Page 90 of Stuck with my Pack
The moment we board, I’m struck by how natural Brodie looks at the helm—his hands sure and steady as he starts the engine. His scent, always warm and grounding, thickens in the salty air, making my Omega stir.
I laugh, any lingering nerves melting away as Brodie skillfully navigates us out of the harbor. The wind tugs at my hair, the sea air filling my lungs with something fresh and exhilarating. The stress of the inn, of my heat, of everything— all drifts away.
Brodie steers us toward a secluded cove tucked between cliffs, hidden by towering trees. The water here is impossibly clear, almost glasslike. The sea swells are gentle in the protected cove, and the cliffs above us are lined with evergreens.
The boat rocks gently beneath us, cradled by the calm waters of the cove. Sunlight glints off the surface, turning the sea into a bed of scattered diamonds.
The cliffs towering around us create a pocket of stillness, shielding us from the wind. All I can hear is the rhythmic lapping of water against the hull and the occasional cry of a seabird overhead.
“It’s perfect,” I murmur, feeling the moment’s warmth settles in my bones.
Brodie smiles from where he stands near the wheel, anchoring us securely. “Knew you’d like it.”
Tyler pops open the cooler, rummaging inside before pulling out a wedge of cheese, some crackers, and a handful of other delicious looking things.
He sets them up on a blanket thrown over the deck and then pulls out two bottles of wine. With a suttle pop, he opens them and then immediately knocks over a bottle in the process of finding a glass.
“Shit,” he mutters, trying to right it before it spills everywhere.
I laugh, shaking my head as I grab some napkins to help. “For someone as graceful as you, you’re surprisingly uncoordinated.”
Tyler narrows his eyes at me playfully, his grin sharp. “Oh, you wanna talk about coordination? Remind me who tripped over a paint can last week and nearly took Brodie down with her?”
“That was sabotage,” I argue, pointing an accusing finger at Brodie, who raises his hands in mock innocence. “He left it right in my path.”
“I waspainting, sweetheart,” Brodie says, settling onto one of the cushioned benches. “You’re the one who came barreling in, not looking where you were going.”
I huff dramatically but can’t fight the grin pulling at my lips.
Ethan, ever the problem solver, silently hands me a full glass of wine before setting down a plate of fruit between us.
His gaze meets mine as his fingers graze my wrist, and the touch lingers for just a moment longer than necessary. A shiver rolls through me, and from the way his lips twitch, I know he notices.
The four of us settle in, the boat rocking gently as we dig into the spread of food. Soft brie, cured meats, grapes so sweet they burst in my mouth.
The tang of the wine lingers on my tongue as I lean back against the cushions, letting the warmth of the afternoon seep into my skin.
Tyler, lounging beside me, reaches for a strawberry and holds it out. “Want one?”
I roll my eyes at his smug expression but still part my lips. He presses it between them slowly, his thumb grazing the corner of my mouth before he pulls away. My stomach tightens at the look in his eyes, something teasing but dark around the edges.
“You’re such a tease,” I say, voice quieter than intended.
“You love it.” He winks before popping a strawberry into his mouth.
Across from us, Brodie watches with a knowing smirk. “You two done playing with your food, or should Ethan and I give you a minute?”
Ethan snorts, leaning back on his elbows. “I’d rather eat than watch Tyler try to flirt.”
Tyler glares at him. “First of all,rude?—”
I laugh, shaking my head as I tuck my feet beneath Ethan’s legs. “God, I love this.”
Brodie tilts his head. “Love what?”
I hesitate, glancing between them, my chest tightening with something soft and unfamiliar. “Just…this. The way we are together.” I gesture vaguely around us. “It’s easy. Feels so right.”
Tyler stretches out, arms behind his head, looking more relaxed than I’ve seen him in days. “I can’t believe the inspectionis tomorrow,” he says. “I’m not going to lie; I half-expected something to cave in before we made it this far.”
