Page 29 of Mates: Posy

"We can see that!" Ash yelled.

"I’m not talking to you. Posy, you look so cute! I love your space buns!"

"Is that what they're called?" I raised my eyebrows and looked at Ash.

"Yep." Ash grinned down at me.

I turned back to Wyatt only to find him running toward me. My eyes widened.

Wow! He sure is fast!

"Thank you," I called out.

He was almost to the porch and still pelting along, and I clenched my fingers together.

"Don’t tackle her, idiot!"

Ash's shout made me jump, and I squeaked as his arm looped around my waist and pulled me behind his long, broad back.

"I just want a hug." Wyatt skipped up the stairs. "I missed you!"

"Well, I didn't miss you," Ash retorted.

"Not you, idiot." Wyatt shoved him aside and grinned down at me. "You. May I please have a hug?"

I blinked. I knew they were all holding themselves back from attacking me with hugs and kisses all the time. Shifters were a very physical species, and personal space was almost nonexistent between mates.

Something to look forward to,Lark teased me.

I blushed bright red.

"Cutie?" Wyatt’s face scrunched up in confusion. "You all right?"

I nodded.

"Only if you want to," he reassured me. "You don’t have to. I’m not ordering you to let me hug you. If I everdoorder you to do anything, unless it’s to get to the safe room during an attack, you can punch me right in the mouth."

"I don’t even knowhowto punch someone," I giggled.

I would never do that to anyone, anyway, least of all one of my mates.

"I’d pay to see you punch Wyatt," Ash said with a chuckle.

"I’m going to teach you to throw a punch." Wyatt ignored him and beamed at me. "Everyone needs to know how to defend themselves."

"She won’t everneedto defend herself," Ash argued. "She has her wolf, and we’ll always be there to protect her."

"Nah, dude. The best way for us to protect her is to make sure she can protect herself."

While they were bickering, I thought about Wyatt’s request for a hug. Jayden had told me to not be afraid to say no, but I kind of wanted a hug.

What if I weigh whatever I want against whatever is stopping me from having it?In this case, is my fear greater than my desire for a hug? What’s the worst that could happen in either situation?

Sucking in a deep breath, I took a baby step closer to Wyatt. He and Ash stopped arguing and looked down at me.

"You can hug me, Wyatt," I said.

"Thank you, baby."

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