Chapter 24
It takes another four days for the mating frenzy to subside enough that I can stand to be away from Don for more than a few hours. Our mating bond is vibrant and full of life after the need between us calmed.
It still boggles my mind that I can be magically linked to someone, and that if I look within myself I can see it, actually see my soul’s threads woven with his. It is wild. I’m in awe.
It feels wonderful. It did even in the beginning, but now there are no words to describe the confidence and comfort I get from our unbreakable connection.
I’m still hiding out at Brent’s. In fact, we all are. I haven’t felt comfortable going back to my house, even if I could have stomached to be away from Don. There is no way I want to be alone at my house after someone broke in.
Cam and Aiden have even stuck around, what little I see of them. I feel like the worst kind of house guest, eating their food, barely coming out of the room I’ve been given, having wild and crazy sex with their friend at all hours of the day . I’m the worst.
Not wanting to be a space invader, I mention it to Brent one morning after Don and Aiden run into work to help with one of their ongoing cases.
Wanting to not feel like a total mooch, I’m busying myself making pancakes when Brent strolls in, shirtless.
Of course he’s shirtless. Why do I want to suddenly lick down his chest and abs? Trace every line of his many, many tattoos.
Down girl, you literally just had your insides rearranged by your mate not even an hour ago…Stop ogling the man…that’s not yours.
A tiny growl slips out as I furiously whisk the pancake batter. He sidles up close to me, so close I can feel his body heat. Trying desperately to distract my hormonal and horny inner beast, I figure now is a good time to make sure I’m not overstaying my welcome.
“Brent.”
“Yes, princess?”
“Is this ok? You know, all of us being here at your house? I just feel like…I mean I don’t want to take advantage of your hospitality.”
A raised eyebrow on his face makes me pause, my head unconsciously cocking to the side slightly in question. Why is he looking at me like that?
“What? I’m serious. I don’t want to take advantage…this is your home.”
His expression doesn’t change, he just keeps looking at me and my body fidgets under his scrutinizing gaze.
“Do you not like being here, Kinley?”
There’s an edge to his tone that I can’t figure out. The hairs on the back of my neck rise, like I’m being stalked by a very dangerous predator. And if I’m being completely honest with myself, I like it.
“Of course I like being here. Brent, your house is beautiful, and it’s so peaceful.”
“Good, now stop asking stupid questions. You’re part of our Clan now. You belong with us, and right now, it is safer for all of us to be together.”
He moves a little closer, his body almost flush with mine, the heat radiating from his body makes me want to rub up against him like a cat. Jesus, am I still in heat? So focused on his warmth and his delicious scent, I don’t notice him leaning down until his mouth is next to my ear.
“I like you being in my house, Kinley. I like your scent spreading throughout, mingling with mine…and Don’s. I can’t get enough of it.”
He breathes deeply into the crook of my neck, taking in my very essence. I freeze, because I have no idea what I should be doing.
“You smell so fucking good, princess, covered in your mate’s scent. Were you a good girl for him? It sounded like you were.”
My mouth gapes open at his bold words. Holy shit…Oh my god.
I’m so flustered, I don’t know what to do.
Should I be aroused? Should I be mad? What the fuck am I supposed to do with that?
My beast takes that moment to perk her head up. Oh shit, is she interested? I shake myself out of it and push him away, scolding myself for noticing how firm his chest is.
“What are you playing at, Brent? I’m with Don.
I don’t know if that means anything to you, but it means something to me, and I don’t appreciate the come-ons.
It confuses the hell out of me, and I just need this…
” I motion between the two of us, “to be less confusing. I need to feel safe, Brent…this doesn’t make me feel safe. It puts me on edge.”
Ok, I wasn’t being completely honest; Brent does make me feel safe. But wanting him on top of being with Don makes my stomach cramp with anxiety. I feel the energy in the room decrease, and I’m able to take in a much needed calming breath.
I cautiously look up at him, afraid to see that I hurt or made him angry. But I don’t see that at all. Brent’s face softens and he nods as if he understands.
“I’m sorry for making you feel that way. Kinley, I…” The rest of what he is going to say dies as Camden strolls into the kitchen, seemingly oblivious to the tension in the room.
“Ooo, are we having pancakes for breakfast?”
And like the coward I am, I take the much needed distraction and snap back to finishing the batter. I smile a little too brightly at Camden.
“Yeah, I needed to do something productive, and cooking helps.”
Brent moves away, turning to start coffee, and I get the griddle ready.
The three of us chat companionably as we finish off the mound of pancakes I made, drinking coffee, and relaxing in the morning sunlight that streams in through the windows of the breakfast nook.
And as I drink from my steaming mug, I make the conscious effort to not allow things to be weird between Brent and me.
I like Brent a lot; I like them all, but I love Don, and nothing is going to take that away from me.
So to keep the peace and smooth everything over, I’m going to push the weird feelings he stirs in me and make sure that there aren’t weird vibes between us.
Because that is the right thing to do. Right?
Kinley going off to take a shower leaves me and Camden to clean up. She had been ready to start, but we insisted. As soon as she is out of earshot, Cam elbows me hard making me grunt.
“You’re welcome for that.”
Glaring at him, I ask, “What is that supposed to mean?”
Cam just gives me a knowing look.
“That shit you’re pulling with Kinley. Brent, she just got through her frenzy with Don. She doesn’t know that what you’re doing is common within the Clan. If you are feeling the urge to join them, you have to talk to Don and he can help ease the path.”
I growl in frustration, my shoulders sagging slightly. “I know. I can’t fucking help it. It was literally all I could do not to break down their fucking door this week.”
Cam pats me on the shoulder. “Trust me, I know, but thankfully, I don’t feel the pull that you are feeling. You haven’t even talked to Don yet, have you?”
I shake my head, feeling ashamed. “No. I know I should, and I keep meaning to, but the right time just hasn’t come up.”
“Dude, if your beast is riding you this hard that you practically pin her against the kitchen countertop and look like you are seconds away from mounting her, you need to talk to Don. What if it had been him that walked in and not me.”
Grabbing fistfuls of my hair, I snarl. “Goddess, I fucking know.”
“Good. Now, I’m going to work for a few hours.”
”Hey! I thought you were helping clean up?”
”Nah, buddy, that’s all you.”
Camden dances out of range as I try to swat him with a kitchen towel. I stare at his retreating back for a minute, thinking about what Cam said, and know that I can’t put off talking to Don any longer.
Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath and pull out my phone from the pocket of my sweats. I shoot a text off to Don, letting him know that I need to talk with him when he gets back.