Logan
Having woken up before Marie and Connie, I was able to call my boss and explain what had happened, withholding my personal knowledge of the customer, simply saying that he’d attacked me at the motel.
He was very apologetic and understanding, and guilt momentarily overwhelmed me because, technically, I lied, but I couldn’t lose this job.
Not now, when things have begun to turn around.
I’d started breakfast for the girls by the time they woke up.
We ate and talked like we’d been friends forever.
I paid them this month’s rent and offered to take a look at everything in the fridge, freezer, and pantry to make a shopping list. They were thrilled because Marie has to work an afternoon shift, and Connie has online courses before going to work tonight.
With two more days off, I have no problem doing the shopping and cleaning. They took a chance on me, and I need it to be worth it for them. I won’t be anyone’s burden, not anymore.
Thankfully, their reusable grocery bags are pretty sturdy, so now, I’m able to walk home from the store with my purchases. Stopping to adjust my grip on the bag handles, my heart races at the distinct sound of rumbling motorcycle engines. Closing my eyes, I set the bags down and fight off tears.
It’s so damn unreasonable for me to have become so attached to them this quickly. When I ran away, I wasn’t looking for anything like love or lust or whatever this is; I just wanted to be safe, to learn who I was and what I wanted from life.
“Hellcat.” The growled word from behind makes me jump, then spin into Viking’s arms. He looks positively angry. “What the fuck were you thinking, leaving like that?” Oh, he’s big mad.
“I didn’t have a choice.” The words fight through my constricted throat.
“Fuck that, sprite.” Priest’s chest slams into me from behind, and I’m sandwiched between both men, precisely how I want to be. Where I feel the safest.
“She had a gun,” I defend.
“Could have called out for help. Stuck around. We’d have come for you.” Priest bites at the side of my throat.
Viking searches my face, shaking his head. “You thought we’d let you be. That we wouldn’t come looking for you. You didn’t trust that we fucking want you.”
“You don’t even know me.” God, why can’t they see that? Why don’t they understand how terrifying this is for me?
Viking’s rugged hand grips my throat tight, forcing me to look into his icy gaze. “Do I look like a man who doesn’t know what the fuck he wants?”
“Someone might need a little punishing reminder.” Priest sounds thrilled at the idea.
“Violence isn’t the way with her, not yet,” Viking responds. I breathe a sigh of relief. “Soon, though. I have a feeling she’s going to get bratty on purpose.” He sounds like he anticipates it.
“This is too much,” I whisper, feeling overwhelmed again. Terrified that my inexperience could never please them.
“I can see that.” Swiping his thumb across my lip, Viking leans in close, while Priest’s hand crosses over my belly and up my shirt.
His fingers roam gently, even though his hold remains firm.
“We’re going to get you there, though.” Licking the seam of my lips, he groans and presses his mouth firmly to mine.
The kiss is not gentle, but neither is it rough. He takes what he wants and gives me what I need. Our tongues touch, and my body lights up just like it did yesterday when they explored me.
I whimper when he pulls back, but my head is turned, and Priest captures me in his own fierce kiss. He’s rougher than Viking. Nipping and tugging on my lips and tongue, swallowing my moans while rubbing his throbbing member against my ass. God, I remember what that felt like between my legs.
“Trista is gone. She won’t be back unless you say so, and only once we approve her treatment of you.” Viking shocks me with that bold statement.
“Why would you do that?”
From behind, Priest tangles his hands in my hair and pulls until his face hovers over mine.
“You need a ring? A baby? Declaration? We’ve been around, sprite.
We know what the fuck we want, and for reasons I’ve yet to comprehend, your innocence is like a fucking calling to us.
You’re light, we’re dark, and we’re prepared to lay our lives down for you. ”
My heart stutters, then pounds, and I can’t quite wrap my head around their words, but I want to. I want to so badly it aches. “I hear you,” I whisper. “I’ve just been abused by men for so long that it’s hard to accept.”
“The fuck you say,” Viking snaps, his eyes flashing murderously. “Who the fuck hurt you?” Swallowing, I look away, closing my eyes when he tries to force me to make eye contact. “Your stepbrother,” he deadpans.
“Open your eyes, Logan. Now is not the time to hide from us.” Priest's soothing tone is like the strength I need.
“And my stepdad. From the day they moved in. It’s why I ran. With becoming an adult, I knew that they planned to take full advantage, and there would be no way for me to fight them off.”
Viking holds my face in his hands, his eyes soften, and he brings his lips to my forehead. “We’ve got you now, hellcat. You never have to worry about anything again.”
I wish it were so easy to believe.
Scrubbing my face, I back up and retrieve my bags. “My roommates are at work or classes, and I promised to do some things around the apartment after going shopping. I don’t want them thinking I’m not paying my way.”
I can feel their confusion; hell, I’m confused too.
“Okay, and…” Viking is annoyed again.
Straightening my spine, it’s important to be clear about what I want and what I plan to do. “I’m going back home and doing what I said.”
Watching the guys trade looks, I notice Priest’s subtle head shake.
“Sprite, were you not here just a minute ago?” He waves a hand between the two of them.
“I was, but I’m not ready to jump into whatever it is that we’re doing. I need to go slow. I need to gain some independence first.”
Priest’s lips thin and his eyes narrow on me, while Viking crosses his arms and glares. It’s apparent that they don’t like my answer.
“You want to what, date?” Viking spits out, sounding disgusted.
Blowing out a trembling breath, my own frustration grows.
“Viking, I have been under the control of men my entire existence. I’ve never been allowed to make a decision about my life, and I want to do that now.
I want to be able to date, go out, make mistakes, and figure out solutions.
” Why am I getting so damn emotional about this?
“Date,” they both growl, stalking towards me like prey.
“You can fucking date,” Priest hisses, bending down and biting the side of my neck until it hurts, yet a zing of pleasure erupts in my belly before making my pussy throb.
“But it’ll only ever be us.” He licks across the bite mark that will absolutely bruise, then draws back.
Viking’s hand wraps around my throat, making my heart race. “We ever find another man sniffing around…make no mistake, hellcat, we’ll fucking kill him.”
I should run with the threats of violence, but god, it only attracts me to these men like a bee to honey.
“I understand,” I whimper, my body ready for whatever else they want to do to me. It doesn’t seem to matter that we’re on a public street and people are watching. To reassure them, I ask, “Would you like to see where I live?”
“Fuck yes,” Priest growls into the back of my neck, slipping his hands over mine and taking the bags from me. “You’ll ride with Viking, calm his ass down.”
We walk towards their bikes. Priest stores my bags as I give Viking directions, while he helps me onto the seat and places a helmet on my head. As he slides in front of me, I notice how smooth his movements are and realize his body is almost part of the bike.
Wrapping my arms around his waist, he checks that my feet are where they need to be and pulls me closer as he starts the beast. The rumble vibrates through my limbs, and I squeeze a little tighter as he takes off towards my new home.