Page 130 of Broken Bonds

“Come look at the stars with me?” I ask Ramsey a few nights later, wanting some time alone with her.

She smiles and passes an overstuffed Birdie over to Forde, who takes the sweet little bundle carefully, kissing the top of her head before taking her to the nursery where her brothers are already resting.

Link tells us they’ve got the triplets, so to take our time and Ramsey and I walk outside hand in hand. She leads me a little farther away from the dock to a tiny shed, and when we step inside, I realize it’s a small boathouse. A rowing boat big enough for two rocks gently in the waves, and she grins at me when I look at her with a raised brow.

“Care to take our little stargazing expedition out on the water? It’s beautiful out there at night,” she says, climbing inside and getting comfortable.

I shake my head as she bounces lightly in her seat, the sweetest smile on her lips. Climbing in and sitting facing her, she unties us and passes me an oar while she picks another up. Together, we push ourselves out of the boathouse and into the open water.

When we’re a good way away from the house, just barely able to see the lights, we stop and Ramsey shifts until her back is to me and then slides back so she’s leaning against me. I wrap my arms around her and rest my cheek against the top of her head as we look up at the stars together.

She points constellations out to me and tells me stories that Rule had told her anytime they stargazed together. I listen, content to just be in her presence and hear her speak about something she loves. She lights up with every story she tells me, and seeing her like this, happy and free, is mesmerizing.

“Okay. I’ve told you plenty of stories, now you tell me one,” she says, tilting her head back to look up at me, looking absolutely adorable.

“Mm. About what?” I ask, kissing her cheek.

She shrugs and says, “Anything. Another funny memory from your teen years. More about your lives as you all built your pack together, building a brotherly bond. I just like to hear you talk.”

So, I do.

I tell her about the time Link got so drunk at a party that he threw up on the girl that was trying to sleep with him. I tell her about Forde and how it broke my heart to watch him go through the pain of losing his sister. I tell her about our lives before her, and she listens intently, laughing at the funny parts, getting somber when I talk about Forde losing his sister. But through it all, she never asks me to stop.

We must sit out there in the boat for hours, just talking and enjoying each other’s company, and when she shivers, I decide it’s time to go back.

I move to help her get back in her spot and the boat wobbles slightly, nearly sending her over. I react quickly, grabbing her and steadying her in her seat, but I end up falling into the water in my attempt to keep her safe.

Icy cold water surrounds me as I splash in, and when I come back up, Ramsey is leaning over with a worried expression that evens out when she sees me pop my head out of the water.

“Are you okay?” she asks, covering her lips as she giggles.

My teeth chatter as I work to get back in the boat without completely flipping it over, which is a challenge considering how big I am.

Damn small boat.

“I don’t think I’ll see my balls again for a long time. They sucked right up in there the minute I fell in,” I say when I finally get back in, limbs trembling from the cold.

Ramsey is trying her best not to laugh, but it’s a losing battle, and she keeps her hand over her lips.

“I’m so sorry. Oh, this is not funny, but it really is. Come on, let’s get you home and warmed up,” she snorts, and I narrow my eyes on her.

“I’m gonna spank you for that,” I tell her, and her laughter dries up.

She gives me a heated look before smirking at me.

“That’s not much of a punishment, Alpha, but please do,” she purrs and despite my nuts being somewhere in my fucking throat, my cock still stands at attention for her.

I quickly row us back to the boathouse on my own and hop out once I've secured the little boat back to its tie-down. I reach my hand out to help Ramsey climb up, and once she’s standing upright, I bend my knees and toss her over my shoulder, smacking her on the ass. Hard.

She squeals, laughing as I head back to the house.

“We’ll see who has the last laugh when I get you back inside.”

ChapterForty-Three

RAMSEY

I wakeup early and slowly slip out from between Forde and Rion, careful not to wake them. The sun isn’t even up yet, and the triplets are still sound asleep, but I haven’t forgotten my promise to Lake to read his letter. And I still have Van’s to read as well. I thought it’d be nice to read them out on the dock and watch the sunrise.

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