14
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Myla
Sitting in a restaurant (or maybe it’s a bar?), Tia smiles at some large tattooed guy and says, “Hey Jax, can you bring us something to eat?”
He grins as his eyes linger on me for a moment, making me feel uncomfortable.
“I see you have a new friend with you,” Jax comments.
“Yes.” Tia snaps her fingers, and his eyes slide back to her. “Food?” It sounds like a question and a demand rolled into one.
“Anything in particular?”
Tia glances my way and waits for me to answer. When I think about food, the raw succulent meat of a fresh kills spring to mind. I don’t think I can ask for that so instead of answering, I give a quick shake of my head.
Jax grins. “Okay then. I’ll bring you my favorite.”
My eyes linger on his confident gait as he disappears through a door.
Tia drums her fingers on the table. “Now, tell me about you.”
Swallowing hard, I ask, “What do you want to know?”
“Where did you come from? How did the Acradidia catch you? Tell me your story.”
Tia radiates confidence and I know she’s someone who takes charge. I wish I could be more like her.
“Here you go.” Jax plants two fruity-looking drinks on the table, sliding one in front of me. “I thought that might help.”
I have no idea what he’s talking about. Help with what?
Leaning in, I sniff. Strawberries with a hint of pineapple and…something I can’t quite put my finger on. Lifting the glass, I take a small sip and start coughing, beating my chest with my fist.
“What is this?” I sputter, coughing again.
Tia laughs. “Fruit juice and vodka.”
“I think it needs a little more fruit juice and a little less vodka,” I reply.
Tia chuckles, then tips the glass to her lips.
This time, I take a much smaller sip, trying to adjust to the burn. It’s a little easier now that I know what to expect. And, yep, you guessed it—it really is my first time drinking alcohol.
“There’s no story to tell, really,” I finally say, shrugging. “My first-time off of Earth, the transport ship was attacked. Bits and pieces of memories occasionally surface.”
Leaning forward with her elbow propped on the table, she’s holding her drink with the other hand. “What was the Acradidia homeworld like?”
“Damp. Moldy. Drab.” I shrug again.
“Did they keep you in a cave?”
“How did you know?”
“My guys have rescued several Kintolf and they were all held prisoner in caves. The guys refused to let me see. I guess they’re afraid it will bring back bad memories. When I ask them about it, they gloss over the details.”
“Your guys? Kintolf ?”
“My mates.”
I must have a strange expression on my face because Tia bursts out laughing.
“Oh, honey, don’t act all shy about it. I saw the way those three surrounded you when you first arrived, so don’t pretend that you don’t understand.”
Leaning forward so no one will hear, I hiss, “I don’t!”
Tia cocks her head to the side, studying me before a sly grin spreads across her already amused face.
“You have got to be kidding me. Let me guess, you’re a prude?” She leans back and shakes her head.
Angry heat rushes to my face, my hands balling into fists. Just as I start to defend myself, I wonder, Am I a prude? My shoulders deflate.
“That’s just not how I was raised,” I explain lamely.
Leaning forward again, Tia gently pats my tight fist, and I relax my hand. “Let me give you a little bit of advice.”
“Okay.” I wish someone would.
“You are applying Earth logic to your situation, but things have changed. You are not on Earth any longer; you need to stop thinking in that context and trying to follow those rules.”
As Tia’s words register, everything sorta clicks into place. “So, what are you saying?”
“I’m saying that whether you know it or not, those three hunky guys are your mates. You can deny it all you want, but you are only prolonging the inevitable.”
Chest pounding, my anger rises again, making my heart race, and I have to mentally fight the urge to pound my fist on the table.
“It pisses me off that the Acradidia tried to take the choice away from me. I am not a thing , unable to decide for myself!” I burst out.
“Here you go, ladies.” Jax appears, smoothly placing a mouthwatering juicy steak and fries down in front of me. It smells delicious, and I can’t wait to dig in.
“Thanks.” I grab the knife and fork, immediately slicing off a bite. With a warm red center, the savory flavor bursts onto my tongue. My eyes close as I chew in sweet satisfaction.
Making quick work of the steak, I sit back with a sigh once I swallow the last bite. Lifting my eyes, Tia is staring at me.
“Sorry,” I mutter, embarrassed.
“Don’t be. I know you must have been starving.”
I shrug. “We found plenty to eat after our escape.”
Tia sighs. “Look. I understand that you don’t like that the Acradidia tried to pair you with those three. But if you can put aside that stubbornness and think about it… I mean, are you not attracted to them even just a little?”
Of course I am, no question about it. Even Tekil in his half-shifted form looks sexy to me. Powerful.
“Yes.”
“Then why can’t you just go with your feelings?”
I think about Tia’s question for a minute. It sounds easy enough, but…
“How do I choose between them?”
“Why would you do that?”
“Are you suggesting that I date all three?”
“Date? If I was you, I would jump their bones first chance I got!”
Exhaling slowly, I picture that large bed with Tekil, Zeno, and Vi’del sprawled out naked. With the image clear in my head, my insides heat up and I feel a desperate throb between my thighs.
I’ve spent the last couple of days thinking I was betraying Tekil, even when he says to give the other two a chance.
Is it possible to have all three of them?
“Those guys you’re with, they don’t get jealous of each other?” I ask.
“Nope.” Tia’s eyes dart to my fruity glass. “Drink some liquid courage and go find your men.”
I chuckle, but also clutch the glass and take a sip.
Jax ambles over. I guess there’s not a lot to do right now with an empty restaurant.
“Mind if I sit down?”
Tia grins up at him. “Sure, have a seat.”
“Thanks.” Grabbing the back of the chair, he turns it around, straddles it and drapes his tattoo-covered arms over the back.
He has ear piercings, eyebrow piercings, a spider tattoo running up his neck… I shiver and look away.
“Do they bother you?” he asks. I hear a thread of accusation in his voice.
Tia and Jax stare with solemn faces. Maybe they think I’m judging him for the piercings and the tattoos; there are some folks like that. But not me.
“Only the spider tattoo,” I confess.
A cocky grins spreads across his face, his eyes alight with mischief. “This might help.”
Clutching the hem, he peels his shirt up and over his head. Hard abs lead up to a muscled chest, all covered with tattoos. The web shooting from Spider-Man’s wrist drapes over Jax’s shoulder and runs up his neck.
“Spider-Man?” I grin. “Really?”
Jax shrugs. “Growing up, I lived on the classic comic books my great grandpa collected as a kid. I always liked the idea of superheroes rescuing ordinary people.”
“And look at you now,” Tia says playfully, “helping rescue the Kintolf .”
“Soon.” He winks at Tia. “When I complete my training.”
“Thanks for showing me that,” I say, somewhat relieved. “Yes, it does help.”
“Myla, finish your drink,” Tia prods playfully. Her eyes are alight with mischief.
“What are you up to, Tia?” Jax asks, amused. Clearly, he’s accustomed to her antics.
“She needs a little courage to seduce her mates.”
Jax covers his face with the palm of his hand and groans. “Don’t tell me…”
“Yep.”
“Are they as scary as…”
“Yep.”
I’m only half-listening to them banter back and forth with half sentences and one-word answers. Halfway through my drink, I now feel the warmth spread through my body, my shoulders relax, and I’m not even embarrassed to hear them speculating about my potential sex life.
I know what I want. Can it be that simple? Just set aside the rules and take what I want?
I continue to watch Tia and Jax joke around. He’s not judging her choices and to be honest, I don’t think she’d care even if he did.
A warm hand touches my shoulder. I glance up to see Vi’del standing behind me. His expression is unreadable, but his gaze keeps flickering to Jax, and I get the feeling he doesn’t want me sitting here with him.
Tia is laughing as she notes Vi’del standing behind me. The smile fades briefly, before a larger one takes its place.
“Myla, have you finished that drink yet?” She waggles her eyebrows.
I shoot her a sly smirk. “Enough of it.” Tilting my head up toward Vi’del, I ask, “Why don’t you join us, maybe have something to eat?”
He’s hesitant, his eyes shifting between Tia and Jax.
Jax must notice. He stands, turns the chair back around and says, “Here, take mine. I’ll get you some food.”
Tia stands too. “I’ll help you.” Then the two of them rush off and leave me alone with Vi’del.