“You don’t have to decide anything today, obviously,” Brennan says quickly. “But in the interest of full disclosure, Ididtake a short video of you painting with your phone while you were in the zone.”
Frowning, I open up my photo album and click on the most recent video. It doesn’t show my face, since it’s purely from behind me, but it’s easy to see the confidence in my brushstrokes and the way I move.
When did I become this self-assured woman? Whathappenedto me? Actually, I already know—and they’re all surrounding me.
“That’s sick as hell!” Teddy grins, lightly bumping me with his arm.
“If you were to upload a video, it could be a clip of that, and then a still of the final art piece,” Ethan says thoughtfully. “If it turns out to be something you like, you could also do a timelapse video from start to finish.”
“That’s…a lot to swallow.” My mind races with the possibilities. “You guys…you guys think this is something that would get me a ‘following’ or whatever?”
“We already saw all the reactions to the video those police officers showed us,” Maverick shrugs. “I think you can do anything you put your mind to.”
Why do I blush every single time Maverick gives me the slightest bit of praise?
“I’ll think about it,” I say finally. “For now I’m just glad that I haven’t lost my love for painting.”
Ethan presses a kiss to my head. “I knew it would work out.” He smiles down at me, and in the reflection of his glasses, I see that I have a huge smear of blue paint across my face.
“You guys!” I gasp, my hands flying up to cover my cheeks. “Why did nobody tell me I had paint all over me?”
Maverick shrugs. “I figured you knew.”
Brennan winces, and Teddy chuckles. “I just fink you look fuckin’ adorable.”
I huff, wiping my hands on my overalls. “Well, now I need to get a shower.”
When I move to grab my canvas, Brennan tuts me away. “You go get cleaned up, we’ll bring everything inside. Don’t worry, we’ll be careful.”
“Thank you,” I press a kiss to his cheek before turning to Ethan, “Do you need help with dinner, Bossy Bear?”
Every time I call him that, a dangerous glint flashes across his eyes that sends a little thrill through me.
He gives me a sharp smile. “What was that about not being able to follow through on promises?”
I bite my lip. “I’m not promising anything.”
“Every time you call me ‘Bossy Bear’,” he murmurs, taking a step towards me and leaning down, “it makes me want to put you over my knee.”
Oh.
Why…why do Ilikethe sound of that?
“Sorry…” I bite my lip, unsure of what’s gotten into me, “Bossy Bear.”
“Fuck me,” he practically groans, stepping so close I can feel his bulge press against my stomach. “You really are a brat.”
His words send a thrill through me, but before I can answer, Maverick is ushering Ethan away. “Nope! No humping the omega in the back yard—we have work to do.”
My mouth drops open before a shock of laughter leaves me. “Mav!”
Maverick shoots me a wink over his shoulder, and then Teddy and Brennan are waving me inside. “Go get cleaned up.” Brennan grins, shaking his head. “We ordered Chinese for dinner, so Bossy Bear will not berequiring any help.”
I thank my guys again, heading inside and going straight up to the nest. I’m not sure where Ethan and Maverick have gone, but I’m not worried about it.
As I watch the water pool at my feet in the shower, a rainbow of greens, blues, grays, and pinks, I think I feel more like myself than I ever have.
Chapter 31
