“No? Why’s that?”
“Don’t know you.”
“But you will. I intend for us to know each other very well.”
“Because you’re going to share me with your brothers,” she said dryly. Her eyes were almost shut by then. “And how do you think that will work? Will you pass me around like a packet of chips? Won’t you get jealous of each other? I mean, how did your mother cope with three husbands? Three egos. Three attitudes. It’s three times the work.”
The mattress shifted, and she was lifted and then placed down again. She opened her eyes to find he’d shifted her across to the other side of the bed so he could lay down beside her.
“You could have just moved to the other side,” she grumbled. She’d been close to sleep.
“And have you between me and the door?” He sounded horrified. “What kind of protector do you take me for?”
“I already have a protector.”
He snorted. It was a disgusted noise. “Some protector. He wasn’t even able to keep you out of trouble. He had no idea where you were, did he?”
“No. He knew nothing. But that doesn’t make you my protector, Sawyer.”
“Well, you’re just going to have to get used to it because that’s exactly what I am. Now hush. You need to get to sleep. I’m going to have to have a talk with my brother about taking better care of you. He shouldn’t have kept you awake all night.”
“Maybe I kept him up all night,” she grumbled. “And, you know, maybe I’d rather not have a protector at all. Maybe I’d like to protect myself.”
She drifted off to sleep.
* * *
He stared down at her, watching her sleep. He’d been watching her for at least an hour now. Couldn’t seem to stop himself.
Maybe he should have left. Probably it was considered creepy to stare at her the way he was. He wasn’t sure. He knew he couldn’t sleep, though. Not while in the enemy’s house. And that’s what Carlin Blake was. An enemy. A criminal. Sawyer didn’t care that he was her family. That he might love her. He hadn’t done a good enough job protecting her. She’d been on her own. Vulnerable.
Sawyer intended to make certain that never occurred again.
He rolled onto his back, looking up at the ceiling. She whimpered in her sleep and rolled to him, plastering herself next to him. He froze as she swung a leg over his hip. She made a small noise of satisfaction. Her breast was pressed to his arm. His balls burned. His cock had been pressing against his pants since he’d stepped into the room and caught a hint of her scent.
Peaches.
Yeah, he wanted to know her, savor her taste, and inhale her scent. He yearned to hear the noises she made when they made love to her. Maybe she was right, jealousy could play a part in their relationship unless they were careful, but he would never allow any of that to fall on her.
“No. No, Carlin.”
He frowned. What had that bastard done to her? Had he hurt her? Had he forced her to do things she didn’t want to do?
“Love you too.”
Okay, that he didn’t like hearing. He’d rather paint Blake the complete villain. It would make it easier to pry her away from him. Maybe he could just take her with him now. He could find something to carry her in, sneak through the house and . . . probably get caught. Plus, there was her reaction. He might not be good with emotions but even he recognized that she’d be pissed if he kidnapped her from her own home.
He sighed. So, what to do? Perhaps Joe should have come. He couldn’t tell her what they were. Not yet. Not until they were surer of her. They couldn’t risk their secret coming out. Their secret had been guarded for thousands of years. But never once had a mate been a human.
Most of their kind lived north of here, in Alaska. He’d always assumed their mate would come searching for them. That she would be a strong, bear shifter. Tall, curvy, and powerful. Not that she’d be some little human from the neighboring town. How could he convince her to come with them? She didn’t understand any of this. And he couldn’t explain it.
Hell of a mess to be in.
She moved, snuggling in closer. He grunted as her leg collided with his hard cock. Shit. She might have been threatened with torture, but she was the one doling it out. If he had to lay there much longer he was going to roll her over, tear off those sweats and . . . no. No, he wouldn’t do any of those things. Because she was his mate. And a virgin. Her first time was going to be gentle, kind, and sweet, and he didn’t know jack shit about any of that.
Her first time should be with all of them. So, knowing he wasn’t going to be able to keep himself from touching her for much longer, Sawyer gently extricated himself from her hold and slipped off the mattress. It took a huge amount of control to make himself step away from her. He stood and watched her for a moment to make sure she wasn’t going to wake—she needed her sleep—before he moved over to the armchair. Unable to sleep that far from her, he picked it up and carried it over to sit next to the bed.
Then he sat, propped his feet up on the mattress and prepared himself for a sleepless, uncomfortable night.
* * *
She’d gone to sleep cozy and warm and now she felt cold. Chilled. She opened her eyes and studied her surroundings. Her room. Her bed. Her sweats. Argh, since when did she wear sweats to bed? Why had she woken up?
Then her gaze hit him.
He sat in the armchair he’d obviously moved closer to the bed. His eyes were closed but she didn’t think he was sleeping. He looked tense. His eyebrows were drawn together. But then she wondered if he was ever entirely rested. He was a force of nature. Strong and handsome, although he’d be more so with some grooming. He was also a little crazy. Funny how that had terrified her to begin with and now she kind of liked that wildness.
Gigi, get a grip.
She tried. She really tried to find her sensible side. To be cautious. To have a little bit of sense for once. But she was failing.
The more she watched him, the more she wanted him. She hadn’t been able to sleep for thinking of everything Garret had done to her. For wanting more.
It’s not right to want both of them. Even though they want to share me?
Fuck. Fuuuckk.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
He opened his eyes, stared at her. “Sleeping. Until I was so rudely awakened.”
She didn’t take offense at the gruff tone. That was, she was beginning to understand, part of who he was. “You weren’t asleep.”
He raised an eyebrow. “That so, little girl?”
“Don’t call me little girl.”
“You’re little.”
“Compared to you most people are,” she shot back.
He smiled. “They are.” His voice was filled with satisfaction.
She rolled her eyes and sat up, pulling off her sweatshirt.
“What are you doing?” he asked with a hint of alarm.
“I’m hot.” Minutes before she’d been chilled. Now she had to get rid of the sweats before she started sweating. Although removing the top had little effect on the heat waves battering her. She moved her hands to the pants.
“Don’t,” he said in a tight voice.
She paused, heeding the warning note in his voice. He sounded like he was on the edge. She watched him warily. His jaw was clenched, the muscles in his neck were tense, and his breathing had become faster.
“I still have my boxers on underneath,” she told him. She’d tried to sound angry, instead her voice was a little breathless. It was a heady feeling, realizing he was aroused because of her.
She slid off the pants.
“Jesus fucking Christ, do you know what you’re doing to me?”
Oh, that heady feeling grew. And it pushed away those little voices telling her to proceed with caution.
Yeah, like caution had ever been her strong suit. She wouldn’t find herself in these situations if it were.
“No. Why don’t you tell me?”
She threw the sweats away.
His eyes flickered to where they fell then back to her.
“You’d do best not to tease me, little girl.”
“Stop calling me that!” she said with heat. “I might be small but I’m not a girl.”
“But you are.”
It was like a smack to the face. It made her want to curl in on herself and hide with shame. “Garret told you.”
His gaze narrowed. He watched her. “What’s wrong?”
“Wrong? What could be wrong?” She laughed. It was a dry, brittle sound.
“Something is wrong. Something I said upset you.” He ran a finger over his chin. “I said you were a girl. What is wrong with that? You see it as an insult when all I spoke of was your age in comparison to mine.”
“You’re not that much older than me.”
“Oh, you have no idea.”
What did that mean?
“Then you said, Garret told me. What could you be worried about Garret telling me about your age?” Then his gaze turned thoughtful. “Unless you weren’t talking age.”
“I was talking about sex. He told you I haven’t had sex.”
“He did.”
“Jesus, you’re not even going to fucking try to deny it?”
“I try not to lie unless it’s necessary.”
“Big news flash, pal. That’s what most people fucking do.” And she was tired of all the lies.
“Joe is not going to like your language.”
“Joe can go screw himself. I’m not changing who I am for anybody!” She swung out her hand and hit the wall. She cursed. She’d forgotten she was on the far side of the bed.
Sawyer jumped up and was next to her in seconds. “Let me see. Did you hurt yourself?”
“Of course, I damn well hurt myself.” But the physical pain wasn’t the only thing causing the tears in her eyes. “Shit. Shit. Shit.”
“I’m sorry I upset you.” There seemed to be real remorse in his gaze as he looked up at her. He took a gentle hold of her hand, running his thumb over it. “Move your fingers. Is that okay? Any pain?”
“It’s all right.” She tried to tug her hand back.
“We should put ice on it. Do you have any?”
She shook her head. “It’s down in the main kitchen.”
“I’ll get some.”
“No, wait.” She reached for him and caught the back of his shirt.
He turned to her, startled.
“Someone will see you.”
“No one will see me.”
She rolled her eyes. “My God, you’re arrogant. Sawyer, I just whacked my hand. I don’t need ice.”
He stared at her for a moment. “A cold cloth then.”
She didn’t argue, even though she thought he was overreacting. Her hand throbbed but nothing was broken. Nothing that couldn’t be repaired. Unlike her pride.
He returned, wrapped a cool cloth around her hand. It did help.
“Thanks,” she muttered.
“It hurt you that Garret told me?”
She couldn’t look at him. “It’s my private business. He had no right telling you.”
He reached over, placed a finger under her chin, and tilted her face up. “He had every right. Because I need to know everything that’s relevant to your care.”
She shook her head and pulled away from him. “First of all, I know you all have this crazy idea you’re going to share me, but that’s not happening. Second, I don’t need care. You might see me as young and foolish and in need of protection. But I’m tough. I’m strong. I don’t need anyone.”
“That so?”
“Yes.” She nodded.
“Do you think that I’m tough and strong?” he asked, sitting back in the arm chair.
“What?”
He was silent. She looked him over. He was built like a brick shithouse.
“Yeah, you’re strong. Tough.”
“I need someone.”
“W-what?”
“I need someone. Actually, more than one person.”
She frowned. “So now you want me to share you?” Because she wasn’t down with that. She didn’t share.
“What? No. I meant, I need my brothers also.”
“To share me?”
He shrugged. “It is a family thing.”
“You know that’s a damn weird family tradition to have, right? Most people have traditions like singing Christmas carols on Christmas Eve or gathering on a Sunday for a roast. Not sharing a partner.”
“We’re not most people.”
“No, I get that.”
“We all want you, Gigi. Are you saying you don’t feel the same for us? That you don’t want me like you want Garret?”
She licked her lips. “It’s not supposed to be that way.”
“Come here.” His voice was seductive. Irresistible.
She found herself crawling to him. He looked at her hand. “It’s not hurting you?”
“No.” It pulled her slightly out of the seductive web he was weaving.
“You’ve stopped moving.”
“I shouldn’t do this.”
“You should. You should give me what you gave Garret.”
“Tit for tat?” She raised an eyebrow. “You’re jealous?”
“I won’t be after I’ve tasted your sweet pussy.”
She blushed bright red. “You shouldn’t talk to me like that.”
“Why? Because you’re a virgin? It’s nothing to be ashamed of. We’ve all been virgins at one time.”
“I’m not ashamed.” Except she was, a little. Worried about not being women enough for them.
“You’re lying. Lying is going to get you placed over my knee.”
Instead of being incensed at those words, her body flooded with need. “You’ve got a real obsession with spanking my ass.”
“It’s a very delectable ass. And I’m a very dominant man.”
“I won’t let you boss me around. Take me over. I won’t be smothered.”
He nodded his head. “I understand.”
“But are you listening?”
He grinned. “I can’t guarantee I’ll always do what you want me to. But I can tell you I’ll always listen.”
“We’re going to butt heads, aren’t we?”
“Oh, yes. And I look forward to every moment.”
Funnily enough, so did she. Even though she was pretty sure she wouldn’t see him after tonight. Their idea of sharing her was ludicrous. It would never work. But that didn’t make her want them any less. What would it matter to have a little fun? He was here. And she was . . . irresistibly attracted to him.
And in the long, cold nights to come she’d be able to relive this night. To know that someone wanted her for her. Not because she was Carlin Blake’s sister. Not for what she could do for them.
He narrowed his gaze at her. “I see you still haven’t obeyed me. Come here.” He pointed at his lap. She crawled towards him, aware of her breasts swinging beneath her shirt, the way his gaze zeroed in on them.
When she reached the edge of the mattress, she reached out, took hold of the arm rests and then crawled right onto his lap.
“Is this what you wanted, Master?” she said teasingly. The word shouldn’t have lit her insides the way it did. She would never be a slave for anyone. She’d had enough of following other people’s rules. Yet this was different. She felt empowered. Strong. It was too much to analyze right now. She could only go with what she felt. And what she felt was a strong need to have him take her. To ease the raging need inside her.
“It will do for now.” He stared down at her body. “You were teasing me.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“You should pay for that.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Show me your breasts.”
Okay, that wasn’t what she’d expected. Could she do it? She liked to pretend she was strong, tough, and worldly but she was a sheltered kid. He was right. She was a little girl.
“Gigi, look at me.”
She glanced
into his eyes. They were doing that glowing thing Garret’s did. So weird.
“You are so beautiful,” he told her. “So precious. I know you don’t fully know me. But I would never harm you.”
“You like to be in charge.”
“I do. But I can only be in charge if you give me permission.”
She took in a sharp breath. “Some men don’t ask for permission. They take control. They force. I’m tired of being made to do things I don’t want to do. Of being under someone else’s control.”
“This isn’t about me pushing my rule on you. It’s about you deciding to give me control.”
“And if you abuse your power?”
“Then you have my permission to slice my balls from my body. It will be no less than I deserve.”
He meant it.
“If I ever abused my power, abused you then I would deserve every punishment you could mete out.”
“You’re bigger than me.”
He lifted a brow. “You’re saying you couldn’t do it?”
“Oh, I could do it.” Hmm, seemed he wasn’t the only arrogant one.
“And you would have my brothers to help you.”
“They’re not like you. In this way.” She blushed slightly.
“I told you I was different. I need rules. Boundaries. Control. But everything I do will be with your pleasure in mind. Your safety. Your care. I won’t always say or do the right thing. You’ll have to teach me.”
Teach him how to care for her. It was a big task and one she’d relish if they were to be together. But she had no intention of going back to that castle. Of being their mate. Whatever that meant. She had her own plans.
But she didn’t want to debate that right now. She was on fire.
“How do I get you to stop? If I don’t like something?”
“You say, stop, I don’t like that.”
“And you just stop?”
He nodded. “And I just stop. You have my word.”
She couldn’t trust his word, could she? Yet there was something old-fashioned about the way he’d said that. As if this was a man who gave his word and meant it.
Honor.
It wasn’t something she’d really seen in others before. But if anyone had it, Sawyer did.
“Are we in agreement?” he asked.
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