Page 18 of Mates: Posy

He didn’t respond, didn’t blink or even seem to be breathing, and I scolded myself for overstepping.

"Sorry. I’m being greedy."

"Sweetness, may I give you a hug?"

I wasn’t sure about that, but he wouldn’t like it if I said no. Biting my lip, I looked at the floor and nodded.

Moving slowly, he wrapped his arms around my shoulders and drew me closer until Mr. Nibbles was squished between our fronts. I stood as stiff as a board, trying not to hyperventilate while debating if I should hug him back.

"We will make sure your room gets lots of sun, baby girl."

Something soft pressed against my forehead, then he laid his cheek on top of my hair. Since he was being so gentle and nice, I dared to put my hands on his waist. Not a hug exactly, but better than no response at all.

"Thank you," I told him.

"We all want you to be happy and comfortable." His hands moved to frame my face. "Posy, could you do something for us?"

I nodded.

"It’s going to take a lot of courage," he warned me.

I had a short supply of courage, but I’d try. For him.

I nodded.

"Tell us no when you don’t like something or don’t want to do what we ask, and don’t apologize for it. For example, I don’t think you really wanted me to hug you, but were too afraid to say no."

I bit my lip and looked down at Mr. Nibbles.

"Now I feel like I forced you to hug me," he sighed, "and it hurts me to know that."

"You didn’tforceme," I murmured.

"Maybe not physically, but you weren’t really willing, either, were you?"

He raised an eyebrow, and my cheeks heated up.

"Look, here’s the deal," he sighed. "Except for Mason, my brothers are pretty oblivious. They’ll take your yes at face value. They mean no harm, and it’s not that they don’t care. They just won’t realize that you’re too afraid of getting in trouble to disagree with them. If they figure it out later, though, it will hurt them."

I understood. Raising my face, I met his eyes and nodded.

"I'll try," I promised.

"Good enough. Now, what would you like to pack? And where’s your suitcase?"

"Um, I don’t have one. We can get a box from the kitchen. And not much. I don’t have many clothes and only one pair of sneakers. Could I take some of my books, though?"

"Posy, take anything you want. Take everything. Take nothing. We’ll go shopping for whatever you want." Frowning, he plowed a hand through his sun-streaked brown hair. "I’ll go find a suitcase or duffel bag we can use. I’ll be right back."

I nodded and turned to my task as he went to do his.

#

I stood inside the front door and anxiously peered outside. My brothers waited on the porch, my mates stood behind me, and I couldn’t bring myself to cross the threshold.

I craved the sun on my face, but it looked so open and scary out there.

"What’s she doing?" Wyatt whispered.

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