Page 28 of Their Scarred Mate
“I ...I have some issues...”she stuttered in a low voice.“I ...I was ...abducted.And...”
Her breathing became erratic, and the twins moved as one.Declan turned her toward him, framing her face tenderly, while Ciaran was at her back, tenderly massaging her shoulders.
“We’ll wait,” he said fervently.“We can wait.It’ll be worth it.”
“We?”she repeated, her eyes now wide open, her gaze fixed on Declan’s face.Opening and closing her mouth several times, like a fish out of water, she repeated, almost voiceless, “We?”
“We,” said Ciaran, firmly.Turning her face toward him, he murmured, “We’re a done deal, baby.Your very own ‘two for the price of one’.”
He was a breath away, but didn’t kiss her.Neither did Declan.They seemed to be waiting for something.
“Are you...”
“You’re not ready, little one.Not yet.We want to kiss you more than we want our next breath, but you’re not ready and we’re not going to push you.”
“I don’t...two...?”
“Feel this.May I?”
They were always asking for permission, she thought distractedly.Declan took her hand and put it on his chest.Beneath her fingers, his heart pounded erratically, betraying his calm expression.
“It beats for you, little one.It will bleed for you if you ask.But you need to be sure.To be ready.”
“And if I’ll never be?”her eyes were lost.Lost not in the past, but in the present.Full of fear.
“You will be.And we’ll wait for as long as it’s needed.”
As one, moving in sync, they moved toward her, caressing her neck with their nose, their lips leaving feather light touches.Her quick intake of breath told them she was overwhelmed ...but not panicking...Not yet.
“Take time to know us.One at a time, or the two ...doesn’t matter.”
“This is...”she seemed to struggle to find the words.“Awkward,” she added, lamely.
“Not to us.Does this seem awkward, Declan?”
“It really doesn’t, Ciaran.”
They seemed to both be sniffing around her and she stiffened.
“Apples...”
“And cinnamon...”
“Delightful...”
Must be the body wash or something,she thought vaguely.And then shuddered when they abruptly pulled away, though they continued to caress her, their fingertips slowly tracing the length of her arm.
“You need to rest, baby.Go.”
She seemed confused but got up obediently and went to her room.
****
The twins exchangedlooks and wordlessly, they went in search of a cold shower.Cold as ice.
