Page 69 of The Preacher's Pet

“Of course,” Cain says. “Let’s pack some things, and we’ll head over there. It won’t hurt to miss a few days of classes, or if you want to go to them, we can accompany you. Either way, we won’t leave your side.”

I picture myself walking into class with the Preachers flanking me. I’m sure other students are already gossiping about me—the weirdo new girl who was missing for six years—and I doubt the presence of the Preachers will alleviate that gossip. But strangely, I find I don’t care. Instead, I imagine how proud I’ll be to walk with them at my side. That these men—these strange, beautiful, strong men—would choose me leaves me reeling with disbelief.

Fighting back yet more tears, but this time of gratitude, I stand. Roman moves to one side, and Cain steps closer to pull me into a hug. His big arms are warm around me, and I rest my cheek against his chest. He’s such a solid presence that being held by him makes me feel safe already, but I still finding myself tensing, my ears straining for the voice of the man who is haunting me.

None comes, for the moment, at least.

When Cain lets me out of his bear hug, I head to my closet and start to pack my things. I don’t have a huge number of belongings—not because I can’t afford them, but simply because I’d spent so much of my life with only the bare basics that I’ve learned how to do without much of the clutter most people seem to surround themselves with. It doesn’t take me long to fill a bag, though I leave some items I won’t need right away in my room. I figure I can always come back, or send one of the guys back, to pick something up if I need it.

I zip the bag shut, and Cain takes it from me.

I offer him a smile of thanks, and my stomach flips with a mixture of nerves and excitement.

I’m about to take a vacation to the water tower.

37

CAIN

Ophelia crashed almost as soonas we got back to the tower. She’s fast asleep on the bed, with tiny, cute snores escaping her parted lips. I’m still a little worried about letting her sleep so soon after she’d taken those sleeping tablets, but Malachi insists she’s fine now. She was awake and talking and moving around, so I know he’s right, but I still can’t shift that little niggle of worry, so I’m watching over her like a hawk.

I’m sitting on the couch with Malachi, and opposite us is Roman. To say I was surprised at his reaction to Ophelia taking the pills is a huge understatement.

“I thought you didn’t want any of this?” I watch him carefully as emotions flicker across his face like clouds over the mountains.

“It’s complicated for me.” He smiles softly. “I made a vow.”

“We all made a vow,” I point out. “But things can change. I truly believe the ancestors, the gods, and every other entity we ask for guidance wouldn’t have sent Ophelia into our path if she wasn’t meant to be part of our lives.”

“I know.” He rubs two fingers across his bottom lip as if thinking. “I’ve come to that realization myself, too. But for me, there are other issues at hand.”

“Such as?” Malachi sighs as if he’s getting irritated by Roman.

I shoot him a sharp glance telling him to shut up. I want Roman to be able to tell us what’s going on in his head. He’s hardly an open book, and if he’s starting to talk, we owe it to him as his friends to listen.

“What other issues are there?” I ask in a much more cajoling manner.

His lips twist, as though he’s biting the inside of his cheek. “You know what happened to me in childhood... it makes what happened between the two of you and Ophelia last night much harder for me.”

What’s he getting at? Does he mean sex is difficult for him?

Mal frowns. “Yes, but you’ve had relationships with women before. You said you didn’t always live like a monk, and you knew what women liked.”

Roman shifts in his chair as if uncomfortable, and his cheeks turn a shade of pink that makes him look as if he’s got a fever. I stare at him as realization begins to dawn.Holy crap.

“You haven’t had sex before,” I blurt.

“What?” Malachi looks from me to Rome and back again.

“He’s right,” Roman admits. “I’m still—technically—a virgin.”

“You lied to us?” Malachi shakes his head and blows out a long breath.

Right now, I could slap him for the way he’s handling this, and did Roman lie, or did we take the vague things he said and make our own truth?

“That’s hardly the issue, Mal. Why haven’t you had sex, Roman? Was it because of what happened when you were a boy?”

Roman stands suddenly, pushing himself from the chair with a burst of violent energy. He paces up and down before standing to face us.

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