Page 47 of Ruined Wolfsbane

Bastian moves past the room before I even have a chance to ask if I can play it. I’ll have to sneak down at some point, just to test it out.

I’m sure no one will notice.

With one last longing glance at the grand piano, I turn to follow Bastian. Xander’s staring at me with a brow cocked questioningly. Pretending not to see him wondering why I all but drooled over their ballroom, I hustle to keep up with Bastian.

After nearly half an hour of wandering their massive abode, we make it to the end of an upstairs hallway. Bastian points at two doors facing each other. “That’s my room and that’s Xander’s room. The door facing us is Malachi’s room.”

I nod, unsure what to do next. With an amused half smile, Malachi nudges me toward his room. “You can put your stuff down in here,” he tells me as he opens the door.

I take in his room. It’s decorated in shades of blue, with gray and black accents. The space is dominated by a massive bed that has to be custom. It’s the size of at least one and a half kings. There’s an equally huge dark wood bench stretching across the foot of it. Malachi’s room also has a pair of matching walnut nightstands. Across the room, there’s a comfy-looking graphite couch facing a fireplace with a TV mounted on top.

He has black-and-white photographs scattered across the walls. They’re all nature shots, other than a few showing him with his brothers.

The masculine, simple, but inviting space fits Malachi.

“Who took the photos?” I ask Malachi as I set my bag down by the door. “They’re stunning.”

“I did,” Malachi tells me simply as he walks over to the sofa and lowers himself. My eyes widen in surprise before I quickly school my expression. Malachi is super talented. All the photographs have excellent composition and lighting.

Once Malachi’s sitting, he motions me over. I hesitantly approach him, unsure what to do with myself in my professor’s bedroom. I can’t say I’ve ever been in this situation. He gestures to the seat next to him. “You can sit if you want.”

Thankful for some direction of what to do, I tuck my skirt under me and sit in the middle of the cushion. I make sure to leave a good chunk of space between us. The sofa is so comfortable, I decide to close my eyes for a second, needing just a moment to rest.

CHAPTER 20

BRIAR

“Time to wake up, baby girl. Dinner’s in a few minutes,” a growly voice rumbles in my ear. A warm hand softly strokes the side of my face. I lean into the touch for a moment before fully waking up. Usually, I startle awake at the sound of anyone near me, but this voice makes me feel… safe. I take my time opening my eyes.

When I blink my eyes open, I see I’m lying on a pair of black trouser-clad thighs. I bolt upright, not remembering falling asleep on anyone. The last I remember, I was just next to Malachi, not on top of him. I bite back a groan at the stabbing pain in my side at the sudden movement.

Turning to look over my shoulder, I come face-to-face with Malachi. His mouth is tipped up in a small grin. But his eyes are creased with worry, like he can’t decide whether to be amused or concerned. “You okay?” he asks me gently, like I’m a wild animal he’s scared of spooking.

I barely manage to hold back my eye roll at him treating me like I’m fragile. Just because he now knows what Patrick does doesn’t mean I need kid gloves. I’m the same Briar I’ve always been.

“Yeah.” My voice is rough with sleep. Realizing I should probably get off his lap, I place a hand between his legs to push myself up. I’m careful not to touch any part of his lap as I do so. He probably wouldn’t appreciate a fist to the groin.

Facing forward, I’m startled to see my feet are in Xander’s lap. One of his hands is resting on my ankle. His thumb is rubbing small circles over my sock. He’s staring at me unblinkingly. I freeze, wondering what alternate universe I woke up in that Xander let me nap partially on his lap and is touching me willingly.

“Um, hi?” I half say and half question, dazed by Xander’s proximity.

“Sleep well?” he asks with a tilt of his head. At the reminder of sleeping, I realize I’m still on both of their laps.

“Yep,” I chirp as I try to scramble off both him and Malachi without accidentally squishing anyone’s dick.

With my usual grace, I end up rolling off the couch and falling to the navy rug covering the hardwood floors. The short fall knocks the breath out of me and jostles my broken ribs. With the cushioning of the rug, I don’t think I reinjured anything.

After landing on my back, I stare at the ceiling for a second, wondering how I’ve survived this long being so clumsy. If Patrick doesn’t take me out, gravity might one of these days.

“Need a hand?” Bastian asks as his face appears above me. He looks like he’s trying to hold back a laugh at my expense.

Huffing, I nod and stretch up my hand. His calloused hand engulfs mine and hauls me to my feet effortlessly. Bastian pulls a little too hard, and I end up crashing into him. He puts both of his hands on my waist to steady me. My breath stalls in my chest as I press against him, feeling every hard ridge of his body against mine.

I tilt my head back to look at him and see him staring down at me. All amusement is wiped from his handsome face. Instead, he’s looking at me with unmistakable hunger. My eyes stay locked with his, trapped in the depths of his forest green gaze.

Someone clearing their throat jars me out of my trance. I rip myself from Bastian, flinging myself toward the door. Walking out of the room as fast as my aching body allows, I fight the urge to turn back around and beg him to hold me again. I’ve never felt as safe as I do when any of the Wyldhart brothers wrap their arms around me.

It would be so easy to get used to it, but I can’t afford to let myself need them like that. The only person I can count on is myself, and my stupid heart needs to remember that.

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