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By now, Elliot’s hand has slowed to a stop. I’d imagine that while everything down there is still wet, it’s not very slippery anymore.
Elliot nudges my face with his nose. “Love.”
“Hmm?”
He grabs my chin with his clean hand and forces me to meet his gaze. “Are you embarrassed?”
“I, um . . .” The intensity in his eyes is too much, so I squeeze mine shut.
“You don’t have to be, Wren. Not with us.”
I squirm. “You really don’t . . . you really don’t care?”
“Not at all.” He kisses me. “Like I said last time, I think it’s hot.”
“And the blankets?”
“We’ll wash them.”
“And you’rereallynot grossed out?”
“Not. at. all.” To my surprise, he smiles bashfully. “I like that I can make you squirt like that.”
Slowly, my embarrassment fades, and I turn so I can kiss Elliot properly.
Sometimes, I forget that I’m safe with them. I can be exactly who I am—brave or scared, strong or weak, awkward or confident. Their acceptance and care for me will never fade.
I wrap my arms around him, thanking the fates or the universe or whatever is out there for placing me in the arms of these three men. I never want to be anywhere else. And, thankfully, I’ll never have to be.
. . .
After we all clean up, I check my phone and realize I have multiple missed calls from my mom. I almost ignore them, but if she tried to contact me more than once, it’s possibly about something important.
After telling the guys I’ll only be a few minutes, I slip into the library and settle on a window seat. I’ve barely talked to my mom since her attempted intervention, and I reallydon’twant to talk to her now.
Oh, come on, Wren. You can handle her. It’s not like she’s here.
Still, I find myself scrolling up in my contacts list until my thumb is hovering over Ava’s name instead of my mom’s. It’s been too long since we’ve talked—I just haven’t had any time. And how the hell am I supposed to explain that I’m dating three hitmen, plotting the downfall of one of the most powerful men in the city, and I got kidnapped? Oh, and the time shethinksI got kidnapped that I was actually getting railed in a cabin in the woods?
I sigh. Even if Icouldtell Ava, this isn’t the time. I just need to check in with her and give her as much of an update as I can. She deserves more, but this is the best I can do.
Wren:Hey. I know it’s been a while, and I’m sorry I haven’t reached out.
I’m in the process of writing a second message when multiple texts come through.
Ava:GIRL!!! You literally dropped off the face of the earth. What’s going on?!
Ava:I was beginning to think those three guys kidnapped and murdered you or something.
Ava:I’m SO glad you’re okay. I miss you.
Wren:I miss you too.
I add a heart emoji, hoping that it conveys just how much I mean it. My focus has been elsewhere, but I haven’t forgotten about Ava. I just haven’t had the time or energy to come up with a way to explain my sudden absence.
Is this what it’s been like for the guys for the past decade?
The thought breaks my heart. I know they have Finn, but do they have many other friends? I imagine I would’ve at least heard about them by now if that’s the case, but who knows? Until today, I hadn’t met any of the guys’ parents, either.
