He’s watching me carefully now, and I realize I might not be the only one fishing.
“We're trying to figure out if it's a group of human zealots or some supernatural gang snatching up women with no protection.”
I gulp and feel my skin pebble.
What he’s describing sounds so familiar that I feel like someone dropped a cube of ice down the back of my shirt. It also wasn’t subtle at all. I expect to feel panic, and maybe I would if it wasn’t for the obvious worry radiating off of him.
Is he worried about me?
No one has looked at me like that since I was a teenager, not since—I stop that train of thought in its tracks. I need to act normal. Absolutely no good can come of me taking a trip down memory lane right now.
A sharp, unexpected zap in my chest cavity makes me jump. I rub the heel of my hand over my heart to ease the pressure, and Gideon tracks the movement with burning golden eyes. His stare, the buzzing in my chest... It’s all too intense. I can’t do this. Staying here was a mistake.
I look to the door and brace to run, but I never get the chance. Gideon stands, yanking me into his hard body roughly for—a hug. He folds me into his chest and wraps himself around me like a blanket. As if we’re not strangers who just met. Like he knew I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown and about to sprint from the room screaming.
He can’t just put his hands on me like this.
I’m bracing to push back and make a run for it when I notice the maddening live wire in my chest has finally gone quiet. The peace is so unexpected and wonderful that instead of shoving him away, I breathe a sigh of relief and relax into his chest.
“Sorry, Sheena. Just trying to give the connection what it needs,” he rumbles near my ear. I feel the words against my cheek. One big hand cradles the back of my head gently, and I can hear his heart thumping beneath his skin. It's a reassuring sound, and despite everything, I try to turn my brain off and accept the comfort of it.
I can always run later. Once I figure out what he’s hiding.
A clatter at the sink makes me jump and I lift my head to see Callum washing dishes. He's got his back to us, a flimsy attempt to give us some privacy, but blood rushes to my face, anyway. He must think I'm some sort of weak woman with the common sense of a fruit fly.
Hell, I practically just climbed his best friend in the kitchen minutes after revealing my name. I stiffen and try to pull away. I don’t get far.
“Cal, leave the dishes for a second. It’s group hug time,” Gideon insists, pulling my head back into his chest. I hear a soft chuckle a second before more warm skin molds to my back. Tattooed arms stretch past me to wrap around Gideon as well.
I’m surrounded.
A shiver runs down my spine, but for once I’m not scared. While Callum is a lot taller than me, he's significantly shorter than the blonde giant that is Gideon. Callum tucks his chin on top of my head like he’s done it a million times.
“You are such a cuddler, dude,” he mutters. “Sheena, keep an eye on him. He'll find any excuse to snuggle and try to make it mandatory.” Callum’s words are playful but filled with affection. It's obvious he doesn't mind.
“It's nice,” I murmur, surprised to find I mostly mean it. “No one's ever...” I trail off, embarrassed to admit it’s been a long time since I mattered enough to anyone to be held. The sudden tension in both of their bodies tells me they got the message loud and clear.
“Get used to it,” Gideon says as he pulls back gently. “I’ve got a hug with your name on it ready whenever you want.”
It’s a little awkward, but neither of them makes a big deal about it. They both simply unravel their limbs and move over to the sink like nothing happened. I stare for a few minutes, trying to process.
The door is right there. They have their backs turned, but something tells me I’m not done here. Trusting my gut, I grab the drying towel hanging from the oven door and step up to the sink.
Gideon hands me the first dish with a smile, and we finish them all in companionable silence. Once the skillet is stowed under the stove, Callum turns to look at me.
“Do you want to rest today or explore?” He glances at my waist. “I know you're pretty bruised up, but I figured you might want to take a look around.”
Is he this trusting?Maybe it’s a trap, but I can hardly pass up a chance to get my bearings in the daylight in case I need to run.
Twisting my torso, I feel the tug of my torn skin. While I’m still a little achy, the worst of the pain is gone. “I think I can handle a little exploring.” I smile at him, and for a split second, I swear I see something moving in his eyes. By the time I blink to get a better look, all I see is the unusual black color I noticed last night.
“That's great, Sheena.” He says my name again. The sound both unnerves me and feels nice. “We can start with the house, see how you feel, and then check out some of the best trails.” Callum glances at Gideon.
“You coming, or do you have other urgent plans?” There’s something about his smirk that makes me feel like I’m missing the punch line of a joke.
“I’m just going to take a shower really quick, but I'll meet you guys outside,” Gideon says. In a flash, he disappears around the corner, then I hear him galloping up the stairs.
With laughter in his eyes, Callum shows me around the main level.
