“We haven’t had a stop since Turks. So he’s still on the ship. Maybe he just needs some time to think.”
“Or maybe he’s hiding away in his small interior cabin until he can finally escape me.”
“Or he could just need some time to figure out how to be the Alpha you need.”
“Your optimism is refreshing, but I’m not getting my hopes up,” I tell her, and she gives me a small smile.
“Come on, let’s go meet the guys on the sports deck. I’m so ready to ogle all of them while they play basketball with their shirts off,” she says.
I tilt my head at her. Has she not seen Pack Marshall naked yet?
“You still haven’t…”
“No. But I think tonight is the night. Do you think sleeping with all of them at once for the first time is acceptable, or should I just pick one each night and work my way up to an orgy?”
“Hmm, there are definitely pros to each option,” I say.
“Orgy it is,” Andie replies with a wink.
I laugh while we make our way to the highest deck where all the courts are. As we approach, there’s a sign for Omega pickleball and I point to it.
“It’s doubles, have you ever played?”
“Can’t say I have.”
I squint at the sign-up sheet and see Megan’s name. My competitive side rears its ugly little head and I simply just can’t let her win, not after the way she disrespected Forrest the other night.
“Then it’s time to learn,” I tell Andie, putting our names on the sheet and grabbing her wrist, dragging her to the rental equipment stand.
“Are you sure you want to be stuck with a partner that has no experience?” she questions, a slight fear in her eyes as I grin at her.
“I’m an excellent teacher and there’s no fucking way I’m going to let Megan Moyer win the grand prize of a private pack cabana on the ship’s private island. Plus, we have a few days before the tournament. We got this.”
Maybe it was my need to beat Megan at something, or maybe it was the ultimate distraction, so I didn’t worry whether he would get off the ship right before we got to St. Thomas.
Either way, beating a small ball with a paddle to let out my frustrations seemed like a good idea.
Chapter 20
Wells
Forrest and Ihave been playing basketball with the Marshall pack. Beating their asses to be more accurate. But I suppose it isn’t fair when Forrest has at least five inches on everyone here.
These guys are good men though, and I’m glad they seem to hit it off with Claire’s friend, Andie.
Honestly, Heat Haven should just pay me to be a matchmaker on this ship, because I’d have everyone packed up by the end of the cruise. But alas, I’m too busy courting an Omega and dealing with an Alpha who’s never really had to share in his life.
Speaking of said Omega, Claire and Andie come strolling up to the basketball court, both of them covered in a sheen of their own sweat.
The moment they’re within sniffing range, I swear all the Alphas lose their collective fucking minds. Terrence dragging Andie to one corner, and Forrest bear hugging the shit out of Claire and bringing her to the other side.
I’ve concluded that they’re all feral at this point and it’s my duty as the pack Beta to keep everyone in check.
I expect Claire to complain about him, pressing her against his sweaty, hairy chest, but she just laughs. The sound is melodicand sweet. Both of us are so gone over her and I truly can’t believe she’s ours. I want to give her the world. I know she could buy herself whatever she wants, but there are so many things that money can’t buy; like the way my Alpha and Omega are smiling at each other right now. I rub my chest because it’s the cutest shit I’ve ever seen.
“And where have you been?” he asks, peppering her sweat-covered collarbone. I swear I see his tongue peek out and take a little lick of her, too.
Naughty, dirty Alpha. I love it.