Page 87 of Healing Her Lions

“I do.” I grin. I stare at her lovely face, so open and honest. “I just got off the phone with my dad. The bad news is they may be here in a couple of days. The good news is I took the step I needed to take for a while.” I cross my arms over the edge of the tub. “I’m glad your parents came.”

“Why?” she asks, scrunching her nose.

“It made me come to a realization. Not everyone had parents like ours. You were forced to grow up in a house with them, and I had been avoiding mine.”

“Why would you avoid them?”

“I was afraid they would judge me for what I went through,” I shrug. “That’s what I convinced myself of, at least. But I judged me.”

“It wasn’t your fault,” she says defensively.

“I know,” I say softly. “You helped me realize how wrong I was to shut them out.”

“I bet they were happy,” she smiles sweetly.

“Yes, in Dad’s way, he lectured me and welcomed me back into the family all at once. I asked if he could wait to come here.” I dip my fingers in the water.

“You don’t want to see them?” Her eyes go to my hand.

“It’s not that. You see, we found this tempting, alluring, kind-hearted woman who happens to be our mate. We would like to convince her to be with us forever.” I glide my fingers over her arm.

“Do you think it’s going to take a lot more time? The convincing?” she asks, her breath hitching.

“I don’t know,” I say seriously, looking into her heavy eyes. “We are doing our best.”

“Hmm…” Breeane tilts her head. “Can I give my opinion?”

“Of course. We will take all the advice we can get.” I move across her collarbone.

“I think the woman would be lucky to have all three of you. She probably can’t believe her luck to have found three hot, protective, loving, dedicated lion shifters. She loves the attention and care you are dedicating to her. She is already falling for you.”

“Is she?” I rasp. I caress the tops of her breasts.

“She is,” she confirms.

“That’s good to hear.” I touch her nipple under the surface of the water. “Can I tell you a secret?”

“Yes,” she replies, her body trembling.

“I am falling for her. I want her really fucking bad, in every way.” I cup her breast. “I can’t live without her.”

“Handsome,” she sighs.

“Yes.” My fingers hold the weight of her while my thumb rubs back and forth.

“I don’t want to ever leave you.”

“What?” I ask sharply, freezing. I want to be very clear on what she means.

“I know a lot about your world but I think we all need to discuss the details of mating. The details of completing the bond.”

“You—” I have to stop to clear my throat. “You want to complete the bond. You're ready?”

“I need the talk first. I want everything to be clear. I am taking this very seriously, but I don’t think I can or want to walk away from what we have.” She cups my hard jaw. “That’s what you want, right?”

“Fuck, yes,” I growl.

“So, unfortunately, you don’t have to work too hard on talking me into it.”

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