And then Bear’s arms were under me, carrying me to the bathroom. I didn’t have to do anything as they pulled me into the shower, the hot water soothing my muscles. They took turns washing me, their hands never leaving my body. I needed their touch as the intensity of what we’d done left me feeling a little shaky and vulnerable.
“You were perfect,” Bear murmured, his arms the only thing keeping me upright as Henry rinsed the last of the body wash off my skin. “Wasn’t she?”
“Absolute perfection,” Henry said. “Our beautiful omega.”
They brought me out of the shower, carefully drying me off before bringing me back to the bedroom and tenderly laying me on the bed.
“I’m going to get some more water,” Bear said, leaning down to kiss my forehead. Then he looked at Henry. “Good work, beta,” he said, slapping Henry on the ass before walking out of the room.
Henry met my eyes with utter confusion, and I burst out laughing.
“Well, he was right. You did good work,” I said, extending my arms out to him.
He fell onto the bed, landing halfway on top of me. “I’m glad you think so.”
“Oh, I always think so when it comes to you.” I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling his body even tighter against mine, reveling in the feel of his weight on me.
“Love you,” he said, his hand coming up to caress my jaw.
His words felt like starlight running through my veins and I wished I could say them back.
69
WESTIN
“How’s your pain, baby?” Bear asked.
We were tangled together in bed. Henry kept a possessive hand cupping my pussy and Bear was on my other side, his fingers playing with my nipple in an almost absent-minded way.
“It’s not too bad, but…” I chewed my lip, trying to work up the courage to ask for what I needed. Frustration built in my chest that this was so fucking hard for me, but this time, the frustration was aimed at my uncles, not at myself.Theywere the ones who had made me feel like a burden. My guys wouldn’t do that. “Do you think there’s some ice or an ice pack I could put on my neck?”
Bear kissed my cheek before pulling away with a smile. “Good girl. I’m proud of you.”
I was tempted to brush off the compliment, but instead, I met his gaze with a soft smile.
“I’m sure there’s one in the fridge,” Henry said. “I’ll go get it.”
The bed dipped as Henry left. Bear pulled me so I was halfway on his chest, keeping one hand on my upper back andthe other cupping my butt. I relaxed into him, feeling safe in his arms.
The door clicked softly as Henry returned. He moved my hair off my neck and pressed a soft ice pack to my skin.
“How’s that, gorgeous?”
The cold seeped into my skin and soothed the worst of the pain. “That feels good, thank you.”
“Of course.” He lay down next to me.
“And thank you for not stopping earlier,” I said, my cheeks heating even with the ice on my neck. “I just… I don’t want these symptoms to dictate my life, you know?”
“Yeah, baby,” Bear said.
“Do you want to talk about tomorrow?” Henry asked softly.
My chest grew tight. I didn’t want my fears about going to the hospital to invade our time together. “Not really. Is that okay?”
“You never have to talk about something you don’t want to,” Bear said. “But sometimes it’s helpful.”
I turned his words over in my mind. I’d never really had anyone to talk to about my symptoms, at least not someone who believed me. By the time my symptoms were severe, Cat was already sick. I hadn’t wanted to bother her with it, so my uncles were the ones who had accompanied me on my many appointments.
