Page 102 of Séance

“Look at me,” I demand, waiting for him to obey. When I have his attention, I lean forward and flick him on the forehead with a loud thwack.

“Hey!” He lurches back with a scowl, rubbing the spot as he stands. He looks at me warily, like I’m a wild animal that might attack him at any moment. “What was that for?”

“That’s for being an idiot.” I place my hands on my hips to keep from reaching out and whacking him upside the head. He must have read my intent because he hastily backs up a step and holds his hands out placatingly.

“Have the guys ever tried to beat manners into you? Or lock you in your closet so you wouldn’t go out in public and embarrass them? Starve you until you learned your lesson?” With each question, I stalk toward him, not stopping until his back hits the wall with a thud, and I poke him hard in the chest. “Have they ever looked ashamed to call you brother or friend? Have they ever refused to step up and defend you when you got yourself into trouble?”

He shakes his head mutely, his throat bobbing when he swallows hard, his wide eyes locked on my own.

“Then you have no reason to be ashamed.” I poke him in the chest again for emphasis, not feeling the least bit bad when he winces. “I never want to hear you talk down about yourself again. You’re not any less intelligent than the others. Different isn’t bad. Your family doesn’t find you lacking, so who the fuck cares what other people think? The guys love you the way you are, quirkiness and all.”

Jameson tilts his head, his eyes sharpening. He pushes away from the wall, stalking toward me slowly, and I suddenly feel nervous. Just as I take a step back, he lunges forward and wraps his arms around my waist.

I blink up at him in confusion, flustered to find myself plastered against his front, his cock hard and insistent against my stomach. It’s all I can do not to squirm. Honestly, I’m not sure if I would try to get away or move closer.

“Admit it,” he says huskily, nuzzling his face against mine. He nips my ear, causing me to jump, and I barely bite back a groan as sparks ignite through my body. He pulls away just enough to whisper in my ear, his tone smug. “Youlikeme.”

I release a shuddering breath, my cheeks heating, and I suddenly find the front of his shirt fascinating. I purse my lips and shrug nonchalantly. “Maybe.”

Jameson leans forward, brushing his lips lightly over mine before pressing his forehead against mine. “That’s good, because I like you too.”

“Really?” I can’t stop the bright smile that crosses my face, joy sparking in my chest at his confession, only for it to dim a second later. I nibble on my bottom lip and peer up at him from under my lashes. “Even after what you learned last night?”

He stares down at me, unflinching. “Nothing you can say or do would ever change the way I feel about you. You’re my pookie, now and forever.”

Dishes clatter in the sink, and I jerk away, embarrassed to have completely forgotten that we aren’t alone. Heat floods my cheeks, and I glance at Jaceson and Gunner from the corner of my eye.

“Hicks is hosting his annual end of the summer bash tonight.” Jaceson leans against the counter, completely unperturbed at catching me in his brother’s arms. If anything, interest sharpens his pale blue eyes. “It’s such short notice, we thought we’d take you on a small shopping spree.”

If he wanted to distract me, he succeeded.

I shoot a quick glance at Gunner, as if seeking his reassurance, but he keeps his back to me, busying himselfby washing the breakfast dishes. I miss his warm, comforting presence and barely keep from going to him.

My gaze slides to the door, and I swallow hard, unconsciously backing away. “Are you sure it’s wise to take me out in public again? Aren’t you worried about another—” I swallow hard, wringing my fingers together as I try to keep my anxiety from exploding out of me. “Incident?”

Jaceson pushes away from the counter, not stopping until he’s in my space and breathing my air. He tips my face up, his expression not the least bit disturbed. “No, princess, I’m not worried at all. You shouldn’t be either.”

He pushes a lock of my hair behind my ear, a tiny smile curling his lips. “Just like you told my brother, you can’t be afraid of yourself just because you’re different. Being different is what makes you special.”

My eyes burn, and I’m afraid to blink, doing my best to keep tears from spilling down my cheeks. I’ve been called many things in my life, but never special. No one has ever worried about me before I came to live with nan or expressed their concern when I was sick or offered help when my body was broken and bleeding.

I don’t know how to process their kindness and hate that I’m suddenly suspicious of their motives. Taking a shuddering breath, I do my best to squelch my unease and bring the topic away from me. “You want to take me shopping?”

“No,” Gunner says as he finishes rinsing the last dish. He grabs a towel from the counter and dries his hands, his eyes immediately latching onto me when he turns. “We want to take you out on a date.”

“A date?” I echo back at him like a dumbass, sure that I must have misunderstood him. I shift awkwardly and clear my throat. “With all three of you?”

The guys gather around me, each of them nodding. Jameson wears a bright smile, bouncing on the balls of his feet. Jacedoesn’t move his gaze from mine, patiently waiting for my answer like a predator waiting for his prey to fall into his trap. Gunner has a twinkle in his eye, obviously loving my predicament.

For the life of me, I can’t come up with one reason why this is such a bad idea, not when I so desperately want to spend time with them. My gaze jumps from one man to the next, nervous excitement making my pulse jump. Feeling giddy, I fuss with the hem of my sweater and decide that leaving the house is an acceptable risk if it means I get to spend more time with them.

“I would love to go out with you.” I smile, then wince when the bruises around my eye twinge. I self-consciously touch the area, then my shoulders slump, disappointment weighing heavily on me. “I’m a bit of a mess. Are you sure you want to be seen out in public with me?”

I don’t really care if I attend the party or not, but it’s harder to dismiss the yearning to spend more time with the guys. I’ve been alone so long that even the smallest taste of friendship is addicting. I can barely keep my disappointment in check, my shoulders slumping as I brace for their excuses.

Gunner’s scarred hand is warm as he cups my chin, forcing my head up. “Baby, your wounds are badges of honor. It would be a privilege to be seen in public with you.”

He kisses the tip of my nose, making my insides squirm, and my body warms at his nearness. The masculine scent of grease and body wash has me swaying closer to him, and my mouth waters with the need to taste him and see if he’s as delicious as he looks.

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