Page 123 of Talk About… Rivalry

She took a shaky breath as my words settled over her.

“I’m just…”

Sidney wasn’t usually the ‘lost for words’ type but I had a feeling I knew where her head was going now. I’d made studying her my job for weeks and it was getting easier to read her now that the bond was involved. I could feel the insecurity, sharp and biting, right under the surface.

“Sunshine, are you afraid if you’re ‘difficult’ or ‘too much’ that we won’t want you anymore?”

Her breath caught and tears swam in those gorgeous, green eyes as she nodded.

“I know it’s stupid,” she bit out, swiping angrily at her tears. “Old habits and all that. She left because we weren’t enough and dad always acted like if I did anything outside of being quiet and hard-working that it was too much. My brain doesn’t know how to handle all this.”

“We’ll help you,” I vowed. “This is all going to settle into a new version of normal and if you have doubts or fears, find one of us. We’ll all talk you down. But I can promise you that you’ll never be too much for us. You’re exactly what we want and need, Sidney.”

Her worries melted away before heat filled her gaze.

“Take me back to the hotel now, Taylor. We can order food later.”

She didn’t have to ask me again, I took her hand and hurried her to the car, driving back to our hotel room for the night.

I wanted nothing more than to fuck her senseless, but the night I had planned wouldn’t be rough and fast, it would be a show of love and care.

Sidney’s gasp as I opened the door to our honeymoon suite was everything I hoped for. I’d gone all out for tonight, including requesting a massage table and oils from the spa downstairs.

“This is,” she started but I turned her toward me and kissed her.

“Just enough,” I challenged. “I have a whole night of heat recovery planned, and this massage will end with a happy ending.”

She snorted out a laugh. “Always so cheesy.”

“Just for you.” She grinned, dropping her bag near the door and heading for the window. The view at night here was perfect. The mountains were a gorgeous backdrop to the twinkling lights of the town below us.

“We should send proof of life to the pack before they send out a search party,” I mused.

Holding up her phone, she turned us so the window was our backdrop. Her head fell to my shoulder and we smiled up at the camera. Our cheeks were slightly flushed and our eyes shining with happiness.

“My new favorite photo,” she said, sending it to the group chat.

Sidney: We’re alive and well. Turning in for the night.

Leo: Liar. We all know what you’ll be doing

Sidney: Don’t be jealous, Leo.

Leo: Too late

Maverick: Take care of our girl, Taylor

Bennett sent a screenshot of our picture as his home screen that made us both grin.

I was the first to toss my phone on the table nearby, and Sidney did the same. She turned to me, her eyes burning for me, but she was waiting patiently, letting me take the lead.

I was so fucking proud of her.

She shuddered as I ran my fingers up her arms before helping her out of her jacket. She turned as I tossed it aside, giving me access to the zipper on her dress.

I lowered myself to my knees as I helped her slide it down, the inky fabric pooling at her feet. One by one I took her boots off before leading her to the prepared massage table.

Sidney didn’t protest as I helped her lay on top. I gently clipped her hair up so I had full access to her toned shoulders.

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