I exhale harshly and stare into the mirror. My pants are hanging low, my cock glistening, and my shirt open. I feel something stir in my heart. For a very long time, I doubted I had the capacity to love. I’ve locked my emotions behind a vault, knowing if I didn’t feel anything, I wouldn’t be hurt again. Seeing Lawson for the first time since we were children, the vault creaked open. He was my brother, yet a stranger. I felt the pull towards him, and it took months to realize the love I felt for him, and he wouldn’t leave us again.
Haven has pierced the hard shell around me, and I don’t want to build my defenses back up. I love her. I love everything about her. Shit. I look down when I hear her returning, and zip my pants.
“Are we going to be late?” she asks, stopping in front of me.
“No. We have time to find more clothes,” I say.
“I should get new underwear.” She reaches for my shirt, buttoning it. “If I put mine on, I’ll get the clothes wet.” She gazes up at me, biting her lip.
“Then choose wisely.” I tilt my head. “Your panties smell like you.”
“Remy,” she laughs, patting my chest.
“Haven,” I hum, and tangle my fingers in her hair. “All of us are possessive fuckers. We want any shifter to know who you belong to.”
“If it means something to you.” I nod. “Okay,” she says softly.
“Thank you, baby.” I kiss her gently. “For the beautiful gift you gave me.” I tug her silky strands.
She presses close. “Thank you for treating me like a gift.”
“You are. Do not doubt it,” I growl.
I’ll spend the rest of my time on Earth convincing her.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Haven
I’m warm. Wet. Satisfied, yet still hungry. I haven’t taken my eyes off my sexy mate since he settled me in the car beside him. He’s powerful in form, but even more so in demeanor. He holds himself with a confidence that can’t be faked. He played with my body as if he could read my mind, and I will gladly encourage him to do it again and again. His needs didn’t scare me, but only fueled my own. Each of my mates satisfies a different part of me, and I love it. I easily allowed Remy to command me. Calling him Sir, just as Hunter and Bane are Daddy, came easily. It fits him. His desire for me to smell like him hits a secret place inside me. It makes me feel loved.
I haven’t recovered from our intense time together, and I was distracted when he encouraged me to pick other clothes. I finally decided on a handful of things, only to have him add a dozenmore. I was uncomfortable at first. I don’t want any of them to think I need them to buy me things. My mother left me money, but I try not to spend it. I work hard and live simply. Yet, I could see his need to provide in his expression. Receiving gifts is difficult for me. In the past, when my father gave me anything, it was his way of controlling me, not just an act of kindness. My mates are working hard to change my way of thinking.
“Keep staring,” Remy says roughly. “I’ll pull over and fuck you in the car.”
“You say that as if it’s a threat,” I smirk, and his hand flexes on the steering wheel.
“Careful,” he whispers, moving his other hand from the gearshift to my thigh. “I’ll take that as a dare.” He squeezes my thigh. “My brothers are waiting. I’m sure very impatiently.” He nods, and I look out the window. They're standing on the sidewalk as Remy parks at the curb.
“Damn.” It’s a wall of hotness.
“Don’t move,” Remy says, putting the car in park. I wait as he unfolds from the seat and walks around the front. He opens my door and holds his hand out. Rotating, I get out as gracefully as possible. I smooth down my dress, and he guides me away from the door, shutting it.
“Fuck.” I look at Lawson, and he prowls forward. He’s wearing blue dress pants, a white dress shirt, and boots. “You’re beautiful.” He kisses me, his hand sliding across my back. I open my mouth at his demand, and he sweeps his tongue inside. He pulls away sooner than I want.
“Princess,” Hunter rumbles as he takes Lawson’s place. He leans down, kisses my cheek, and pulls me away from the car. “Stunning.” I grin, and he releases me as Bane steps forward.
“Butterfly.” Bane runs his nose up my neck. “You smell different.” He eases back and glances at Remy. “Good,” he hums,squeezing my hand. My cheeks heat, but I like the lack of jealousy. “Hungry?”
“Yes. I’m excited to see Remy’s place.” I look over my shoulder, and Remy winks.
Bane pulls my hand, and we move as a group. Remy takes the lead, opening the door for us. We step inside, and I feel at home. The decor is warm, with shades of brown throughout the large room. The entryway is small, but there are four leather armchairs. The hostess stand is dark wood. A bar spans the length of the room to the left, and tables are scattered throughout the room across from it. Private booths line the back wall, but instead of a bench seat and square table, the seats are separate leather chairs with a round table between them.
“Mr. King.” A pretty woman steps toward us. “The room is ready.”
“Thank you, Laney.”
Remy leads us across the space, and we weave through the tables. Half of them are occupied, and quiet conversation fills the room, adding to the lovely atmosphere. We walk to the back of the room and through the double doors in the right corner.
