“They have worked for my father for several years. Slick is the one with blonde hair. I don’t know his real name. I started calling him that because of all the gel he uses in his hair.” I wrinkle my nose. “He smelled. The other man is Matt. I don’t know their job description, and I never asked. I always thought it was better not to ask about the things my father does.”
“He’s in real estate?” Remy asks.
“Sure,” I mumble.
“Haven?” Bane tilts his head.
“I didn’t question him. He does sell houses, but I’m fairly confident that's not all he does.” I shrug and look at the crates propped against the counter.
“We’ll know soon,” Hunter says.
“So, you want me to move in?” I don’t want to talk about Father anymore. He’s ruining my morning.
“Yes,” Lawson says, and my cheeks heat. I can remember how he felt inside me, and I want it again.
“You all live together, right?” I ask, nibbling on my lip.
“Yes, recently we bought a house,” Hunter says.
“There would be a lot of convincing,” I say, looking at Hunter.
“Huge amounts.” He grins.
“That sounds nice.” Am I ready to be surrounded by four men, their habits, the good, bad, and the dirty? I look at each of them. I feel a deep connection to them, which my head has a hard time understanding, while my body and heart tell me I’m falling for them.
“You know you want to,” Rylee says as she walks out of her bedroom, her hands in her hair, wrapping it in a bun. “Shifters aren’t like humans.” She stops in the kitchen. “They are stillmen, though, so us girls will be here when you need a night away from them. I'll miss the food.” She brushes loose strands away from her face. “But I’ll survive.”
“Rylee—” She shakes her head.
“Don’t worry about me. They're your mates. You belong with them. Get to know them, complete the bond, and have lots of babies. I want to be an aunt.” She smiles.
“I think I need your guy to go back to my apartment.” When they asked if I wanted anything else besides the paintings, I said no. I wasn’t ready to accept that this was real. Looking at them now, I see their seriousness. Being with Lawson and Remy last night was an experience I would love to repeat for the rest of my life. Lawson opened his heart and shared things I don’t think he would tell just anyone.
“You’ll do it?” Bane asks gruffly.
“Yes.”
“Thank you, Princess,” Hunter says, kissing my forehead.
“I’m glad you're happy,” Rylee says, turning to the fridge. “What’s for breakfast?”
“I’ll cook,” Remy says softly. He comes close, kisses me briefly, and joins Rylee.
“Sunshine, you won’t regret it,” Lawson says, and leans down to brush his cheek against mine. He steps back, and Bane takes his place.
“I’m proud of you,” he whispers, and I melt.
“Why?” No one has told me that since my mom was alive.
“You're brave.” He tugs on my hair. “Living with the beasts.” He grins widely. My whole body tingles. He’s smiled at me before, a little lift of his lips, but never a full-on smile.
It’s powerful.
“Don’t ever smile at other women,” I blurt out, and he chuckles. “I’m serious. Please.” He leans down so his face is close to mine.
“Promise,” he says roughly. “All my smiles will be for you.”
Do they give shifters a rulebook of all the right things to say to women? I’ve been wasting time trying to find a human to treat me right.
