Page 22 of Fighting Her Wolves

“I hope he does. I know what secrets do to you. Serenity is the only one I’ve told mine to,” she sighs.

“I hope you can feel like you can tell us anything someday,” I say softly.

“Maybe,” she whispers.

I pull into her driveway and go to help her out. I hold her wrist while River jogs over, glaring at me. He supports her on her other side with his arm around her waist.

“Guys, I’m fine,” she insists.

“We know, cupcake. We just want an excuse to put our arms around you.” River gives her a cheeky grin.

“Do you need an excuse?” she teases.

We stop at the door and wait for her to unlock the door. She completely blows us away as she puts her foot on the short stool beside the door, lifts her dress, and pulls a key from a band strapped to her thigh. I realize she wasn’t carrying a purse.

River wipes the drool from his mouth.

She goes to lower her leg, but I stop her. I trace the band with my finger. There are tiny slots for other things. She has a nail file, a knife, a can of mace, money, and . . .

“A toothbrush?” I grin.

“You never know when you will need minty fresh breath,” she says, confused by my reaction.

“You are full of surprises.” I cup her thigh below the fabric.

“She’s fucking amazing,” River praises as he inspects her leg from over her shoulder.

“Could you let go of my leg so we can go in?” she asks.

I make sure to rub my pinky on the inside of her thigh as I do as she asks.

“Do you know how to use that knife?” River asks, excited.

“Of course,” she snorts. “I take self-defense and weapons training.”

River falls back with his hand on his chest. “Kerian, did you hear that?”

“I did.” I push open the door and usher her inside. “Where is your bedroom, darlin’?”

Chapter Seven

Ava

I freeze at Kerian’s question.

I’m not drunk. I know a drunk would say that. I’m tipsy at best. But I’m still in control of my actions. Even though I am, Kerian asking about my bedroom shouldn’t make me want to run there, strip, and assume the position.

I had a blast tonight, even if it went against my plan to avoid the club. It wasn’t serious. It was light and full of fun stories and humor. I appreciate the guys allowing Serenity and Ryker to stay, which put me at ease. Still, I was fighting the instinct to touch them. All the time. They looked so good walking towards me at the club. I could tell they put in the effort with their appearance. I didn’t share that they could wear anything, and I would still be attracted to them. Badly attracted. I've known lots of women that have the fantasy of sleeping with multiple men at the same time, me included. But that’s all it has been, a fantasy. I am curious, though.

“Why?” I ask carefully.

“We want to get you in bed and tucked in,” River answers, giving me the most innocent look he can manage.

“We are going to stay the night. We’ll sleep out here,” Kerian adds.

“I have another bedroom you guys could use,” I offer without thinking.

“Thanks, cupcake,” River says before I can take it back.

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