It was such an old-fashioned term, and she smiled. “I suppose so.” Joseph opened his mouth, and she added, “I mean yes.”
He smiled, making the male even more handsome, if that were possible.
Laurie hugged her closer against him as he said, “That means we have a chance, and I intend to do my best to turn it into more.”
If she weren’t so tired, she might ask why he’d want to bother, given how he didn’t really know her.
However, she yawned and struggled to keep her eyes open. Joseph scooped her into his arms and carried her to the door.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
“The corridor you used to get here is a secret one used for the staff, meaning we can take you to a more comfortable room down the hall without running into any of the patrons. There we can hold you as you nap, and when you wake up, you can decide if you want to see more or go home to your brother’s house.”
She should ask to go to River’s place right now. She’d never been able to sleep with another person in the room. Well, apart from her siblings.
However, as she snuggled against Joseph’s warm, solid chest, she didn’t have the energy to protest. She murmured, “Okay.”
She was dimly aware of entering a room and Joseph sitting down on the couch. Soon she felt Laurie’s arms go around them both.
And in less than a minute, warm and cozy with two males holding her, she fell fast asleep.
Chapter Twelve
As Joseph held Meadow in his lap, with Laurie sitting behind them on the sofa and engulfing them both in his arms, a sense of peace and longing shot through him. Even if Meadow was still clothed, and neither of them had tasted her sweet blood or thrust inside her, he wanted more of this. The three of them sharing and giving and taking, and afterward, holding each other and being surrounded by love.
Well, he hoped he and Laurie could win over Meadow’s love. Because Joseph, at least, was falling for the sweet, damaged female who had more fire inside her than she probably realized.
And not just because she was their fated one, either. He believed in her, and once she realized she was finally free of her father and learned how to control her magic, she would be magnificent.
And she should be theirs.
He tightened his hold on her, and Meadow snuggled closer against him. One of Laurie’s hands stroked Joseph’s cheek as the other stroked Meadow’s side, and he murmured, “She’s starting to trust us a little.”
“Hmm.” He leaned his head back on Laurie’s shoulder before replying, “I wish we could help with her magic lessons as well, even though I know we can’t.”
Laurie chuckled. “You’re one of the cleverest people I know, Joseph, but I think becoming a magic-less magic teacher would be a bit difficult. But there’s no need to worry—Yesenia and River will ensure she’s taught well and learns to embrace her powers. They’re both fierce in their own ways, and given how they managed to win over Leo and Nora, that alone makes them extraordinary.”
He grunted. “I know, but I like to be in charge of things.”
Laurie leaned his cheek against the top of Joseph’s head. “You do, and yet, you learned to trust me to handle half of the business. You’ll come to trust her, too, and that will take time.”
“And to think, I’m usually the patient one.”
“Well, everyone can’t be as perfect as me.”
Joseph smiled as he gently elbowed Laurie behind him. “Don’t start. Once you get going with your cheekiness, it can get out of control and you might wake her up.”
Laurie sighed. “And that would be a bad thing?”
“She needs some sleep. Plus, I’m a bit selfish and want to hold her a little longer.”
Laurie moved his hand to caress the side of Joseph’s neck, up and down, sending a rush of heat through him. Laurie whispered, “I can’t wait until we’re both able to hold her in bed, naked, every night for the rest of our lives.”
Laurie always fell in love fast. Sometimes it hurt him, and yet, Joseph was glad his lover was feeling the same about Meadow. Because the one time Laurie had fallen for their shared female but Joseph hadn’t, it had been rocky.
But Joseph didn’t think that would be a problem this time. Especially since Meadow leaned into his touch and asked forkisses. Unlike the female in their past, who’d tolerated him for Laurie’s sake.
Pushing thoughts of the past to the side, he replied, “I hope for that, too, Laurie.”
