Page 24 of Steal Me (Rebel Hearts Heists 1)
River has been in there, like … forever.
I stand there listening for a moment, you know, to make sure he isn’t dead. I can’t hear anything besides the shower so I shake my head, turning to go sit outside for a bit. I need some fresh air because this stale motel is really starting to give me cabin fever. I wedge a shoe in the door and my bare feet hit the cold cement stairs, my eyes finding the massive forest the motel is backed up against.
Well, now what?
Royce turns the corner and I see his hot gaze on me and a large brown bag in his hand as he walks up a flight of cement stairs. I can hear cars and motorcycles starting up on the other side of the building and I’m suddenly glad we’ve gotten this quiet room, tucked away from most of the other guests.
“Is that my t-shirt?” Royce asks arching a brow.
My eyes shoot down as a blush appears on my cheeks.“Sorry, Blaine put it in my bag.”
Royce’s lips tip up as he sits down next to me on the stairs, offering me the bag. “Don’t be sorry, I like it on you.” Oh.
“I got donuts, but I had no idea what flavor you like.” He admits running a hand over the back of his neck. I offer him a smile and open it up, immediately pulling out the everything donut. Well, that’s what I call it at least. It has a vanilla cake base with chocolate frosting and a ton of sprinkles and cookie crumbs on top. I’m actually super impressed and a bit suspicious that out of all the donuts at Dunkin’ fucking Donuts, he picked the one I like.
“I should have guessed.” He shakes his head and rubs my back. “You like everything then? Is there anything you don’t like on a donut?”
I tilt my head thoughtfully, chewing on a delicious bite of fluffy, fried dough. “No, not really. I’m the same way about ice cream and pizza. I guess I just figure it like this: you have all the options, so why choose. You know?”
Amusement lights up in Royce’s eyes as he watches me almost predatorily, my lips pausing before I go on to take the second bite out of my donut. Instead of saying anything, he brings a thumb across my lips and sweeps chocolate frosting away from it, before popping it in his mouth. My face turns instantly pink and I squirm a bit realizing just how turned on I am.
“Royce …” I mumble not really knowing what he’s thinking or going to do.
Right then the door to our room fully opens and River’s hand, don’t ask me how I know since I didn’t actually look, sneaks between us. I grin as he snatches the bag of donuts and ruffles my hair, leaving the door open when he goes back in. Obviously, alone time is over.
Royce searches my expression and sighs, looking away before standing and stretching his tall, large body. He walks back inside without another word and I’m left feeling like I messed something up.
Clearly, I’m the only one feeling almost at peace, like a perfect clinical example of Stockholm Syndrome. That’s fine. Let them stress, I’ll be over here imagining that I have four separate boyfriends. Which, I know is even more fucked up than what a case of Stockholm Syndrome would explain. The attraction for each of these guys feels right, not because of the situation, not because I’m subconsciously trying to make them like me to guarantee my safety. This feeling, this attraction, this attachment feels right with each of them. Even with River.
All four men? When did this happen?
Hm. Isn’t that a thing in romance novels? Having an exclusive relationship with more than one guy and not having to choose just one? I swear I read some on my kindle back when I lived with Pierce. I should look into it more.
Yes, Sloane, fuel the issue. Smart.
“Baby?” Kaden’s voice is sleepy and I offer him a soft smile.
“Hey you …” I try to not seem too excited to see him. The ridiculously, and unfairly sexy man crouches down and brushes my hair back, looking at me.
“Everything okay?” He asks softly, his eyes filled with understanding and depth. I love that about Kaden. Sorry Ilikethat about Kaden. There’s a passion to him, in all things, despite always being in control. It’s like once you push at that barrier enough, you gain access to that passion and depth.
This is really frustrating because I really have no reason to feel comfortable around these men. Yet, in the wake of yesterday, I find myself a bit grateful for them. I still wish they didn’t come into my life in such dire circumstances, that they hadn’t kidnapped me but I’m grateful. Grateful for Kaden’s understanding. Grateful for Royce’s strength. Grateful for Blaine’s sweetness toward me. Hell, I’m fucking grateful for River. Even if he’s a sarcastic, scary, sexy, dangerous looney ass.
I try to hold back a shiver thinking about how close I’ve been to Pierce taking me.
“Yes.” I nod not skipping a beat.
“Good.” He bites into my donut and stands up before I have a chance to protest. Donut thief! I narrow my eyes as he offers me a wink and walks back into the room.
I turn back only to have a pair of warm muscular arms slide around me as I inhale the scent of Blaine’s cologne. Looking up at him, I find that he has his head tucked against my neck and I instinctively lean back into him, with no idea what the hell he’s doing. Am I going to complain about the sexy man hugging me? No.
All of them are honestly acting a bit odd after yesterday. I mean they act like River and I …
Oh shit. Were they worried about me? I mean actually worried? Not just about their hostage escaping? Worried that even though they ordered River not to harm me, he wouldn’t listen? Well, then.
“We should lock you up,” Blaine mutters. “Keep you in our house in Seattle and never let you leave.”
“What?” I ask bewildered, and I snap my head around as his head rolls slightly so we are nearly nose to nose.
