Page 14 of Don't Bait Me (Nora Jacobs 3)

Both men glance at Terrance again. He’s still standing there, looking scary, glaring at them like they’d better agreeor else. Oliver nods with an audible gulp, and Parker places a fist over his heart, nodding to Terrance. “It would be an honor.”

Terrance dips his chin and grunts, “Good.” He turns his narrowed gaze to Rook, and after a moment’s contemplation says, “You are welcome here, too. Though, if you choose to stay with your brother, I will understand.”

My heart feels like it’s about to burst, and yet I want to lock myself in my room and hide forever. Rook, Oliver, and Parker already overwhelm me enough. I can’t imagine having them all under the same roof with me. Not that I don’t want them to come; I’m just terrified of the results.

Rook’s anger vanishes. He tries to hide his shock, but he can’t quite stamp it down. “You hardly know me. Why would you take me in as clan?”

Terrance shrugs, as if it’s a given. “You’re one of Nora’s men.”

My jaw drops. “One of mywhat?” That’s the second time he’s called them that. “Terrance! They aren’tmymen.”

The big oaf smirks at me so knowingly that I can’t form a comeback.

“Nora, honey,” Ren says, laughter in his voice, “you did just agree to date all of them at the same time.”

My mouth falls open again, and I can’t string together a full sentence. “I didn’t…that’s not…ugh! You’re twisting things around to make them perverse. I’m not dating all three of them at the same time.”

“Oh, sweetie,” he says with a dramatic, condescending sigh. “You adorable, naïve little siren. It’s only a matter of time.”

“What isthatsupposed to mean?”

“You’ll see.”

I wait for more of an explanation, but he’s clearly not going to give me one. I shoot him an exasperated look, and the bastard blows me a kiss.

I look around the room, hoping for someone to explain or come to my defense, and I’m disturbed by what I see. Wulf’s eyebrows are high up on his forehead, but he seems to be considering the idea. Rook, Parker, and Oliver are all eyeing each other warily, as if trying to gauge each other’s feelings on the matter, but none of them seem offended or repulsed. Well, okay, Rook looks pissed. But Oliver and Parker both just seem wary. Cecile looks amused and curious. Terrance is still smirking, and worse: He’s sharing his amusement with Ren and Nick. It’s like they’re all in on some big secret together.

When I open my mouth to demand answers, Terrance cuts me off, addressing Rook. “Will you join us?”

My questions disappear as I wait for Rook’s answer. He glances at his brother—though we all know Wulf won’t mind if Rook ditches him to move in with me—and eyes both Oliver and Parker again. His expression is torn when he finally says, “I need to think about it.”

Terrance doesn’t seem surprised by this answer. “I understand wolves’ natures. I know the concept of sharing is hard for you.”

Sharing?!Sharing?! WHAT?!

“The invitation will be here whenever you’re ready for it.”

Rook frowns but nods his thanks. He then pushes to his feet. “I need to go. I need to shift. I’ve got to run off some of this aggression. Wulf?”

“Sure thing, brother.”

While Wulf puts on his coat and grabs the dishes he and Rook brought over, I walk Rook to the base of the stairs. “Thanks for coming,” I say as he slides his coat on. “You guys be careful out there.”

Rook pulls me to him, holding me low around the waist. His eyelids fall to half-mast as he studies me. “Mmm. I like that you worry about me.”

Snorting, I roll my eyes. “I worry about all of you.”

He shakes his head. “You care about me.”

“Of course I do.”

When he hugs me tighter and looks longingly at my mouth, I gulp. He leans in and brushes his lips across mine before pressing the smallest kiss to the corner of my mouth. I shudder, and he smiles against my cheek before moving his mouth to my ear. “Good night, Nora.” He purrs. “Thank you for dinner.”

My mouth is too dry to speak, so I nod. He smirks and then disappears up the stairs. Wulf follows behind him, stopping to give me a huge, cheeky grin. “Happy Thanksgiving.”

“You too,” I mumble. I’m sure my cheeks are fire engine red.

Before I can return to my seat, Nick is at my side, putting on his jacket. Jacket—not coat. As if the snow and cold don’t bother him in the least. “A fire demon,” I say. “Is that even a thing?”

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