Chapter Twenty-Five
Haven
I’m warm. Wet. Satisfied, yet still hungry.
I haven’t taken my eyes off my sexy mate since he settled me in the car beside him.
He’s powerful in form, but even more so in demeanor.
He holds himself with a confidence that can’t be faked.
He played with my body as if he could read my mind, and I will gladly encourage him to do it again and again.
His needs didn’t scare me, but only fueled my own.
Each of my mates satisfies a different part of me, and I love it.
I easily allowed Remy to command me. Calling him Sir, just as Hunter and Bane are Daddy, came easily.
It fits him. His desire for me to smell like him hits a secret place inside me. It makes me feel loved.
I haven’t recovered from our intense time together, and I was distracted when he encouraged me to pick other clothes.
I finally decided on a handful of things, only to have him add a dozen more.
I was uncomfortable at first. I don’t want any of them to think I need them to buy me things.
My mother left me money, but I try not to spend it.
I work hard and live simply. Yet, I could see his need to provide in his expression.
Receiving gifts is difficult for me. In the past, when my father gave me anything, it was his way of controlling me, not just an act of kindness.
My mates are working hard to change my way of thinking.
“Keep staring,” Remy says roughly. “I’ll pull over and fuck you in the car.”
“You say that as if it’s a threat,” I smirk, and his hand flexes on the steering wheel.
“Careful,” he whispers, moving his other hand from the gearshift to my thigh. “I’ll take that as a dare.” He squeezes my thigh. “My brothers are waiting. I’m sure very impatiently.” He nods, and I look out the window. They're standing on the sidewalk as Remy parks at the curb.
“Damn.” It’s a wall of hotness.
“Don’t move,” Remy says, putting the car in park. I wait as he unfolds from the seat and walks around the front. He opens my door and holds his hand out. Rotating, I get out as gracefully as possible. I smooth down my dress, and he guides me away from the door, shutting it.
“Fuck.” I look at Lawson, and he prowls forward. He’s wearing blue dress pants, a white dress shirt, and boots. “You’re beautiful.” He kisses me, his hand sliding across my back. I open my mouth at his demand, and he sweeps his tongue inside. He pulls away sooner than I want.
“Princess,” Hunter rumbles as he takes Lawson’s place. He leans down, kisses my cheek, and pulls me away from the car. “Stunning.” I grin, and he releases me as Bane steps forward.
“Butterfly.” Bane runs his nose up my neck. “You smell different.” He eases back and glances at Remy. “Good,” he hums, squeezing my hand. My cheeks heat, but I like the lack of jealousy. “Hungry?”
“Yes. I’m excited to see Remy’s place.” I look over my shoulder, and Remy winks.
Bane pulls my hand, and we move as a group.
Remy takes the lead, opening the door for us.
We step inside, and I feel at home. The decor is warm, with shades of brown throughout the large room.
The entryway is small, but there are four leather armchairs.
The hostess stand is dark wood. A bar spans the length of the room to the left, and tables are scattered throughout the room across from it.
Private booths line the back wall, but instead of a bench seat and square table, the seats are separate leather chairs with a round table between them.
“Mr. King.” A pretty woman steps toward us. “The room is ready.”
“Thank you, Laney.”
Remy leads us across the space, and we weave through the tables. Half of them are occupied, and quiet conversation fills the room, adding to the lovely atmosphere. We walk to the back of the room and through the double doors in the right corner.
“Heather is serving you tonight,” Laney says, smiling.
“Alright. Any problems?” Remy asks. He pulls out a chair for me at the large round table.
“He’s in the breakroom,” she says quietly.
“Why?” He frowns.
“Bensen thought it best.”
“I’ll deal with it.” She nods and walks away.
“Problems, Brother?” Hunter asks, sitting to my left.
“I have to fire someone before we eat,” Remy grumbles.
“Do you expect problems?” Bane asks, his hand on the back of the chair beside Hunter.
“Possibly.”
“Do you need us?” Lawson asks, easing into the seat on my right.
“I’ll let you know.” He leans down and kisses my cheek. “Order whatever you want. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” He strides out of the room.
“Will he be alright?” I glance at the doorway.
“Yes. We wouldn’t let anything bad happen.” Hunter drags his curled knuckles down my arm, and I look at him. “Did you have fun?”
“Yes.” Bane sits, and I look at each of them. “It wasn’t necessary.”
“Did you find things you liked?” Bane asks, and I nod. “Then it was.”
“Bane’s logic,” Lawson grins.
A waitress enters the room, gaining our attention.
“My name’s Heather, and I’ll be taking care of you. Mr. King wants you to choose what you like, but he did have some recommendations.” Her smile is friendly as she hands out menus. “Anything to drink before I give you the list?”
“Butterfly,” Bane says, and look at the assortment.
“Any of the alcoholic drinks can be made virgin.” I glance at her. “Mr. King informed us that you don’t drink.”
“This.” I point at the colorful drink instead of trying to pronounce it.
“Good choice,” she says.
I study the menu as the guys order their drinks.
All of it looks delicious. Remy has a variety of dishes, and they are easy to recognize.
I don’t go to fancy restaurants because most of the time the food is tiny, and I don’t like eating something you can’t tell what it is by looking at it.
There are numerous savory dishes that I would love to try.
“Look who it is.” I look up and see Sally propped against the doorway, her mates beside her. “Damn, girl, you look hot as fuck.” I grin at her.
“Sally, who told you?” Hunter asks.
“Not this time. It’s purely a coincidence.” She stands straight. “We eat here all the time, and I had a craving for the stuffed mushrooms.”
“That sounds good,” I hum. “Where’s that?” I look at the menu.
“Second page. Bottom right,” she says.
“Thanks.” Sally’s dress is bright red, long, and sparkly. “I love the dress.”
“You’re sweet.” She rubs her hand over her stomach. “I’m wearing three different outfits a day while I’ll still fit in them.”
They hear something I can’t because all of them tense and look toward the back of the building.
“Is something going on?” Atlas asks.
“Remy is having an employee problem,” Hunter says.
“Order for me,” Lawson mumbles, moving his chair back.
“Brother?” Bane tenses.
“I’ll check on him,” Lawson says, standing. “Don’t worry.” He leaves the room.
“Do you need us?” Luca asks.
“The man is human. He doesn’t want to go easily, though,” Hunter says.
“Can you hear everything they're saying?” I ask.
“Yes.” Bane folds his arms on the table.
“Remy has been having problems with his manager. He decided to deal with it today,” Hunter explains.
“Excuse me.” Heather stops behind Sally’s mates.
“Heather, how are you?” Sally asks as they move into the room so she can pass.
“Sally. You look beautiful.” She places our drinks in front of us. “I’m good. Where are you sitting?” I stare at the huge glass my drink came in.
“Back corner to the left.”
“Oh, good. I’ll be with you soon,” Heather says.
“Don’t be alarmed. In between mushrooms, I’m going to snuggle with my boyfriends,” Sally smirks, and her mates chuckle.
“So, the usual.” Heather smiles.
“Yeah,” Sally sighs.
“We’ll leave you,” Atlas says.
“Let us know if Remy needs further help,” Luca says, wrapping his arm around Sally.
“We will,” Bane says.
“Have fun,” Sally sings, waving over her shoulder.
“Are you ready?” Heather asks us.
“I want mushrooms,” I announce, and they laugh.
I also order the stuffed chicken breast with asparagus wrapped in bacon.
I pick up my drink with both hands, sipping, and look around while the guys order.
The restaurant is elegant without being stuffy.
Remy has done amazingly well. I’m anxious for Remy and Lawson to return.
“He’ll be here soon,” Hunter says, and I blink, turning toward him. “They are escorting the manager off the property.”
“How does he deal with everything?” I ask, setting down my drink.
“He works hard. Most of his employees are loyal and competent, but there is always going to be someone who causes problems.” He shrugs. “He loves it, though.”
“Do you like working for Heath?” I cross my legs toward him.
“It’s never dull,” he says dryly.
“We enjoy solving problems,” Bane adds.
“I can see that.” I smile at him. “You see an issue and act in the next instant.”
“Heath depends on us to run his security and make sure the fights go smoothly,” he says.
“Have either of you fought?” I ask.
“No,” Bane says.
“We have no interest in fighting,” Hunter says, bending his arm over the back of his chair. “The only time we use our fists is when it’s important, not for money or fun.”
“Even if we stepped in the ring before, we would stop. Lawson’s experiences were extreme, and we wouldn’t want to upset him.” Bane takes a drink.
“I—” My phone rings, and I stare at my purse.
“Is your father still calling?” Hunter asks.
“Yes. I don’t know if it’s him,” I sigh. “The only person I would want to talk to is Rylee, and she knows I’m here.”
“Leave it,” Bane says gruffly. “You can deal with it after our date.”
“You’re right.” I put the bag on the floor beside my chair. “I don’t want to think about him tonight.” I smell something amazing and see Heather moving toward us. She’s holding a steamy platter.
“It’s very hot,” she cautions as she places it in the middle of the table with one hand and sets little plates beside it with the other.