Mason narrows his eyes at her. “You know what words.”
“I don’t wanna be afraid anymore. I want… I want everything you can give me,” she admits, squeezing me against her, and I’m so glad I can be that grounding object for her as she faces her fears.
“It’s okay to be afraid, Little Bird. You just can’t let that fear rule your life. We can go as fast or as slow as you need. I’m just glad you’re giving us a real chance,” Mason says.
“I don’t want to go slow…”
That’s all Mia gets out before I’m shifting in her lap. One second I’m a cute little bunny, the next I’m a five foot ten hunk of naked man. Mia screams at the sudden change, but it quickly turns into a fit of laughter.
“What are you doing?!” she wheezes out between bouts of laughter.
“What? You said you didn’t wanna go slow? What faster way to get naked?” I shrug.
“You’re such a freaking goofball! Get off me!” she giggles as she pushes me off of her lap onto the floor.
I land in front of the couch with a thud and rub my butt. “Well, that wasn’t very nice,” I pout.
“It’s not nice to sit on someone’s lap naked without warning, either,” she argues, sticking her tongue out at me.
“I hereby give you express permission to always sit on my lap naked any time you wish,” I intone with my right hand over my heart.
“Thank you. That’s wonderful to know,” she snickers.
“Now, what’s this about not wanting to go slow?” Bennett demands, having had enough of our back and forth.
“I don’t know if it’s you or the bond, but the thought of you three leaving here when the storm clears scares me to death. I don’t want to lose you. That much is clear after only a day together. But I’m not ready to get married and have kids. Hopefully, we can come to some middle ground?”
“I don’t care if we ever get married and have kids as long as you're mine,” Bennett growls.
“I agree, I can totally wait on kids… But youdowant them, right? Eventually?” I’ve always wanted kids, but I’m not in a hurry. They’ll come when they come… Unless Mia doesn’t want them…
“Of course, I do! I just want to have some us time first. Really get to know each other before we add tiny people to the mix.”
I swear the air rushes out of Mason as he visibly relaxes after her confession. I know he was terrified she wouldn’t want kids. He’s always wanted to be a dad. It would break his heart to give that up. But I know he would for Mia. If that’s what she wanted. Thank fuck, we don’t have to see what that would do to him. Even Mason can agree it’s best to have a few years to ourselves before we start popping out babies.
“Are you saying you accept us as your mates, Mia? I need to hear it,” Mason presses, cupping her cheek as he stares into her eyes.
She swallows a lump in her throat before answering. “Yes, Mason. I accept you as my mate.” Then she turns to look at me and Bennett. “I accept all of you.”
Those are the magic words. Mason seals his mouth over hers, both hands fisted in her hair as he devours her like a starving man. Suddenly he stands, still holding her in his arms, and she twists and wraps her legs around his waist instinctively. When he steps over me and heads for the hall, I jump up and chase after them, Bennett not far behind. Mason better slow his roll. I already told her the next time she comes is going to be because of me. Am I calling dibs on our mate? Yes, yes, I am.
Chapter 19
Mia
Afterkissingthedaylightsout of me, Mason stands up and carries me to my bedroom, Riley and Bennett following not far behind. “Are you sure you’re ready for this, Little Bird? There’s no going back once we cross this line. You’ll be ours for the rest of your life.”
The thought should terrify me. But it doesn’t. Now, when I think of being stuck with these three men for the rest of my life, I feel… whole. A sense of rightness washes over me and I know without a doubt this is the right decision.
“I’m sure. I’m tired of second-guessing myself. I trust you. You are nothing like Mike, I know that. I didn’t feel even half of what I feel when I’m around the three of you when I was with him,” I tell him, looking right into his eyes so he knows how serious I am.
“Good.” He kisses the tip of my nose before he sets me down on the bed. “Before we begin. You said you want to wait a while for kids. Are you on birth control? I doubt any of us packed condoms. I know Ididn’tand I’m the one always prepared,” Mason says with a self-deprecating chuckle.
“You mean you didn’t come prepared to meet your mate in the middle of your camping trip?” I tease.
“Apparently sometimes, the best things happen when you aren’t prepared for them… At least this one time, anyway.” He smirks at me.
“Apparently.” I giggle. “To answer your question, yes, I’m on the shot. I get it every three months. And I’m clean.”