Page 138 of Mark & Don't Tell

“How is he?” Concern creases Kai’s brow.

“Sleeping.” I slide my gaze from one mate to the next. My marks are still bright red and pink on their skin. They’re my mates. If they’re serious about me, they’ll have to accept Marco too. I won’t leave him to fend for himself. As I square my shoulders to prepare for the fight, they all exchange looks.

Vic speaks first. “Your brother is welcome to stay as long as he needs.”

“Tomorrow, I’ll take him shopping,” Linc offers. “Kai said you weren’t able to get his things. He’ll need clothes.”

“And if he wants to stay at his school, I’m happy to drive him every morning, or we can get you a new car, and you can take him,” Kai says quickly. “We’ve been meaning to discuss the car situation, and now is as good a time as any.”

Moisture pricks my eyes. “You guys aren’t mad?”

Linc sighs and stares at the countertop. “My son was an asshole, wasn’t he?”

“Not just him,” I say, hoping it’ll make him feel a little better. Swiping at my cheeks, I add, “Sorry.”

Vic shakes his head. “Little doe. Why are you sorry?”

I sniff. “I keep expecting the worst, and you guys keep proving me wrong. I’m sorry I keep comparing you to those in my past.”

“Babe.” Kai walks to me and wraps me in his arms. “It’s okay. You’re allowed to be wary. It’s your brother.”

Nestling against his chest, I breathe him in and pinch my eyes closed. “You guys have been so amazing, but part of me keeps waiting for you to change. I know it’s not fair. I’m trying really hard to let the past go, but it’s hard. There’s still this stupid voice telling me that maybe you guys will leave me too.”

Confessing all of this might freak them out, but it’s the truth. All the years of rejection have caused more damage than I originally thought.

Kai smooths his hand down my spine. “Can I handle this?” he asks the guys.

They must agree because Kai scoops me up and carries me to his room, plopping me onto the bed. I swipe my cheeks again and blink up at him. His hand cups my jaw. Those amber eyes bore into me, saying more than words ever could, and when he steps away and his hand falls away from my skin, I’m left longing for his touch. He backs all the way up to the chair notched in the corner of his room and he drops into it, watching me all the while.

I shift on the bed.

He leans forward, resting his hands on his thighs. “You don’t think we want you?”

Biting my cheek, I duck my head and lift one shoulder. I know they want me. They claimed me. That should say enough, but my heart’s bruised and battered, and I’m not sure how to stop the doubt.

“Look at me.” His tone brooks no argument.

I slowly lift my eyes, and when my gaze collides with his, my breath catches in my throat. Kai’s always been steady. Constant. Comforting. But there’s a smolder in his irises, and the way he’s watching me tells me he wants me to burn. He slowly moves his attention over every inch of my face and down the curved lines of my body before his eyes drag back up, snaring me once again in the heat that’s meant all for me.

“You’re ours, mine, and I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure you understand how much you consume my thoughts.” His focus strays down to my blouse that’s stretched tight across my breasts. “Unbutton it.”

“Kai.” I breathe his name, and as those eyes snap to meet mine again, any argument I might have dies at the sight of his hunger. Licking my lips, I move my fingers to my top and begin the process of unbuttoning it, watching him watch me, memorizing the way he curses when I slip the sleeves off, revealing the lacy bra that’s doing its best to keep my breasts contained.

“All of it, off,” he says, voice hoarse.

I reach back and undo the strap. As the bra drops to the mattress, the soft hum of approval keeps me moving. I lift my hips, unzip my skirt, and shimmy out of it and my thong, tucking my legs beneath me and resting my hands on my thighs. Desire, slick and ready, slips down my thighs.

Kai leans back in the chair, inhaling, eyes flashing with need, but he stays where he is. “You’re gorgeous.”

“Thank you,” I say with a smile, floating one hand up to cup my breasts, which are dying for his attention.

Chuckling, Kai watches me pinch my nipple before he says, “Crawl to me.”

“What?”

He smirks, and his darkened gaze meets mine. “Crawl, on your knees.”

Before I can think too hard about it, I slip off the bed, the plush carpet cushioning my skin. My palms press into the floor, and I look at him, moving one hand and one leg, inching closer. A deep purr rumbles in his chest as his eyes track from the sway of my ass and hips, up to my face, and down my body once more.

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