Page 116 of Fated to the Hunters
Vince shook his head and let himself fall onto the couch. He knew that three men was still a lot for her to take in. Besides, his time would come. She would never choose one of them over the other, so he took that stress from her. Ezra and Mateo were the ones who’d waited years for a woman to love them. He, on the other hand, had always seen his future without a partner. And if he were honest with himself somewhere in the back of his mind a voice told him he didn’t deserve her attention or to seek her closeness.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Ezra
Ezra laid awake long after Scarlett and Mateo had fallen asleep. The whole day had felt like a dream, and he was too afraid to fall asleep and return to his reality. What if all of this was just some sick joke his twisted mind had spun together? It all felt too good to be true and he was terrified to lose this—to loseher.
Without waking her, he sat up and rubbed his hands over his face as if he could scrub the crazy thoughts away. The wooden planks of the floor creaked, and Vince stepped into the room. He had a tumbler of whisky in each hand, offering Ezra one of them before pulling a dagger out of his waistband. He dropped the dagger onto the bed, then took his place in the armchair.
Ezra downed the whisky, where Vince chose to savour it. With both hands free again, Ezra tossed the dagger between his palms. Shit, he wanted to cut so badly, but as his eyes landed on his precious princess, he just couldn’t do it. He didn’t want her to wake up and see it, didn’t want to disappoint her. She’d been so worried about him when she’d seen the fresh cuts. It was enough for him to never do it again.
Despite the thoughts raging across his mind like a summer storm, he set the dagger aside and took his princess in his arms instead. He spooned her and buried his nose behind her ear, taking deep breaths and letting her orange scent calm his tumultuous mind.
When Ezra awoke again, Scarlett was unconsciously rubbing against his raging erection in her sleep. He groaned and smoothed his hand down her side and to her hip. His tight grip startled her out of her sleep, her body suddenly tense.
“If you keep trying to fuck my dick in your dream, you’ll end up with it deep inside you for real,” he growled, forcing her hips to still.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered.
“Tell me, princess, what did you dream about?”
She swallowed hard before uttering a word that did nothing to help Ezra’s situation. “You.”
“Just me?”
Scarlett shook her head against the pillow. “All of you.”
Ezra gazed around the dark room. Vince had disappeared again and Mateo was turned on his side, deeply asleep. “I have been thinking of you too,” he groaned, slipping his finger under her waistband. “About how now that you are bleeding, I can fuck you bare.”
Scarlett stiffened and Ezra fought a grimace as her nails cut into his skin. “No.”
“Oh, princess. I’ve heard wonderous things about having sex during one’s period. You’ll grow to enjoy it, I promise.” She didn’t relent, but he didn’t dare force his hand further. With Mateo’s usual softness in mind, he asked, “What scares you about it? The mess?”
“Yes.”
“I will get us a towel. Would that ease your mind?” When she didn’t answer he tried to sooth her worry even more. “I don’t mind a little blood.”
“It’s going to be gross.”
“Scarlett, nothing about you is gross. It’s just blood. I’d hardly consider myself squeamish.” His heart leapt when a soft giggle burst through her lips. “Let me feel you bare, princess.”
She took her time answering in which he ghosted his lips over her neck and sucked her earlobe between his teeth. “Okay.”
Even though her grip on his wrist was still tight, she let him push beneath her panties. “What are you using right now?”
“A pad.”
Perfection. “Don’t move. If you fall asleep, don’t be surprised when you wake up with my cock inside you.”
He kissed her cheek and rushed to fetch the towel, deciding at the last minute to grab a few washcloths before returning to the bedroom.
The second he had her back in his arms, she turned her head and asked, “Are you sure?”
“Of course.” He gently pushed the towel underneath her when she raised up to give him space to do so. “Are you hurting?”
“No. I don’t always have cramps.”
He pushed her waistband down, but she tensed again. “It’s okay.”
