~Chapter 18~
H oly cannoli! This kiss! This dang kiss is…everything! His tongue plunges into my mouth. He’s not hoping, praying, or requesting. Oh no…Stu is demanding, owning, claiming. Fork nuggets it’s hot!
For a brief moment of time, I let his words sink in. I open myself up to the possibility of this, of us, and I let myself feel.
Before I know it, he’s releasing my mouth, then coming back for a nip, a peck, and then another sweet, chaste kiss before he smiles that darn, dimpled smile, and I swear to you, I friggin’ swoon.
Then, with his hands still on my face, his face slowly transforms into something firm, more serious. “No running, Bea. It’s you and me, now. I’m not asking. We’re past that, now. Ok?”
I blink, stunned completely stupid, as his words settle into the marrow of my bones. Then, reality crashes down on me. The air backs up in my lungs and I feel my eyes widen to the size of tea saucers.
“Whatever’s spinning on that hamster wheel in your head, stop. We all want you, even the grumpy brute. You can choose to be with any, or none of us. You don’t even have to decide now. In fact, I’d like to take you on a date. Where do you wanna go? Name the place! Ooo, do you like seafood? I know this great place on the water-”
“Danny, shut it!” Even snaps.
And, I can’t help it, I bust out laughing. Dang it all. He’s so forkin’ cute. No wonder Even loves him. Wait, Even…
My eyes snap toward Even and I implore him to forgive me. His boyfriend literally just asked me on a date in front of him. Oh my God! I’ve been here for less than two weeks and I’m already causing issues. Crap, crap, crap.
Even’s sexy-as-sin grin slowly grows across his face and he steps forward. Stu’s hands are mysteriously missing from my face; which I realize only because I can turn to face Even fully, without restrictions.
He comes to a stop right in front of me but makes no move to touch me. His smile widens and good gracious, this sexy Viking of a man really is delicious. I have the overwhelming urge to reach out and rub his beard, wondering if it’s as soft as it looks.
I’m grateful as he takes that moment to interrupt the intrusive thoughts. “I, too, am interested. I have been since the first time we messaged through the app, and it’s only grown since then. I would also like to get to know you better, barring your normal “rules”. I want this. I want you both.” He shares with a huge smile, turning to look behind him at Danny. Danny’s answering grin and, not-so-subtle nod, are all he needed.
Or, all we needed, maybe.
Clearing my throat, I swipe the last few errant tears away from my face before looking at Charlie. Then, Stu, Danny, and Even. Chewing on my lip, I try to consider the good, the bad, the ugly, the forking painful…but at the end of it, Stu’s right. I have freaking survived. A lot. So, maybe I can have some fun, and possibly, a little bit of hope.
“So, uh, you all, what? Wanna share me? Like a poly relationship or reverse harem or something?”
Naturally, Danny is the first to speak up. “Yup. Just like your books! We’re good boys. We know how to share.”
Stu chortles and Even just shakes his head, clearly exasperated with his boyfriend.
“Wait, my books?” I shriek.
Danny’s smile turns a little guilty, a little bashful, as he admits, “Uh, yeah. There were some books on your dresser, and they sounded kind of cool so I, um, borrowed them?” He shrugs and blushes a little.
I can’t even be mad he took them without asking. If anything, I’m glad I have some books here now. So, I smile at him and playfully shrug, “Well, I guess that means we’re going to have to form our own book club.”
He perks up instantly, the light shining in his eyes again, and nods adamantly.
Finally, I step away from Even with a soft smile and shuffle to stand a few feet in front of Charlie. With a deep, almost exhausted breath, I gaze up at him.
It feels like a whole lifetime of conversations passes through our eyes before I inhale deeply and express, “Listen, I know you don’t like me-”
“No, please. No.” He abruptly cuts me off, stepping closer to me with his hands out in a sign of peace. “I do. I do like you, Beatrice. My little Omega. I have since our first video chat, and I haven’t wanted anyone in, well, um, years. Like the others, we can take it slow. We’ll each have our own time with you if you want. If you decide one, or more, of us would be better as just friends, really, truly just friends, and not because you’re scared, then we’ll deal with it. We’re all grown-ups. We all want to be part of your life and to have you part of ours. Okay?”
His whole spiel makes a whole kaleidoscope of butterflies take off in my stomach.
Yes, that’s really what a group of butterflies is called. Another random fact I learned for no reason at all. I wonder if they’ll think my quirks are cute, or annoying. Like, knowing that a pack of crows is called a murder of crows. See, weird, random, mostly useless.
Backing away from my intrusive thoughts, I smile back at him, almost shyly, and reach my hand out. I figure a man who relates to Alphas in fantasy books would appreciate a handshake over a hug. His brows furrow into a deep v as he regards my hand. Looking between my eyes, and my hand, he starts to chuckle before placing his in mine and shaking it. Like, we’re shaking on a deal.
It’s weird, goofy, but it feels oddly right.
Clearing his throat behind me, Stu slides a hand down my arm until it connects with my left hand before tugging me away. “So, Queen Bea, tell us all about Franco.”
Well, here’s to hoping this cracked foundation isn’t about to crumble.
Lord help me, now.