2. Maya #2
Henry grumbled something about my distance, but I was more focused on saying goodbye to both Croy and Atlas. The latter put aside his laptop quickly and stood up, wrapping an arm around my waist while speaking into his phone.
“Give me a minute.” Atlas’s voice was smooth and even as he dropped his phone from his ear, the piece of technology falling onto the couch before he melded his lips to mine in a hot, searing kiss. When I tried to deepen it, excitement flaring in our bond, he pulled back and flashed me a sexy smile.
“Be safe, and don’t let those fuckers bully you,” he rumbled, his face turning serious. “Our security team will be there, if you need anything at all.”
“We will be with her,” Henry pointed out, sounding almost offended.
“I don’t doubt that you will be there, but whether you are focused is a different story,” Atlas shot back in a knowing tone. “See all the problems you are causing, angel? You are far too sexy, making it difficult to keep you safe.”
“I don’t feel bad,” I teased slightly, rocking forward onto my toes so I could be closer to his lips. “I like that you find me sexy.”
His eyes flashed dangerously. “Yeah? When you get back, I’ll show you just how sexy I find you.”
My toes curled. “How?”
But before I could get my answer, I was being lifted up, literally, by Henry and ushered towards the door as he grumbled under his breath.
Clearly not nearly as amused as Atlas and Marco behind us, who were laughing about something.
I wiggled against my mate and broke away from him for a moment, going back to Bella, who stood on the back of the couch, watching me with a tilt of her head.
I bent down and pressed a kiss to her nose as she let out a soft meow.
Croy gently tugged my waist so that I stood between his spread legs, my eyes moving over his large chest as I placed Bella down next to him.
She offered him a speculative glance before curling up against his side.
I smiled at both of them as Croy’s large fingers brushed across my waist, watching me with a serious, affection-filled look.
“Do you want me to come with?” he asked suddenly, his eyes searching my face.
Did I want him to come with? Always. But I knew he would be bored.
“I always want you with me.” I kept with a light smile before running my hand over his messy hair. “But it will probably be boring. I would much rather know that all of you are well rested.”
“So sweet.” He inhaled and pressed a kiss to the center of my sternum where my dress dipped, the skin of my cleavage breaking out in shivers. The sweet moment immediately turned hotter as a low rumble broke from his chest.
“Croy…” I wanted to say more, but he seemed to filter a level of control over his actions as he leaned back, taking my hand and brushing a kiss over it.
“Later,” he promised with a sexy smile. “Get this ridiculous brunch over so you can get back here.”
“Absolutely.” I squeezed his hand and stepped back, walking towards the door where both Henry and Marco waited for me, talking about something that seemed to hold both their interest.
Henry held open the door for me as he and Marco walked side by side, framing me, my eyes darting across the stunning hallway decor of the hotel.
The entire space was filled with marble, expensive wallpaper, and diamond-like light fixtures.
There was even the soft scent of roses that seemed to circulate throughout as we passed a few double doors to other suites.
“Do you ever wonder who else is staying in these?” I asked curiously. I had to imagine working at a hotel was absolutely fascinating. I mean, I probably wouldn’t be able to handle meeting that many people every single day, but I bet you came away with some fascinating stories.
“Well, no one right now,” Henry mused.
“No one?” I frowned. That can’t be good for business, right?
“We rented out the top floor when we reserved the penthouse,” Marco explained easily. “Didn’t want to risk anyone bothering us.”
“You just rented out the entire floor?” I arched a brow. “You can do that?”
“Humans will let you do just about anything for the right price.” Henry shook his head as I frowned, wondering why that felt like a bad thing despite it affecting us in a positive manner.
Not that I particularly wanted to see others, because I was finding that the intense attention humans paid us could be overwhelming.
I just didn’t fully understand what we were doing to attract it, and it had me feeling both uncomfortable and defensive about how close people tried to get to my mates.
As we stepped into the elevator and began to move, the downward surge of momentum caused me to let out a pleased sound, feeling as though we were flying. Although around three floors down, that moment and both of my mates’ curious looks my way were interrupted by a much less pleasant reason.
The doors opened on the floor as two young women stepped into the elevator, their conversation halting and mouths opening while taking in my mates. See what I mean about attention? I mean, I clearly couldn’t blame them—my mates were gorgeous—but I still didn’t like it.
Didn’t they understand that they couldn’t just look at another woman’s mates?
That qualified as being rude, I was nearly positive.
On the other hand, I was finding humans didn’t really adhere to the same social ‘rules’ when it came to mating as shifters did.
Not only did the concept of having multiple mates seem to upset them, but there seemed to be a lot more confusion and ‘game playing,’ as Jordan and several of my magazines had called it.
It honestly was very overwhelming, and I was thankful that I had such amazing mates who never made me question my place in their life.
I just hoped I provided them with the same level of surety.
As the girls’ perfume filled the space, running over my mates, I frowned, not liking the idea of their scent lingering on them.
I intertwined my fingers with Henry’s as the elevator began traveling downwards, Marco pressing a kiss to my temple while tucking me further against him.
I wasn’t positive if it was just how obvious my emotions were or if it was our bond and Henry’s abilities, but they could clearly tell I was uncomfortable with the women in the elevator.
They hadn’t done anything yet, so I suppose I was overreacting, but my phoenix was fluttering in my chest, annoyed every time they laughed or talked in whispers that were faint enough that I had to strain to hear them.
Honestly, I was glad for it because I had a feeling I wouldn’t love what they were saying.
“Um, excuse me?” One of the feminine voices from behind us filled the space and echoed. Instantly, Henry stiffened, his hand tightening around mine as he offered them a brief look over his shoulder, being the closest to them. Unfortunately.
His expression was cold and made my skin break out into shivers with the reality of how different Henry treated me compared to others.
Was it wrong that I liked his indifference and coolness towards these other women?
That was horrible of me. I knew it was. Still, there was a strong sense of possessiveness and territorialism that came with other women around my mates.
It wasn’t them… it was me. Also them, though.
“Yes?” His tone was disgruntled and annoyed.
“We were wondering if you guys were familiar with the area. We are here from New York, and we are looking for someone to show us around,” the other friend hedged as I felt frustration creep over me.
Okay, I wasn’t being difficult, right? This seemed very direct. I wasn’t good at reading people, but the way they were smiling and talking to Henry and indirectly to Marco felt very flirtatious. It was pretty clear what they were interested in.
“Sorry, we have plans with our ma- girlfriend.” Henry paused on the word ‘mate’ before hedging out ‘girlfriend.’ I honestly didn’t feel like that was the right word at all, but what would be a good human analogy for ‘mate’? I honestly didn’t know.
“Your girlfriend?” The first girl looked at me, noticing the way I was still leaning into Marco while holding Henry’s hand.
I knew humans looked down on being with multiple people—well, most humans, anyway—but I didn’t feel an ounce of shame or embarrassment.
How could I ever not want to shout to the world how amazing my mates were? I was beyond lucky to have them.
I also noticed the way her eyes trailed to where my mating marks, Marco’s and Atlas’s, on my neck and shoulder were extremely visible.
The human media had made comments on them as well, one source even mentioning that they were a bit ‘trashy,’ but I didn’t agree.
It just made me want to show them off more.
If Henry’s hadn’t been on my thigh, I would have probably found a way to show that off as well.
“Our girlfriend,” Marco corrected.
Both stared in a bit of shock before one of them gasped. “Holy crap. You’re the girl from the news! Maya something, right?”
“And Vogue’s Insta post.” The other slapped her friend’s arm, looking very excited. My eyes widened at the sudden tone change as I tried to keep up. Insta post? Why did that term seem familiar… my eyes widened in realization that Jordan had used that in reference to Instagram.
That was a social media platform. I knew that.
I didn’t know how it worked, but I was aware of the concept. Vogue must have put a photo of me up when I’d been there? Or something to that effect? Interesting.
Should I have an Instagram? I could put pictures up of my mates and I… Then no one would question who they were with, right? I felt excitement surge through me at that notion. This was a great idea.