Chapter 7
Blair
My heart thumps in my ears. I’d just gotten used to Zion staring at me with his steel-gray eyes, but having two incredible guys with the same color eyes watching me like they want to devour me?
It’s a lot. There’s a part of me that wants to flee the room like a scared rabbit.
But I’m not going to. I can do hard things.
Even if the hard thing is being in a room with two sexy men.
I have an obligation to make sure that Zion isn’t hurt.
It was my niece’s shark who bit him. I’m not a shoot-and-ask-questions-later kind of gal.
That’s not what we need in the world. That’s the world my ex believed in. “How is he?”
“He’s . . . well, he’ll make a full recovery.”
“Good . . . good.” It’s like I’m floating through the water outside of the window. Floating up to the surface so far away.
“See here, Blair,” Grayson says and steps to the side, giving me even better access to see.
My breath hitches in my throat. There’s no longer angry red skin burning around the wound. It’s more of a healthy pink color. “That’s amazing.”
“That’s our physiology. I have a friend in Koralli who was human at birth. He has the same healing ability as Zion here. Maybe better.” Grayson laughs. “See that, Blair? Zion’s eyes narrow that way when he thinks I’m being an ass.”
“My healing abilities are quite strong. When I was in the military—” Zion starts.
“Oh no, here we go, Blair. Once he starts talking about his days in the military, we’ll all be asleep in no time. I actually prescribed listening to Zion talk about his military days to one of our other pod mates who was having a hard time sleeping.”
“No, really?” I laugh. He must be joking.
“It sounds like a joke, and it would be a good one if it wasn’t true.” Grayson takes a can of the spray that Eros showed me how to use it.
“Oh, that can’t be true. I bet he has some really interesting stories. I’d like to hear them sometime.” What the heck am I saying? It sounds like I’m trying to get a date.
“Well, we should make sure you have a really comfortable place to sleep before he starts, just in case you pass out. I’d hate for you to fall and hit that beautiful head of yours.”
I freeze. Beautiful. I want to laugh. No one has ever called me beautiful, not once. It’s the reason why I tell both Annabelle and Marlee how smart and beautiful they are over and over.
“Would you like to do the honors?” Grayson asks. “We’ll seal it back up for a few more days.”
“You can do it. I’ll watch you,” I reply.
The wound vanishes under the spray. It’s like magic; they have so many things here that are light years beyond what we have.
But once he finishes, I realize it means they’re going to be leaving.
Something that Nico and Castor were adamant needed to happen.
I don’t blame them. It’s their house. We’re already intruding enough; they don’t need even more people getting in the way of their honeymoon time.
It’s weird. I would never wish for anyone to be attacked by a shark.
But I’ve really enjoyed my chats with Zion.
That first day on the dock, they said they wanted to court me.
I didn’t believe it; I didn’t think I could ever date anyone.
I’m still not sure I can. But chatting with Zion, and now Grayson?
It’s been interesting. Sure, Annabelle and Marlee are adults, but there’s something different about talking to someone with a little more life experience.
“Have you thought about what you would like to do in the city?” Grayson asks. “What did you do back at home?”
“I was a farmer. I grew up with my parents, farming. Then my brother took over the farm and I moved into the city with my now ex-husband. When my father passed away, it was too much for my brother to do alone. We were in a recession, and with mounting debt on the farm, my brother couldn’t afford to hire anyone.
My ex and I moved back and . . .” That’s when things got bad.
“Anyway, I do like animals. But I don’t want to be a farmer again—that much I know.
Maybe something new, though. New is good.
” I’m staring at the floor. Old habits are hard to break.
When I raise my eyes, both Zion and Grayson are staring at me like they didn’t understand a word I said.
“I could be a farmer, though. I suppose it’s what I’m trained to do.
While we were on the run from my ex, I did a lot of waitressing.
And I did housekeeping at a bunch of small hotels.
” They were the ones that paid under the table.
And it was a lot easier to stay away from my ex if we didn’t leave a paper trail.
Zion leans forward and takes my hand. “Blair, you’ve misconstrued Grayson’s question. There’s not a male in this city that thinks you should get a job to earn gold. If you want one, that’s a different thing. Grayson was more talking about . . . hobbies.” He squeezes my hand and doesn’t let go.
“Oh, right. Um, I’m not sure. I . . . I haven’t had time for hobbies in a long time. I don’t even know what I might like.”
“Painting?” Grayson’s cleaning up and putting things slowly into his bag.
“Painting, like a room?” I laugh.
“A canvas,” Grayson says.
“I’ve never tried.”
“You might like it,” Zion says. “There are lots of things you can try. Fine arts, crafts, wine tasting—that’s a personal favorite of mine.”
“My sister enjoys shopping, raising hedgehogs, and reading ancient poetry. She’s complicated.” Grayson laughs.
“And my mother plays seven instruments. She took it all up later in life. She was horrible to begin with. But now she’s pretty good.” Zion gives my hand a squeeze.
My insides bubble. I can’t even begin to think of starting a hobby. It’s hard to imagine having the time for it. “I haven’t thought about it. I’ve spent most of my time and energy trying to make sure Annabelle and Marlee were okay. And then just keeping away from my ex.”
There’s a brisk knock on the door. It’s Holter. “When is Zion leaving?”
“He can’t go. It’s too dangerous. Maybe tomorrow.” I don’t know why I lied. I’ve never lied to anyone. Well, almost no one.
“Really? Is that what Grayson says?” Holter cocks an eyebrow at me.
“No, that’s what I say. His injury is our responsibility; we need to make sure he’s good.” My heart slams against my ribs. I straighten my shoulders.
Holter glares over my head, but then his eyes land on me and his smile softens. “To clarify, he caused this injury to himself. But you’re a generous woman, Blair. I’ll talk to the others for you.” The door clicks behind him.
“Thank you.” What in the world have I done? “That’s, of course, if you want to stay. You can leave if you want to. I’m not—”
“I’m grateful for your generosity, Blair. And I can assure you, you’re not holding me hostage.” Zion smiles with his eyes. I’ve never met someone like him. He can really communicate with only his eyes.
“Oh good. Okay. Well, what else can I get you? Would you like some food?”
“I’ve eaten. There’s no need to trouble yourself. But I’d like to hear more about you.” Zion pats the side of the bed. And I sit firmly on the edge. I’m tall, five feet eight, but the bed’s high enough that my feet dangle off the sides.
Grayson pulls over the chair from the corner, and I’m boxed in by two walls of muscle, one below me and one behind me.
Zion takes my hand again. He’s done it a number of times already, and it’s nice.
I get the feeling he would be one of those guys who puts his hand on the base of my spine to guide me through a busy market or restaurant.
Not that I’ve done much visiting of either in my lifetime.
“Whatever has you thinking so hard?”
“I . . . I was thinking how even though I worked in a few restaurants, I never really went out to eat.”
“We’ll have to remedy that,” Grayson says. His fingers lightly touch my calf. It startles me, and my foot jumps out, heading right for his chest. He catches it, his fingers closing around my sock-covered toes. “You have an excellent patellar reflex.”
I’m incredibly turned on, but is this how livestock feel when we take them to auction?
“I’m so sorry. I’m ticklish. Marlee took me to get my toes painted once, and I had to leave with them half-painted.
” There’s more to the story, but it doesn’t matter now.
Let’s just say the ex didn’t like me wasting money, coming home with half a pedicure—or any pedicure.
Grayson’s brow thickens. “The mind can be a powerful friend or enemy. There are ways to overcome being ticklish if you want to.”
“That’s fascinating. You’re so full of knowledge.”
“Thank you. But you don’t have to stroke my ego, Blair.”
I close my eyes.
He squeezes my foot tightly. “Usually, it’s the light touch that makes people sensitive.”
I close my eyes. He’s right. The more pressure he puts on my foot, the less I want to squirm uncomfortably. And the more I’m squirming somewhere that hasn’t squirmed in a heck of a long time.
“Is this okay?” Grayson asks.
I open my mouth to say something like, “Oh, it’s great,” but instead, I squeak, “Yup.”
Zion laughs. “That's enough, Grayson.”
Grayson smooths my sock out and lets my foot drop between the two of us.
My pulse throbs in the arch of my foot. “I suppose it’s good to know how to touch people.” Lord have mercy on my loose lips. What in the heck am I even saying?
Zion’s laugh resounds throughout the room, echoing off the walls.
There’s a firm knock on the door, and it opens. Nico glowers at the three of us. “If he’s staying, you’re going,” he barks at Grayson. “Aunt Blair, Marlee and Annabelle are making up a bed for you in Marlee’s room.”
“Oh.” My hand lingers in the middle of my chest.
“My curfew has been called.” Grayson moves the chair back to the corner and takes his bag.
“Blair, it was lovely to see you. I hope I get to see you again soon.” He leans in, and the side of his cheek presses against mine as his soft lips press a kiss there.
It tingles on my skin. “See you tomorrow. Try not to bore Blair.” Grayson cocks his head at Zion.
I slide off the bed too. “I’ll walk you out.” It’s just something we do in the Midwest. Then we follow you to your car and lean in the window as we say goodbye again. It doesn’t have anything to do with wanting him to press his lips to my cheek again and letting me smell his enticing leather scent.
“I’ll walk him out. There’s a distinct possibility that Marlee and Annabelle need your help,” Nico says.
Now I’m the one glaring. “To make a bed?”
“With whatever it is that females do when they are—”
“Baloney.” I pivot back to Grayson. “I enjoyed our talk too.”
“Until next time, Blair.”
I follow him out into the hall, and Nico steps between Grayson and me. I glare up at him, wondering if Annabelle has ever stomped on his toes. A quick sidestep has me back in Zion’s room. “Do you need anything?”
“I’m good. Go check to see if the second coming of Poseidon weaves as good of a tale as the first,” Zion says.
And I can’t help but laugh. “I’ll be back to check on you before I go to sleep.”
“I’ll be here,” Zion says.
Taking a few steps down the hall, I can’t help but wonder what would have happened if I’d had a few more minutes alone with the two devilishly handsome males.