Page 16 of Cursed Love

Hunter cuts me off with a grin, leaning in to press a kiss to my cheek this time. It’s quick and soft, and yet his scent lingers. “To you, baby girl, we’ll never be monsters. Not ever.”

The sincerity in his voice makes my chest tighten and I find myself leaning into him without thinking, my body relaxing against his side like it belongs there. I don’t know why I’m okay with his touch. I don’t know him. And yet, being here, pressed against him, feels like I’ve known him forever.

For the first time in years, I feel important. Like I matter. And it’s terrifying, because I know it won’t last. Being mated to the St. Clairs won’t bring the money my family wants, won’t give them the control they crave. Damien will demand that the St. Clairs help with the family business and when they won’t, he’ll demand that I leave them.

The thought hits me like a punch to the gut, my expression shifting before I can stop it. Hunter’s arms tighten around me, drawing my attention back to him. “Hey,” he says softly, his voice pulling me from the spiral. “Don’t do that. Don’t get lost inyour head.” His thumb brushes against my arm, grounding me. “We’ve got you, Koa. Let us take care of you, yeah? Let us help.”

I glance up at him, the sincerity in his eyes catching me off guard, and before I can say anything, he grins again. “Let’s start simple,” he says, his voice teasing now. “How about a bath? Then we’ll get some food in you. Sound good?”

My cheeks flush at their attention and I drop my gaze again, fidgeting with the edge of the blanket. “You don’t have to—”

“Yes, we do,” he cuts me off, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Now, bath or food first?”

I don’t answer, too overwhelmed to think straight, and before I know it, I’m falling back onto the bed, my body sinking into the soft mattress. I stare up at the ceiling, my face burning with embarrassment, but the tension in my chest is already easing.

Hunter and Moses climb off the bed with all the grace of predators who know exactly how much power they hold. My eyes betray me, dragging down their bodies before I can stop myself—and then I seethem.I blurt it out before my brain can catch up. “How the fuck did that thing fit inside of me?”

The room goes silent for half a second and then they all burst out laughing, the sound echoing through the space and sending my cheeks into full-blown flames. I groan, covering my face with the sheets, wishing I could disappear. Why the hell did I say that out loud?

Hunter’s the first to lean down, as he tugs the sheet down far enough to kiss my forehead. “You’re perfect, baby girl,” he murmurs, his voice low enough that it sends a shiver down my spine. Moses follows suit, his kiss just as gentle but lingering for a second longer, like he’s trying to tell me something without words.

I peek out from under the sheets as they step away, still chuckling as they pull on clothes and head for the door. Hunter winks at me just before they disappear into the hall, leaving mealone with Amel. My Omega immediately mourns their absence as I turn to Amel, confused as to why they left. “Why did they leave?”

I twist around, pulling the sheet tighter around my body as I face him. “Why did they leave?” I ask, my voice quieter than I intended.

“Because I wanted to talk to you. Just you.” He shifts closer, his hands brushing against the sheets as he leans in. “I know you came home with us because there weren’t many other choices and I get that. But now that the chaos of yesterday is over, I want to know where we stand.”

My chest tightens at his words, panic flickering at the edges of my mind, but before I can spiral, he moves. In one fluid motion, he scoops me up into his arms, the sheet wrapping securely around me as he holds me against his chest.

“Amel—” I start, my voice catching as he stands and starts walking.

He doesn’t let me finish. “Relax,” he murmurs. “I’m not here to scare you, Koa. I’m here to take care of you.” He presses a kiss to the top of my head as he carries me toward the attached bathroom.

When we reach the bathroom, he sets me down on the toilet, the cool surface making me shiver as I cling to the sheets around me. He starts filling the tub, the sound of running water breaking the silence as he glances back at me.

“I also wanted to pamper you a little bit,” he muses. “Give you something else to focus on while we talk.”

“Pamper me?” I echo, wondering what I’ve done for Amel to offer this kind of attention. No one has ever taken the time to pamper me or give me the time of day like this.

Amel’s lips twitch into a small smile, his eyes softening as he steps closer, cupping my cheek with one hand. “Yes, pamperyou,” he says quietly. “Because you deserve it. And because I want to.”

My chest tightens again, but this time it’s not panic. It’s something else. Something I don’t know if I’m ready to name yet. But as I watch him move, I can’t help but feel a little of the fear I’ve been carrying start to melt away.

Amel

My fingers twist the knobs, the water heating up as steam rises, curling around us in the cool air of the bathroom. I reach for the oils sitting on the counter, choosing one that smells faintly of lavender. A few drops into the water, followed by some bubbles, and the surface starts to shimmer.Perfect.A lesser man would think it’s odd that I was prepared for a morning like this but we’ve been wishing for our Omega far longer than Koa will ever truly understand.

Besides, she needs this. Hell, after last night,we alldo. I’m sore in places I didn’t even know could ache—being on thereceiving end of a good hard fuck from the St. Clair brothers will do that to you—but I can’t imagine how she’s feeling.

I glance over my shoulder and there it is—that sweet smile tugging at her lips. But there’s hesitation too, a flicker of uncertainty in her expression that I was expecting but still hate to see. The haze of her heat spike has cleared and now the reality of what happened is settling in. I can see the wheels turning in her head, the doubt creeping in, and I hate it. She doesn’t need to question this. To questionus.

I don’t push, though. Instead, I wait until the tub is full before turning back to her. “Bath’s ready,” I say softly, stepping toward her and crouching down so I’m at eye level.

Her cheeks flush as I reach for the edge of the sheet, my hands careful, slow, giving her every chance to stop me. She doesn’t, but I can see the nervousness in her eyes as I gently unravel the fabric, letting it fall away to reveal her bare skin. I force myself to keep my gaze steady, to focus on her face, and not let my eyes roam because that’s the last thing she needs right now.

Koa’s eyes search my face as I help her into the bath, our beautiful Omega settling into the water with a soft sigh. Her body sinks beneath the bubbles, a flicker of satisfaction settling in my chest at the way she relaxes almost immediately. Her shoulders drop, her head leaning back slightly, and for the first time since last night, she looks peaceful.

I step into the tub behind her, the water sloshing slightly as I sink down and pull her flush against my chest. Her back is warm against me, her hair dampening where it brushes my skin, and my arms settle around her waist, holding her close. She doesn’t tense up, doesn’t pull away. Instead, she leans into me, her head resting just under my chin. My purr starts up instinctively, low and steady, vibrating through both of us as I press my lips softly against her temple.

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