Page 13 of Bite for Sore Eyes

There had been no competition in their interactions earlier, no territorial posturing or attempts to establish dominance over each other. They'd moved around her like two parts of a well-oiled machine, each making space for the other with practiced ease. The way Torren had stepped back when Rath moved forward. How Rath had accepted Torren's gentle correction about planning her day without defensiveness. The absolute trust in their shared glances.

These weren't two men fighting over a prize. They were partners considering how to include her in something they'd already built together.

The realization sent warmth spiraling through her chest, followed immediately by a spike of panic. She was used to being the one in control, the one who solved problems and managed situations. How could she possibly fit into their solid dynamic?

Stop overthinking, she commanded herself. You came here to live, not to analyze everything to death.

But as she watched Rath and Torren turn back toward the castle, their conversation apparently concluded, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was about to step into something far more complex than a simple adventure. These men weren't just offering her romance—they were offering her a place in their world.

The question was whether she was brave enough to accept.

Minutes later, the sharp rap of knuckles against her guest room door jolted Lana from her contemplation at the windows. Her pulse spiked as she turned from the breathtaking view of the gardens, knowing without question who waited beyond her door. The sound echoed through the vast chamber like a heartbeat, and she pressed her palm against her chest, surprised by the intensity of her body's response to their mere proximity. Then she crossed the room with measured steps, and when she reached the ornate door and pulled it open, the sight that greeted her nearly made her knees buckle.

Rath and Torren stood framed in the doorway like twin pillars of masculine power. The morning light streaming through the corridor windows caught in their dark hair and their strong jaws were set with barely leashed hunger. But it was their scents that hit her hardest—an intoxicating combination that made her head spin and lean in closer.

Rath's scent—clean mountain air, cedar, and an underlying spice—made her think of hiking trails in Maryland. Torren's scent was different but no less consuming—earthy and untamed like fresh soil after rain—reminding her of summer storms in the woods.

"All settled in?" Rath's deep voice carried that natural authority she was beginning to recognize, and his green eyes held a warmth that softened his commanding presence.

But it was the way both men looked at her that made her feel like the only woman in existence. Their gazes tracked over her face with a burning intensity that should have made her uncomfortable but instead sent heat spiraling through her veins. She could see them both fighting some internal battle because their hands flexed at their sides as if resisting the urge to reach for her.

When was the last time anyone looked at me like this? The thought flickered through her mind, followed immediately by the realization that no one ever had.

"Yes, I'm all unpacked." Her voice came out steadier than she felt. "Though I have to admit, that closet could house a small family."

Rath's mouth quirked upward. "Good. Hopefully you left room for more clothes and shoes. Like I mentioned, Sera will take your measurements later and we'll have a full wardrobe brought in for you."

The casual way he spoke of outfitting her made her suddenly want to rebel. She'd been independent her entire adult life, paying her own way, making her own decisions. "That's really not necessary⁠—"

"Yes, it is." Rath's interruption was gentle but absolute. "We want you to feel comfortable here and have everything you could ever need."

The sincerity in his tone, the way his eyes never left hers as he spoke, made her protests die on her lips. These weren't the words of men trying to control her—they were the words of men who genuinely wanted to care for her.

"Thank you. That's very thoughtful."

Torren stepped forward slightly, his movement drawing her attention to the contrast between the two men. Where Rath commanded space through sheer presence, Torren moved with fluid grace that suggested he could disappear into shadows if he chose. "Ready to explore the castle?"

Her eyes lit up at the prospect, excitement bubbling through her voice. "Yes! This place is so impressive and massive that I can't wait to take it all in."

Both men smiled at her enthusiasm—devastating expressions that transformed their already handsome faces into something that should have been illegal. Rath's smile was controlled fire, while Torren's held a playful warmth that made her want to discover what could make him laugh.

Heat flooded her cheeks as she realized she was staring, but neither man seemed to mind. If anything, their attention only intensified, as if her blush was the most fascinating thing they'd ever witnessed.

Breathe, she commanded herself.

"Great." Torren's voice carried a note of satisfaction. "Let's start with the lower level. This second level is just our private chambers and guest rooms, and the third level is our joint workspace, which isn't that exciting."

"Actually, I'd like to see that later, if you don't mind." The words slipped out, her natural curiosity overriding any attempt at restraint.

Rath's entire demeanor shifted with what looked like genuine pleasure. "Of course. We can show you that space later, but for now let's focus on the areas you'll be using the most."

She stepped into the corridor, acutely aware of how both men seemed to gravitate toward her sides. For a moment, they all stood there in an awkward triangle of uncertainty—each man clearly wanting to walk beside her but neither wanting to claim priority over the other.

The solution came to her with startling clarity. Without overthinking the gesture, she linked her arms through both of theirs, positioning herself between them with natural ease.

"There," she said, looking up at their surprised faces. "Problem solved."

But the moment her skin made contact with theirs at the exact same time, the world exploded into sensation. Every point where her arms touched theirs sent lightning through her nervous system—not the chaotic misfiring of her illness, but something far more profound. It felt impossibly right, as if her soul had been waiting thirty-five years for this exact moment. She gasped involuntarily, the sound echoing off the stone walls of the corridor.