Page 25 of The Magic of Betrayal
Annie and Maven were running around the park, her laughter was the sweetest sound. Not even grumpy Mave could resist her cuteness.
Miranda wiggled her eyebrows, making me laugh as she leaned forward. "Tell me everything. How does it work dating three men? Are they cool with it, like, for real? No jealousy? Do you keep them on a schedule?"
"Okay, settle down," I giggled. "No. There's no schedule, and, so far, no jealousy. Kind of crazy right? It's actually been... amazing. They're different from one another, so I feel like each relationship is defined and its own 'thing'. I get distinct things from each of them."
"And?" she prompted, smiling at me like a kid who was about to be handed a lollipop.
"And what?" I played dumb and she kicked me under the table, "Ow! Okay, fine, you violent witch. The sex is fucking mind blowing. Unbelievable."
Miranda squealed and clapped her hands in front of her chest; she really was my personal cheerleader. Every witch needed one of those. Someone in your corner that you knew you could always depend on. That kind of friendship was rare and hard to come by, so once you had it, you didn't let go for anything.
Whispering, she asked, "Do you... you know... do it with more than one of them at once?" Her cheeks bloomed into a nice pink and I had no doubt mine matched.
"Well, I have. A couple of times, and that was just next level shit.”
My smile grew as I thought about those couple of times, and damn, I needed to figure out how to get that to go down again.
Miranda sighed. "Girl, you’re glowing. I'm so happy for you, you deserve it."
Studying my friend, she looked better than she had when I'd given her the moonstone a few weeks back, but she still wasn't one hundred percent.
"How are you, babe? Sleeping better?" I asked, scanning her face for the truth she may not give me with words.
"Yeah, the stone seems to have done the trick. Annie's been good too, as usual. It's just a lot, working, full-time mom life, keeping up with the house...” Her finger traced the wood pattern in the table and I frowned slightly at the change in her demeanor. She was so strong, but she was clearly tired. Then, in true Miranda fashion, she rallied. “I think I need to get laid. We should go out sometime soon."
Barking out a laugh, I shook my head. "Gods, I haven't been dancing in forever, maybe for my birthday? It's coming up, ya know?"
"Hell yes, that sounds like exactly what I need. I'll let my mom know I'll need her to keep Annie at their house that night. I'll need a kid free zone to bring back my catch of the night." She winked and crossed her fingers.
"You need a man who has his shit together, who can take care of you for a while.” She was prepared to snap at me over that, but I held up a placating palm. “Listen, babe, I know you can take care of yourself, and you do, but you deserve someone who adores you, protects you, who helps carry the load equally. And a big dick probably wouldn’t hurt, either.” I rushed the words out and we both laughed like hell. Taking a deep breath, I took her hands in mine, and looked into her chocolate brown eyes. “Whoever snags you is the luckiest guy in this realm," I told her, and that was the truth. She was a genuinely good person with a huge heart, and Annie would just be a bonus dose of goodness.
There was a young couple walking our way, hand in hand, and when I realized who it was I made sure to look closer. Sam Campbell, the depressed teen that Fischer had pointed out to me a month ago at the cookout, was strolling along with a love struck expression as he gazed down at his girlfriend.
“Who’s that with Campbell?” Miranda asked, tracking them just like I was.
“Oh, that’s Robin. Mayor Edgerton’s daughter. Must be a new relationship because news like this would’ve already been spread through town like wildfire otherwise,” I noted and my bestie nodded.
“They’re so cute together! Look how happy they look. Ah, young love,” Miranda sighed dreamily and I chuckled. But she was right.
My phone vibrated snapping me out of my staring and I laughed when Kai's 'name' popped up, one of his own choosing. I hadn't told anyone yet about the mate bond, I just wanted to keep that information close to my chest for now, at least until all of this weird shit settled down and we had more time to explore what our relationship was going to look like.
Alpha Beast:Hey, Sprout, just wanted to say I miss you, and I can't wait to bite you and then lick it all better.
By the stars, heat bloomed between my legs just thinking about it. He'd been biting me constantly during sex and it was the hottest thing ever, but then when he licked the marks afterward? It made me want to wrap myself around him like a monkey and insist that tongue never leave my body.
Another text came in before I could even consider what to say in response to his message.
Alpha Beast:Daddy wants to know if you're being safe. I told him to back off but he got that dad look on his face where he just looked sodisappointedin me that I let it go. So, are you?
Sighing, I ran a hand down my face.
"What's up?" Miranda questioned, looking up from her own phone screen to see what had me being dramatic.
"Well, the guys have been really attentive, and I love that. It makes me feel special, but Cam in particular, can be over the top. I've been taking care of myself for a long time, and I don't need a guy to protect me. Don't get me wrong, it's nice to have someone care like that, but I'm capable, aren't I? I just don't want them to think I'm some helpless witch who can't handle my own shit, you know?" Damn, that was a lot of word vomit, but the feelings of anger were stirring now that I had everything out there and a small part of me felt irrational.
Miranda laughed, shaking her head. "Tell me how you really feel, huh? I get it. You were with a guy who essentially stalked you and had to know every move you made during the day, so I understand that any kind of attention like that might be upsetting to you. And hell yes, you're capable; you're awesome. Some men are just like that with those they care about, there's a line between being controlling and caring, between being possessive and being protective. Just make sure you know which it is before you blow up on him. Maybe just talk about it," she suggested, and I knew she was right.
"I'll do that later when I see him," I decided aloud. Shooting a quick text back to Kai to let them know I was at the park and completely okay, I sat my phone down and fanned my face with my hands. "Good grief, it's hot all of a sudden."
