Page 45 of Bratva Jewels Box Set

“I want to be able to feast on you whenever I like. Just like I want to feast on Tomas when I want.”

“Me too,” Tomas says in agreement. “Then there will be times that we will all want to be together.”

Mateo laughs. “Let’s be serious, that’s going to be a lot of the time.”

I listen to what the boys are saying, and I guess it’s the natural flow of what has been happening between the three of us this past month.

“But there are a couple of other things,” Tomas continues. “We three are together, there is no one else.”

I nod. It’s not like I’m going anywhere to meet anyone and seriously, who could compete with these two anyway?

“And …” Tomas raises his brow at me. “I will need you to be my public girlfriend if you are okay with that,” Tomas adds quickly as if he is worried about that condition. “Mateo’s team would rather he remain single and not date anyone because of his fans and image,” Tomas says with a roll of his eyes.

Mateo holds his hands up in defense. “Not my fault.”

Tomas shakes his head. “I need a woman on my arm to fend off my family and the persistent rumors about my sexuality in the public domain. Well, our sexuality. Stories have been leaked about Mateo and me over the years, and the media attention is getting worse especially because we are never seen with a woman on our arms at events.”

“I don’t want to be publicly outed, not yet. I want to tell the world in my own time,” Mateo explains.

That’s fair enough. I place my hand in Mateo’s, giving it a squeeze. “You can trust me with your secret. I would be honored to be your beard.”

This makes Mateo break out in laughter.

Tomas frowns, then grabs me. He then kisses me, and wow, is it hot. “Does that feel like you are just a beard?”

I shake my head because it most certainly did not feel like that.

Tomas smiles. “Good, now can we get back to fucking?”

15

MATEO

I’m the first one to wake after the night spent fucking. We devoured every inch of each other, and still I don’t think it’s enough. I look over and see Zoe squished between us, and it feels right. My chest aches a little seeing Tomas’s arms wrapped around her and hers laid across my stomach. Zoe was so unexpected. It’s crazy to think we found her almost dead at our front gate and that this strange woman somehow turned into something I never knew I needed or wanted, and I think the same could be said for Tomas too. In true Tomas style, he was cautious. He was unsure what this woman might bring to us, he probably never expected this. It’s like someone specifically sent her to us, she fits so perfectly.

Slowly, I move Zoe’s arm off me and make my way to the bathroom. After relieving myself, I wash my hands and splash my face with water. My heart is happy this morning, and I hope it continues like this. Then it hits me, a spot of inspiration. I grab my sweats, throw them on and head to the studio.

I rush out the glass doors, the sun is up and blazing high in the sky as I pass the sparkling pool and head through the lush gardens toward my studio. Opening the door, I head in and seethe picture of Zoe where we left it before things took a different course. Pushing it away, I grab a new canvas.

Then I grab my brushes and paints and begin painting.

“There you are.” Tomas walks into my studio dressed in pajama pants that sling low on his hips. He’s holding a mug in each hand, the heady aroma of coffee surrounding him. “What are you doing?” he asks, handing me one of the mugs.

“I felt inspired this morning,” I tell him as I take a sip of the piping-hot drink.

“I can see,” he adds, sipping his coffee as he stares at my creation. His head tilts from side to side before a frown settles. “I think you’ve fallen for her.”

Tomas’s words surprise me. I have feelings for Zoe, yes. And are they stronger than I realized they were? Maybe. But something more than that, I’m not sure of yet. Can you have the capacity to love more than one person? Tomas is my soulmate, I’m certain of that. But Zoe, I was drawn to her instantly and don’t know why.Because she was made for you and Tomas, that’s why.

Guilt settles like lead in my stomach. I can’t look at Tomas as these thoughts roll around in my head. I don’t want to hurt him, but Zoe has awakened some dormant feelings inside me and now I can’t shut them off. I don’t know where they came from, but they are here now, bubbling endlessly under the surface.

Tomas smiles, putting a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “It’s okay, I understand.”

“You’re not upset?” I ask, surprised by his comments as I turn in my seat to face him.

“I saw it the moment she opened her eyes. And the fact you never left her side. Then there was the way you looked at her. The list could go on.”

My heart stops.