Page 27

Nina

I t feels like a dear diary moment watching Ridge drive away. I'll see him in four days, which doesn't sound very long, but my heart feels like it's losing a vital piece.

I watch the road long after he's out of sight, hoping beyond all measure that he will change his mind and come back to me. Please come back .

"He will be back in no time," Kai says, wrapping an arm around my waist. Henry kisses the side of my head and Trevor's eyes continuously scan the neighborhood.

The only time I'm outside without them hovering like a pack of wolves is in the enclosed backyard. My high fence is nice, but after the shadow incident—yes, there are many incidents in my life—I rarely get alone time out on the patio.

With his eyes narrowed at the neighborhood, Trevor urges, "Let's get back inside."

I sigh, but agree. There's something about being out in the open that has become increasingly harder these past few weeks. I used to feel okay sitting on the front step, but now, even surrounded by my men, there's a sinister weight pressing down on me.

With that pressure in mind, I turn and scurry back inside like a scared cat. I would be embarrassed, but the three of them look relieved to have me behind our locked doors.

"What do you want to do, pretty girl?" Henry wonders, slipping off his sandals.

I might not enjoy being out in the world with Mr. M still hanging over my head, but we're also struggling with staying inside.

The date Ridge planned for me last week struck ideas in all of us. I'm loving the random gestures of courting , as Kai would say. Trevor planned a meal for us to cook together as our first date, and Henry prepped a super cute movie night with all of my favorite snacks.

Our options are limited in what we can do at home, but that's okay because it's forcing us closer. I never sleep alone anymore, although I do admit that I would prefer to have a big slumber party with them like we did at their house a few months ago.

Exploring my sexuality has been phenomenal, even if I haven't gone all the way with Trevor and Kai. The control they all give me in the bedroom is addicting, probably because I didn't have a say for a long, long, long time.

Even with Trevor's dominating presence, I know all it will take is one word from me to stop him in his tracks. I'd love to see him go a little feral though.

Hmmmm . Now there's an idea.

"I have an idea!" I bounce on my toes. "You guys go sit out back or in your rooms for like thirty minutes. I want to make you a surprise."

Trevor stiffens. "No."

My pout is instant. "What? Why?"

"Because the last time you did that, you left on your own without telling us." The vein in Trevor's throat is throbbing. Is this some kind of trauma response?

"I promise I won't leave." If my voice is small and wobbly, it's because standing up for myself is still a weak muscle.

Trevor crosses his arms and the other two watch on with frowns. "What will you be doing for this half hour, baby girl? Is it dangerous?"

"Of course not!" I sputter, feeling at a loss for how to manage his attitude.

He narrows his eyes. "I worry we have different definitions of what would be dangerous."

Oh geez . His words throw me back to fifteen-year-old me with skinned knees and a wicked grin while my friend, Trevor, about lost his mind with worry when I jumped out of a tree.

I roll my eyes and cock my hip. "I swear I won't be jumping out of trees."

"That wasn't the instance I was talking about," he shoots back, tensing a little more.

Fourteen-year-old Nina with a horrible sunburn comes to my mind. "I won't be falling asleep in the sun for four hours either."

"Nina..." Henry mutters and mimes zipping his lips. When I glance at him, I see Kai trying to hold his laughter in.

"Tell me what you'll be doing," Trevor demands, voice thick like that darn vein in his neck.

I suck in a deep breath, fortifying my courage. "No."

"No?" Now Trevor's the one sputtering.

I plant a hand on my hip in a show of defiance, and also to mask the trembling. "It's a surprise. I'll stay in the house and I'll keep your definition of danger in mind. Kay?"

Henry groans quietly and covers his eyes. Kai looks like he's watching the greatest thing ever, his eyes ping ponging between me and Trevor.

"Watch the attitude, Neen." There's a tinge of amusement in Trevor's tone that I grasp onto to keep my anxiety at bay. "You can have your thirty minutes, baby girl. Be good." With that, Trev kisses my forehead and strides down the hallway to his bedroom.

"Fuck," Kai basically moans. He bites his lip and tugs on Henry's forearm. "The sass really does it for me, flora."

"Shush." I giggle through the admonishment. "Go away for a bit. I'll come get you when I have our date ready."

They both give me playful kisses, Kai lingering longer than Henry until his fiancé drags him away. I hear something about taking the edge off as they disappear to their room, and the idea of what they might get up to while I'm busy makes my vagina clench.

It's a good thing my plan includes zero edging. The real challenge will be figuring out how to make the most controlled man snap .

I want my Trevor feral tonight.