Page 81 of Stella

Jerrick rubbing his cheek against mine. “Not me, I’m perfect.”

“Yes, you are.” I locked his arms around my waist.

“I can’t promise I won’t have issues,” Simon said. “But I’ll talk to you about it first instead of assuming the worst.”

I cupped Simon’s face. “I was scared of how much I cared about all of you. It was easier to push you away.”

I thought about how miserable I’d been the last week. “Maybe not easier.”

Simon put his forehead against mine. “I love you. I am so deep in love with you.”

“I love you too,” I whispered. “I love all of you and it’s terrifying.”

I pulled Simon into a kiss, loving the way his lips caressed mine. He took his time, kissing me like we’d been apart years and not days. His tongue flicked the seam of my mouth, and I opened up to him.

Jerrick ran his hands down my sides, and I sighed. The solid weight of him grounded me.

I pulled away from Simon, and then brought Evan into a kiss. His mouth wasn’t as wide, but his lips were thicker, and the scent of blackberries, the beach, and salted caramel was everywhere. Warmth filled me as the rays of the setting sun bathed us in a golden glow.

I never wanted this to stop. I kissed Evan like I was drowning and, in a way, I was. I wanted to be pulled under by them and never resurface.

I drew away from the kiss and dragged my mouth down Evan’s neck. He sighed. “You’re such a good girl. You’re so perfect for us.”

I looked at him, trying to decide if it was his love talk or if he was serious.

Evan looked back at me, a soft contented smile on his face. “Yes?”

Simon rubbed my arm, like he was comforting me.

Jerrick kissed the side of my head. “You are perfect.”

Trust him to know what I was really thinking.

Evan grinned. “We don’t want to push you into bonding…”

Simon started nodding. “All in your own time. We’re here when you’re ready.”

I bit my lip. I should tell them it was too soon. I’d dated my last pack longer and it had all fallen apart.

I hugged Evan against me, sandwiching myself between him and Jerrick. Simon hugged me from the side, and Evan shifted so I was surrounded by my men.

I drew up my mental image of the future. I wanted them to bond me, so badly, but the nagging fear that it would go wrong reminded me they were here because Simon overreacted.

Well. So did I. I was afraid and let that fear push away my pack. It was time to stop making decisions because I was afraid of what could happen and start seizing the life I wanted.

“I’m ready,” I said. “I want you to bond me.”

Evan kissed my forehead. “You’re sure?”

Simon rubbed his cheek against mine. “There’s no rush.”

“I want to be your omega.” I tapped Jerrick’s arms around my waist. “Someone has to help Jerrick keep you two in line.”

I took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. It was time I stopped living in fear and instead listened to what the universe was trying to tell me.

Everything with the three of them fit right, felt like missing pieces coming together.

Once I let go of being afraid there was nothing but love left.

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