“My little omega burrito,” I said as I carried her out of the room. I stopped by the front door to shove my feet into my boots and then headed outside. I winced as icy air hit us, and I held Olive tighter. “You okay, kitten?”
“Yeah.”
I pressed a kiss to her forehead and quickly headed down to the beach. The waves were rough and choppy, crashing on the shore in a way that made me distinctly nervous. “Do you want to get in the water?”Please say no.Because if she said yes, I would be the one carrying her in.
She freed her hand from the blanket burrito and ran her fingers through my beard. NowIfelt like a fucking kitten, purring as she pet my face. The corner of her lips twitched like she was tempted to smile.
“Can we just sit and watch the waves for a few minutes?”
“We can do whatever the fuck you want, sweetheart.”
I walked us over to the large flat rock and arranged her on my lap so she was facing the waves, my arms like iron bands around her as I tried to use my body to shield her from the drizzling rain and bitter wind. Even with the stormy weather, I had to admit there was something peaceful about being out here, with just the wind and waves keeping us company.
Olive shifted on my lap so she could run her nose down thecolumn of my throat, followed by a gentle kiss. “I’m sorry I’m like this.”
I scowled and threaded my fingers in her hair, tugging her head back roughly so she was forced to meet my gaze. “If you apologize again, I’m spanking your ass until you can’t sit for a week. Understand?”
Her lip jutted out in a pout and,fuck, she could never find out how much power that little lip had over me. “Don’t you wish I was different?”
“I wish you didn’t have to experience this pain, but I don’t wishyouwere different. You’re my Olive, my kitten.”
“Still not sure about that name.”
I grinned and pressed a tender kiss to the tip of her adorable nose. “Nah, you’re definitely sure about it.” I tucked her to my chest and stood. “Now, let’s get back inside and ask the guys to bring us breakfast and pumpkin spice lattes.”
She nuzzled into my neck. “I think you just might be addicted.”
I inhaled deeply, catching her scent mixed with the salt in the wind. “No fucking doubt about that.”
39
EASTON
“Why are you crying, baby?”
I held Olive close as tears streamed down her face. She was on my lap and we had just finished lunch, but she was still having a hard time. Lars had filled us in on what happened on their date, and Finn and I had rushed over.
I hated seeing her like this, especially because the issue was hormonal and there was nothing I could do to fix it, except be here with her.
It didn’t feel like enough.
Maybe I wasn’t enough.
My mother’s angry voice echoed in my head, telling me how useless I was. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath against the fear that I was failing Olive, that she would leave me.
My mom’s words weren’t true. I had a place here. With my brothers. By Olive’s side.
“I don’t know,” she blubbered. “I’m just sad. And my hair looks awful.” She started crying harder.
“Your hair looks beautiful, sweet girl,” Finn said, leaning forward to run his fingers through her waves, which maybe looked just alittleunkempt and frizzy. Not that it mattered, but Olive cared about her appearance.
“Why don’t we take a bath together?” I suggested. “It will be nice and relaxing, and we’ll wash your hair.”
“But then I’ll have to dry my hair,” she sobbed.
I caught the briefest flash of a smile on Lars’s lips before he schooled his expression. Our omega’s distress wasn’t funny, but her dramatics were cute and in such contrast to how reserved she usually was.
Lars leaned in and kissed her on the forehead. “Come here, sweetheart. I’ll dry your hair afterwards, okay? You won’t have to do anything.”
