Page 52 of These Wicked Desires

“And they all get along? They don’t mind sharing?”

“They get along great. They were best friends long before they ever met me. I think it was kind of natural for them to share.”

“The sex must be intense,” Chloe mutters. “Shit. I’m sorry. That is none of my business.”

I laugh, sectioning off another chunk of hair. “It’s okay. And yeah. The sex is wild.”

Silence falls between us, and I can only guess she’s trying to imagine what it would be like to date three guys. However, when she speaks next, her voice is hushed and small.

“How do I move on?” Fear and despair lace her tone. The words hit me right in my soul. How many times did I ask myself that? “Will I ever feel normal again?”

My brushing slows as her words dig deeper into me. I release a breath before I start detangling again. “It seems impossible, doesn’t it? You think back to your life before and it seems so far away. So hard to reach. And you have no idea how to get that life back.”

“You speak as if you understand what I’m going through,” she says quietly.

“Because I do.” The only thing that keeps me talking is the motion of me brushing her hair. The repetitive up and down of my arm. “Before I met Cade and the other two, I was living in my own personal hell with an abusive fiancé. When I met them, I was nothing but a shell of a person. I was empty inside. Hollow.” I swallow thickly. Telling this story will never become easier, but if I can help Chloe, I’ll do it. “I thought I’d never be able to handle a man’s touch again. I was sure I’d been ruined forever. But Cade came along. And he was so amazing. They all were, but Cade especially. It took time, patience, and love. But they showed me that what I lived through didn’t define me. That I was more than what I experienced. They showed me what it meant to be loved and cared for. I’m not perfect by any means. I still have to remind myself sometimes that I’m out. I’m safe. I’m not alone. But I got through it because of them.”

“What are you saying?” she whispers. “That I should accept this … this wolf who claims I’m his mate?”

“No, I’m not saying that. I’m saying it’s not going to be easy. And it will take time. But you’re not alone. Cade will always be there for you. And I will too.”

“What do you know about him?” she asks, changing the subject.

I don’t need her to clarify who him is. “His name is Cole. He’s my mate’s brother, and his beta. I don’t know a lot about him, but he seems like a good guy.”

She falls quiet, thinking over my words. I want to tell her to at least talk to him. That the connection formed with a mate is something so amazing and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. But, it’s not my place. She’s not me. I leaned heavily on all three of my guys to get me through my dark times. Chloe might not need or want that.

“I’ve almost got this all untangled,” I say, changing the subject.

“Really? You’re a miracle worker.”

I laugh and run the brush through her now unmatted hair. “Living with curly hair has taught me a thing or two about defeating stubborn knots.” I pick up the scissors and do my best to even out the cut before washing it thoroughly.

Once Chloe climbs out of the bath, she wraps a towel around herself and looks in the mirror. If I had to guess, her hair was probably down to her mid back before I cut it. It’s hard to tell with how matted it was. Now, it hangs just above her shoulders. She fingers the wet strands, a small frown on her face.

“I hope I didn’t cut it too short,” I say, plugging in a hair dryer. “You’ll probably have to get this cut professionally, too. I am by no means a hair stylist.”

“No, it’s fine. It’s been a long time since I had hair this short. Then again, it’s been a long time since I actually brushed my hair.”

The blow dryer cuts off further conversation, and I take my time drying and straightening her hair. Sometimes just having someone take the time to do something so small can be huge to a person. I have a feeling that’s the case for Chloe right now. When I’m done, I leave the bathroom to give her privacy to dress, and I find Cade sitting in a chair in the corner of the room.

“Before you yell at me and kick me out, I ate and Kai watched every bite.” He lifts his violet eyes to mine, and they look so sad.

I sit in his lap and brush a strand of brown hair from his forehead. “Good. We all need you to stay strong.” I glance at his mom’s sleeping form, her hair dull and streaked with gray. Wrinkles mar the surface of her skin, even though I don’t think she’s old enough to have that many. “How long do you think it will take for her magic to return?” I ask quietly.

“I don’t know. It took a day or two for Sterling’s. Hopefully by tomorrow.”

Looking back at him, I turn him to face me. His stubble scrapes against my fingertips as I graze them over his cheek. We stare into each other's eyes, getting lost in the quiet moment. I love how his eyes sparkle and shine when he’s happy. How they swirl with fracturing light when he uses his magic. I love how just his presence can ease my fears and make me feel safe and loved. His gentle touch, his caring heart. There is no one more perfect than the mage before me.

I lean forward and press my lips to his. I intend for it to be a small peck. A comforting gesture. But instead of pulling away, I linger there, breathing him in. He parts my lips with his own and he deepens the kiss, brushing his tongue along mine. My blood heats like it always does when I kiss him. When he pulls away, I pout. It wasn’t enough. It’s never enough.

Cade stands, keeping me wrapped tight in his arms, and I lock my ankles behind his back as he walks out of the room and into the room I commandeered last night. He gently lays me on the bed and steps back to slowly tug his clothes from his body. I hesitate for a second, studying his face closely.

But as soon as I see the bleakness in his eyes, I know he needs this. He needs the connection. He needs to know he’s not alone. He needs to lose himself in someone he loves and just forget about everything for a little bit. I understand that feeling all too well, and I’m happy to give him what he needs.

I sit up and pull my shirt over my head, smiling as his violet eyes darken with desire. After I shimmy out of my leggings, I lean back on the pillows and beckon him to me.

“Come here, Cade. Kiss me.”

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