Page 48 of Tempting Her Dragons

“I’ll bail you out,” I offer.

“Thanks, it’s good to know beforehand.”

“When she gets here, I’ll call.”

“I’ll drive out to get her. You need to nest with your mates.”

“Nest?” I wrinkle my nose. “That sounds weird.”

“Not the way I would do it,” she quips. “Bye, Sugar.”

I stare at my phone, shaking my head. Yes, we are all lucky Sally found her way to us. She’s right. The bond connects you to your mates but can’t make you love. The pull is strong. At first, it’s just a yearning to be around someone in a sexual way. Their touch is needed to put out the fire in your body. As the minutes pass and I learn about them, the urge to learn more is massive.

This morning showed me that we are compatible sexually. The attraction is fierce. I respect their work. I had no idea they rescued people. My heart squeezes at the thought of that poor girl. I can relate to her, and I have to open up to them. My time in a cage is a memory I try to shove as deep down as possible. I was young. I’ve beat myself up about the incident for years. The what-ifs are many. I should have fought harder.

Why do we blame ourselves for others’ bad behavior?

I kill men, and never once have I blamed the victims for what happened to them. It’s so easy to defend others and not yourself. It wasn’t my fault. I didn’t ask for his hand down my pants. I’m fucking angry. I’m angry at the man who thought he could touch me without permission. I’m angry at myself for freezing at the moment.

Sally is right. My mates will understand. They will listen, and maybe I can finally move on.

It won’t stop me from doing my work. Killing the abusive does heal me a little at a time. Those women don’t have anyone fighting for them, and I will continue to do what I can to even the scales. It’s not much, but the ashes on the side of the road are their justice. They will still live with the scars, but hopefully, like mine, they will heal over.

The cabin is quiet, and I shut off the water. I dry my tears and stand straight. I’m going all in. I want my mates and their love. The asshole coming for them doesn’t know what is waiting for him. Once I fall, I won’t let go. If he thinks he can take them from me, I will love to prove him wrong.

I’m not just a girl.

I grin into the mirror.

I’m a woman, and I breathe fire.

I leave the room with determination and breeze through the bedroom door. My feet falter when they turn their attention my way. It’s powerful to be the focus of these two gorgeous men.

“Will you go somewhere with me?” I ask before I lose the nerve.

“We’ll go anywhere with you,” Mav says, and they move toward me as a unit. All they need is to be in slow motion with a breeze and their shirts off.

“Lead the way,” King says, holding out his hand. I take his offer and pull him toward the door. Every time he holds my hand, he stares at our joined fingers for a moment; it makes me wonder why.

I don’t say anything as I walk around the house and through the backyard. Mav threads his fingers through my other hand, and we enter the forest behind my cabin. Even though I’ve had my reservations, it feels natural being with them. I concentrate on the roughness of their hands, their scent, and the peace that comes over me.

The natural sounds of the woods surround us, as does the crunch of the path of our feet. Everything is green and beautiful, and the closer we get to our destination, the pounding of the water rings out.

“I found this place shortly after the cabin was built.” I swing our arms slightly. “Sometimes, my mind is filled with noise. Being here quiets my thoughts. I don’t mind being alone. I love my family, but they can be a lot, and it’s tiring to put on the mask I sometimes wear.”

“Why do you wear the mask?” King asks, lifting my hand when I hop over a fallen tree.

“It’s expected,” I say. “I’m the bubbly one. The one who lifts the mood.”

“You don’t have to be that way with us,” Mav says.

“I am beginning to believe that,” I whisper. We come to a stop by the stream and waterfall. “This is my favorite spot.” I pull on them, urging them closer. I stop under the huge tree hanging over the water’s edge. I let go of their hands, sit, and stretch out on the grass underneath it. I smile up at them. “Join me,” I encourage, and they drop beside me. “I love listening to the water.”

“It reminds me of our land,” King says, lying on my right, his arm pillowing his head. “I hate listening to the noise of vehicles and people in town.”

“It’s quiet,” Mav says on my left. “Except Mom.”

“I’m nervous,” I admit.

---