Page 103 of Ensnared

Ishare a small smile with him, glad for the warmth back in his face.Thenmy brain catches up to what she said, andIsnap around to look atJayk, atLucky, atJasper.

“Youdidn’t cover safewords?”

Jaykobgives me a lazy smirk. “Wegot to non-verbals.”

Jasperhums in displeasure.

“What?”Jaykob’ssmirk takes on an innocent curve that looks profoundly wrong on his rough features. “Hermouth was full.”

Iturn my attention onLucky, whose shoulders cave.Heclears his throat, looking so carefully anywhere but atJasperthat it’s painfully clear who he’s trying to avoid.

“Wekept it light,” he says evasively.

Jasperis staring at him with unnerving intensity, then shakes his head and adds, “EdenandIdidn’t engage in a scene.”

Ikneel beside her head and despite the awkward angle, she looks up to glare at me.Reluctantly,Ihave to admire the courage that takes.

Andthe sheer stupidity.

“Asafeword, little librarian, is a word you can say to make everything stop if we go too far or if something is pushing you past what you’re comfortable with, and not in a fun way.Anyword you like, but it should be one that you can remember easily in the heat of the moment.Anypreferences?”

Herfull lips flatten. “Aword thatIsay to stop everything just soIcan be asked to leave?Isn’tthe point thatIjust shut up and do whatever you want?”

Myamusement dies a hard, abrupt death.Somethingsick and queasy churns my stomach.

“You—”Forthe first time in as long asIcan remember,I’mlost for words.

Herhead lowers again, her shoulders curving in protectively.Seemingto make a decision,Beauhauls her up, so she’s sitting on his lap and curled against his chest.Helooks as stunned asIam.

“No,Eden,”Isay finally, uneasily. “Thereis never, ever a consequence for using a safeword.Anythingbetween you and anyone here... it’s an agreement.Betweenequal, consenting parties.”

Ishouldn’t have to explain this.Howcan she have this so completely wrong?HowdidIget this so damn wrong?Itgoes beyond like or dislike.Shehas the right to feel safe here, for as long as she wants to stay.

Atthe wordequal, she tucks her head intoBeau’schest but not beforeIsee her mouth twist.Iglance atJasper, who arches a brow—a clear “fix this” demand ifIever saw one.

“Eden,”Itry again, “you don’t have to do anything here that you’re not comfortable with.I’m... sorry... if that hasn’t been clear.”

Shemurmurs something that sounds like, “Brbrk.”

Ifrown. “What?”

Edensighs, then lifts her head.Shehesitates but, after a moment, she clears her throat.Shelifts her eyes up to mine hesitantly. “IwantBristlebrookto be my safeword.”

“Bristlebrook,”Irepeat.

Didshe hear anythingIjust said?Damnwoman.

Shegives a slow nod and some of her long, dark hair falls forward. “It’sonly fitting,” she says thoughtfully. “It’sthe first placeI’vefelt safe sinceIcan remember.”

Beaureleases a long breath.

“It’snot feelingsafehere, or with any of you, that’s the problem,” she continues, looking at each of us. “Idon’t like being lied to.Orcoddled.Ican help.Iwant to help.Ican’t bear to be bundled up and put on a shelf like a dress-up doll when you’re done playing with me.Ithink...IthinkIwould rather live alone than live like that.”

Istare at her, feeling likeI’vebeen punched in the gut.I’dbe the first one to admit thatI’mnot the best with emotions.That’swhatIneedBeaufor.Butit’s been a long-ass time sinceI’vefelt put in my place.

Still.Thisshit with the hunters is dangerous.Lifeand death.Imight not love having her underfoot withBeaumaking cow eyes at her, butIdon’t want her to run back off into the wilderness and find herself prey to those assholes either.Thethought of her, bright and tiny and defiant, in their hands makes me want to kill something.

Maybewe can bring her out later.Onsmall trips.OutwithLuckyto go hunting, or with one of us to fix the cameras.Aslong as we can see there’s minimal danger before we head out, she can’t do too much damage.

---