Page 112 of My Summer Girl

Chapter Forty-Five

Raevar

Solamente Tu – Pablo Alborán

Absently, I rub my chest, a weird tugging sensation making it almost itch. Peering back at Vex as we ride horseback to my abuelita’s, they press a palm against their own, mirroring mine. It must be the bond between us all.

“They’ll be okay,” Vex reassures, their horse trotting side by side with me now. “Send them reassurance through the bond... Comfort. We don’t want them to stress, and while I’d race back there if I thought it was life or death dangerous, I know it’s not.”

“How do you know?” I croak, feeling anxious.

“Because Dulce isn’t scared. She’s concerned and unsure.”

“Is that who we’re feeling?”

“We’re feeling Vera there too. She’s intense, like she needs to claim...” They trail off, running a hand through their hair. It’s so unlike them that I can’t look away. Out of the little time I’ve known them, they seem to keep their hair flawless and windswept. It’s beautiful and sexy wrapped in one. “Do Solerans have a specific predestination to claim mates?”

Their voice is thoughtful, bordering on admiration. “I think our Dulce is going to be learning soon enough.”

I want to smile, but my nerves are running rampant. After Vera and I shared our moment, I knew I’d need to speak with my abuelita. To learn how to foster the bond between Dulce and I, along with the one that tugs me toward Vera.

At first, I didn’t think it was possible to have more than a single mate. Especially with a lot of the Orukna civilization decimated by the sickness and not knowing a lot of what’s normal. However, now that I’ve tasted all three of them, I know they’re somehow all my mates.

In one way or another, we’re tied.

“Poppet?” Vex interrupts my thoughts, tapping my thigh. “What worries you?”

My body softens and my shoulders relax. It’s intense how easily they are able to read me and also offer comfort through our newfound bond.

“My abuelita is the only Orukna I know besides my siblings.”

Their eyes travel across my face, calculating, and when they pull the horse’s reins, I slow to a stop with them.

“Why are we stopping?”

“I think you need comfort and as much as offering you a touch here and there, or hand-holding while we ride side by side, I think cuddling you might be a better route.”

My heart hammers, the beating pulse making my palms melt. Vex isn’t holding back from their bond with me.

I figured their wants were whatever Dulce craved and not nurturing anything between us. They hop off their horse and trail over to two massive zuju trees. When they’re all situated at the base of it, they pat the ground beside them.

“Come on, poppet. I won’t bite,” they taunt, and almost as if remembering our last night together, they chuckle. “Unless you beg prettily, at least.”

“I don’t beg.”

They raise their eyebrows and let out a huff of laughter. “You begged me to let you come, or have you forgotten so soon?”

My face flames at their words. They’re right. I’d do anything they ask, and I’d do a really good job at it. I’m a good boy, after all.

Unable to contain the smile tilting my lips, I saunter over, and sit beside them. I may hover over them, but Vex has to be tall in their realm because I’m massive and they’re only a head below me.

They put their arms outward, gesturing me to their lap. It’s something that I haven’t done in ages.

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