Page 29 of Saving Destiny

His sweet concern and careful language make me feel like he's simply asking for a hug. It's endearing.

“I can give again,” Bren offers without hesitation.

“Thank you, Bren, but it’s my responsibility. I should become accustomed to it before we open anyway.” My choice of words makes the process sound like a chore, and I hope Avery sees past it. I might even be excited; I trust Avery, and I’m not scared of him. Watching him feed off of Bren had been extremely erotic, and my insatiable curiosity makes me wonder if I'll feel the same. According to media reports, vampires often trade pleasure for blood. I can’t deny my interest.

“How does that work then?” Garrett asks gruffly. I’m beginning to associate his growl with his jealousy. “Will your blood compel her?”

Avery shakes his head with disgust. “Firstly, I would never attempt to do so. Secondly, Zosia is far too powerful for my bite to compel her. Thirdly, I have never had to compel anyone.” The statement is arrogant, but it also rings true. His silver gaze shifts to me. “I can offer pleasure in return or simply numb the pain of my bite. I shouldn’t require much since I recently fed, and I supplement with a normal diet.”

Heat courses through me, rising in my cheeks, and I wish I hadn’t braided my hair so I could hide behind it. His intent gaze and the way he sayspleasureseems more intimate and suggestive than they should. One day, I'll need to be able to discuss my sex life with my guardians. After all, I'm supposed to supply their needs. It won't be an easy transition, though. All four of them are almost too attractive. It doesn't matter that I can't touch one of them.

Garrett releases my hand and scowls, but I don't sense disgust as he snatches the cereal box and scans the nutrition label. “If you plan on regularly feeding a vampire, you'll need to increase your iron intake. This isn’t enough, so you should take a supplement in addition.” He slams the box back onto the table. The cardboard crumples because it's no match for the griffin's strength.

“Rhett,” Bren says disapprovingly, but he shouldn't be the one to reprimand his brother.

“Are you truly concerned about my health or just jealous?” My accusation is bolder than I expect, and I doubt he'll answer.

The shifter might be squirming, but it appears like he's simply readjusting his position. “Both,” he grunts with a brief glance at me. “Shifters aren’t accustomed to sharing their mates.”

And I'm shocked again. This morning has been rough. Mates? Does that have a deeper meaning than our contract? Does his jealousy suggest that he’s interested in sharing me? I've purposefully avoided thinking too much about our arrangement, but my avoidance was probably unnecessary. An image of all five of us in my massive bed flares in my mind with explicit detail. I curse my visual imagination as my breath stalls in my lungs and desire floods my core.

Garrett’s nostrils flare, and he rises from his chair so slowly that it draws my attention. His muscles bulge with tension, but his pants also bulge. He’s far too big to hide it.

My cheeks burn so brightly that they turn the same color as the apples on the table. Kodi snorts, and the vampire’s lips twitch; he senses the undercurrents as clearly as we see them. Bren appears distracted, but I don’t take offense.

I try to restore the cereal box to its original state, hoping the effort will distract me from my lust and embarrassment.

“You’re not the only one who's dealing with jealousy, big guy,” Kodi taunts Garrett. “I can’t even get hard, and I still don’t like the idea of sharing her.”

“Kodi!” His name is all that manages to escape me.

“What? I meant hard as in real flesh, Zo. Get your mind out of the gutter.”

The cereal box is hopelessly ruined. I pull the plastic bag from the cardboard as my exasperated sigh turns into a nervous laugh. Kodi’s smile clearly indicates that his mission to unnerve me was successful.

“I’m working on my hang-ups,” Garrett grumbles under his breath. He's turned away from us, pretending to focus on washing his glass even though the library always does the dishes. Bren and I share a chuckle, and my attention refocuses on the younger brother. His smile makes him utterly irresistible. The thought doesn't dispel the heat still burning through me.

A sigh escapes me as my thoughts turn serious. “You're not the only one with things to work on," I reassure the shifter. The atmosphere shifts to match my tone. “I’m used to being ignored, pitied, or teased. I honestly don't know how to react to the positive attention from four sexy men. Understanding that it’s not a joke is something I’m still dealing with.” I don’t meet their gazes during my vulnerable confession, and I rush to continue before they can reply. “It might take some time, but we’ll manage. At the moment, we have something more immediate to focus on. In less than forty-eight hours, our sanctuary will be overrun with wealthy, entitled supernaturals. We need to concentrate on the tasks the library sets for us.”

No one speaks as the import of my words sinks in. The significance of our duties weighs heavily upon my shoulders, but it shouldn’t be their primary focus. My guardians' most important task is to protect me while I convince everyone that I am a worthy librarian. I'm determined to fake it until I make it.

Bren reaches for my hand and covers it in a comforting manner. Although the gesture is similar to his brothers, his hand is smaller and cooler. Before my arrival at the library, I’d rarely experienced touch. I'm learning how not to shy away from them. The first step is understanding that they offer comfort and empathy instead of pity.

“You’re going to be an amazing librarian,” Bren says with so much conviction that I start to believe him.

“Do you foresee this?” My question is half-joking and half-hopeful. If he sees success in my future, I have to believe it.

“I don’t need to. You were born for this, little lioness.”

My first inclination is to think that his faith in me is misplaced, but I’ve been told the same thing repeatedly since I arrived here. I’m beginning to internalize it because it’s too difficult to argue with Bren. His guileless face and earnest words are almost impossible to doubt.

While the others have risen, Avery remains in his seat. He nods in agreement with Bren’s words, but his shoulders droop with exhaustion. I take a deep breath and remind myself to focus on one thing at a time. My guardians’ needs are the most urgent and should take precedence over my insecurities.

“I’ll join you in the library after I help Avery,” I announce with more confidence than I feel. The others shuffle from the room and leave me alone with an inhumanly beautiful but dangerously hungry vampire.

What happens now?

Chapter 18

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