Page 24 of Scent of Sanctuary

“I’m okay with that.”

“And if you touch your ear,” he adds, “I’ll know to pull back too.”

I tilt my head. “What about the others? Do you think I’ll need these words?” Panic flares up in my chest at what these words could mean. Does Ambrose think they’ll hurt me? That he’ll hurt me?

Ambrose leans closer, his hand resting on the back of the couch. “I’ll mention it to them. As for you needing the safe words, I think we’re still figuring out your comfort level. We don’t want to push you. This is all new territory and I want to get it right, well, as right as we can.”

Oh.

I hadn’t thought about it like that.

“I’d like that,” I mumble, watching as Ambrose opens his arms and offers his lap. I slowly crawl into his hold, one of his hands settling on my hip.

“Color?”

“Yellow. No, green, I think. Green-yellow?”

Ambrose chuckles, his nose grazing along my forehead. “Pretty girl, deep breaths for me.”

“I don’t want to be caged in.”

He slowly twists me around so that my side is pressed against his chest, my legs falling along the cushions past his lap. His hand is still on my hip but this is perfect. “Color?”

“Green.”

Seraphina

Iwaketoasweet kiss on my cheek, my eyes adjusting to the dimly lit living room. I had no idea I even fell asleep, a blanket tucked around me, the TV credits rolling. Last night was perfect—pizza with extra meat, the box still open on the coffee table, and three seasons of some new soap opera, all drama and tangled love, playing as I curled between Callum and Ambrose. Their soft caresses and light kisses while they continued to check in on me was everything I needed but now it feels empty.

Callum’s shrugging on his jacket, Ambrose shoving his feet into his shoes, both of them watching me as I slowly sit up. I knowIwork soon but I didn’t think they worked until later. “We need a few more hands at the station,” Callum says, “new recruits starting. Lyle’ll be over for lunch after he gets off.”

“I thought he worked overnight. Doesn’t he need to sleep?”

“We switched shifts around so he’s ending early. I’m sure he’ll try and come over right after.”

I nod, standing up and stretching before lights in my nest catch my attention. My eyes widen at the newest addition, my lights strung up around the border of my room and the crusty sheets nowhere to be found. A small gasp falls from my lips as Ambrose steps up behind me. “Do you like them?”

“I do,” I say, turning to face him. “So much. Thank you.”

He kisses my forehead before heading to the front door, “Our phones are on, just call. If you can’t get a hold of us, call the station.”

“That feels wrong.”

Callum laughs as he closes the distance to kiss my head as well. “Nope, it’s perks of the job. Use them. See you tonight, sweetheart.”

I watch them go before grabbing my blanket and heading to my armchair to start up my shift. My gaze darts to the abandoned pizza and I swipe a slice before setting my headphones on and turning on the computer. It isn’t long before I get a text from Lyle.

I’m free!

Callum mentioned that your shift was cut.

Yeah, I’ve got another hour or two on the clock and then I’m swiping some ice cream before coming over to you.

You don’t need to sleep?

I’ll sleep when I come over.

I laugh at that, knowing that’s exactly what’s going to happen. However, I’m a little worried after Callum said that Lyle hadn’t been sleeping well.

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