Page 17 of Claim Me

“Everyone needs to take a breath,” Hunter says and squeezes my hand. “Inhale deeply and exhale hard. Just really center yourself.”

“Your woman is bossy,” Bear tells Tack before inhaling sharply.

Exhaling deeply, Tack replies, “Thank you.”

When I also obey Hunter, she asks, “Are you feeling calmer?”

“No.”

“Let’s breathe more.”

“I need an answer.”

“Bear gave you the answer,” Hunter replies. “Go talk to Indigo. Don’t let his hangups keep you from taking charge of your life.”

“Before you do that,” Tack says, winning a frown from Hunter, “what do you want to happen with Indigo? I think you ought to be driving this ship rather than leaving him in charge. He’s got no experience with a relationship. You practiced with Sync.”

Though I like the idea of Sync being my practice guy, my smile fades when I consider Indigo.

“I don’t know how I feel about him. He was my brother in the same way you two are. I wasn’t checking out his hot bod, but I wasn’t blind to it, either.”

“How did he get you in bed?” Bear asks. “I’m confused about how you went from thinking about him as a brother to turning his jizz into a baby?”

“Simply poetry,” Natasha teases Bear. “You’re an artist with words.”

Bear chuckles and reaches over to smack Tack who is comfortable on the couch while the larger man sits on the arm. I ought to let Natasha sit away from me, but I need my friends to fill me with courage.

“He kissed me. That’s it.”

“You are clearly a horny person,” Bear says, and I frown hard at him. “But he’s a decent-looking guy, right? There’s nothing wrong with you noticing his qualities.”

Bear gives up on finding comfort on the couch’s arm and drops into a nearby chair. His gaze narrows when he sees Tack cuddled with Hunter.

“Do you think Indigo would ever be able to do this?” I ask the men. “Could he cuddle with me while giving you guys dirty looks over who is the hottest for their woman?”

“Sure. You might have to start the cuddling part. He doesn’t seem to know how to instigate affection.”

“He kissed me. I didn’t instigate that.”

Tack chuckles. “I figured he’d go the overly subtle route when he made his move. Then, we’d need to help you translate what his cryptic behavior meant. But the boy went straight to sucking face.”

“It must have been a good kiss for you to end up in bed,” Natasha says. “Did you feel anything besides lust?”

“I don’t know. It’s not like Indigo is a stranger. I care about him. But I don’t know if I want him like I wanted Sync.”

“You were still a kid back with Sync. He was your first boyfriend. You’re not the same person as you were back then. Maybe comparing your feelings isn’t smart.”

“Just go talk to Indigo,” Hunter insists. “Tell him about the baby.”

“Uh, maybe not,” Bear says and frowns at Tack. “He might not be ready for that part.”

“That’s true. He was flipping out about Bear’s kid being weird-looking,” Tack mutters, gaining scowls from Bear and Natasha. “And being compared to Jacinda and Hector who are cute and funny.”

“Theyareadorable,” Natasha says, smiling now as she rubs her belly. “But this baby will be special in her own way.”

“That’s what I told him, but Indigo might flip out if he thinks his baby won’t be as good as the twins.”

“His baby,” I say, stroking my flat stomach. “We made a baby.”

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