Page 13 of Laid Bear

She’d been that banged up? It didn’t feel like it but now that she thought about it, before she passed out she had been in the worst pain of her life. Zora had thought for sure that she would die. The very fact that she didn’t and he was able to heal her without taking her to a hospital said something. “It’s just…so much to take in.”

Heath sighed. “I know it is sweetheart but you don’t have to overthink this. Listen to your heart.”

She was about to protest again, but Zora recognized the determination burning within their heated gazed. Her mind raced a thousand miles an hour, yet she couldn’t think of a suitable reply.

Gavin reached out and grazed the side of her face with the back of his hand. “Your feelings right now aren’t wrong. You are our mate and we care very deeply for you. And nothing you could say will make us angry. Please, tell us what’s on your mind so we can help you through this.”

She opened her mouth and closed it again. Finally, after a few more attempts she said, “I don’t know what to say, really. I mean, any sane person would think you guys were escapees from a mental asylum. But there’s a little voice telling me that everything you told me was true. I don’t know, maybe I’m crazy too.”

Heath wiped away another tear from her face. “No, that’s your conscience telling you what you already know. Trust it. Believe it. Believe us.”

“Easier said than done. I’ve been trying to ignore this feeling since I came into contact with you guys this morning. The way I acted with Logan, that’s just not me. Granted I’ve had my days, but I’ve never made out with a guy I’ve known for only seconds. Still, it felt—”

“Right?” Gavin finished for her. “And I bet you feel the same way about Heath and me, don’t you?”

There was no point in denying it when he seemed to know more about her than she knew about herself. “Yes,” she admitted.

Heath continued to caress the side of her face with his thumb. “I’m glad you at least realize that you belong to us. It’s understandable that the concept will take some getting used to. After all, this isn’t the most conventional of relationships. But there’s something else, isn’t there? You’re not crying because of what we’re saying. What are you holding back? Tell us,” he commanded softly.

She lowered her lids, unable to hold his dark gaze. The only person she’d ever been able to express herself so openly to had been her Nana. It was difficult enough to accept what they were telling her as truth, but sharing her innermost thoughts on such a short acquaintance was almost impossible for her.

Heath captured her chin between his thumb and forefinger, forcing her to meet his gaze. “Tell me,” he repeated. “Just know that I don’t make a habit of repeating myself so you might as well spill it. Otherwise, I may be forced to get it out of you some other way.”

A mixture of fear and excitement shot through her body, making her tremble. “Oh? And how do you propose to do that?” she said in a whisper.

He smirked. “By turning you over my knee and spanking your luscious ass.”

She gasped. “You wouldn’t.”

A smirk twisted his lips. “Wanna try me?”

“Heath, give her a break,” Gavin broke in. “This is a lot to lay on one person all at once. There’s no need to threaten her with violence.”

“There’ll be nothing violent about it, cousin. As a matter of fact, by the time I’m finished, I think Zora might beg for more.”

Heat infused her core. Her pussy grew wet at the suggestion. The thought of his hands warming her bottom, using seductive discipline had her pulse racing.

A smile tugged the corners of Heath’s lips as he slid his knuckles down the column of her throat. “Feel how hot her skin is.” He lifted his head ever so slightly and took a sniff of the air. “I can smell her arousal. I bet she’s really wet.”

His words brought her back to reality. What was she thinking? This was too much, too soon—way too soon. She pulled away from his grip. “No. Please. I can’t do this.” She turned her back on the men and walked across the room to put some distance between them, not trusting herself to remain so close.

The scent of her arousal was driving Heath insane with lust. His dick was so fucking hard it could split wood. She wanted them as much as they wanted her but she was still fighting it. He didn’t mind the chase, however, because he knew the prize was so sweet.

“You can’t do this or are you just too scared to let go? What you feel right now is the most natural thing. We are your mates and your body is responding to us. It knows the truth even though you try to deny it. Come here, Zora.”

She shook her head, keeping her back turned to them. “No.”

He closed the gap between them, placed his hands on her shoulders and gently turned her around. Fresh tears stained her cheeks. “There’s no need to be scared, I feel it too. So does Gavin, and I know Logan felt it earlier. You’re trying to talk yourself out of something that’s inevitable.”

Her bottom lip quivered, drawing his gaze toward the poutiness of her mouth. Since he’d laid eyes on her, Heath had wanted to sample them. Bare of gloss or lipstick, they were the color of a ripened plum, making him wonder if they tasted as sweet. Heath took another whiff of the air, reveling in her scent. He’d never get enough of it. His already hard dick strained painfully against the rough material of his jeans, making him wish he hadn’t bypassed his underwear. He used every bit of self-control he possessed to stay calm, knowing any sudden move would frighten her.

Unable to go another second without tasting her, he slowly lowered his head, giving her the chance to pull away. He ghosted his lips against hers and pulled back just enough to speak. “I’m going to give you a proper kiss and if you don’t want it, speak now or forever hold your peace.”

Zora’s eyes widened and her lips parted as if she wanted to say something, but nothing came out. Taking this as her acquiescence, Heath lowered his head and gently sampled what he’d been fantasizing about for days. He started out slow, pressing his mouth softly against hers, giving her a chance to get used to the feel of him. He’d kissed many women in his thirty-six years, but none were so addicting. Zora made his cock so hard he felt like he’d come from just the touch of her. Once he saw she wouldn’t pull away, he tilted her head back to deepen the kiss. He captured her bottom lip, sucking it in his mouth.

Zora let out a soft moan, wiggling against him. The heat emanating from her was driving him insane. Though Heath wanted to rip her clothes off, toss her on the floor and bury his dick inside of her hot cunt, he forced himself to go slow. There would be time for that later. He released her lip and used his tongue to explore the contours of her mouth before slipping it inside. The taste was heaven. He lowered one arm and hooked it around her waist to grind his cock against the juncture of her thighs.

He felt the tips of her nipples harden against his chest. He was so caught up in the feel of her in his arms and the taste of her, he barely registered the low groan from his cousin.

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