging to burst free.
“It’s not exactly appropriate for the kids to hear.”
“But they’re asleep,” I remind her.
She opens her mouth, then closes it, repeating the movement a couple times. I love how shy she is around me.
Love. Do I love her?
The attraction I felt was overwhelming when I met her all those years ago. It never faded throughout the years. If love at first sight is a thing, I felt it the moment I laid eyes on Amberlee Michaels.
I decide to let her off the hook.
“It’s okay, you can read it to me later, in private—maybe after Angel goes down for the night. We can sit on the balcony and have a drink while you enlighten me with a bedtime story.”
I can hear her gulp, but I don’t draw attention to her. Right now, I need to calm the growing bulge between my legs. Reaching down into the driver’s side door, I pick up my bottle of water, still cold, and place it right over my crotch, hoping like hell it puts out the fire burning within my pants.
Chapter 12
Amberlee
As soon as Jeremiahpulls into the parking spot and turns the engine off, I snatch my bag from the floor and throw open the door, jumping out of the cool interior of the SUV into the sweltering heat. I only pause for a moment to inhale the salty scent of the ocean.
I can hear the little ones squealing. Both of them eager to get out and run to the beach, taking their first splash into the water. Their bubbling energy is contagious and a smile works its way on my face.
Ryan and Maddy pull into an empty spot beside us. I step to the rear of the Expedition, eager to grab my bags and head inside, disappearing behind the safety of the walls of my room.
“I’m so glad to be out of the SUV.” Maddy stretches before making her way to Jeremiah’s vehicle, helping RJ out of it. She holds his hand tightly as Ryan comes strolling back from the hotel entrance with a luggage rack.
“Let’s get unloaded and checked in, the beach is calling my name,” he announces excitedly.
Jeremiah pops the latch to the trunk, then opens the door for Angel, helping her out, ushering her over to Maddy who takes hold of her hand.
One by one, Jeremiah and Ryan pull the bags out of both vehicles and place them on the cart. Maddy openly ogles her man, my brother, and I try not to gag. I do however manage to slip in a few glances at Jeremiah, the way his muscles flex with every movement.
“You okay?” Maddy leans closer, the best she can with her belly and the two kids animatedly talking at her side. The words sand castle, shark and ice cream stand out to me. I guess they’re making their plans.
“Yeah. Want to head inside and wait in the air conditioning?” I know she wants to know about Jeremiah but I want to avoid that topic at all cost.
“Girl, you don’t have to ask me twice. I love your brother and Jeremiah, but a beach trip when I’m pregnant with twins isn’t exactly a vacation for me. I’m already sweating in every little nook and cranny.”
We both laugh as we guide the children inside, leaving the men to finish.
“I do have my own room, don’t I?” I’m not sure why it just dawned on me to ask, I guess I just assumed I would.
“Nah, we thought you’d want to watch me and your brother have wild monkey sex!”
