Page 29 of Room Ten: Praise Times Three

10

REESE

I’m going to kill Caiden, although am I really any better? After watching Leti cling to him last night and then knowing she kissed him in the bedroom, I felt a primal need to open myself up and let her seek comfort from me this morning. And then, after I felt her melt against me, I sent her to Soren, manipulating her into seeking warmth and affection from all three of us.

I know she wants what we have to offer her—well, at least part of it. Taking that next step, wanting us to take her as a man takes a woman, is the furthest thing from her mind.

Wanting three men to take her the way we want to has probably never even been a fantasy.

Although, she did ask what turns us on. Do we tell her and risk her hiding from us until this is over?

Fuck me, I know the answer. The answer is we keep this professional and keep our hands to ourselves. But damned if that’s what I’m going to do.

“I’m not embarrassed.” She bites her lip, and it does things to me. She’s sexy in the most demure and unobvious way. I doubt she understands how much something as simple as biting her lip turns me on.

“The three of us have been together a long time, doll. We met when we were eighteen and nineteen years old. We’ve gone through training, been in combat, and currently live and work together. We do everything together.”

Caiden adds in, “He means everything.”

The three of us sit perfectly still as her gaze bounces from her plate to each of us and back again. There’s a deep blush hitting her cheeks, but to her credit, she doesn’t back down. “I’ve never heard of such a thing. I’ve heard of one man taking multiple women. My ex does that.”

Soren’s eyes pop wide. “With you?”

She shakes her head. “No. He did it behind my back.”

“One thing you need to know about us, doll. We don’t lie. Ever.”

“Hmmm,” Leti murmurs, playing with the napkin in her lap. “I’ve never heard of such a thing.”

We sit in silence for several minutes, letting her process this information. She doesn’t make eye contact with us, but she doesn’t run away.

I suppose I should call this a win?

Soren fidgets in his seat before jumping up to clear his and Caiden’s plate. Then he walks over to her side, crouching down beside her. “We are still the same men who pulled you out of that wretched house yesterday. Still the same men who watched Scooby Doo with you last night. You promised you wouldn’t be uncomfortable with us.”

She looks at him and smiles. “I’m not embarrassed. I’m trying to imagine how that would work.”

Caiden laughs. “Don’t think too hard, baby.”

I glare at him. “Shut up.”

Soren rolls his eyes. “If I pick up the ingredients, will you bake for us?”

She cups his cheek. “Yes.”

“What else do you do when you aren’t working?”

Shrugging, she finally looks me and Caiden in the eye. “I read. Listen to music. Attend yoga in the afternoon. Then there is dinner, followed by a movie, and then back to bed with a book.”

Such a regimen, it sounds lonely. I don’t say this out loud, but I see the look that passes over Caiden’s face, confirming my thoughts.

* * *

An hour later, both Caiden and Soren have left for the store, leaving Leti and me alone. She begrudgingly gave Soren a list of beauty products she routinely uses, protesting she didn’t want to be any trouble. She’s still bitching about it as I finish washing the dishes.

“You don’t have to do special stuff for me.” She throws down the dish towel. “I don’t want to be any trouble.”

I grab her upper arm and swing her around so she bounces against my chest. Then I back her against the counter and tilt her chin up so that she has no choice but to look me in the eye. “You’re no trouble to us, doll. We want to take care of and pamper you. It is our pleasure to do so. Okay?”

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