Page 59 of Claiming the Dhampir

“I want you more than I care to admit,” Nathan said. “I can’t even consider whether or not I’m jealous of the others, because I don’t trust myself not to bite you every time we’re together. I…” He paused and glanced around the table. His uncertainty was so obvious, it scared me. He was never uncertain. “Well, damn. You three have been my trusted friends for decades. If I can’t show my insecurities to you…”

Nathan mumbled for another moment, then looked at me with his deep blue eyes. “I’m afraid of what will happen to us if we do this. I can’t be with you without biting you. I’m guessing that your dhampir, Mir, feels the same way about me.” He set his mug on the table and wrapped both hands around it. “The power we create together is intense. More than I ever could’ve imagined. I think we need to ease into any intimacy with caution.

“But please don’t take this to mean that I don’t want you. There isn’t any part of me that doesn’t want to claim you completely. I have to consider the consequences of my actions, both good and bad. I have an entire clan counting on me to make the right decision. Not the selfish decision.”

I stared at Nathan for several moments, watching his expression change from frustrated to resigned. He’d been keeping me at arm's length because he thought it was best for all of us. When he tried to ignore me, he was ignoring his own desire. All because he didn’t trust himself, and he feared what would happen if he and I continued to share blood.

All this time, I thought he resented me and wanted nothing to do with me.

“We’ll figure it out,” I said. “I agree with Mir. Fate put us together for a reason. I won’t deny fate’s gifts, even if I don’t understand why they did it.”

“It seems I can’t deny it either,” Nathan said. “Now tell us how you feel.”

I opened my mouth to explain all the doubts and fears tumbling through my mind, but I couldn’t. I sat there staring at the guys—who had been so honest and open—wondering how I could voice my insecurities without sounding petty or stupid. Mir was right; I was probably just overthinking it.

I’m always right.

Sure you are.

Chapter 21

Nathan

Icouldn’t believe I’d been so open with how I felt about Lorna. Not that I thought anyone in the room would’ve ridiculed me for voicing my insecurities; I just didn’t normally share. It felt good to get it off my chest, though.

Damon and Elliott both gave me a knowing nod. They knew how hard it was to build everything we had with the clan, the non-profit, and our money-making businesses. They also understood the very tangible pull to be with Lorna.

I watched the object of my desire as she tried to put her thoughts together. I suspected her dhampir was an active part of that debate. Mir hadn’t hesitated to set herself apart from Lorna during our fight yesterday and again less than an hour ago when I’d given in to my lust.

My dick hardened at the reminder of her naked body. The soft, incoherent sounds she made as she grew closer to her orgasm. The demands from Mir that I give her more.

Then the disappointment when I told her no.

“I… um.” Lorna’s voice caught me before I fell into my self-pity. “I think you guys cleared up most of my insecurities. I’ll try really hard not to read into anything you say or don’t say.”

She looked up at me for a moment, but her expression was unreadable. Her gaze danced between all of us before she focused on her plate of uneaten food.

“I honestly struggle with you guys being okay with sharing,” she mumbled. “I don’t want to share you. The thought of you touching someone else makes me see red.” She flung her hands in the air and once again looked at each of us. “I’m expecting you to only want me—just me—yet I get to have all of you to myself. That makes me a horrible person, doesn’t it?”

I looked around the table, waiting for one of the others to answer her question. I’d never been in a relationship like this. While I’d never considered Lorna a horrible person, I could understand her point of view.

Kenrid frowned and glanced at Damon. Damon raised an eyebrow at me, and I shook my head.

Elliott raised his hands in the air. “I think Lorna’s the best thing since sliced bread,” he said, drawing a chuckle out of us.

“I agree with Elliott,” Damon said. “You are the best thing to happen to me. I never thought I’d find my fated mate. Kenrid has already told you the same. Nathan never believed he would have one.” He reached out and took her hand in his. “Our relationship is different, but it’s not wrong. You’re not a horrible person for being jealous. I suggest we make a pact. If any one of us feels like we need to add someone to the group, we’ll talk about it first.”

And this was a perfect example of Damon’s brilliance. He didn’t promise that Lorna would be his only mate. We would all live for a very long time. We had no way of knowing what our future would bring.

“I agree,” I said.

“As do I,” Kenrid said.

“I’ll agree, but I already know that Lorna is it for me,” Elliott said with a wide grin.

Tears pooled in Lorna’s eyes, and her lip trembled when she smiled. “I love you guys,” she whispered.

“Make up sex?”

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