Page 30 of Heatwaves

“And you thought I’d want the four of them to help?” I scoff, glancing over my shoulder at a sheepish Wyatt.

“It’s not like we’re talking about forever,” he says slowly. “But they’ve been through a heat with you before, so it’s not just some random strangers like we’ve done in the past. I don’t know. I guess I wanted to leave the decision up to you and not just automatically send them packing.”

Taking a deep breath, I squeeze my eyes shut and remind myself that he was only doing what he thought was best. And I do hate it when people take decisions out of my hands, but I could’ve done without seeing them.

Turning my back on them, I focus on Wyatt. “Be honest with me. How bad would it be if it was just you?”

“Obviously, the heat would keep my powers fully charged. I’d be able to keep it up and satisfy you, but once the heat is over? I’d probably have to sleep for a few days straight to recover.”

Sighing, I nod. I should’ve known better than to ask him to do this with me alone. It’s just the idea of any of the incubi he knows joining us hadn’t felt right. The four behind me, though?

Yeah, nope. Not even going to pay attention to that thought.

“Fine,” I hiss. “You can help me through my heat, but don’t think this is the time for youto make explanations I’m not ready to hear. I don’t know if I’ll ever be ready for that. The first one of you who tries to bring it up, you’re all gone. Do you understand me?”

“We’ll follow any and all rules you set for us,” Oliver says, going back to whatever he was doing.

Ty nods, moving back to Oliver’s side to help him make food, it seems. “This is your show, Lila. We just want to make sure you’re taken care of during your heat.”

My heart melts at Ty’s words. He’s the one who it’s going to be hardest to stay mad at.

Clearing my throat, I tear my eyes away from him. I can’t let him make me soft. The four of them disappeared and broke my heart. I’ve been living half a life for the last ten years because of them.

“I hope you have condoms with you, unless you managed to get tested since you reappeared.” Who the hell knows what they’ve been sticking their dicks in for the last ten years.

“There’s no reason to be tested,” Carter assures me. “We have only been with each other for the last ten years. You’re the last person we had sex with outside of the pod.”

I stare at him blankly. Surely, that can’t be right. “And I’m just supposed to take your word on that?”

“We can go out and get tested right now if you don’t want to take my word on it, but it’s the truth. We—“ he cuts off with a shake of his head. “Anything more than that would be information you don’t want to hear.”

Is he serious right now? There’s no way they didn’t fuck someone else. It’s been ten fucking years.

“I want to hear what you were going to say,” I finally say, unsure if I really do or not, but I think I need to.

He lifts his eyebrows as he considers me. “Are you sure?”

My only answer is a nod.

“We could only think of you for the last ten years. There was no one else that even tempted us. There was never anyone besides the four of us and you.”

I blink at him, panic rising in my chest.

Yeah, I really didn’t need to hear that.

Glancing at Wyatt, he shrugs. “As always, it’s up to you, babe.”

No matter how much Carter’s words surprise me, I think he’s telling the truth—which is tearingme up inside. It’s definitely time to change the subject.

“Fine. No condoms, but if I find out you’re lying to me—“

“We’re not,” Aidan says, cutting me off. “Lying to you right now is the exact opposite of what we need to do. But if we are, I’ll make sure we line up to take whatever punishment you have for us.”

I consider him for a moment before nodding. Maybe Carter really is telling the truth.

“Are you hungry, Lila?” Ty asks, startling me.

Turning my attention back to him and Oliver, I find him watching me earnestly. My stomach growls, answering his question for me. “I could eat.”

---