Page 125 of Fated to the Hunters
Scarlett smiled to herself. “You are, and the thing I love most about it is that you don’t make mefeelinexperienced.”
“We enjoy teaching you not only about sex, but anything really. I still remember how overwhelmed you were with the crowds at the market, and now you handle our visits into the village so well.”
Mateo’s praise sent a shiver down her spine and warmth shooting through her veins. “I feel safe with you.”
“And if you ever don’t feel safe, we want you to tell us. Even if it’s just that tiny weed in the back of your mind.”
“I will.”
She closed her eyes and let him spoil her, slowly dozing off again. Her muscles ached, an overwhelming combination of the strenuous physical activities over the last few days. She’d loved how patient they’d been with her, how much they enjoyed their outings even though they were nothing special to them. She’d never felt as if they were upset or bored and the three of them never hesitated to make her feel taken care of.
She didn’t even open her eyes when Mateo picked her up and carried her inside to the bedroom. He tucked her into Ezra’s side and kissed her cheek.
As he walked out, he addressed Vince, “Want to lay with her tonight?”
“I’ll have her the next few days.”
A little while later, Scarlett felt the mattress dip as Mateo slid into the bed, turning in for an early night.
She dreaded opening her eyes when she felt both her night guards shift out of bed. She reached for one, closing her hand around Ezra’s wrist. She knew it was him because of the scars beneath her fingertips.
“Princess,” he hummed. She felt the bed dip again, his lips brushing her cheek. “I would love nothing more than to hold you a little longer.”
“I know.” She sighed. “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to make it harder on you.”
“Have breakfast with us.”
Only then did she open her eyes and grin up at him. “Only if my prince asks me nicely.”
“Sweet, precious princess, would you please come join us for breakfast?”
“I would love to.”
In the kitchen, she didn’t hesitate to step up beside Mateo and mix the pancake batter. “Have you packed everything?”
“I believe so.”
She tried to ignore the knot forming in her stomach as she and Mateo worked through breakfast. When she tried to sit down, she was pulled into Ezra’s lap and felt his nose running through her hair. She didn’t fight him, instead pulling her plate next to his and digging in. She didn’t have the appetite, but she knew that if she didn’t, they would worry and that was the last thing they needed. She ate slowly, so when the three of them had cleared their second plates, she was just finishing up her first.
Then she watched, trying to keep her tears at bay as Mateo and Ezra got dressed and walked out into the still dark morning where Vince made sure their truck was loaded properly.
Mateo was the first to say goodbye, wrapping his arms around her from behind and kissing her cheek. “Enjoy your time with Vince. Try not to smother him with your radiant, lovely self. He isn’t used to people liking him from close up.”
“Yeah, most people like him from afar until they see his ugly face,” Ezra laughed, walking past her. “Isn’t that right, Vince?”
Vince didn’t respond. At least, not verbally. He stared Ezra down, who threw his backpack into the truck.
She always enjoyed their bickering, but now it had a bitter taste to it. “Only if you two promise not to cuddle too much without me. You’re allowed to keep each other warm on cold nights, but nothing more than necessary.”
“Ah, that is a hard ask, my love.” Mateo laughed and squeezed her harder. “But for you I will try my best.”
Ezra approached again and tipped her head up by a finger under her chin. “No one but you will ever have my heart.”
She stared up at him, fighting tears, and was saved by his lips crashing down on hers. His fingers combed through her hair and grabbed the back of her neck, holding her in place until he felt that it was appropriate to pull away. Her hands reached up and held his jaw. Even though she tried with all her might to trap him in their kiss even longer, he pulled away and turned on his heel. In one swift second, he sat in the driver seat, slammed the door, and fired up the engine.
Now it was Mateo’s turn. He spun her in his arms and swept her up in a passionate kiss, his fingers doing the same as Ezra’s to keep her still. She couldn’t breathe or think as pure emotion took over. Mateo hugged her tightly one last time before he stormed off in a way that oddly mimicked Ezra. She watched and waved as they drove off and only allowed her tears to spillonce they were out of sight. But once her gaze fell on Vince, she felt stupid. She turned, rushed inside, and hid in the bathroom under the guise of running herself a hot shower.
She did in the end, and stood under the spray with hot tears pouring down her cheeks. She could feel them leave, getting farther away by the second. The sense of their presence had become her safe place and now, it felt as if she’d been left stranded in the cold.
