Page 96 of Finding the Forward: Part One
I felt eyes on me and turned to see Verity returning. A silly grin spread across my face.Mine.She was mine. When I’d called her my girlfriend, they weren’t only pretty words because her dad was there. I was hers.
That made me stupid giddy happy.
So did her liking the handmade flower.
Verity stirred up deeply repressed feelings in me. On the plane today I’dwhinedfor her when she was about to sit elsewhere.
Whined!
It had scared the shit out of me. I’d whined in front of the entire team. What would happen next? At least everyone thought it was Dean.
It didn’t frighten me enough to stop seeing her. No. Not a chance. Though I’d started feeling omega-like things for AJ, too.
The only problem was, AJ had told me over the summer that he didn’t want anything serious until after the pack contract was secure. Understandable.
Still, I missed our closeness. I missedhim.
“What are you looking at... oh.” Dean turned and watched Verity approach us. “She looks so tired. We should take her to bed.”
I’d like that very much. Also, I knew what time she’d been up this morning. She’d only dozed a little in my arms on the plane. Mostly, she’d worked on her paper.
Jonas remained beside me, like he had since she left, eyes on the bathroom door. Though not as obvious as Spencer. I appreciated the fact that Jonas had stood with us against that super bitch of a mom of hers.
But what was that between them when he’d touched her face? His look of possessiveness rivaled how he gazed at Dean.
Her and Jonas? Yeah, I’d watch that. Shit, I’d join in that.
“Don’t break her heart,” Creed said quietly, following our gazes. “Verity loves deeply and fiercely. She also likes you alla lot,in case you haven’t noticed.”
“Oh, I have.” Dean smacked his lips.
“I’d do anything for her,” I breathed. Even risk my career. Because I needed her like her flowers needed water. I needed her like Dean needed bread.
Dean was my soul. But she just might be my heart–or whatever kept it beating.
“Mercy, it’s been a long day. Tomorrow will be busy and you’re meeting Dad early for breakfast. Are you about ready to go up to the room?” Fatigue crossed Verity’s face as she joined us.
Yeah, someone needed to be taken to bed.
Dean reached out, and she absently pulled him to her side. She shot me a look that was as good as an outstretched arm. I joined her and wrapped my arms around them. Jonas gave Creed a look, then gazed back over to us.
“If you want to, um, go have a drink with them first, I’ll make sure Mercy gets to the room at a decent time.” Creed’s gaze brushed over Dean and me.
“I...” She bit that pink lip of hers that looked like it had a fresh coat of that shiny gloss she always wore. A war flickered in her eyes as they went from Dean, to me, to Jonas, to Mercy.
“Come with us for a bit? Aren’t youthirsty?” Hints of need tinged Dean’s voice and his scent went sweet with desire.
“Creed and Grace are on the list. I’ll be in the room by curfew, and I won’t stay up too late if you don’t.” Mercy smirked, joining us.
“Go on. I think your boys need some attention,” Grace teased, eyebrows waggling.
Your boys.I liked that. Part of me wished AJ had come with us. That he’d give her a chance. While they didn’t have to fuck, he was part of this. I needed him, too.
Verity’s head rested on me. I ran a hand through her hair. While I knew she couldn’t spend all night with us, I yearned to hold her, to kiss her, to fuck her.
Not to mention Dean would be impossible until someone gave him a blowjob.
“What do you say, Gorgeous?” I murmured.
