AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“We’re ready to go when you are, Matty,” Caleb said.
“And we cleaned and brought back your arrows,” Ethan added as he went over to my quiver and dropped them in.
“Umm, thanks,” I said as I turned back to the stove and the cooking eggs. Everything is normal. This is normal. If I ignore them, they’ll all go away and leave me to die of mortification in peace.
“I’m ready,” Matty said, poking me in the back and following the men out. I held my breath while waiting to hear the screen door close, signaling I was alone again.
“Oh, and Bailey?” Boone said from the door. I turned to face him cautiously. “Matty is right about what he said. We’re real good at sharing.” He winked at me and left, the door slapping shut behind him.
I let the breath I was holding out with a huff. I rubbed the palm of my hand over my thudding heart. Well, shit. What the fuck was a girl supposed to do with that information?
Chapter three
Ifinishedcookingtheeggs and plated them, stealing some bites. I added the plate to a prepared tray with utensils, a glass of water, and meds. I carried the tray into the room as Gray turned his head to look at me. “Hey Doc, everything work out ok?”
“I’m not a doctor,” I said automatically, “but I think I fixed you. Ultimately, time will tell, but I think you’ll be good as new once it’s healed.” I set the tray on the dresser and stuffed more pillows behind him to prop him up. Satisfied he was elevated enough, I carefully placed the tray on his lap. “I brought you food. You need to eat so that your body can heal. Nothing fancy just scrambled eggs and vegetables. There are some pills for you to take once you’re done eating.” I went around to the other side of the bed to check on his leg. The wound I had stitched closed looked good, with no angry redness indicating an infection.
“I really want to thank you, Doc. Without you, I wouldn’t have made it. You saved my life,” Gray said. He took a bite of his eggs and moaned in pleasure while I huffed a sigh of exasperation at his continuing to call me Doc.
“You’re welcome,” I said as I pulled up a chair to sit by his bed. I may as well keep him company. That’s what a good host would do, right?
“Where are the guys?” Gray asked between bites.
“They went with Matty down to the burning pits to dispose of the zombies that followed you through the gate last night.”
“Was anyone hurt?” he asked me solemnly, fork frozen halfway between his plate and mouth.
“Nobody was hurt. The only casualty was one frightened chicken, which isn’t a total loss since she was one of my older hens, and now we get to have chicken for dinner,” I told him. He nodded and continued eating. Silence stretched awkwardly between us, and just as I was going to leave, he spoke again.
“Matty told us that you were abused as a kid,” he said quietly. Well, that’s one way to start a conversation.
“I guess we’re jumping right into that then,” I said humorlessly.
“We don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to. I, I get it. I only brought it up because I wanted you to know I was too. That’s why I was in the foster home when the outbreak started. I just wanted you to know that I understand that pain and mental fuckery.” I stared into his blue-green eyes and saw only understanding and compassion in them.
Before I could stop myself, I brushed the black hair from his forehead and quickly yanked my hand back when I realized what I had done. “Yeah, well, I don’t like to talk about it. I did what I had to do to make sure Matty was cared for, and that’s all there is to it.”
“I didn’t mean to upset you,” Gray said softly. Slowly, so I knew it was coming and had time to pull back if I wanted to, he reached his hand over to cover the fidgeting hands in my lap. He squeezed my hands gently, “I just didn’t want you to feel weird about it.”
“Thanks,” I said quietly. I searched my brain for something to say to change the subject but was floundering. “Is it true you all share women?” I blurted. Oh, God. Seriously, when is this floor going to open up and take me? Gray’s sea foam eyes widened in shock at my question before he recovered, and a sexy grin spread across his face. He licked his lips, and I tracked the movement of his tongue as an unexpected need began to stir in me. This was crazy, and it definitely wasn’t me. I went to pull my hands away and stand when his grip tightened, keeping my hands trapped in his larger one.
“Don’t shy away from me now, Little Dove. You asked a bold question. Stand behind it,” he ordered gently. I took a shaky breath, then raised my eyes to meet his. I was not this woman; I’ve faced countless zombies, but five men have me all out of wack. “Good girl,” he said approvingly. Somehow, my face got even redder. “I’m not sure exactly what’s been going on out there while I’ve been stuck in this bed, but I’m not surprised that my brothers and I are all on the same page.” His thumb began to move in soft strokes over the pulse on my wrist. “To answer your question, while it isn’t always easy to meet women these days, we decided a long time ago that we would share. That way, there won’t be any fighting between us. Plus, it makes it much more fun for the lady,” he winked.
“Good to know,” I said lamely. What does a person even say to that?
“Is that something you’d be interested in?”
“No,” I blurted, stunned. He arched an eyebrow at me. “Maybe, I don’t know!” I stood and leaned over to take the tray from his lap, bringing our faces closer together. Our eyes met, and my mouth went dry. His hand came up slowly to twirl a lock of hair that escaped the bun around his finger.
“Why don’t you let me know when you figure it out,” he purred. I gulped.
“Ok,” I whispered. Ok? Stop talking and leave Bailey! “I’m going to go—things to do. If you need something, yell,” I told him. I went to stand, and the hair he had wrapped around his finger tugged a little.
“I don’t think you’re ready to hear what I need,” he whispered seductively. My eyes widened as I straightened, my hair slipping from his hand.
“I think you’re right,” I said quickly as I left the room. As soon as I entered the hall and was out of sight, I leaned against the wall and closed my eyes. Jesus, I don’t think I’m ready for any of this. I ignored the dampness between my legs as I pushed off the wall with determination and carried the tray into the kitchen. I quickly washed and dried the dishes I had used, then decided to get the chicken into the oven and shower.
I was finishing my shower when I heard what sounded like groans. I cut the water off and listened closely. A few seconds later, I heard more moaning. Panic set in as I jumped from the shower and wrapped a towel around me. What if we missed a zombie, and one of them had gotten into the house and found Gray? I grabbed my knife, burst through his open door, and breathed a sigh of relief when I saw only him in the room.
