His hold on me tightened further and he pressed his face to my neck. “I love you so much,” he murmured. I peeled my eyes open and met his gaze. Gray gifted me with the world’s most heartbreakingly beautiful smile. It transformed his face from handsome to breathtaking. I swallowed hard as I trailed my fingers down his stubble. There were so many things I wanted to say, but my exhaustion was drawing me under. Gray’s expression told me he knew it all, anyway.
He leaned forward and gave me a soft kiss. “Sleep, princess.”
My eyes drifted shut. Now Henry was the only one I hadn’t said the words to. I was tempted to cuddle up with him now and tell him, but I wanted to wait and do it somewhere romantic in Greece. He had been the first one to tell me and had been so patient as he waited for me to be ready. I wanted it to be special for my sweet beta.
112
BEAR
We’d been on the island of Paros for two days, and Westin was slowly coming alive again. There were still times I saw the pain in her eyes as she smiled, moments where she seemed to brace herself for bad news, but there was also laughter and easy touches.
Today was my day with her, and I was determined to show her that having this tumor didn’t mean her life was over.
The streets were quiet when I left our rented house in the early morning. I wound through the streets lined with white and blue buildings, still not quite believing this was my life. Here I was—a nobody ex-con from the wrong part of town—in fuckingGreecewith my omega and pack. My fingers brushed my lips as if I could still feel the sleepy kiss Westin gave me when I slipped out of bed this morning. My mind wasn’t creative enough to manufacture something as perfect as that, so this must be real.
The beta I’d spoken to yesterday was outside the rental place. He gave me a friendly wave and gestured for me to follow, stopping when we were in front of the mint green scooter we talked about. I grinned, thinking about how much shit the guys at my shop would give me if they saw me riding around on agirly-looking Vespa. But all that mattered was my omega, and I knew this was the scooter she would love the most.
I rode it back to the house, pleased with how it handled the winding streets. It might not be my bike, but I couldn’t wait to ride around the island with her.
When I returned, everyone was gathered in the kitchen while Gray made breakfast.
“Where did you sneak off to this morning?” Westin asked, holding her arms out to me from her perch on the kitchen counter. I was sure Gray had put her up there so she’d be closer to him.
I stepped between her legs and her arms were immediately around me. Her fingers ran down my face, catching on my stubble.
“You want me to shave, babydoll?” I asked with a chuckle, but she just shrugged.
“I don’t mind you being scruffy.”
“Noted,” I murmured, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “You’ll find out where I went after breakfast. You’re mine for the day. Dress comfortably and make sure to wear your bathing suit.”
Her arms tightened around me. “Can’t wait.”
“No way,”Westin said, her eyes wide and jaw dropped as she rounded the Vespa. “No fucking way!” Her words ended in a shriek as she jumped towards me, her arms and legs wrapping around me. My arms encircled her automatically as I held her close.
“I take it you like it?”
“Iloveit. It’s so pretty.”
“It’s the perfect color for you, Bear,” Henry said. “Matches your sparkling personality.”
Gray peered at the scooter skeptically, Liam doing the same beside him. “Is it safe?” Gray asked, crossing his arms.
I rolled my eyes. “I even rented helmets.” That, more than the scooter color, was a sign that Westin had changed me.
My omega lowered back to the ground, her body sliding sensuously against mine. I slapped her on the ass for tempting me, earning me a playful glare, before I turned to the scooter. “It’s plenty safe, I promise.”
“I’m so excited. Where are we going?” Westin asked.
“The beach,” I said, straddling the Vespa.
I’d mapped out a scenic route around the island so we could take in all the views… but mostly because I wanted more time riding with Westin. It’d been so long since we rode my bike, and I missed it. It felt like something special for just the two of us.
Gray kept her steady as she got on behind me.
“I’m going to be fine,” Westin said, exasperated.
“You took your meds this morning, right?” he asked.
