Page 107 of Their Cruel Love

I do need to breathe. I need tranquility, and I’m guessing my men do too. Then maybe we can find our feet again in the normal world.

I look from Marcus to Razor.

“A forest retreat sounds wonderful. Sure. I love that idea.”

“Yes!” Marcus grabs our hands, raises them high, then does an impromptu Riverdance, or something, with some wild leg tapping and crisscrossing.

I cannot help grinning at his idiocy. Yes, this is what we need. Something good. Something to make us smile and enjoy life once again.

41

Phoebe

Three days later

The winding road up Mt. Tambourine takes us through lush rainforest where sunlight filters through the tree canopy and flickers over and dapples the window glass. Only a few cars pass us going the other way, down the mountain, and none are following close enough to be seen. When I roll down my window, the bird calls punctuate the muted drone of the engine. Their voices are a natural music that soothes my soul as much as the presence of Razor and Marcus.

Our first view of Rapscallion Rainforest Retreat is through the trees as the road curlstoward the entrance.

Delivered before the front steps, we wait for the valet trotting down those steps to collect our meagre luggage.

“It’s cool here.” I turn in a circle, and it’s as if I’m breathing in the green lushness. Another breath and I might float away.

Razor nods. “Quiet too. There’s no rush. No schedule. We can do whatever we want to, however we want to. There’s a farm nearby you can go to just to feed the horses.”

“Awww.That would be so cool.”

“I say we do that then.” Marcus has grabbed one of his bags and refuses to let the valet have it. Once he picks up the others, we slowly follow the man up the steps. “I can feel myself healing already. A scotch on the rocks and Phoebe under me will do the rest.”

He said the latter quietly. Though I scoot an alarmed look at the back of the valet, he seems unaware. Or polite.

“Shhh!”

“I agree, Marcus.” Razor sneaks his hand to my rear to pinch me. He’s chosen the unwounded side so I only glare and keep going.

“I predict a long week of me abusing both of you.” I smirk to take the sting out of that.

Razor snorts. “The reverse, girl. The reverse.”

Our room is huge and open plan, with wide doors, mirrors, stone-blue couches that have elegantly sculpted timber backs, Asian décor sideboards and cupboards, and striking art on the walls. The bed is on a platform overlooking the couches and the enormous TV. A king plus his small harem could live on our bed.

For a while, stunned, I simply stand in the middle of this all, taking in everything, absorbing the peacefulness and theunderstated beauty, how the forest is so close it seems part of the background.

“It’s a treehouse with all the modern conveniences.” I open my arms and sigh. “You chose wonderfully.”

“We did.” Marcus eyes me. “And today, House Rules say you get to walk around naked with only our collar on you.”

“Oh?” And now I’m melting and anticipating a week of kinky sex with these two, and no worries…no future that involves death, dismemberment, or the losing of friends. I blink and pull myself back to the room, away from the bad memories. I go to the two of them and huddle into the middle, surrounding myself with their male warmth—my arms around them and theirs around me, squashing me close. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Razor kisses the top of my head. “I booked us into their restaurant for dinner but left it so we can just eat it here, if we want to. Whichever everyone wants. The food looks to die for, though we probably should ban you from eating the desserts, Phoebe.”

I hesitate then I take the bait. “Why?” I mumble into Marcus’ shirt.

“You would never stop eating them and then, sadly, I’d have to cane you for being naughty.”

“Desserts are a caning offence, now?” My bottom is still healing, but I’m betting he’d happily cane my other side.

“Maybe.” He musses up my hair. “We’ll see.”

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