Page 49 of Don't Bait Me (Nora Jacobs 3)

I stiffen. “Are you saying…?”

He nods. “I will share you with Oliver. And Rook, if he’ll join us.”

My heart turns over in my chest and then kicks into overdrive. I want this. I didn’t realize how much until this very moment. My mind says I should deny him, that I should reject his and Oliver’s willingness to share my love. But my heart is rejoicing.

I bite my lips and shake my head. Not because I’m rejecting his offer, but because I don’t know what to say. Parker runs his hands up and down my arms. “It’s what you need,” he says softly. “And it is a situation I can easily live with if it means you’ll be happy and safe and that you’ll be mine.” He stares at me with his mesmerizing eyes and whispers, “I love you, Nora.”

My heart breaks open. Hearing him say it is so different than reading it in his thoughts. It’s so much more intense, more real. And I know, as I get lost in his eyes, that I feel the same way. He’s forced his way into my heart, and now I can’t imagine life without his strong, reassuring presence. “I love you, too.”

There’s no hint of surprise in his face, as if he has every confidence that I feel for him the way he does for me. He flashes me a beautiful smile and captures my lips in a soft kiss. “Come on,” he says after breaking it, “let’s watch a movie.”

He helps me up, and we move to the couch. I’m still all warm and squishy inside from our tender moment. Parker grabs the remote and then pulls me to his side. I snuggle in without any hesitation, and a soft sigh of contentment escapes me. For the second time today, I feel comfortable, and safe, and just…happy.

I relax against Parker’s side and watch a wonderfully cheesy Christmas movie about two strangers who kiss under the mistletoe in an elevator and fall in love.

Later, I wake up when Oliver gets home. It takes me a moment to orient myself. I didn’t realize I fell asleep during the movie, but I’m lying on the couch in Parker’s arms. He’s wide awake, and the TV is playing an old episode ofCSI. Parker loves crime shows. When he sees that I’m awake, he releases me from his hold, and we both sit up. He stretches, and I yawn.

Oliver watches us with an expression I can’t put a name to. “It’s good to see you so comfortable with him,” he says to me.

I blush, feeling a bit like I’ve been caught doing something I shouldn’t. “You’re not…upset?” I force myself to ask.

Oliver shakes his head and sheds his coat and beanie. “I’m happy,” he insists as he hooks his coat on the rack. “You’re getting better, trusting us more.”

Still unable to settle the apprehension in my gut, I glance back and forth between the two men who’ve both admitted they’re in love with me and have agreed to share me. “Are you really sure you’re both okay with this?”

Parker and Oliver share a look, then Parker takes my hand. “It’s like Oliver said earlier. You have room in your heart for both of us.”

“I do,” I promise.

Parker smiles. “Then we’re all good.”

He pushes to his feet and brings me with him. “I’ve got to go out for a while,” he says. He meets my gaze, and vulnerability flashes in his eyes. “I need to feed.”

My stomach drops, and I barely resist the urge to shudder. Sometimes it’s easy to forget that Parker is a vampire. I don’t want to think about him out there luring unsuspecting humans into the shadows and drinking their blood.

Parker’s not an idiot. He knows I’m struggling with this. “I never hurt people, Nora. I don’t toy with them. I’m never rough, and I never take too much. I also make sure they have no memory of it. I don’t make people fear me.”

I cling to his reassurances. He’s fed from me twice, and I was fine both times. And those were dire circumstances where he was barely in control of himself.

Parker watches me carefully, waiting for me to say something. He needs me to accept this part of him. And I know that I need to. He can’t help it. He needs human blood to survive. He’s not one of the monsters that killed my mother or attacked me. He’s not Henry. Just like humans, there are good vampires and bad ones. Parker is one of the good ones. Maybe even the best.

Gulping, I force myself to smile. “It’s your nature.” I take his hand and give it a squeeze. “If you can accept me for who I am, then I can do the same.”

Relief floods Parker’s thoughts. He’s been dreading this since he moved in. He knows I fear, and even hate, his kind. He thinks it’s astonishing—a miracle—that I gave him a chance and am willing to accept him. I’m the bravest, most amazing woman he’s ever met.

I give his hand one last squeeze, then kiss his cheek. “Go do what you have to do. I trust you.”

“Thank you,” he murmurs. He places one last, soft kiss to my lips, then literally hands me over to Oliver. “Take care of our girl while I’m gone.”

Oliver beams a proud grin at him and slides his arm around me. “You got it.”

Once Parker leaves, Oliver’s smile falls crooked. “You know? That wasn’t nearly as awkward as I thought it would be. I really did kind of like seeing you guys together while knowing you’re mine, too.”

I know what he means, but I still can’t resist teasing him. “How kinky of you.”

Oliver laughs but then waggles his eyebrows suggestively. “They do say it’s the quiet ones you have to watch out for.”

A rather obnoxious snort escapes me, and I playfully swat his arm. He laughs again, then weaves our hands together and tugs me down the hall toward his new bedroom. “Come on. I’m not ready to sleep yet. Let’s set up my PlayStation, and I’ll teach you how to playDragon Quest X.”

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