Page 213 of Just Wait

Riser falls back asleep, and listening to his gentle breathing is so grounding. If I focus on the bond, I can tell when they’re awake versus when they’re asleep.

However, I’m too lost to humming out lyrics to notice Kincaid has woken up. He comes to a stop in front of the coffee table with his jeans hanging open.

“I wondered where the two of you went,” Kincaid says, his lips tipping up at the edges. “You’re just as bad as me. It’s okay to relax sometimes.”

“Yeah, but I was going to lose my mind if I hung out in the nest any longer.” I smile, shaking my head. “I’m sure you know what it’s like when inspiration hits.”

“Definitely,” he agrees. “Can I help?”

I shake my head. “I don’t think so. At least, not yet. Once we head back to the cabin, absolutely. For now, I’m just screwing around and seeing what sparks.”

“Gotcha.” He grins shamelessly. “Well, I’m going to hop in the shower. Feel free to join me if you get bored.”

I had no idea that I would experience a period as my heat subsides. Without the guys giving me a heads-up, I would have been so confused. I probably would have thought I was legit sitting in a puddle of cum.

Based on the uncomfortable gush, I might be joining K in the shower after all.

Riser is out of it as I shake him awake, but he rubs his eyes and pops up without any of the attitude I would have had to deal with from past boyfriends. He listens intently and nods. “Same brands as last time?”

“If you can,” I say, clenching my thighs together. Not that it helps, but it’s probably a mental thing. “I have some on the bus, but I didn’t think I’d need them.”

“No big deal.” He shrugs. “It’ll be easier to go to the store than it would be to gain access to the bus when it’s parked an hour away. I’ll wake up the guys and see if one of them wants to come with me.”

“Kincaid is in the shower,” I say as my face heats. “I’m about to kick him out so I can clean up.”

Riser pops off the couch and kisses my cheek. “Let him scrub your back. It’s always more fun to clean up with a partner.”

I smile and take off, waddling my way to the door to the bedroom. I always thought I would end up married to one person. It’s how life goes for betas ninety-eight percent of the time, but I adore all three of them.

For it being the first heat they’ve helped an omega through, they’ve done an incredible job. They’ve told me what to expect and kept me calm.

I really don’t know how I got so lucky in life to end up bonded to the three of them.

Kincaid opts to shower with me. It’s both humbling and sweet, even if my face burns the entire time. Once we get out, he wraps a towel around me and another around my hair.

“Do you mind running out to see if Riser made it back?” I ask as Kincaid tucks his towel around his slender hips.

“Be right back.” He winks, spins, and exits the bathroom.

Damn.

Everyone is right.

That man has killer daddy energy. I’m not sure I’d be down to call a sexual partner Daddy, but we’ll have to see how that goes.

My abdomen aches, and I frown.

Mother Nature hates me lately. At least my cramps are mild compared to the period I experienced on the bus. Having two in less than a month is still cruel and unusual punishment, though.

Kincaid and I talked about it while we were in the shower, and he mentioned he thought my system was trying to jump-start my heat then. It didn’t work out, but it tried again as soon as possible, and this time it succeeded.

It makes sense, but I’m still grumbly about it. The only positive thing is, he told me omegas only menstruate following a heat. That means, moving forward, I’ll only have to deal with this four times a year.

“Sorry, sweetheart. They aren’t back yet.” Kincaid comes back into the bathroom, shaking his head. “But I have a little something that might distract you.” He stops in front of me, popping the hinged lid on a necklace box. The necklace inside has a thick chain with an open heart on one end and a heart-shaped lock on the other. “Can I put it on you? I want to show you how it works.”

I’ve seen them before, and I know exactly how they work.

“Yeah, go for it.” I pull the towel off my head and bundle up my hair, getting it out of the way.