Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 107209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 536(@200wpm)___ 429(@250wpm)___ 357(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107209 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 536(@200wpm)___ 429(@250wpm)___ 357(@300wpm)
“Are you all right?”
No. Nope. Not even an iota all right. A body like that didn’t exist in her world. Males like him didn’t, either. When he moved, she could actually see the play of muscle beneath his skin. A part of her wanted to jump him, but it’d be like purposefully smashing herself against a boulder. His form was more solid than the building. Tendrils of heat climbed into her face, and she forced her brain to work. “What was your nightmare about?”
His face went carefully blank. “Nothing.”
“That’s not good enough.” She sprang to her feet. “If you’re going to toss me across a room, I’d like to know why.”
“It won’t happen again,” he said. She took a step toward him and tripped over one of his monstrous boots, crashing toward the ground. He caught her again, lifting her up against his hard chest. The door slammed open.
“What’s the screaming about?” Paxton Phoenix stood in the doorway wearing only boxers, bruises still visible down his chest. “I have the twins on Hope. What’s happening?”
“Nothing,” Vero said grimly, dropping her in Paxton’s arms and forcing him to catch her. “Here. Take her back to her room.”
Pain slashed along Lyrica’s arms. Paxton growled, and Lyrica gasped as her skin met his. Paxton immediately reacted and tossed her back on the bed, shaking out his arms. An ugly red rash sprang up.
“Oh, shit.” Vero turned toward Lyrica, where her shoulder showed a similar rash. “I’m sorry. I completely forgot about the mating allergy.”
“No kidding,” Paxton muttered, rubbing his arm. “Are you okay?” he asked Lyrica.
The skin on her arms felt like red ants had enjoyed her for breakfast, but the pain slowly began to ebb. “Yeah. You know, I’d heard about the rash mated immortals get when they touch a member of the opposite sex, but that’s real.”
“Of course it’s real,” Vero said. “Why would we lie about that?”
She glared at him. “You all have enough secrets. Who knows?”
To her surprise, he nodded. “Good point.”
Paxton’s gaze narrowed as he looked at Lyrica, then at Vero, then at the bed.
“Nothing happened,” Lyrica said in a rush. But wait a minute, why did she care what he thought? Heat flared into her face. She shouldn’t have said anything. She was a grown-ass woman who could sleep with whomever she wanted.
“Right,” Paxton said, taking a step back. “I misunderstood the shriek?”
Vero’s eyes flared as his gaze dropped to her bare arms. “No. This was my fault. I’m responsible.”
Lyrica’s chin dropped. “You’re not responsible for me.”
“I am. My brain was concussed, and you have a soothing scent. And voice. And touch,” he said thoughtfully. “I remember rolling over and not allowing you to leave.”
Paxton’s jaw tightened.
“No,” Lyrica said. “I could’ve easily left if I wanted.” She hadn’t protested, and every cell in her body promised that if she had, he would’ve let her go. “I stayed on purpose.”
“Why?” Vero asked softly.
She blinked. “I felt safe.” Vulnerable and shaky, she shrugged her chilled shoulders. “I’m not used to feeling…protected.”
Paxton leaned against the doorjamb and pinched the top of his nose. “Because the Kurjans kidnapped you.”
She shook her head. “Even before that. My dad and I were often alone, and he traveled a lot for work, often leaving me with my great-aunt. We were robbed twice.” As they both straightened, she held up a hand. “We weren’t home either time, but it was still scary.”
“I’m sure,” Vero murmured.
She inhaled slowly, counted to four, then breathed out to calm herself. “I can take care of myself, gentlemen.” Yet being bracketed by a guy strong enough to bench-press a school bus certainly led to a feeling of safety. Maybe she could understand some of the mates wanting to stay. But not her. She had a job to do, then she’d return to her normal life.
Why that didn’t fill her with relief, she’d figure out later.
“Again, this is my fault, and I apologize sincerely.” Vero looked alert, as if expecting an attack from every direction. “We fell asleep, and I had a nightmare. Nearly broke her neck.”
“What?” Paxton asked, stepping back inside again.
Vero shook his head. “I had a nightmare. I struck out and tossed her across the room.”
“But he caught me,” Lyrica said defensively. Why in the world was she defending him? What was wrong with her? Oh yeah, she just woke up careening through the room. Anybody could be a little off after that. Taking a deep breath, she settled herself. Her gaze instantly caught on the two brothers and their spectacular bodies. They had the same frame. Badass, muscled, and dangerous.
“What was the nightmare about?” Paxton asked.
Vero glowered at his brother. “Nothing. It’s just an old nightmare. Let it go.”
“No,” Paxton said.
Vero sighed. “Listen, we just got done beating the shit out of each other. We can go outside again if you want, but I’m not talking about the nightmare.”