Page 7 of Fated to Monsters

“I’m sure,” I tell him while grabbing his hand and placing it around my waist. “Don’t worry about him.”

Dash steps forward, his naked body meeting mine underneath the stream of water, reminding me of our very first time together. It seems like a lifetime ago when all of us were enemies, and I was held captive by the men I was supposed to execute. There was no telling how much longer I had until they killed me, so I did the unthinkable; I slept with one of them.

I hadn't admitted to myself at that point that I already had feelings for Wes. I knewsomethinghad blossomed between us, I just assumed it was a new form of hatred. Is it possible to hate someone so much that you end up falling for them? I guess there is a very thin line between love and hate.

But with Dash, things were completely different.

I didn’t instinctually hate him the way I had Bo and Wes. Dash showed me kindness. And there was always this innocent part of him—a wholesome harmlessness that I had never experienced. I knew Dash wouldn’t hurt me, not in the traditional sense. And my attraction to him was without question. Maybe that was because he didn’t remind me of all the other men I had interacted with in the past. Whatever it was, I felt confident enough to act on it and satiate that hunger I felt toward him.

The same hunger I still feel, that has yet to dissipate in any capacity.

With Wes, I assumed it was the fated mate bond making my feelings for him so fucking strong. And with Bo, I chalked it up to the alpha marking he left on my neck.

Dash has none of those supernatural ties to my soul, and still, I feel for him the way I do with Wes and Bo.

Is it possible that what we share is as simple as an honest connection?

How could I have gone my entire existence and felt nothing resembling what I do for them, and now all of a sudden, I’m drawn to three drastically different men?

A hellhound. An alpha of alphas. And a phoenix.

The fiercest demon assassin of all falling for the three most enigmatic monsters.

Maybe it’s not a coincidence—maybe it’s something else entirely. There’s so much I have yet to uncover about my past, and maybe once I do, it will uncover our future.

I’m brought back to reality by Dash’s tongue dancing with mine. He runs his hand up into my hair and digs his fingers in, pulling me toward him. I melt into his embrace and savor every fucking second of this, afraid it will be gone too soon.

His erection grows between us and presses to my stomach. He moans into my mouth when I wrap my hand around his girth.

I want nothing more than for him to take me here, right this instant. But Dash doesn’t give in as easily to the frenzied passion. Instead, he creates distance between us and breaks away from my kiss.

“Let me take you to bed,” Dash says while staring into my eyes. “I want to take my time.”

Without needing any convincing, I reach for the lever of the shower.

“Leave it on,” Wes tells me when he enters the large bathroom. “I’m right behind you.” He grabs two towels from the counter and holds them out for me and Dash.

“Thanks.” Dash takes one and gives it to me before taking the other and blotting his face with it.

Wes tugs his shirt over his head and puts it neatly onto the counter. He reaches for the buttons of his pants.

I swallow and dry myself off, the memory of Bo watching me bringing a grin to my face as I do the same thing to Wes. I look over my shoulder to Bo, who’s still in the same position he was in minutes ago. “You coming, big boy?”

Out of all these men, I never expected Bo to be the one who needs to be persuaded into following a naked woman. I've practically spread myself open and begged for it, and he still won't have sex with me. Sure, he's let me tease and stroke him, but he doesn't take things all the way.

Is it something I’ve done? Is it because he really doesn’t want to?

He jokes around like he does, but when it comes down to it, he’s the most reserved in that department. Maybe he’s not attracted to me the way I am to him. Maybe the feelings are only one-sided, and the alpha mark is the only thing keeping him from finishing what he started.

My chest aches at the idea of my feelings not being reciprocated, but I cannot force myself on him if that isn’t what he wants.

“We’ll meet you in there.” Wes brings my hand to his mouth and kisses my knuckles. He releases me and steps into the steamy shower with the man who still hasn’t responded to me.

I sigh and follow Dash into the bedroom.

“He’s always in a bad mood, don’t take offense to it.” Dash guides me over to the bed and nudges me onto the mattress.

“You don’t think I did something to piss him off, do you?” I scoot onto the newly changed blanket—one that doesn’t produce dust particles with each movement.

---