Page 28 of Freed

“Two days?” I ask in shock as Gage steps over and leans down to kiss my forehead before rubbing his thumb along my cheek in a gentle caress.

“Yeah, and you better get out to the kitchen and eat before Bain comes in here and force feeds you,” Chase says with a grin.

His lighthearted attitude is exactly what I need right now, and the need to be closer to him forces me to reach out my arms to him as I ask, “Will you carry me?”

His eyes light up just the way I hoped they would, and he springs toward me, scooping me up and marching me toward the kitchen. “With pleasure, m’lady!”

I lean my cheek against his chest, enjoying being close to him as he announces my entrance. “Presenting the love of our lives, the keeper of our hearts, our mate, Cherry!”

Bain and Hunter turn to watch as we enter the kitchen. Hunter hurries over to give me a quick kiss before asking, “How are you feeling?”

“I’m okay,” I tell him, unsure how to describe how I feel right now.

The clanging of a plate being set down on the table has me turning to where Bain is setting down an enormous plate of food.

He must be hungry.

He takes a seat, but instead of turning toward the table, he motions toward me. “Bring her here,” he tells Chase, who easily passes me over.

Once I’m sitting on Bain’s lap, he turns us toward the table and picks up his fork, stabbing a piece of breakfast sausage and holding it out toward me.

“I can’t eat all that!” I exclaim, looking at the large plate full of food.

“Open,” he commands, and I do as he instructs, letting him feed me the bite of sausage. He doesn’t address my concern; instead, he keeps feeding me as the others come to take their seats around us. I guess they’re not eating. A quick glance at the clock tells me it’s ten a.m. I guess they already had breakfast.

“Has anything happened while I was… asleep?” I ask.

“We’ve been talking with Philip and his coven, getting their help on some protection and defensive spells,” Maddox says, making me glance at him in surprise.

“Erica’s coven?”

“Yes, they’ve been really helpful. Finn also said they’re willing to help anyway they can.”

It’s been a long time since I’ve had people I could count on. I’ve never had friends outside of my sisters, so knowing these people we’ve only known for a matter of a week are willing to repeatedly put their necks out on a limb for us is a little overwhelming.

“Our stuff from Nebraska arrived,” Gage says, changing the subject.

I swallow my mouthful of eggs before I ask, “Oh, that must be nice, to have all your stuff again?”

“I’m happy to have some more clothes,” Chase says as he glances down at his white shirt with a motorcycle on it.

“Does that mean the vehicles arrived too?” I ask.

“Yep,” Hunter says with a nod. “Even our bikes.”

“Will you show them to me?” I ask, curious to know more about something Hunter and Chase enjoy so much.

“Of course. We can even take you out for a ride if you’re feeling up to it.”

I feel my eyes widen in excitement, but I quickly glance at Maddox, as if wanting his approval. He gives me a small nod and I smile at the twins. “I’d love that, after I take a shower and get dressed?”

“Would you like me to help you?” Maddox says, making my gaze snap back to his. “You’re still recovering,” he reminds me. Licking my lips, I nod in agreement before Bain offers me another bite of food.

I am still feeling a bit tired, and I’m not sure how to feel about our missing bond. Will sex still feel the same with him? I can’t imagine it’s as good without it, but this is Maddox I’m talking about… It can’t possibly be anything but spectacular.

Even now, the way he’s staring at me as I eat has my cheeks heating.

He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a phone, passing it over to me. Taking it, I realize it’s mine.