Page 74 of The Beta's Heart

Wanting—needing—to lighten up the tension that was crushing me, I put on my ‘party girl smile’ and gave him a saucy wink.

“I know one kind of bone I don’t have in my body, but I hope to before the night is over.”

“Peri!” he gasped as bright red flooded his whole face and splotched all the way down his neck to his collar bones.

Oh, yes, our life together was going to be so much fun!

“I love you, Ty,” I reminded him as I leaned forward and kissed him right over his heart, quivers racing through both of us and the mate sparks sizzling. “Goddess, I can’t wait until tonight!”

“Well, you’ll have to. I sure ain’t trying to mate you in the guest room of your brothers’ house. Yourfivebrothers who happen to be my alphas and my bosses. And I love you, too, Sunshine, so very much.”

“Do you think you might still like to go swimming? Because if you do, I brought you an option.” I pulled the swim shirts from my bag. “We can both wear one if you want. Or we can go without and, ifanyone says something about your scars, I’ll tell them to fuck off. Or we don’t even have to go swimming at all. It’s your choice, and I’ll back you one hundred percent on whatever you decide.”

“I was going to leave my t-shirt on, but I read somewhere that cotton isn’t good for a pool. Something about clogging up the filter and contaminants.”

Taking the swim shirt, he rubbed the silky fabric between his thumb and forefinger, and I clenched my thighs together as I wondered if he’d do that to something else a little later tonight.

Oh, get your mind out of the gutter!I scolded myself.Your mate needs you to be supportive, not horny, right now!

“I don’t mind being vulnerable with you, but not anyone else,” he said at last. “Not yet, anyway, so, um, let’s wear them. Together?”

“Together,” I agreed with a smile. “It might be pretty tight on you. I keep it for Bram when he comes over to swim. He’s pretty shy about anyone seeing him without a shirt on.”

“It’s really stretchy material, so I can make it work.”

As I predicted, it was skin-tight over his heavy muscles and a little too short, coming about an inch above the waistband of his trunks, but it hid all of his scars, and that’s what he cared about.

After we were ready, I took his hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze as I led him out to the pool area. I could feel the eyes of our friends and pack members on us, a few of them smirking—coughWyatt and Ashcough—probably because we’d been gone inside for so long, but I kept my focus on Tyler where it belonged.

“Thanks for being here with me, Sunshine.”

“At your side is a place I intend to always be,” I replied, squeezing his hand again. “Now, let’s have some fun!”

“Uh, youdomean swimming, right?”

“Yes, baby. We’ll get to thedirtykind of fun later tonight.”

And I smirked as his eyes went wide and that bright red blush washed over his cheeks again.

#

The fading sun cast a golden glow over the pool as the water rippled around us. The air was filled with the sounds of laughter, splashing, and the occasional bird singing in the distance.

“Chase me, Peri,” Ty teased, his eyes sparkling mischievously. “Catch me if you can!”

I lunged forward, splashing water everywhere, and he was too surprised to move—or maybe he just wanted to feel me in his arms again. Either way, I wrapped my arms around his muscled torso and clung to him.

Our laughter echoed around the pool, blending with the sounds of our family and friends enjoying their time together, and as we caught our breath, our heads slowly tilted toward each other, the world around us dwindling down to nothing.

Right as our lips were about to meet, a broad hand slipped between our faces, and I found my mouth suctioned onto stupid Wyatt’s calloused palm instead of Tyler’s soft lips. The sudden interruption made me sputter and pull back, glaring up at the interloper.

“This is a family-friendly event, Peri,” he smirked. “Take your hormones elsewhere.”

Ty blushed and nodded, but I sassed him right back.

“Oh, come on, Wyatt. It was just a kiss! Are you seriously policingkissesnow?”

“New mates kissing always leads to something else, Sissy.” He shrugged, unfazed by my irritation. “And…”

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