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"Why are you apologizing?" Taking the seat next to me, he gently places a palm on the knee, swinging my foot back and forth. The touch sends heat shooting from my thigh and up to my core.
"Uh," what did he ask me?
"Why did you apologize, Angel?"
I drop my gaze from the chocolate of his irises. "I felt bad for startling so easily, again, I guess." That sounded far less stupid in my head. Cringing at myself, I pick at a scab on my shoulder.
"What would not have startled you if I was coming to join you?"
His question makes me frown, truly thinking over what would have made me less afraid. "I didn't know you were there, so making more noise before you got so close might have helped."
He nods like I'm not crazy. "I can do that. You hungry?" Slowly leaning forward, he grips the wrist of the hand that's scratching at my shoulder. My breath catches when he lays a soft kiss on my palm.
"I-" This man has me under some kind of fucking spell. Everything has felt different since I came out of the coma, so I'm not sure where we all stand. Looking back on all of our interactions, though, they are acting the same, if not a bit gentler. I'm not mad about the extra care because the uncertainty dimming my actions is a battle I can't fight alone.
I am mad about the manhandling, though. Just as I go to decline breakfast, I'm scooped up into his strong arms and wide chest. A pulse in my core diverts my attention from my irritation. His abs ripple against my ass, and his dark skin shimmers in the early morning light. I'm so distracted by how his body feels against mine that a whimper of loss escapes my lips when he sets me down on the counter.
The smirk he gives me should be illegal on a man as sweet as he is. "What's wrong, sweet girl?"
Um, fucking swoon? I swear I hear all the women around the world hooting and hollering for this panty-melting display.
His infectious smile has my own lips kicking up. "I just missed you, Amiri." My heartfelt honesty draws him back into my embrace. With his head tucked against my neck, he peppers my pulse with tantalizing kisses like he's thanking the thumping of my blood pumping through my veins.
I ignore the aches in my body when I arch into his towering form. "I missed you too, Angel. So, fucking much." The words he doesn't say are thrown into the kiss he captures my mouth in. Without words, he pours his love into me. His adoration and devotion sing through his subtle moans, which I return in earnest.
Drawing away slowly, he huffs a laugh when I follow his plump lips. He gives me a final peck, promising more kisses once I eat something. I don't tell him I'm not hungry because...well, I want kisses!
I'm so damn sick of hurting. I want to feel the bond we have all built together...I'm not made of glass. I have some really messed up shit I must work through; we all do, but I fought with everything I had. I am not weak. I may be little, but I am a fighter. My mom's little fighter. Their little fighter.
Speaking of the nickname "EVELYN!" The shout is far enough away not to send me into a complete panic attack, but no matter how many times I try to call back, my voice is stuck behind a ball of anxiety lodged in my throat.
Rushing to my side, Amiri grabs my bony hip and warns me with a look. At my nod, he yells, "Down here!"
Mentally, I give myself a pat on the back for not flinching at his raised voice. He gave me enough warning, but if I don't count my wins, even the small ones, I won't have anything to be proud of.
"Eve?" The loud question bounces down the stairs before the man does. Korren is still dressed in his clothes from yesterday and looks just like how I left him. Except now, his calm, serene features are replaced with fear and alarm. "Eve!"
Before I can even think about cowering away from the man running towards me, Amiri steps into his path with a hand to his heaving chest. "Calm. Down." I can't see much besides the back of Miri's buzzed head, but the tension in the air might as well be why the sausages crackling on the stove.
"Move."
"No." My dark boyfriend stands firm.
The standoff continues, making my anxiety increase the longer their agitation grows. "It's okay, Amiri." I hope my acceptance and soft voice will snap him out of their brotherly battle.
"You don't need to deal with his aggressive energy, Eve." He doesn't look back at me, yet I can see his jaw grinding from my spot on the counter. I would jump down and place myself between them if I could.
"I would never hurt her!" Korren's eyes widen at the same time his shoulders droop in defeat. Hurt lines his face at misunderstanding his brother.
"That's not what I meant. Of course, you would never hurt her, but your energy might be startling or too much right now. Understand?" Dropping his hand, Mir steps to the side, allowing Kor to pass.
His strides are calm now, even a bit hesitant, as he closes the space between us. Placing himself between my legs, he brings his hands up to grip the sides of my neck with his thumbs holding my chin high. "You know I would never hurt you, right?"
"I know," I whisper and close the distance between our parted lips. He needs me to make the first step, just like Amiri knew I needed him to show his affection first. Korren was my last first kiss all those months ago because he didn't want to rush me or make me feel uncomfortable.
As our tongues slowly dance around each other slowly, I know I made the right call. My big, strong protector would never do something he wasn't sure I really wanted. Hands still caging my neck, I encourage him to give in a little more with a tiny nibble on his bottom lip. I smirk at the rumbly growl he lets out before angling my head to deepen the kiss.
He devours me and presses his body snugly against mine. My core flutters with anticipation and excitement. I'm so fucking glad this part of me wasn't damaged again...it's been the hardest to move forward with. In the arms of my men, though, I'm safe, cherished, and loved. A few of them might have dominant streaks, but they make it well known that I have all the control.
