Page 79 of Truth or Pack

A half laugh came from me as I turned to look at him. "Well if it helps, I do."

I noted that his tension released as he relaxed next to me. That was a good sign.

"I didn't want you to think that we would pressure you into anything, especially babies," he told me. “So, we held back from bringing it up at first. We all are on that same page.”

"Never, I'm all in, if this last week didn't confirm that. You don't know how long I've waited for a loving and caring family. Something real. You're not going to scare me off," I promised. "I'll be honest that I didn't think that babies would be a topicwe'd discuss so soon, but I'm more than willing to bear them for you three."

A smile tipped his lips and he leaned in to kiss me. It was light to start but there was a hunger that ignited in my core, but then a thought popped into my head… when did I brush my teeth last?

I placed a palm on his chest telling him to stop.

"Don't think of this as a rejection," I started.

This time he laughed. "Never, I can feel you want me in the bond."

"Oh that," I said. "I just realized that I don't remember my last shower or if my teeth are clean."

This tore a howl of laughter from him, "Do you really think that we wouldn't take care of you?”

"I don't doubt that for a second. I just don'tfeelclean," I told him honestly. Maybe it was a control thing. I was out of my mind when they’d given me showers. I wanted to be in charge of this one.

"There’s a bathroom just to the right of this room," he offered.

"No, I wantmybathroom," I told him. "Where are Holt and Ash?"

I felt for them through the bond and they sent me a warm feeling back. It was comforting to know that they were there when I needed them.

"They had to go back to the pack house, they thought you'd sleep longer," he admitted.

"No worries, but I'm ready to get back there," I told him.

He got up and slipped on some shorts before he rummaged through a sack and held up a tank top and matching shorts.

I nodded at him and he came back, held out a hand for me and pulled me up to stand. He slipped the top over my head, gently caressing my skin as he pulled it down. A shiver ran downmy spine at his touch. Once that was in place he did the same with the shorts.

It wasn’t exactly sexy, more safe and comforting, a way to gently take care of me and I’d never felt more precious.

Though, my body didn’t agree.

"You act all sweet and innocent but you're a tease, you know that?" I told him as he stood back up to face me.

"I blame you for being so damn sexy. So, really, it's your fault."

These three were great for my confidence. I’d never felt more confident, capable, and sexy than I had with their attention on me. Even when I was unsure, they never wavered. That was the main reason I knew I’d made the right choice with them.

"Ready?" he asked as he held out an elbow for me.

I linked my arm through his and we headed out of the room that held so much raw emotions for me. My footsteps faltered and I glanced back at it with a small smile before letting him guide me down the stairs.

Mathias must have noticed, giving my arm a reassuring squeeze.

"The guys and I will get that cleaned up and you can make it your office when you're ready," he promised.

"What? No, I want it to stay just the way it is," I started.

He must have felt my panic at the thought of losing my nest. “Hey, it’s okay. We’ll do whatever you want, Taryn."

"Really? Just like that?" I asked as he pulled me into him. His arms wrapped around me to reassure me. I soaked in the hug, needing it to ground me. The reaction was a bit over the top but I couldn’t help it.

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