“I want the promise of you to be real,” he whispers, and my heart breaks. “I don’t want your opinion to change when you know the things I’ve done.” I slide off my seat. Keeping my focus on him, I walk around the island and stop in front of him.
“I can’t pretend to understand.” I place my palms on his chest. “I don’t know what you have been through. What I see is that your brothers love you. Rylee lets you stay here and sit at hertable. There is pain in your eyes that I want to soothe. When we walked through the crowd at the fight, you stayed at my side, protecting me. I know you don’t want to hurt me. There are true monsters in the world. I lived with one. You aren’t like him. You may have an animal inside, but he likes me.” I smile, and he chuckles.
“How can you tell?” he asks.
“Because I can sense his need to protect me. What you really want to do is fuck me, but both of you are holding back your instincts.” I smirk.
“She’s right,” Hunter laughs.
“You are,” Lawson sighs. “I’ve been controlling my animal and myself since we met. It’s gotten easier the longer I’m around you. We'll never hit you, whether or not we're angry.” I lower my head, and he presses his thumb under my chin. “I want to kill him for laying a hand on you.”
“Bane offered too,” I say softly.
“He was serious,” he says. “Bane doesn’t lie. All of us would do it willingly.”
“He’s not worth the effort.” It would be fun to see Father's fear when he saw their animal.
“No one fucks with you,” Hunter grumbles.
“You can’t guarantee that.” I grin.
“Can and will,” Lawson says, pulling me closer. “I’ve wanted to taste those lips since the hallway.”
My breath catches.
“I want that too,” I whisper, and then wait. His gaze travels over my face and then stays on my lips.
“I wonder if your lips are as soft as they look.” He tilts his head. “What do you think, Brother?”
“Only one way to find out,” Hunter rumbles.
“Hmm…” He inches closer. “Let’s see.” His hesitance disappears, and he takes what he wants.
Three days ago, if you told me I would be kissing one man while another watches, I would have laughed my ass off. Now, I can’t imagine not having the opportunity. Whereas Remy was slow and measured, Lawson is fast, thorough, and deep. I grip his shirt as I feel his claim from the top of my head to my toes, and everywhere in between tingles. Having Hunter watch adds a level of excitement I never thought I could like. Picturing all of them watching makes my knees weak, and I lean against his body, my hands smooshed between us. His hands remain on my face, keeping me where he wants me. His mouth is hot and commanding.
“Shit,” he growls, yanking back. “I need you to back away.” I blink rapidly, and my breath is harsh. “Hunter.”
“Princess, come here,” Hunter orders, and his voice cuts through my lust. I know Lawson wouldn’t hurt me or do anything I didn’t want, but I back out of his arms.
“Are you okay?” I ask as I move toward Hunter.
“Powerful,” he hisses, watching my progress.
“What?”
“The bond is powerful, and I don’t have the restraint,” he continues.
“Why don’t you take a walk?” Hunter says, grabbing my hand.
“Good idea.” He moves stiffly to the door and leaves quickly.
“Did I do something wrong?” I ask.
“No.” He pulls on my hand, leans back on the island, and widens his legs. “You did everything right.” He guides me to stand between his feet with his hands on my hips. “Lawson is complicated and doesn’t have much experience controlling himself.”
“Will it get easier for him?”
“It will. This is new to him. He wants to treat you gently, yet his animal is wild. He’s been taught to fight for everything.” Hepauses as if deciding something. “I want him to feel comfortable enough to tell you what he’s been through.”
