Page 74 of Whatever It Takes

“It’s not the only gift.” Stepping around her, I point to the heat care kit we picked up at the same omega specialty store. “This has a variety of goodies for you to go through.”

Calder and I picked each piece while doing our best to guess what she would like. It has throw blankets, pillows, scent-blocking soaps, scent-free lotion, lip balm, earplugs, and even a face mask in case she gets light sensitive.

“Why don’t you check that out while I run and clean the tub? This bedroom has a decent-sized bathtub, and I was hoping you’d be open to allowing me to…” My face burns.

Shit.

This never happens.

I’m old enough that I never blush. But the thought of saying aloud that I want to take care of her, to rub her shoulders and massage her scalp as I help her get clean is enough to make my mouth go dry.

Briar steps forward, pulling me in for a hug. “I would love to take a bath with you. I’ll set up the bed with the nest stuff while you handle that. I’m not going to lie, though. I’m going to need to run down and snag that space heater. It’s freezing up here.”

Dammit.

I meant to do that.

“You handle that, and I’ll get us a relaxing bath going.” I give her a forehead kiss and head off to set up.

Steam wafts from the tub as Briar lies in front of me with her back to my chest. My thumbs dig into the tops of her shoulders,but my gaze stays glued to Calder’s bite on her thigh. He’s braver than I gave him credit for.

I’m un-fucking-believably jealous, but I don’t think she’s planning to leave me out.

Mostly, I want that connection sooner rather than later, so I can sense her emotions and know what she’s feeling. And at the same time, I’ve never been the type to rush into things.

I’m enjoying being able to get to know her. The journey is the fun part, anyway. Hurrying to the destination skips over all the good parts.

Or that’s the pep talk I’m busy giving myself, so I don’t do something stupid like flip her to face me and bury my teeth in her lower lip.

I wouldn’t mind an always-visible wrist bite either. It’s one of those things I’m willing to be flexible about. There’s every chance it’ll come down to whatever is within reach when I finally snap and reach my breaking point.

“God, that feels so good. You’re going to spoil me,” Briar says, peeking at me over her shoulder.

I release her, sliding my hands around her middle. “Impossible. I’m pretty sure you can’t spoil newborns, pets, or omegas. It’s just not possible.”

She snorts. “Okay, we can live in that delusion together.”

I’m not expecting her to roll over with no warning, but my dick really enjoys the slick friction. She crosses her arms over my stomach, peering up at me with her huge bluish-gray eyes.

Goddamn.

Her tits press against my pelvis just above my shaft, and I work hard on concentrating on her face. She smiles with her dark lashes fanning over her cheeks, and my fucking heart beats funny.

She runs her fingers over the tattoos on my stomach, but her eyes stay locked with mine. “Easton and Calder are tryingto be sneaky about something.” She shrugs. “East is fantastic at blocking the majority of his emotions in the bond, unless he’s purposely trying to send them to me.” She laughs, and the wet ends of her hair fall over my skin. “Calder is a different story. He’s so open. I thought it would be chaotic to have to pick through someone else’s emotions and thoughts in addition to my own, but it’s not like that. Not at all.”

I laugh. “Are you trying to make me jealous, pretty girl? Because it’s working.”

She snorts, slapping my abs. “No, that’s kinda where I was headed. You make me really happy, Keir. There’s this patient energy that radiates off of you. You’ve always made me feel safe. Even back to the first time we met.”

My damn chest gets tight.

I nod, letting her know I’m listening and hopefully assuring her of how happy that makes me in return.

“I’m just saying, no rush, but whenever you’re ready to sink your teeth in…” She bites her lip as her shoulders bounce. “You’ve got permission.”

My wet fingers run over her cheek. “Good to know.”

“Yep.” She uses her hands on my sides to pull herself higher in the water.

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