But how were we supposed to make it work between us? How would the three of us make a life together when I lived across the country from them?
“What are you thinking about?” Micah asked quietly, almost as if he was afraid to hear the answer.
“Nothing,” I lied, but then changed my answer to, “everything. My whole life is up in the air right now, and I’m not sure what to do about it.”
“Yeah?” Micah leaned in to kiss my cheek. “I understand. We don’t want to try to rush you—especially after everything you’ve been through already. But it’s hard not to say what we want when you’re right here with us and so damn perfect.”
“So, so perfect,” Axel murmured, lifting my hand to his lips. “But Micah is right. We don’t want to pressure you. We want you to be happy.” He paused before adding, “Preferably with us.”
“Definitely with us,” Micah insisted, inching closer to me on the bed.
God, if we’d been alone in the house, I would have done some things with them on that bed that a week earlier I would have thought unimaginable—well, not totally inconceivable. I’d had plenty of dirty, naughty, super hot fantasies right there in that bed. Just none involving my tormentors or that I’d admit to right there and then.
“For now, can we stay like this for a while?” I asked, lying back on the bed while they both eased themselves back along with me. “Let’s not worry about reality or trying to plan anything. I want to close my eyes and know that you’re both here with me. Safe.”
“We aren’t going anywhere, beautiful,” Axel said.
“We’ll stay right here with you for as long as you want,” Micah added.
I smiled again because that was all I wanted. Nothing complicated. Nothing fancy.
Just a little bit of quiet time together.
***
I opened my eyes to see both of my guys sleeping on either side of me. The moment I stirred, Axel lifted his head and smiled. “How are you feeling now, baby?”
I tried and failed to stifle a yawn as I returned his smile. “Better, I think. How long was I asleep?”
“Not too long,” he answered.
Next to me, Micah groaned. “Do I smell food?”
I hadn’t noticed until he mentioned it, but my rumbling stomach verified the scent of something delicious before I’d even had time to answer.
“Oh my God, food.” My cheeks flushed in embarrassment as both guys flashed me a grin. “I guess it’s been a while since we ate. I didn’t realize how hungry I was until now.”
“Your mom is a saint,” Axel said, standing up and offering me a hand to help me to my feet. “Inviting us into her house, giving us warm clothes, and now she’s cooking too?” He shook his head. “Do you think she’d adopt me?”
“Me, too?” Micah gave me a playful, pleading look. “Do you have any idea how long it’s been since I’ve had a home-cooked meal? Especially staying at Axel’s place?”
“Hey,” Axel frowned. “I made you a protein shake only a few days ago.”
“Exactly,” Micah snorted, ushering me toward the door. “A fucking protein shake, Jasmine. That’s his idea of breakfast.”
“Don’t listen to him,” Axel said, the smile returning to his face. “I’d make you breakfast anytime, Jas. I’d even serve it to you in bed.”
“Hope you like protein shakes,” Micah pretended to cough the words as the three of us stepped out of my room.
I laughed at their back and forth, but I was honestly having a hard time concentrating on anything aside from that wonderful smell wafting through the house. My stomach rumbled again as we walked down the hallway and into the kitchen, this time loud enough for my mom to hear across the room. She might have mistaken it for an earth tremor but for what she said next.
“Ah, somebody’s hungry.” She tossed me a wink. “I’m not sure which one of you that was, but I’ve made enough for everyone. Y’all have a seat at the table, and I’ll bring the plates over.”
She didn’t have to tell me twice. “Thanks, Mom.” I heaved a happy sigh as I pulled up a chair at the dining room table. As my guys sat down with me, it struck me again how strange it seemed to have both of them there in my mom’s house.
It was strange enough for me to be there after not visiting in way too long, but to have my mom welcome the three of us with open arms as if she didn’t have a million questions about what we’d been doing or why I’d been hanging around with my sworn enemies.
Yeah, it was super weird. And she’d made a whole meal for all of us. That was super weird too. My theory that aliens had abducted her felt more and more plausible by the minute.