AllFreeNovel
Share Us
* * * *
“Okay, so let’s talk this through,” Adele said to Mercedes as Alicia and Marlena took their seats around them and sipped their sweet tea.
“Please lower your voices. I don’t want the guys to know or anyone for that matter. It’s personal and I really need to figure out if I’m ready,” Mercedes said to them.
“You are ready. You’ve been ready for months. We’ve been around you when one of the Dawn brothers show up,” Alicia stated.
“You get all quiet, and you stare at them, probably absorbing all those muscles and fantasizing about how they’ll feel when you get an opportunity to explore them,” Adele added.
They chuckled.
“I don’t stare at them,” Mercedes said as she ran her finger along the rim of the sweet tea.
Adele, Alicia, and Marlena chuckled. Marlena covered Mercedes’s hand. “It’s okay, sweetie. We’ve all done it with our men and still do. You like them, and there’s nothing wrong with that,” she added.
“I do like them, but I’ve never even had a boyfriend. Think about that. I’ve never let a man get close to me like that,” she whispered and Adele knew what she meant.
“That’s nothing to be ashamed of, or uncertain about. It’s special. Being able to offer three men you love and who love you, a part of you, hell, all of you, like you’ve never given to anyone else is so special. They care so much about you, Mercedes,” Marlena said.
“They only started really caring after Taylor and Kurt saw me nearly get abducted.”
“That’s not true. They were there watching over you, being jealous that you were on another date and ensuring that you were safe. I’d say that is pretty obvious they have had their eyes on you and wanted you for a while,” Adele said to her.
“I know you’re right, but this is what I keep doing. I keep minimizing what I know is real and focusing on only trusting me to take care of me. You know what I mean?” Mercedes asked them. They all nodded.
“It’s time to let that wall down and allow Kurt, Taylor, and Warner to love you and care for you. They’re letting walls down, too, you know,” Alicia added.
“She’s right. Kurt and especially Warner would disappear for months at a time on missions or government jobs. Dangerous jobs from what we’ve all heard through gossip.”
“I know, Adele. Warner blames himself for me getting into the situation. He said if he hadn’t been running away from his feelings for me, then I wouldn’t have been there. I would have been with them in their bed, making love,” she said.
Adele whistled low.
“Hot damn. So the quiet, strong, killer eyes Warner is a bit romantic. Interesting,” Marlena teased.
“Follow your heart, Mercedes. It’s the advice you gave all of us when we considered ménage relationships with our men. Look how happy we all are. We want that for you, too. You deserve it,” Alicia told her.
Mercedes smiled and Adele felt happy for her. She was part of her family, too. They all were, and she wanted Mercedes safe and well loved, just like the rest of her friends. The Dawn brothers were perfect for Mercedes, but she had to accept them. Adele hoped Mercedes followed her heart. She worried about her, and especially about these men that were still out there. What if they returned? What if Mercedes didn’t let down her guard and trust the Dawn men? Would those men seek her out again and succeed?
She prayed not, as she listened to her friends talk and try to ease Mercedes’s mind about sex and trusting her men. They really were all best friends who could talk about anything. Adele had never been happier, and she wanted that for Mercedes, too.
* * * *
“Where are we going?” Mercedes asked Taylor as they headed in his truck toward the edge of town.
“Our place. Kurt cooked dinner and we thought it would be nice to get together and let you see where we live. You don’t mind, do you?” Taylor asked. She had her hands clasped on her lap and she felt anxious. She was still wearing her work clothes. A knee-length floral skirt with hints of lavender, and a lavender camisole and matching sheer overlying blouse.
Taylor reached over and covered her hand with his.
“How did everything go at lunch? Did it feel good to see your friends and talk a bit?” he asked. He had no idea.
She smiled.
“It’s always nice to get together with my friends. When I first arrived in Chance I didn’t know anyone. It’s funny how we all met and became so close. They’re like family to me,” she said and looked out the window.
“Come here,” he whispered as he drove up the long driveway and then parked the truck as she slid closer. He placed it in park and held her gaze. Taylor cupped her cheeks and stared into her eyes.
“We care about you so much. We hope real soon you’ll consider us family. That you’ll let us take care of you, support you, and protect you always.”
