Page 48 of Claimed (Powertools: The Shields 5)

“I do. I could clearly see the difference between the way he talked about hissestraand his boyfriend. And even if I hadn’t, your reaction told me that I’d fucked up. My heart knew even if my brain refused to believe. I’m scared to get this wrong and yet somehow I still did.”

“That hasn’t really sunk in yet. Everything he shared.” Karolena seemed a bit dazed as she looked from the clothes in her hands to the helicopter and then to the rooftop patio.

Aven reached into the back and started hauling out additional bags. “There’s more. These two had me hit up the best five-star restaurant in the closest big city, where that fancy-ass boutique was. I’ve got seven courses of your favorite foods here too. Want me to help you get changed and do something with your hair while these two get dinner ready?”

“I would love that.” Karolena wiped another tear from her cheek. Hopefully this time a happy one. “Thank you.”

She shifted her gaze from Aven, to Legend, then Tavish.

“If you let us, we’ll try to make as many of your days happy ones as possible, Karolena.” Legend couldn’t help but steal a gentle kiss before collecting the food from Aven and leaving the women alone so he and Tavish could unpack it onto the fancy dishes Devra had set out on the buffet along one wall of the roof.

It wasn’t more than ten minutes before they’d tucked the last of the containers out of sight under a tablecloth and Tavish froze, staring in the direction of stairwell the women had disappeared into.

Legend spun around and got stuck too.

Karolena strode toward them with a confidence she’d never possessed before. It was the most attractive thing he’d ever seen. He could imagine her as a model, tall and thin in killer heels that made her legs look even longer than they were. Her hair was swept off her face and clipped in an updo that allowed wisps to frame her face. And that dress…whatever obscene amount of money they’d charged to his credit card had been worth it.

The floor-length skirt was slit nearly to her hipbone, giving him glimpses of her svelte thigh between the floaty, black fabric as she walked. The top was a deep v that plunged nearly to her navel, leaving two points of fabric over her breasts. They were held in place by ultra-thin straps that he would guess crisscrossed her bare back. A glittering belt of rhinestones emphasized her tiny waist.

“I’m going downstairs,” Aven shouted to them from the doorway. “You look gorgeous! Kiss and make up, please.”

Legend shot her a salute. Tavish grinned. They each held out a hand to Karolena as she approached, and she accepted them.

“She’s right, you know?” Legend could hardly speak. “You’re amazing.”

“I feel more like myself.” Karolena ducked her head as if she was kind of embarrassed by her high maintenance tendencies. “No, more like the woman I want to be. Desirable, and in control of my own destiny.”

“You’re both of those things.” Tavish wrapped his hand around her elbow and led her to the table. Legend drew her chair out and held it steady as Tavish settled her then tucked her in.

Legend retrieved the trio of appetizers from the sideboard and set one at each of their places while Tavish poured them champagne. Despite everything, Karolena hesitated just long enough that Legend caught it. “Don’t you believe us? I understand if it takes time to earn back your trust.”

She sighed. “Look me straight in the face and swear that this isn’t only some assignment to you. Promise we’re not playing some game I don’t know the rules of. Because if you are, that’s more cruel than anything Vladimir did to me. At least he was honest and direct about his intentions.”

Tavish didn’t balk. He took her hand and swore it. “Everything that’s happened between us and what I hope will come next is because we want you for you. You’re courageous, and stronger than you realize. And so damn sexy.”

“Plus, you brought Tavish and I together far more tightly than we had managed on our own.” Legend cleared his throat. “I’m starting to think I might not lose him. That someday, he might come to love me the way I love him.”

“I’ve always loved you.” Tavish looked at Legend like he’d said Aven’s chopper was an alien spaceship. “How could you not know?”

“Because you’re too afraid to show it. Maybe even to admit to yourself how desperately you need him.” Karolena squeezed his fingers. “You’re going to have to learn to open yourself to more than sex if you want to keep him.”

“Fuck.” Tavish groaned. “I already told him I’m going to be more like you and tackle my shit head on. I’ll make a therapy appointment as soon as we get inside. I don’t want my shit to come back on you two ever again. I’m so sorry.” This time he apologized to Legend and not Karolena.

“I forgive you,” Legend promised.

“And so do I.” Karolena looked to them both. “Can we eat? I haven’t had anything all day and this smells so delicious I’m drooling.”

“Me too.” But Legend was still looking at his companions and not their plates.

Fuck the food.

“Save that look for after dessert.” Karolena refused to budge. “I’m not letting one crumb of this dinner go to waste. Waiter, my napkin please.”

“Of course, my lady.” Tavish unfurled the white linen and set it across her lap. “Would you like me to feed it to you too?”

Legend groaned when Tavish forked up a bit and slipped it between Karolena’s lips, causing her to hum at the flavor. This was going to be a long couple of hours and nothing was going to appease his appetite before he consumed Karolena and Tavish.

17

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