My eyes scan her face carefully. I may have just created a huge problem. It was never meant to be a secret—at least, not from Wren—but there just hasn’t been a good time to bring it up.
“So…so you saw me back then? When I first presented?” She asks the question carefully, but her expression stays neutral—I can’t get a read on what she’s feeling.
“I did.” I swallow, looking into her amber eyes.
“And…you wanted to know me? Even then?” Now her voice is unsure, like she’s not sure what to think.
Honesty is probably the best policy here. “Song Bird, I…I was obsessed. After that night, I searched your name at least three times a week. Nothing new ever came up, but I wanted to know you, so, so, badly.”
“And…Maverick?” She bites her lip. I don’t know what the two of them got up to after their nap, but it must’ve been something good based on the wet patch that was in the front of his sweatpants when he left the nest earlier. One that he promptly told me to say “not a fucking word” about.
“He…seemed just as enraptured as I was,” I admit. “Though, I can’t speak to what he’s done since then to follow up.”
She nods, her eyes getting this far off look as she stares at her sand-castle. “I’m not sure what to do with that,” she says softly. “Maybe I should be mad or something, I don’t know. But…” she finally meets my gaze. “Is it messed up that I’m just happy you were interested before you scented me?”
“Oh, Wren, no.” I shake my head before chuckling. “I mean, I might be biased. But I don’t think it’s messed up. I think it’s natural to feel that way if you’ve…felt the opposite way for so long.” Clearing my throat, I reach over and brush my hand against hers. “I want you to know, Wren…if we had known about your parents…how they really treated you…we wouldhave found a way to get you out.”
She gives me a sad smile. “I know. It’s my fault. If I hadn’t been so intent on saving face in front of Teddy…” she shakes her head.
The words are out of my mouth before I can think twice. “It’s not your fault—”
“But it is.” She shrugs. “It’s okay, Brennan. I can own up to it. If I hadn’t been so…soproud—”
“If Teddy had told you what he helps us with…?” I arch a brow at her.
She frowns. “It’s not Teddy’s fault either.”
“I know.” I take her hand. “It’s nobody’s fault but the ones who treated you so horribly, Song Bird. Don’t you dare try to take on that burden.”
My heart picks up speed when she smirks. “So it’s my piece-of-shit father and raggedy-old-bitch mother’s fault?”
A laugh bursts out of me. “Yes. It’s your piece-of-shit father and raggedy-old-bitch mother’s fault.”
She giggles, getting to her feet. “Let’s go with that.” She starts to brush herself off, but while some of it comes off, most of it sticks to her legs. She frowns, looking down and swiping again.
“You’ll probably have to get in the water to get it off.” I stand as well, brushing off my own chest and legs. My alpha swells with pride at the way our mate’s eyes roam over the bare skin of my torso.
That is, before she sticks her bottom lip out, looking at the water. “But it’s so cold.”
We had only dipped our toes in before deciding we’d be better off playing in the sand, but I’m sure it won’t be that bad—just a quick splash.
“Come on.” I smile at my girl, grabbing her by the hand and leading her towards the water.
“Wait, Brennan! It’s too cold!” she cries as our feet submerge. It’s crisp, to be sure, but it’s notfreezing. When I turn to look at her, I can still see the undercurrent of stress from our conversation about her parents.
It might be a stupid idea, but I need her to get out of her own head.
I needed an umbrella to the face, and she looks like she needs a splash of water.
So, I drop her hand, unable to hold back my grin as I bend over and splash some water on her legs.
Only…I don’t just get her legs. I forgot how short she is.
Oops.
“Brennan!” She lets out a shocked gasp, staring at me with water dripping down the soft swells of her breasts. A beador two clings to her eyelashes, and her eyes are wide in indignation. “You didnotjust do that!”
I raise my hands innocently. “Do what?”
