Chapter 24

Cream Dream was just beyond the biggest public beach in Clarity Coast, which meant it was busy on a good day. Being the middle of summer? It was packed with lines out the door. Especially since it was after hours and the X-rated treats were now being served.

Vaughn stared at the building like he was trying to figure it out. We were way back in the line, but it was nice out. The energy here was good. One thing about Clarity Coast, it felt like a community even if you hadn’t been here for a while.

“You look like you’re trying to make the building burst into flames,” I said to Vaughn.

He grinned. “No, I’m trying to read the menu with all the sauces. Haven’t been here in a while and I have a very specific flavor I want.”

“What?”

“Well, I’m obviously going to get a vagina waffle.” Then he leaned closer. “And I’m trying to see what combination I can put together to make it taste as much like you as possible.”

Hawk laughed at my stunned silence, pulling my back against his chest and wrapping his arms around my shoulders the way he liked. “That’s an excellent idea. Let me know if you figure it out, V. Since I haven’t had the chance to taste you yet, baby girl, I need a clue.”

I glanced around at the people in line in front and behind us, seeing if anyone had noticed. But not even Ellie and Warren had heard.

“You spent the afternoon with Rowan and you’re still turning bright red.”

“I’m not used to such…” I chose my words carefully. “Enthusiasm? When it comes to me and my scent.”

He chuckled, the rich sound making my tummy do a flip. “If you want to make a waffle that tastes like me, feel free. I’d watch you eat it and memorize every second so I could remember it.”

“Now, that wouldn’t be fair. There are five of you.”

“Then we’ll just have to come back.”

So simple. We’ll come back. My head was so much clearer after this afternoon with Rowan, and I didn’t have the energy to keep myself from falling into them or keep them at arm’s length. Being held by them felt so good. Too good.

Ellie came forward and stole me away from Hawk. “You guys go entertain my fiancé for a minute.”

Vaughn gave a cheeky salute. “Yes, ma’am.”

All five men gave us a little space, and the line moved forward.

Ellie slipped her arm through mine. “You okay?” I asked.

“Fine.”

I gave her a look, and she sighed. “I’m annoyed with Warren. We do not see eye to eye on Beau. I explained everything I saw, and told him everything I know, and he still thinks it was some kind of misunderstanding. He said he’ll talk to Beau and put some sense into him, and I told him he could try, but it wouldn’t work.”

Fighting a wince, I looked out toward the ocean and the line of fire leading to the setting sun. “I don’t blame him. It’s hard to see people for who they truly are. Especially if you’ve known them for a really long time and are loyal. Trust me. I would know.”

“But you’re my sister.”

“Which is why I appreciate you backing me up and going to get Hawk.”

She laughed. “I didn’t go for him specifically. Just skidded into the gym and said something about you needing help. Hawk was the first one to follow. But between you and me, I think they all wanted to. Beau would have shit his pants.”

“I’ve asked them to try to keep things low key. This is all about you. I don’t want the drama between me and him to mess up the wedding. But as far as Warren, I’m your sister. But Beau’s been his friend far longer than he’s known me.”

“Yeah, well, without you, Warren would never have met me. He should be grateful.”

I slapped a hand over my mouth to stop the laughter and failed completely.

Ellie stared at me. “Why is that funny?”

“It’s not. I just… I never thought of it that way. This morning I said to Beau I wished I’d never met him, and it’s hard not to feel that way. But I never thought about that. If Beau and I weren’t a thing, none of us would be here. You wouldn’t be getting married, and I’m not sorry about you getting to meet Warren. It’s nice to have something good come out of all the bullshit.”

“I could have met him some other way. You don’t know that.”

“True. Still, Ellie, I’m glad you’re with him. You’re good for each other.”

My sister looked at her future husband and smiled. He saw and immediately smiled back. There was love in those looks, absolutely impossible to hide. “I’m glad too. Even when he pisses me the fuck off.”

“Don’t punish him too much for loyalty, even if it’s misplaced. The only thing we can be sure of is that Beau will show his true colors eventually, and you’ll be there to hold Warren together when he does.”

We moved another few feet forward in line.

“El, if I ask you something, can you promise to tell me the truth?”

“Ominous, but yeah, of course.”

I crossed my arms and kicked the sandy concrete. “Did you know?”

“Did I know what?”

“About Beau? Dad said he tried to tell me that he was bad news and I was so infatuated that I didn’t hear him or listen. I’m trying to figure out how blind I really was to all of it.” She opened her mouth but I keep going. “It feels like every day I learn just how much I thought was normal, and how much I excused, and how much I convinced myself I was happy. Was I just that poor girl everyone was smiling at and saying ‘poor thing’ behind my back?”

The horror on her face instantly makes me feel better. “Isolde, no. Did I love Beau while you were with him? No. But I didn’t think this was who he was. Not at all. The way Warren talked about him, I thought they could have been twins. Later there were some times I thought you could have been happier, but it was your relationship and your business, so I figured you guys were just going through some shit like every couple does.

“But I had no idea. Neither did Mom. At least whenever she was around me. If I’d thought he was this much of a piece of shit during your relationship I would have told you. Hell, I probably would have hired a private investigator to prove it.”

Part of the weight lifts off my shoulders. “Thank you. I’ve been wondering if everyone was just waiting for the other shoe to drop, and I honestly don’t know if I could handle that.”

Ellie wrapped her arms around me. “You know, I bet Dad knows some hitmen.”

“Ellie.”

“What? Just because he’s a lawyer he can’t know shady people? Beau can disappear and no one ever has to know.”

I glanced back at all the guys. “Yeah, that’s a great idea, after Hawk very publicly threatened him this morning.”

“Details.”

“Stop,” I laughed. “It’s enough for him to fuck off. I don’t need to kill him.”

She sighed. “Fine. I’ll settle for castration.”

I didn’t hate that idea.

“Okay,” Warren stepped up beside Ellie and pulled her away from me. “Too much sister time.”

Ellie scoffed. “She’s been gone a year. There’s no such thing as too much sister time.” Then she patted his face. “Don’t be jealous. You get me for the rest of our lives.”

“That’s true.” He murmured the words against her lips. “I’m fucking lucky, aren’t I?”

“Yes, you are.”

They started making out. A few hoots and hollers from behind us in the line didn’t even make a dent.

“What do you say? Should we give them a run for their money?”

The warm and buttery side of bourbon infused my senses a second before Joel wove his fingers between mine with both his hands, bending down to lean his chin on my shoulder.

I gasped in mock horror. “And risk someone cutting in line because we’re not paying attention? Never.”

He purred, holding me easily. Not desperately or possessively, like it was a natural thing to have me tucked into his side. Like he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Did you have fun with Rowan?” He asked quietly.

Perfume exploded around me, and he grinned. “I guess that answers my question.”

“You haven’t told me what yours are.”

“My stuff on the list?”

“Mhmm.”

Joel tugged me around so I was plastered against him, hands moving to knead my lower back slowly. “I think almost everything I like on there can be summed up with ‘comfort.’”

I frowned. “I don’t remember that being on the list.”

“Not directly, no. Things like massages that lead to more. Sleepy sex. Or sex while one of us is sleeping.” He winked. “Holding you on my lap, my cock deep inside you, teasing your clit until you shatter all over me, no matter how long it takes. Maybe we’ll be watching a movie while we do that.”

There wasn’t quite enough air in my lungs. “I don’t think I’d be paying much attention to the movie.”

“No,” Joel agreed. “The movie is just an excuse.”

He guided me forward. We were getting close to the store now.

“But I like the soft and the comfortable. I like taking care of my Omega. I like taking my time.”

“So pretty much the opposite of Vaughn?”

Joel’s eyes twinkled. “Pretty much. See? You’ve got options.”

I rolled his words through my head. “Do you have an Omega?”

“No, just you.”

“Oh. You said you like taking care of your Omega. You meant me?”

A single finger tilted my chin upward as he dropped a kiss on my lips. That single kiss told me everything I needed to know about what Joel called comfort. Slow and easy, but deep. There was no less passion in this kiss than ones that were wild and feral. Pure intention that resonated through us. “You’re mine,” he said, smiling.

He didn’t say the unspoken truth—that I was his for now. For this moment. With him looking at me like that? I could almost believe it.

From one breath to the next, I made myself a vow to not care. I was theirs. Just because it was only for a while didn’t make it any less true. Why wouldn’t I grab the opportunity with both hands?

My cautious mind screamed that grabbing them would be like holding onto the third rail of a railroad track. Or getting struck by lightning.

The reckless part of me thought what a way to go.

I could flip back and forth as many times as I wanted, and it wouldn’t change. So why worry? Worry was for the old me. All that worry and caution brought me was heartache and a year in hiding. Maybe this heartbreak would be easier to take if I dove in headfirst and took everything. Felt everything. Experienced everything.

My eyes dropped to Joel’s mouth. “I’m yours,” I whispered.

So much for not making out in the line. Joel kissed me again, and I couldn’t give a shit who saw or who said anything. He gathered me up, drowning me in the spicy sweetness of his scent, marking me with his lips. Staking his claim. Telling me in the most carnal way how he intended to take care of me.

“What’s this about sex while sleeping?” I murmured when he pulled away.

“I’m only human,” he said mildly. “Sometimes I wake up and can’t wait until morning, and my hand isn’t enough. Only if you agreed first,” he clarified. “But something tells me you might like it.”

I narrowed my eyes, which made him laugh. Joel knew damn well I was interested. Because even drunk, reading that fucking list, the idea of waking up in the middle of being fucked was hot. Part of me wondered if it would be easier for me to come if my brain wasn’t involved.

“And let me make one thing clear.” He lowered his voice, thumb brushing my lower lip. “Just because I prefer comfort and ease doesn’t mean I can’t thoroughly ruin you, Omega.”

My heart skipped a beat. Maybe two. Was I still standing upright? Were my eyes open? I couldn’t really tell. The surge of arousal and need rendered me incapable of anything but staring at him.

New hands touched my waist. “You’ll have to tell me what he said to you to make your scent get even sweeter, princess. I didn’t think it was possible.” Cade pressed gently against my back, pulling me with him. We were probably ten feet from the front door, the line moving faster now that we were closer.

I cleared my throat. “Don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“That’s too bad. Maybe Joel will tell me later.”

But Joel shook his head. “A gentleman never arouses and tells.”

Rowan clapped Joel on the shoulder. “If you ever become a gentleman, then maybe it will apply.”

I realized they were all surrounding me, creating a barrier. “Did I have a wardrobe malfunction?”

Hawk barked a laugh. “What?”

“You’re all…” I gestured to their circle.

Cade squeezed my hips. “A small attempt at containing your scent. It’s so fucking tempting. We wanted to make it clear you’re off limits. And besides, you didn’t seem super comfortable with PDA.”

They were shielding me. “Thank you.”

Ellie watched me from Warren’s arms when they broke apart, a knowing smile on her face. All I could do was smile back.

A pack in front of us came out of the small shop, and it was suddenly our turn. The overwhelming scent of sugar and batter infused the air. Not quite as sweet or buttery as Hawk’s scent, but delicious.

Vaughn stepped up to the counter first, rubbing his hands together. “I need a vagina waffle and the sweetest, most floral flavor you have.”

The woman behind the counter, a Beta who looked like she’d been running a marathon looked at everything in front of her. “Floral? Can’t say we have much of that. Sorry. Fruity, yes. Floral, no.”

“Fair enough.” Vaughn glanced back at me, landing on my hair. “Let’s go with raspberries and cream, then.” His smirk told me enough. Red for my hair, cream for…

The woman, who wore a name tag that said Tracy, drizzled the waffle and handed it over.

Cade ordered blueberries. Rowan went with lemon tart. And I had no idea what I wanted.

I missed Joel and Hawk ordering, trying to decide what I wanted. All their scents were so appealing, but I found my mouth watering for my old favorite. Pineapple jam. It sounded weird as hell, but it was delicious. The sharp acidity cut through the sweeter batter Cream Dream used and made it perfect.

“Penis waffle with pineapple jam and the regular frosting.”

I watched Tracy drizzle the very intentionally white frosting over the treat, desperately trying to keep a straight face since I could practically feel them laughing behind me.

We didn’t stay in the shop to see Ellie and Warren order, instead spilling out onto the beach to wait for them.

“Fuck me.” I looked over to find Vaughn face first into the waffle, eating straight out of the middle, the sight hotter than it had any right to be. “It’s almost as good as you,” he said. “Almost.”

“Come here, baby girl.” Hawk slung an arm around my chest and pulled me against him before pulling out his phone and pointing the camera at us. “Take a bite of the dick for the camera.”

I laughed, color high on my cheeks as I looked at us on the screen. But I did it. Lifting the dick waffle, which was on a stick like a popsicle, I bit into the head of it right as Hawk licked through the center of his. He snapped pictures, and I couldn’t stop laughing.

“Cunt waffles are incredible.”

“Shh,” I swatted his arm. “That’s not what they’re called. And someone could hear you.”

He raised an eyebrow and nodded toward the fence surrounding the property. “No kids in here now, remember? Everyone here knows the word cunt and is thoroughly enjoying their waffles. Cock waffle is just as fun to say.”

I stared up at his dark eyes, getting lost in the way he looked at me. What he said the morning I woke up on his chest came back to me. “Still not pretending?”

“I’ll never pretend with you, Isolde. Promise.” He kissed me, the rich chocolate of his waffle still on his lips. I tried to pull back and he wouldn’t let me. “Not finished yet.”

Laughter bubbled up through the kiss, making it nearly impossible to continue. He tried anyway, but we both ended up laughing.

“What did you get?” He asked. “I didn’t hear.”

“Pineapple jam.”

“I’ve never had that.”

I held the waffle out to him. “Man enough to take a bite of penis?”

“Bet your ass.” Hawk bit into the waffle without hesitation. “That’s really good, actually. Maybe my next cunt waffle will be that one.”

I fought my smile and took a bite.

The rest of the world filtered in, and I realized Ellie and Warren were already out and eating, my sister looking at me like she didn’t know who I was. “What?”

“Nothing.” She cut me off before I could pester her. “I’ll tell you later.”

“You better.”

I lost count of the innuendos thrown back and forth by the time the waffles were gone. Everything from taste to the fact that their faces were covered with toppings. Relentless, and my abs hurt from laughing.

True to the bet we made, I opened my own car door on the way there and back. But Joel gave me a hard look as I closed it. “No more.”

“Because the world began to collapse when I opened my own door.”

“You are perfectly capable of opening your own doors,” Cade nodded in agreement. “But here’s the real question. Why should you have to?”

I didn’t have an answer for him, except for it being ‘unnecessary.’ If I pulled at that thread, it would go to the core of everything I was dealing with, which was that I didn’t feel worthy. Of them, of having a door opened, of anything.

Cade lifted my hand and kissed the back of it. “It’s not a bother. It’s not an obligation. It’s not something we’re doing while internally rolling our eyes. If it truly, truly makes you uncomfortable, I don’t want that. But if it’s because you think you’re making things easier for us, don’t.”

“You don’t like things easy?” I teased.

But Cade didn’t rise to the bait. He stepped into my space and pulled me to him, kissing my forehead with such tenderness it stole my breath. “Of course I do. Everyone loves easy things, princess. But someone who only looks for the easy way out, especially in something as small as this, is never worth your time.”

I breathed him in, leaning into his hold, and he smiled into my skin. “Can I say something?”

“Thought you already did.”

Soft laughter. “You don’t want to let us do this because being taken care of makes you afraid. Letting your guard down means it can happen again. That you’ll get hurt, and it will prove everything you already think is true.”

My heart stuttered in my chest, like Cade had reached into my chest and pinpointed the heart of me. “Will you give us a chance to change your mind?”

I’d already started to, and with my vow earlier tonight, I had to let them in. I had to give them this chance. “Okay.”

“Thank you.”

He released me, my body unsure what to do now that he wasn’t holding me. I swallowed. My knees were unsteady as I crossed the gravel drive to the house. Ellie waited by the front door, watching. “What were you going to tell me?” I asked.

“I’ve never seen you like that. That’s all I wanted to say.”

“Like what?”

Ellie searched my face. “So fucking happy, Iz. I may not have known what a piece of shit Beau was, but I know you’re happier with them than you ever were with him. I hope you can feel it.”

I glanced over my shoulder at the pack, chatting with Warren and giving the two of us space before they came inside. “I do,” I finally said. “I really do.”