Page 36 of Guarding The Phoenix: Vol. 2

But for the time being we focused on loading the van. Which already had a few bags from the first few shops we visited. We’d picked up clothes for me and the guys, along with more toiletry items. Chase insisted I get things like makeup and the skincare line of products I used.

We loaded the van, utilizing boxes from the warehouse to store it all.

Once we finished, and it was just the two of us in the front of the van, Chase turned toward me. “Okay, gorgeous, spit it out. I know that brain of yours is bubbling away. Out with it.”

“It’s just…I feel helpless. Santos is like this big cat and we’re the mouse. And all he’s doing it toying with us, giving us some distance before pouncing in for the kill. I hate it. I spent so many years in fear. It’s left me wondering if I’m always going to be on the run. And that I sealed my fate when I married Carlos. What I thought was love was simply a trap. A means of imprisoning me. And even though Carlos is gone, I can’t get past the feeling that I’m just a mouse in a maze with a cat watching my every move, waiting for just the right moment to strike.”

It was my biggest fear. That I would never be free of Santos.

Chase cupped my face, his gaze blazing. “Listen to me. We’re not going to let that happen. I know we’ve been through a shitstorm the last few days. I know you’re scared. But I swear to you, he will never get his hands on you. I won’t allow it. None of us will. Understand?”

“I love you.” I didn’t mean to let my feelings slip out. It’s just his fierce determination to safeguard me, knocked me off kilter.

“Fuck, gorgeous, I love you too.” He claimed my lips, kissing me deeply enough it felt like he touched my soul.

I sank into him. My body went fluid. Chase lifted his mouth, and we were breathing heavy.

“I love Axel, Gideon, and Mateo too. I hope that’s okay.” I didn’t know it was possible to love four men at once. But they each had wriggled their way past my defenses until I didn’t want to breathe without them.

Chase cocked his head with a wry grin. “Did you think I’d be mad about that?”

“Yes. I don’t have a good track record with relationships.”

“I understand. But you don’t have to worry. I’m not the jealous type. We should get going before the ice cream melts.”

I blew out a shaky breath. “Okay. Don’t tell the others. I want to say it individually to each of you.”

He kissed my forehead. “Understood.”

“Too bad there’s no room in the back of the van for a quicky.”

Chase chuckled and put the van in drive. “No doubt. But perhaps once we’re back on the boat we can indulge.”

“Promise?”

“Always, gorgeous.” He flashed a sexy grin that churned my insides.

I shivered at the hot look. I had come to know him well. He wore it right before he fucked me stupid. And I craved his torrid lovemaking. I could use the distraction of a hot, fast quicky the moment we got all the supplies on the boat.

Chapter thirteen

Insatiable

Kylie

WhenChaseandIreached the boat, the others helped us cart in the supplies. With the sizeable load, it took almost an hour to get everything on board and stored away. But looking at the full fridge something in me relaxed.

Having a full fridge had become a comfort for me. It sounded strange. Except growing up in the orphanage and during the first year on my own after the system spit me out, my fridge had been a barren wasteland full of nothing. I could barely afford ramen noodles let alone fresh fruit and vegetables. Meat of any kind wasn’t even a consideration in my budget. There were days when my only meal came from the diner where I worked because it was part of my pay. I would only eat half, then take the other half home to eat later.

The knowledge that I would always have a full fridge healed that inner child who had grown up with the bare minimum.

Chase’s arms slid around me from behind and cupped my tits. The hard length of him intimately pressed against my ass.

I sighed, leaning in. I really did love him.

“Still up for that quicky?” Chase’s question got Axel and Mateo’s attention. They were at the dining table sipping sports drinks. Their heads swiveled toward us. We stood near the counter with our backs to the fridge, giving those two a full view of what Chase’s hands were doing. I didn’t mind. I adored the attention.

It was sexy having this many alpha males focused on my pleasure.

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