“Excellent,” Bel said when he could get his lungs working properly.
Wyatt’s smirk grew, and he turned to disappear into the dressing room again. This had backfired brilliantly. Oh, both wolves ended up properly attired, from basic jeans and casual shirts to even a couple of suits as well as any necessary undergarments. They grew more confident each time they stepped out of the dressing room to show off a new outfit.
Bloody River even had Bel alternating between blushing and laughing so damn hard as the shifter turned the empty floor into his own personal catwalk, complete with sassy strut and pouty lips. And the man could move. It was as if he were more liquid than bone as he crossed the floor in smooth motions.
But it reminded Bel of exactly how physically beautiful they both were. He noticed it that first night, but he had been able to push it all down in the face of their suffering and desperation. After that night, Bel had been able to concentrate on their happiness, safety, and general well-being.
With smiles on their faces and dressed in sharply tailored clothes, they were once again physical temptations as well, forcing Bel to brutally remind himself that River and Wyatt were the happy couple. He was the outsider. The unwanted intruder.
If he were lucky, one day he would be regarded the same as Ozzie saw him—a friend. And that would just have to be enough.
River felt completely and truly spoiled. He still wanted to giggle over the way Bel had declared at the end of three hours of fittings that they were simply going to take everything they’d tried on. Only he and Wyatt had blinked at that statement; the clerks just rushed to make it happen without a word.
It all felt like a dream, like he was going to wake up back at the MacPherson compound, but that certainty was growing dimmer by the day. Bel had made them feel welcome in his home, and now he was making sure they were comfortable in his life.
Even now, as they pulled into the driveway of Bel’s house, River couldn’t shed the goofy grin on his lips.
But more than the clothes had been Bel’s support and understanding throughout the whole night. When the vampire had pulled him aside, he hadn’t been quite sure what to expect, but Bel’s gentleness and compassion had nearly pushed River to tears. Only Wyatt had ever showed such concern. River believed every word Bel told him: he wouldn’t have thought poorly of him if River had asked to leave without trying on a single thing.
When Bel said he only wanted River’s happiness, it was the truth.
After such a perfect evening, River wasn’t ready for the day to end. Bel had given him and Wyatt a gift, a taste of the kind of life they would have while living with Bel. It overflowed with laughter, kindness, and security. Now River wanted to return the favor. He wanted to show Bel the kind of happiness that came with being part of a pack.
“Bel?” River started as they climbed out of the car.
“Yes?” The vampire stood with his left hand on the car door while he shoved the keys into his pocket.
“Do you have to work tonight?”
Bel’s mouth bobbed open for a moment as if River’s question had temporarily broken his brain. “I-I guess I don’t. Why?”
“There’s this movie Wyatt and I were planning to watch. It’s supposed to be a great spy conspiracy thriller chase across Europe. We could order some pizza, pop some popcorn, and make a night of it. Would you join us?”
“Really?” Bel replied, the single word catching in his throat.
“Yes, please.”
The smile that lit up Bel’s features nearly knocked out River’s knees. It was like he’d just offered Bel the key to all of his dreams. As it was, he was struggling to not pull the vampire into the tightest hug of his entire life. With every touch, every word, every action, Bel was proving himself to be pack. He belonged to River and Wyatt whether he realized it or not.
“Then, yes. I’d love to.”
“There’s one condition,” Wyatt added, shutting his car door with a heavy thud. “You have to change out of your fancy clothes into something you can lounge in.” His mate looked at River, and his smile grew. Yes! He should have known Wyatt would be on the same page.
“It’s true,” River agreed. “Movie watching requires puppy piles, and you can’t do that in non-loungey clothes.”
Bel’s nose wrinkled a little, but he looked more confused than anything. “I’m not sure what that is, but I’m sure you’ll explain it. You order the pizza, and I’ll find the appropriate attire.”
After Bel disappeared up to his bedroom, Wyatt pulled River into his lap on the couch while he ordered a couple of pizzas on Bel’s tablet. The clothes shopping had been far more fun than River expected, but there was something so much better about being safe at home with Wyatt’s arms wrapped around him.