ChapterSeventeen
Deacon leaned back on the recliner as he drank his cup of coffee. He had been up most of the night, not because he knew Thayer had slipped into Jessa’s room, but because the energy coursing through him made him twitchy.
Ever since he had felt the sweet surrender of Jessa’s body that was all he could think about. He imagined taking her a thousand different ways, but the end of his fantasies were always the same: her between him and Thayer as they watched over her.
He watched Thayer leaving her room before the sun had even risen. There had been the satisfied glow coming from his body, the same one Deacon had experienced himself. He couldn’t even describe the feelings of claiming his mate.
It surrounded him, consumed him, and made everything right in the world. For the first time in his life he didn’t feel the craziness that swirled within him take hold. She calmed him like no other could, not even Thayer.
His brother stepped into the living room and sat on the couch. Although he could smell the sweet scent of Jessa all over him, a troubled look masked what should have been an expression of bliss.
“She still plans on leaving, Deacon.”
This was no surprise to him, not after she had told them about the abuse she suffered at the hands of the man she was supposed to be able to trust.
Deacon had hoped they could have convinced her otherwise, but their little mate had a strong head on her shoulders and had determination in her blood.
“Then I guess we’ll just have to make her want to stay more then she wants to leave.”
Thayer chuckled humorlessly. He watched as his little brother rubbed his eyes right before he let out a long sigh. “I can’t let her go, Deacon, not when I’ve finally had her.”
He could sympathize with his brother completely. Even before he had tasted the sweetness that came from her, Deacon knew he couldn’t let her go.
“It shouldn’t be this hard.” Thayer relaxed his body against the cushions and stared at the vaulted ceiling.
“Everything worth anything makes you work for it.”
Thayer dropped his eyes to his and smirked. “Since when did you become so theological?”
Deacon smirked in return and shrugged his shoulders. “I guess living with you has rubbed off on me.” He finished his coffee and stood.
He stopped in front of the window above the sink and stared out at the wilderness.
“I’m going to tell her about growing up, Thayer.” He spoke low but knew his brother heard him nonetheless.
“Do you think that’s such a good idea? I mean, I agree she has to know the truth, but don’t you think it’s too early?”
Deacon curled his fingers around the lip of the sink. “If we want her here with us, she needs to know why I’m like the way I am.” He turned and looked at Thayer, who leaned against the island. “Her not being in this house, in my life, is not an option.”
Thayer exhaled and cast his glance in the direction of Jessa’s door. “I know. I just want to be careful with her. I don’t want her running, Deacon.”
He agreed with his brother, but he wouldn’t let her run. “I’m going to take her into town, show her around. I want her to be comfortable here, to see the kind of life we live. I don’t want to be isolated anymore, Thayer. I want to have a life, with her.”
It wasn’t just about sharing his mate with his brother, but about the three of them becoming one unit. It was about their triad forming a new family, a family that wasn’t filled with pain and sadness.
“All I want is to feel whole in my own skin, and she makes me feel that way, Thayer.”
“I know, Deacon. She makes me feel the same way.”
The sound of the floor creaking had both of them turning and seeing Jessa standing there staring at them with wide, surprised eyes. He had no doubt that she heard everything.
The question was, what would she do with that information?