Page 119 of Speak

“Siren!”

When she finds the strength to climb off them, it’s me she seeks. Shaking, overstimulated, hypersensitive and afraid of everything she’s feeling, she seeks me for comfort. For guidance. “It’s okay, little bird.”

Her chin trembles and tears spill. It’s a natural reaction to what she just experienced and Jonas being so open and honest probably fucked with her.

She puts her index finger up to her lips and pushes it forward.Real?

I nod. “Real.” And she clutches me closer, as if I’d ever let her go.

“Fuck, did I push for too much too soon?” Jonas asks.

I shake my head. “It’s an influx of emotions, being touched, praised and fucked so thoroughly… she feels…loved.”

As she should.

A softness rarely seen comes across his face as Maverick reaches over and pulls her hair away from her face and cups her chin. “You did so well, Siren.” He praises and when his eyes fall on his watch he springs out of bed. “Holy shit I’m going to be so late.”

Jonas ignores him and slides in beside me to take her from my arms. “Let me clean you up and then you can take a bath with me.”

I ignore the professor as well. “I’ll make breakfast and then you can go back to sleep okay?”

Raven nods, wiping her tears.

“Wait so, what all do you have planned while I’m working?” Maverick asks.

I shrug. “Our girl is going to need a few things. Her laptop was destroyed. She’ll need a new one. Clothes.”

“Fishnets and thigh highs, no panties.” Jonas murmurs sleepily. “They get in the way a lot. Oh, no rompers either.”

“Shopping? I’ll be working and you will be… having fun.”

Jonas laughs. “Jealous?”

Maverick clears his throat. “I can purchase the laptop.”

“You don’t have to.” I supply. “You’ve done enough letting us stay here.”

I know what he’s doing. He wants to be a part of this in any way he can. “Please, it’s the least I can do. You can purchaseungodly amounts of clothes and books for her, and I’ll… I can do that.”

“Okay.” I agree.

“You hear that, baby? Your guys are spoiling you today.”

Raven sighs happily in his arms but then sits up.Wait I have a few things I need from my dorm room.She looks at Maverick.Can I move those things in here?

“Could you sign just a little slower?”

She does, and I can tell he’s fighting a smile. He wants her here. He wants this. Knowing she plans on staying here for a while makes a light dance in his eyes, all while his face remains neutral. But he wants it. All of it that comes with her but that fucking cool mask he puts on for show is fucking ridiculous and it’s annoying. The sooner he rids himself of it, the more she’ll trust him. Keeping up that façade will only confuse and push her away.

That’s the last thing she needs.

He nods. “Yes, That’s fine. I’ll have keys made for each of you. You’re welcome to everything in the kitchen. There’s a gym in the basement. The layout to this house is similar to Raven’s Lake house.” He leaves the room and we get up so we can shower. While we’re getting dressed, Maverick leaves without a word. Though she doesn’t say anything, just as I suspected she would be, she’s a little sadder than usual.

I make a mental note to set him straight soon.

Unfortunately, by the time I get the chance, it’s too late.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

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