Page 23 of Timeless Pages
“What about what I’ve said so far confuses you, Little Bell?” Nate asked.
“The marriage and babies part.”
“Do you not want to get married or have kids?” Evan asked. “We can have whatever life you want.”
“I don’t understand why you want to do that with me. Why are you interested in me?” I assumed they were the ones who dressed me, so they had to have seen how hideous I was.
“Why wouldn’t we be?” Dom asked.
“Look at me,” Nate said softly. I met his eyes, and within them, I saw understanding. I felt more seen than I had ever felt before. “Is it the scars?” I nodded. “We don’t care about the scars, Isa. Do you know what I see when I look at you? I see a girl who has faced more pain and torment than any one person should have to face in such a short amount of time. Each one stands for a time that you suffered but endured.”
“But they’re ugly,” I protested.
“They’re beautiful because they are part of you,” Nate replied. “I see a woman who could have let her scars harden her. Instead, you are full of kindness and empathy. You let a homeless drunk sleep in your store every night instead of on the street. You frequently walk around town with pre-made sandwiches and water to hand out to anyone in need.”
I looked at him in surprise. How the hell did he know that?
“That’s right, I’ve asked about you around town because I was desperate to learn everything I could about you. You didn’t let your pain win, and that’s just one of the many things that make you beautiful. And if you still want to leave and go to a hotel, then ok. But we’ll be going to the hotel with you because I’m not letting you go, Isa. I can’t.”
“We can’t,” Evan corrected.
“You’ve become far too important to us, Beauty,” Dom added.
I honestly didn’t know how to respond. This was like a scene straight out of one of my smutty books. In my books, the woman would say something clever, sexy, and purr or something. Then they would all have crazy monkey sex where everyone obviously fits where they are supposed to without any complications. That would lead to fifty orgasms easily cleaned up with a warm washcloth in the end before blissfully falling asleep.
This wasn’t a book, though, and I’m not sure I knew how to purr. This was real life, and I had three men waiting for a response. I blurted the only thing that came to me. “Oy with the poodles already.”
Nate shifted back in confusion, likely checking to see if I was having a seizure. Evan’s brow wrinkled, also confused by my words. Dom, though, busted out laughing.
“I loveGilmore Girls!” He plopped down on the bed beside me. “Have you watchedA Year in the Lifeyet? What am I saying? It’s been out for years now. If you can quote the show randomly, you’ve seen it.”
I latched onto the subject change like a drowning man clings to a piece of driftwood. “I loved it!” I replied. “I was so mad about the way they ended it. Did you know that was how they had planned to end the series initially?”
“I know!” Dom replied. “Honestly, I would have been more angry about that being the series finale. I hope they do another one. I need to know what happens next.”
“Me too!” Evan and Nate looked between us with confused expressions still on their faces, causing me to giggle.
“What do poodles have to do with anything?” Nate asked, sending me into a laugh that hurt my throat, but it was worth it.
“It’s a line from a show,” Dom chuckled.
“Gilmore Girls, yeah, I got that much,” Nate said, “I’m just not clear on how it applies here.”
“I believe I’m correct in assuming that Isa didn’t know what to say, so that fell out of her mouth,” Dom answered, looking at me for confirmation. I nodded. “I thought so. Beauty, we don’t need a big declaration of love. All we need to know is that you’re open to exploring a relationship with us.”
I nodded emphatically. I was open to it. I still didn’t fully understand how they didn’t find my scars repulsive, but maybe in time, I would.
“Words, Isa,” Evan prompted.
“Yes, I’m interested,” I whispered.
“Thank fuck,” Nate groaned seconds before his lips crashed into mine. It hurt. All of it hurt, but fuck if I was going to let him know and cause him to stop. His hand supported the back of my head as his teeth nipped my bottom lip. I gasped into his mouth, giving his waiting tongue access to dip in. The kiss was possessive and just shy of desperate. It also immediately ignited a desire that made me whimper with need. It was that sound that had Nate pulling back slowly. He rested his head against mine as we panted.
“No strenuous activities, remember?” he said.
I nodded. I’d never wanted to disobey an order more.
Reluctantly, Nate stood and put some distance between us. “Still want to go to a hotel?”
