I lie in bed with my finger trailing over the soft cotton sheets in rhythmic circles, much like I used to do to Jace as a teenager.
I can’t ignore how my mind immediately goes to the last person who hurt me—truly hurt me—and yet I shouldn’t link them together with the hurt Cole caused last night.
He spoke about me as though I was an object, a toy, a tool in his plan, not the woman he loves and wants to build a life with.
This whole scenario was his idea, and now, he’s pissed that Lucas is finally finding his place in our relationship. He’s soon gone from being supportive to being set on destroying us.
I’ve barely slept a wink all night; hurt laced my body, the same body I let them use and mark. Sure, I loved every second of it, but for the night to turn out the way it did makes me resent each and every touch from both their bodies.
The door creaks open, but I pay it no attention, not even when I feel the mattress beside me dip and the scent of Cole reaches my nose.
My spine straightens when he touches me. He braces his arm around my waist and pulls me tightly into him, my back to his chest.
His breath whispers against my ear, “I’m sorry, beauty.”
I shake my head and try to pull away, annoyed that he thinks he can just crawl back into bed with me and everything will be okay.
“Stop.” He holds me in a firm grip and I feel him swallow against my neck. “I was jealous.” His heart rate picks up. “I was being a jealous dick, and I didn’t think you needed me anymore, and I couldn’t bear it.” His voice tremors ever so slightly, giving away the truth behind his words.
I roll over to face him and search his crumbled, despairing face. Slowly, I glide my fingers over his jawline, sensing the vulnerability oozing from him, and I hate it, hate the thought of him and Lucas hurting. And just like that, I’m encompassed in him once again, and the need to reassure him tugs heavily in my chest.
“We’re a package deal, Cole. I’ll never pick just one. Never. For this to work, you need to believe it.” I swallow before continuing, “We all do. Otherwise, it’ll never work.”
His eyes search my face, and his shoulders relax. “I don’t want to be on the outside, Tia. I want to care for you too.”
My body melts at his words. Not long ago, I had nobody looking out for me, nobody to protect or care for me, and now, I not only have one man completely devoted to me, I have two. We just have to find the correct balance for this to work.
My hand finds his face, his touch sending familiar tingles over my body. His scent invades my nostrils, and a rush of sickness overwhelms me. I can only imagine it’s at the thought of losing him, and I hate that.
“You’re irreplaceable, Cole Maguire. When I had nothing, you gave me hope. When I needed support, you gave me love, and when I was aroused, you gave me a million orgasms.”
His lips kick up in his signature cocky grin.
My heart races at my own words. “I promise you, you’re mine as much as I’m yours. I love you, Cole.”
His forehead drops to mine.
“I love you too, beauty. So fucking much it hurts.”
My breath stutters at the look of devotion on his face.
His soft lips find mine, and once again, I’m transported to a place of love and care. Where his devotion is as brutal as it is loving.
