“It’s okay, Abel,” Perry says.
I sigh and let my shoulders drop. “Thanks for the video. It was so sexy I watched it a few times and... Well, you saw what happened.”
“That was so sexy,” Perry croons. “I’d love to taste you, pretty Beta. Suck you dry until you pass out.”
I swallow.
“Too much?” Perry asks.
“No,” I whisper. “I just don’t know how to respond to something like that.”
Buckle chuckles. “If you didn’t think about it, what would you say?”
“That you’re both so fucking sexy and I’m unworthy of your attention, but I want to crawl into your arms every night and fall asleep to the sounds of you breathing.”
Speaking of breathing, mine comes out in gasps. I let out my truth and my heart gallops in my chest. They’re going to reject me. They’re going to say I’m delusional. They’re going to?—
“Stop that,” Perry barks out. “You’re spiraling and there’s no reason for it.”
I breathe slowly. “How did you know?”
“You’re safe with us, Abel,” Buckle says. “We’ll treat your heart gently.”
“Now I just want to hold you,” Perry says.
“No, I’m just being silly.” I give a small smile. “You’re both so perfect for each other.”
“And you,” Buckle says. “You’re a part of us, too.”
“But I can’t let myself enjoy either of you. I’m too afraid Anya’s going to come back and whisk me away, and I don’t want you to witness that.” I don’t want them to get hurt.
“Is that why you said no to coming over?” Buckle asks. “You’re afraid of your Kettle hurting you?”
“I’m afraid of them hurtingyou,” I say. “They’ve already hurt me.”
“We’re coming over,” Perry says. “You need our touch.”
“You need rest and to enjoy the rest of the night. I don’t sleep in a bed and I don’t think either of you want to be stuck on the couch again or camp out on my living room floor.”
“You don’t sleep in a bed?” Buckle asks.
“I have a nest of blankets and pillows and stuffies I’ve made.”
“Sounds cozy,” Perry says.
“It is,” I say. “But?—”
“We’re coming over,” Perry says. “It’ll just be for sleep. We can wake up and eat breakfast together before we all have to go in to work. Is that acceptable?”
“I need a shower first.”
Buckle laughs. “So do we, babe.”
I’m sure they stink so good, though. “Okay. You can come over, but no funny business from any of us.”
“Promise,” Perry says.
“Chipmunk scout’s honor,” Buckle says, and I can’t help the grin.
