Page 28 of Mates & Mercenaries

But if it’s related to Skylar, then I will find the energy. I’ve been falling for her in ways that I never expected to fall for anyone, and we haven’t even spent that much time together. I know that no matter what happens, we need to keep her safe. We need to keep her alive. It’s the only way for us to really win.

14

SKYLAR

Idon’t think I have ever felt so tense before in my life. I don’t know how to make it easier for any of us. Ever since Creed told me that he doesn’t want a life of crime anymore, and I admitted that I have something to share with him and the rest of his pack, we have all been silent and awkward.

How can I express how I’m feeling? I’m sure it’s going to confuse and maybe even anger the guys crazy to know that I’m into all of them, that I want them all. It might actually destroy them to know how greedy I am.

The strange mix of emotions continues to burn within me. Which only intensifies the moment Creed lets us know that Rex is on the way. I stand and shake my hands anxiously by my side, unable to keep still any longer. The intensity of Sam’s gaze on me makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. I know he wants me to express everything, to make it clear where my head is at, but I can’t do it yet. I need everyone here before I say a word.

I crash into Clay, who apparently also can’t cope with the sitting down any longer either. His eyes widen, but don’t quite meet mine. I can almost sense that he isn’t ready to talk things through either. He needs some time, just as I do. We get one another like that.

With a smile of understanding, he backs away from me and continues to let me circle around the warehouse, trying not to lose my mind. I know Creed is the most pissed off out of everyone. I can almost feel the burning waves of rage rolling off him. But thank God he’s willing to let me have the time I need. I know this must be really hard for him, but he’s allowing it all. Because he respects me that much, because he needs me that much.

My heart stops dead in my chest when I hear the creaking of the warehouse door opening. This is it. Rex is back and it’s time to say everything. Absolutely everything. There’s no way I can back out now, otherwise I won’t get another chance. It’s now or never. I suck in a couple of shaky, trying to calm myself down while Creed and Rex hash out the details of whatever happened with the guy from the New York pack. That will only buy me so much time. It really is time to take control of my life. I’ve craved this control for my entire life. Now, no matter what happens, at least I will be the one making my own decisions. Not my father or anyone else.

I have wanted all these guys, all four of them, ever since I laid eyes on them. Something about this truly feels right. I just have to see how they feel.

“Where is she?” I hear Rex ask. “I need to see her and tell her how much her father misses her.”

That gets me moving. I make my way towards Rex, needing to know exactly what he means about my father. “What did he say?” I ask quietly.

Rex crosses the room in a heartbeat and scoops me up for an intense bear hug. He spins me and squeezes me so tightly I almost lose my breath for a moment. But it feels so good to be in his arms.

“Oh, thank goodness. I do not like being separated from you. It was very stressful. I can understand why your dad misses you so much. He won’t be okay until he knows you’re safe.”

Wow. I always thought that my father’s life might be better without me to worry about. He could carry on with his lifestyle without worrying about my safety.

“I miss my dad too,” I admit. “But it’s good to see you as well. Really good, Rex.”

He slides me down on to the floor. “So, what’s up?” Rex asks as he looks around the room at everyone. “It sounded like it was an emergency when you messaged me, Creed. I was worried all the way here, and now…well, now I don’t know what the hell is going on.”

“It was me.” Oh God, the moment is here and I’m frozen, unable to make my mouth form the words I need to say. I take a deep breath and try again. “I…I was the one who made it seem like an emergency. There is something that I want to say to all of and I don’t know how you guys will take it.”

I glance around to see reassuring smiles from all the men, even Creed. He might not know what’s happening, but he wants to hear me out. Now I just need to find the confidence to keep going.

“Creed.” I walk over to him first because he’s the one I have been keeping in the dark the longest. I cup his cheeks in my hands and smile up at him lovingly. “I met you before all of this on a random night out. Of course, I was attracted to you right away, how could I not be? And when things progressed between us, even though I assumed at the time that it would only be a one-night stand, I still had the best night of my whole life. And then I got lucky enough to meet you again afterwards.”

I rise up on to my tiptoes and kiss him gently, then a little passion gets the better of us. The fact that everyone is watching us now and this is all out in the open only intensifies everything. “I knew right away that there was something burning brightly between us. But not just passion and desire, something so much more. Feelings. I didn’t know what they were at first, or how deep they would run, but now I know they have consumed me.” I kiss him again. “You make me feel stronger and sexier, capable of doing anything. You make me see that we don’t always have to follow the path laid out for us. We can make our own decisions and change our minds whenever we want. You have taught me so much.”

I step back from him, really hoping that my words will sink in. He’s done his best to reassure me that he isn’t interested in a life of crime anymore, but I need to be certain. I need to know that he’s done with all of that so we can move on together. Because if he picks that over me, then I will have to walk away. I can’t live like that again.

“Sam.” I move over to him and put my hands on his shoulders and offer him a warm smile. “I always love flirting with you. I think we have such a good time together. We always have fun, no matter what we’re doing. And we have explored one another a lot.” I know this must come as a shock to Creed, but thankfully he doesn’t react. If Rex is surprised, he doesn’t let it show either. “And that fun is something I definitely need in my life. I want you to stick around with me forever, because whenever I’m not with you, and I think of you, I smile.”

I lean up to kiss him as well. This is scarier than kissing the alpha because he could really freak out, but I love kissing Sam. I can’t get enough of the taste of his tongue as he massages mine. I adore the deep passion and the way he grips my waist and yanks me closer to him. My whole body presses up against him.

“I know I’m asking for a lot,” I finally confess. “But I want to be with you as well.”

I keep my eyes fixed on Sam’s as I back away, trying to figure out what that flicker in his eyes means. It could be passion, but I don’t want to get too carried away with myself. I don’t want to jump to conclusions and assume he wants this just because I do.

“Clay…” I reach out for him. He’s hesitant at first, but then reaches his hands out to me. I slide my hands into his and lace our fingers together. “Clay, you are one of the most interesting people I have ever met in my life. I love listening to you talk and hearing your opinions on things. I know there is still a whole lot I don’t know about you yet, but I want to know, I need to know everything. I can’t wait until you trust me enough to really let me in so I can see that beautiful soul of yours.”

He is slower to kiss me back, but that’s not unexpected. I know that this would be harder on Clay than anyone else because he keeps to himself so much. I’m sure kissing me in front of his friends is a lot for him. But thankfully the connection we share is so powerful and intense he can’t resist. Soon he’s kissing me with more passion than even Sam and Creed. It’s hard for me to break off the kiss because it feels so good. His mouth, his lips, they are just phenomenal. Clay is already opening up a little part of himself to me, showing me more of who he is, and I love that. I crave more. So much more. I crave all of him.

When I pull back, he rests his head against mine, sending me flying back in time to the moment we were on the prairie, laughing and carefree like nothing would ever get in our way. Being with Clay will probably always give me that sensation.

“I want to be with you as well, Clay,” I tell him. “I want you to be with me because there is a deep passion between us. We have a love for one another that I just know can grow and bloom into something wonderful.”

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