Page 20 of Monstrous

In a way, they have.

If this is what it feels like to belong to them, well then, I’m game. Honestly.

The boys run a hot bath and take turns washing me, running soapy hands along my arms and legs, and paying close attention to my feet. Something about the hot water and their caresses, being surrounded by them, is a comfort I’ve never experienced before. It’s the sense of contentment I’ve been missing.

The water washes away the ache in my core, bubbles filling the tub up to the rim and the three of them pampering me.

I glance up at Arc and he lifts a brow as he stares down at me.

“You really didn’t have to do all of this for me.” My voice holds a question and a world of insecurity. “I’m nothing remarkable.” I’ve never felt like I deserve this kind of attention.

And they never answered my question about why. Why me? I am no one special.

He shakes his head.It’s no secret to the others that I hate humans. The others utter a low hum of agreement as though they’ve heard it all before. I sit up a little straighter in the tub. He…what?I can’t stand them, Arc continues. His gaze is as sharp as his nails.You’re the only one I tolerate. That means something.

He stares down at me, through me, and I shiver, remembering the sensation of his nails skittering along my skin. The danger and the delight. I’d never been into knife play or blood play of any kind before but I’d kind of liked how I felt with Arc. I felt safe enough to explore with him. With all of them.

It was freeing.

Especially when you consider that we’ve never had a conversation until yesterday.

I smile around at the guys and the attention has heat building in my stomach, which surprises me. Shit, again? How can I want them again?

How can my body even be ready togoagain? That’s a special kind of magic on its own.

I finish the bath and Vexx holds out a hand to help me out of the tub. A flick of his fingers has the old candle on my shelf above the toilet, covered in dust, bursting to life. He flashes me a grin colored by the flame.

It’s what I do, he hisses out.

Fine with me.

I’m excited to learn all about them and see what they can do for me. I already had a large taste of it. A low, rich chuckle erupts from Vexx as his grip turns possessive, like he’s read my mind again.

I settle on the bed with the three of them around me in a protective circle once again. It took me so long to call them here. To my side. Too long, and if I’d known what the pills were doing to me, I might have ditched them sooner.

The meds kept my guardians from me.

Never again. I like having them around and it isn’t just for the sex—although it’s seriously fucking good sex. It’s for companionship, a sense of safety I’ve probably never had before now.

Going with the flow, and the urge, I grab my sketchbook from the bedside table with a low hum of a tune in the back of my throat. My pencil lays next to the book and I twist it between my thumb and forefinger, nibbling my lower lip.

It’s been a long time since you’ve had the drive to draw, Arc mutters.

He’s right. He’s been watching me, so they all know. The mood has rarely struck these past few years.

Now I can’t stop myself.

“I know, it’s been a while. I’ve tried so hard lately but nothing I do has made a difference,” I say.

Because we haven’t been here, Vexx replies.Not in a meaningful way. You’ve kept us out for so long.

“Not me. The medication.” My pencil flicks across the paper bringing the image in my head to life.

Whatever it was, you stopped drawing us. And without your drawings, we’ve had to keep our distance, It’s been much harder to keep a foothold in this world. Zane settles beside me with his hand absently trailing along my leg.

I glance over at him before quickly averting my gaze. “Is that what did it?”

Arc nods.You’ve kept us out, and although it isn’t your fault, it’s been impossible to help you. Until you asked.

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