Page 34 of Entangled (Haven Realm Chronicles 5)

“Wait, wait!” Gage called out, stepping forward, drawing all eyes to him. Ever outnumbered, nothing dimmed his unassailable confidence. Backing down was not a trait he embraced. “We made a deal. Now deliver your end of the bargain.”

Kahlo nodded accepted Gage’s challenge by approaching him. He slapped a hand on Gage’s back. “The collector’s bunker is near the border between Darkwoods and Wildfire.”

Gage shook his head. “Too vague. That forest is vast and would have us wandering for months to find the right spot.”

Kahlo licked his lips and dropped his hand. “It’s been a long time since I visited the area, but there was a distinct, acidic smell in the air and when you sense it, you’ll know the place.”

Gage huffed, gripping his hips. “Stop pulling my dick and be fucking specific.”

I neared Gage’s side, not wanting this to go haywire again, and nudged him while meeting Kahlo’s eyes. At first I couldn’t find my words, especially with the intense way he glanced at me. The twitching at the corners of his mouth readied to break into a smirk. And I damn, I longed to see that, but Gage nudged my arm.

And I hit up on my voice. “Can you show us where it’s located?”

“This I will do for you.” His smile seemed so genuinely sweet with just the right amount of sexiness that sent a rush of warmth through me. He reached out and took my hand, his thumb caressing my palm ever so gently. My skin rippling with the electric static, and I drowned in his presence. Did tiger shifters have hypnotic power over people? Because right now, if his tingling touch and stare drove me this insane, I could just imagine what it would be like for him to take me. I gnawed on my lower lip and released a long exhale.

“But not tonight.” He bowed his head and released my hand.

Reed closed the distance, and now all four of us stood in a circle. Three men towered over me. Despite all the fucked-up shit in my life, the guilt of their plight, and the worry the collector wouldn’t help me, a different sensation awakened deep in my gut. An intoxicating electricity that had me wriggling on the inside with desire. In such proximity, their scent sent me into a heady trance. There was something about these men I’d never sensed with anyone else. Their presence lit me up from the inside and their closeness made me nervous, excited, provoked. Feigning a cool detachment was impossible when three gorgeous men cast glances my way with what I could only describe as fire in their eyes.

Hell, I wasn’t a corpse. I had feelings, and I sparked alight at being so close to them. What were they thinking? Wondering what it would be like to kiss me? Rip my clothes off and take me right now?

I can see your thoughts. Heavens, you want them to take turns taking you. I am shocked!

I frowned and whispered under my breath. “Zip it. It’s none of your business.”

“Sorry?” Kahlo asked.

I stared up at him when Reed responded. “She talks to herself sometimes.”

“You get used to it,” Gage said. “It’s kind of cute.”

“Hey, don’t talk about me as if I’m not here. Anyway, back to the topic.”

Kahlo’s gaze remained on me, and I pictured him leaning closer and tossing me over his shoulder before taking me into the shadows. Just the two of us.

Yeah, ’cause you’re not sex-crazed aroundallthese men.

“I will accompany you, but tonight’s priority is finding our missing family members.” Kahlo turned to Gage. “Can you give me directions to the mansion?”

For a change, Gage didn’t protest and broke into an explanation. Reed collected my elbow and guided me away from everyone. “Can we talk in private?” he asked, and I strolled with him because curiosity demanded I discover what he wanted.

We traipsed along the open field, grass flattening beneath our footfalls.

“What’s going on?” I asked. “We’re putting a lot of distance between us and everyone else.”

“Don’t worry. You’re safe.” He laughed, and the sound danced over my skin like a lover’s touch.

“I’m not scared. I’m intrigued.”

He halted near a tree without leaves, and the faint streak of moonlight lit up the side of Reed’s face. Before I caught my breath, he clasped my arms and drew me against him. He pressed his back to the tree, and plastered me to his chest.

“Whoa.” My breaths came fast. This wasn’t a chat, and my insides stirred at being in his arms, as they had been in the tower. He wasn’t shy, and hell, I adored that. Maybe another place and time, we’d… But I couldn’t think straight in his arms. I didn’t understand what was going on between Gage and me, let alone adding one more man into the mix. Me flirting with images in my head was one thing, but reality never ran smooth.

He might want a fling.

“I don’t see you pulling away.” His hands snaked around my back, holding me tight. “I want to know if you’re with the dragon.”

My words died. I already had so many mixed emotions from the last few days, and my attraction to Reed had me craving his lips again. But I hadn’t expected him to be so forward. Was he thinking we were a thing now? Except, I came with massive baggage. The same reason I’d pushed away Gage. I wouldn’t force my problems on anyone else. Yet, back in the tower I was eager to catch up with Reed for a date. Clearly, I was lust-induced and not thinking straight.

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