“M'kay,” she murmured and yawned before letting her eyes close. She relaxed against Kaia and soon she drifted off to sleep.
Chapter Eight
Kaia
Hours later they awoke and dressed. Kaia kept an arm draped around Shar's shoulders as they went in search of food.
“There you two are. We were wondering if you were going to come up for air,” Baz teased.
Shar blushed and Baz chuckled.
“Knock it off, asshole. You're just jealous because you didn't get laid,” Rafe grunted.
“True that,” Baz admitted. “Seriously though, it's good to see Kaia smiling. She hasn't had reason to do that enough.”
“Especially the last two years,” Rafe growled.
“I'm never going to be able make up for that, am I?” Baz asked.
“You will,” Kaia told him, reaching across the table to squeeze his hand. “I've been thinking, and I think we should all move into one room together.”
“All?” Rafe and Baz said at the same time.
“Yes, all. I don't know if I'm ready for intimacy again with you, Baz, but I miss you. So much. I miss being in your arms.”
“And you, Shar? Are you okay with this?” Rafe asked.
Shar nodded. “I am. I already told Kaia I felt the warmth of the mate bond when both of you touched me. I just feel a bit overwhelmed I guess,” she confessed.
“I can imagine. But you're safe with us, Shar,” Rafe promised. He took her free hand in his and brought it to his lips. “For however long I have left, you're safe with me.”
“I've made some mistakes but I won't be walking away from my world again. Doing it once almost broke me. So you're safe with me, too,” Baz assured her.
“They're good guys, when they want to be,” Kaia said cheekily.
“Watch it, little girl, or your ass is going to be on fire,” Baz growled.
“Oo, promises promises,” she replied with a grin.
“You're crazy,” Shar said with a laugh.
“You're just figuring that out?” Kaia retorted.
Rafe chuckled. “Our girl likes a little pain,” he told Shar.
“Very much so,” Kaia admitted.
“And we are happy to indulge her,” Baz interjected. “You're not sure you're ready to be intimate again, but what would you say to playing, beautiful?”
Kaia thought about it. Did she trust Baz enough still to put herself in such a vulnerable position? The truth was that yes, she did. “Yes, please,” she finally said. She could see the relief in his eyes. He'd been afraid she would say no.
Baz
When he'd made the offer, he was unsure what Kaia’s response would be. Would she agree or would she tell him to fuck off? When she agreed it felt like a weight had lifted from his shoulders. Standing, he moved around to her side of the table and held a hand out to her. “Shall we then?”
Kaia stood and put her hand in his. “Lead the way. Rafe, you'll take care of Shar?”
“She'll be safe with me,” Rafe assured her.
