Page 49 of Cursed

The rest of us snuggle up together. Arden sits behind me, and I lean against his chest like he’s the best chair in the world. Branden sits to my right and holds my hand. Rourke sits down on his other side.

Without fear of touching our coven mates or me anymore, Landis rests over Arden’s thigh. His head lands in my lap for attention. I run my fingers through his silky auburn hair, and he moans happily.

I glance at my vamp and dragon, noticing Rourke leans into Branden’s other side. They’re reconnecting, probably correctly anticipating that things will be, at the very least, cordial between the dragon and me. I want them to have each other no matter what.

My mind wanders to my incubus, who had expressed an attraction to males before. I’ve seen how he admires Quade’s body and personality. He’s made comments that would suggest he was interested in the professor.

“Landis, I would understand if you need to be with someone other than me.”

He sits up so quickly I jerk back. “What? Why would you say that? Do you not want me?”

Arden, Branden, and Rourke are all tense, waiting for me to explain myself.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that.” I pick at my fingers, realizing I should have had this conversation another time. “I meant inadditionto me. I still want you.”

He grasps my hand in some desperate need to reconnect. “Then why would you think that?”

“We can talk about it another time.” I squeeze his hand gently. Out of the corner of my eye, I glance at Quade on the other side of the meadow.

“I’d like to have this resolved now,” Landis says.

I look at Branden and Rourke.

Using my mental connection with Landis, I explain,“It’s just… I’m okay with Branden and Rourke continuing their relationship outside of what they have with me.”

“What does that have to do with me?”I hear his confusion clearly.

“You outright told me once that you’re attracted to males.”I chew nervously on my lip.“So I don’t want you to feel limited by being with me.”

“I would never feel limited being mated to you. I don’t need anyone else.”

“Would you want to be with Quade?”

“That isn’t a likely possibility.” His eyes dart over to him for the briefest of moments. “I think he’s still upset with me anyway.”

“Upset?”

“About claiming you.”

“The tension is killing me,” Branden finally cuts in. “Are you still talking about being with others beside you?” My vamp looks at me, then Rourke.

“I feel like I’m being a bit greedy if I don’t allow you to be with others since I’m with all of you.”

Rourke shifts uncomfortably and looks away. And it feels as if he’s giving me the space I need to speak rather than being frustrated that we haven’t solidified our bond.

“Branden, I fully expect you and Rourke to continue your relationship. I encourage it really. No matter what happens between Rourke and me, you had your love long before I was thrown into the picture.”

Rourke turns back, and our eyes connect. His lips tick up in an almost smile. “Thank you, but I would respect any boundaries you needed with your chosen mates. Even if it would mean my loss. I didn’t claim Branden when I should have. It would serve me right to be denied now.”

“Branden?” I ask, “Can you kiss the stupid out of him?”

“I can try. But it hasn’t worked so far,” Branden jokes. Then he leans into Rourke’s space and captures his mouth, their tongues lashing.

Rourke moans with Branden’s aphrodisiac saliva. And maybe just from that hot-as-hell kiss.

Branden owns him, body and soul.

I groan and squeeze my thighs together.

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