Page 71 of Priceless
“We’re getting in the bath together,” Everett said. “A place we can all be naked without being sexual, and you’re going to tell us what’s going through that gorgeous brain of yours. Understood?”
“I’m fine. Promise.”
His growl tightened everything, and he lowered his voice. “Don’t lie to me, Ocean. We didn’t let you get away with it for the corset, and we’re not going to do it with this. Because a few minutes ago you came to us and were ready. You wanted us.”
I fought the emotion in my chest. “I still do.”
“That’s why we don’t want you panicking,” Micah said. “If you’re ready. If you’re really not, there’s nothing wrong with that.”
“And don’t even think about telling me you’re not panicking right now. Do not lie again.” Everett's voice was nearly a growl.
I froze, my brain shuttering. Don’t lie, or else. So much rested in the words unsaid. Punishment. Of course. I needed to figure out what their rules were, and quickly. They were kind, but there was only so far I could push them.
“Ocean.” I focused on Micah’s face. He had me sitting up. When did that happen? His hands were on either side of my face. “Where did you go, princess?”
“I’m right here.”
“Your body is here, but your mind isn’t. What happened?”
I shook my head, but he didn’t let me, keeping me close and kissing me. Hard. The kiss brought me back. It slammed into me along with the taste of chocolate and caramel. Micah’s tongue ran along mine. I moaned into his mouth. This was what I wanted. More of that. I didn’t know how to ask and I didn’t know how to get out of my own head long enough to just let it happen.
“Bath’s ready,” Cameron called.
He was naked in the doorway to the bathroom. Fully naked. And walking toward me with determined steps, like I couldn’t see his cock and how thick it was between his legs. “Over the shoulder or normal? Your choice.”
The image of me thrown over his shoulder made me shudder. “Normal. But I can walk to the tub.”
“Nonsense.” Cameron picked me up again. “I don’t get to have my hands on you if you walk all on your own.”
Bathtub was an understatement. This tub was practically big enough to be a pool. Well, not quite. But it was huge and deep and had all the jets and bubbles. My bathroom had one too. It was more than big enough for the four of us, and already filled with water and bubbles.
Cameron carried me into the water with the lingerie still on, delicious heat enveloping us both. “I can’t remember the last time I took a bath,” I whispered. “I love them.”
“Then why don’t you take them?”
My cheeks flushed. “Most bathtubs aren’t big enough for me. It’s not fun when you’re half out of the water.”
He sat down with me on his lap. This was deep enough that the water came nearly to my shoulders. “How’s this?”
“This is good.”
Splashing echoed behind me, and then hands on my shoulders. “I’m sorry, Ocean,” Everett said. “Was it what I said?”
“It’s fine. I don’t know why I had that reaction.” Frustration broke through. Now that we weren’t in the bed and I was surrounded by warmth and them I felt safer. I also felt embarrassed and silly. “I don’t know why I have any of these reactions. I’ve had a good life. I wasn’t abused. I shouldn’t be…” My hands dripped water as I gestured helplessly. “Whatever this is.”
Everett pulled me from Cameron, settling me across his lap. He also was very naked. The way his chest lined up with my back let me feel everything. I shuddered, this time in a good way.
“I’m a cranky bastard,” he said. “These two will back me up on that. I don’t like people in general, and I often speak before I think.”
Weaving our hands together, he crossed my own arms over each other so I was holding myself while he held me too. “Um, that’s good to know, I guess.”
He laughed and kissed just below my ear. “What I mean to say is, I don’t want you to lie to us. But I want the reason you don’t lie to be because you trust us. And you can trust us. Not because you’re afraid of us. I wasn’t thinking when I said that, and I’m sorry.” Everett squeezed me slowly, purring against my back. “Please forgive me, little nymph. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
“It shouldn’t scare me,” I said, huffing a breath with renewed frustration. “It’s my… I don’t know. My fucked up brain?” Then I shook my head. “This wasn’t what you signed up for when you married me. You said you wanted a real marriage, but I understand not wanting that because my brain refuses to cooperate. I’m not afraid of you.”
Micah stood in the center of the tub, bubbles melting across his chest. “I think I’ll have to disagree with your assessment of never being abused, princess.”
“They never hit me.”
