Page 159 of Priceless

“I know.” My throat was thick with emotion, partly because coming down from heats was a delicate balancing act of getting back to normal, partly because I was nervous and happy and scared and a hundred other things at once.

The idea of asking them terrified me, but it had to be now, because I would regret it forever if I didn’t. I swallowed. “Can I ask you something?”

Everett kissed just below my ear. “Anything.”

I shifted so he could see my face. Cam’s head was now in my lap, and I didn’t mind at all. It felt right to be all connected like this.

But I couldn’t get the words out.

Micah came around and sat next to us. He turned my face to his, offering that softness and safety that was all him. “What’s wrong, princess?”

Tears flooded my eyes. “I’m scared.”

One hand gently cupped my cheek, thumb brushing away the tear that spilled over. “Why are you scared?”

There weren’t words for it. Just that huge nameless fear that rose up and blocked all the sound. The fear of rejection, even though I knew—I knew—they were mine. It wasn’t logical or rational. But I couldn’t stop the terror of what it would be like to come this far and have them say no.

All I could do was shake my head.

Micah’s other hand rose so he held my face before he kissed me softly. “We love you,” he whispered. “No matter what it is, we’ve got you.”

I clung to his arms, my tears spilling over as I held onto him and the feeling of them. It was stronger and deeper than the fear, even if the latter was all I could hear in my head. “Would you—” I sucked in a watery breath. “Would you bite me?”

Silence reigned. It was too quiet, and the fear took hold of me with icy fingers digging into my ribs. But when I looked up, daring to know what their reaction was, Micah’s gaze was filled with awe. “Are you sure?”

“If you don’t want to—” I couldn’t tell them it was okay, because I wouldn’t be okay.

“Ocean.” Everett pulled me so my back was cradled to his chest, his purr so fucking strong it wrapped me in comfort. “I wanted to bite you that night at the Gala. If there’d been any way, I would have. I’ve wanted to bite you every fucking day, because there’s nothing I want more than to feel every part of you, and for you to finally understand how real and deep this is.”

I shuddered in relief, sagging in his hold and bowing my head. Micah lifted it. “If you think my asking if you’re sure meant I don’t want this, then let me make myself clear. Biting you is the highest honor I’ll ever have. You’re my wife and my Omega.” His hand curled into my hair. “The only reason I asked if you’re sure is because I want you to be sure. Especially right after your heat. Never doubt that if you’re ready, I’m yours.”

Cameron climbed over me, taking me down onto the cushions. If the blanket wasn’t trapped between us, he’d nearly be inside me again. His face was uncharacteristically serious. “There’s nothing funny about this, Ocean. No jokes. No teasing. I love you. You’re mine, and I want you. Do you want me to bite you, sweetheart?”

My heart skipped a beat, and I nodded. Before he could ask me for the words, I told him the truth. “Yes. More than anything.”

He didn’t hesitate.

Cam tilted my neck to the side and bit me. Right where my neck met my shoulder, for the entire world to see.

The brief pain melted into sweetness and light. Cameron’s bond in my chest. It tasted like him. Sharp and zingy and citrus. All his playful teasing and the darker side of his dominance. And all the love in the world. So much love it stole my breath. I felt everything.

I had to kiss him. Needed to kiss him. He met me halfway, consuming each other.

The joy coming through our bond made me laugh when he pulled away. He was grinning. “No take backs now.”

“Never.”

Deep inside, I felt that the only reason he was releasing me was because he wanted the others with us in these bonds. Feeling him and the truth of everything was a balm to my soul. There was no wondering and no questions. Just simple clarity.

It felt like I could breathe.

“Any preference?” Micah asked, raking his gaze over my body.

“No.” It was the truth. He could bite me anywhere. It didn’t matter where, as long as I was his. His face turned into a smirk, and he rolled me over, ripping the blanket away to expose my ass. Low—where it was nearly leg and not ass—I felt the softest of kisses before he bit down.

The bond that wove between us was so different from the first, and yet it was familiar. Like I already knew, the bond was softer than Cam’s. Rich and dark and deep, but no less loving.

Micah felt like those moments in Grecia when I’d woken from my nightmares. The steady presence that made the darkness less frightening. Warm arms and soft kisses and just as much love. The sweetness and salt of his scent.

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