Page 43

“We should sit down and talk to her about her expectations. She doesn’t have to see anything she doesn’t want to. Earlier, she said she had nightmares from the bodies we left behind, so maybe setting boundaries would help her cope better.”

“Our princess can’t see blood shed.”

“And that’s okay, Ezra.”

“Of course,” he snarled.

“Don’t be a jerk about it.”

“She won’t see or hear anything she doesn’t want to,” Ezra promised, though his voice had lost that rumbling purr that came with him promising things to Scarlett.

“We can sit down with her tomorrow—after we spoil her a little.”

Ezra gave a quick nod and turned on his heel to head upstairs.

“Do you need help taking your cabinet to your customer?”

“I’m taking Ezra.”

“Don’t trust him alone with Scarlett, huh?”

Vince’s silence—and the ghost of a smirk across his lips—was enough of an answer, so Mateo left himself and retreated to his room.

The next morning, they took Scarlett to their regular hunting and outdoors store. Once again, she seemed rather nervous. Clearly outings would give her anxiety for quite some time, so maybe a small village setting would help with her exposure to being out in public.

They entered the store and while Vince wandered into the fishing department, Ezra led the way to the hiking clothes where he sat Scarlett down on a bench and started pulling boxes of boots off of the shelves.

He then continued to take off her shoes and lace her boots before making her walk in them.

He earned himself a few curious stares, especially because they were total opposites again.

Her white, floral dress contrasted Ezra’s all-black clothing, only accented by the gold shining on his arms and fingers.

In short sleeves, her arms were a striking difference from his exposed runes, scars, and tattoos—modifications he wore with pride.

Scarlett meekly pointed out that the boots pinched her toes, so Ezra snatched them off to swap them for another pair. After all, she was his princess. How dare anything hurt her? Even a measly pair of shoes.

“Ah, you guys always come in threes.”

Mateo turned, seeing the store owner approach. Randy had grown rather fond of their large purchases over the years. He held out his hand and Mateo shook it. “Good to see you.”

“What are you looking for today?”

“Hiking gear.” Mateo indicated Scarlett and Ezra. “We’ll also need a crossbow and some fishing gear, but I think Vince already went off to search for the latter.”

Randy’s eyes lingered on Scarlett for a moment, and Mateo didn’t miss it. “What will she need?”

“Everything. And because I like you, I’ll advise you not to stare too much. Ezra is rather possessive.”

Randy snatched his gaze away, blushing like he’d been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. “I’ll have Linda help them out.”

“Wise choice.” He turned to Scarlett and pecked her cheek. “I won’t be far. Get whatever you need and more.”

“I don’t even know what I’ll need.”

“Don’t worry, Ezra will make sure you’re all set.”

Mateo turned to Randy again, who was clearly losing his mind over what he’d just witnessed.

He led him to the crossbows where he gave his input, though Mateo kept their plans rather vague.

He picked up a few grizzly traps, then moved on to the guns—his favourite.

Though Vince appeared and “rescued” him from buying things that he already owned.

When they joined Scarlett and Ezra again, her eyes lit up as she stepped out of the dressing room in her new hiking outfit.

“Perfect,” he complimented, taking her hand to spin her around for a full view.

“But you like the dresses more,” she laughed, looking at herself in the mirror.

“You could be wearing a garbage bag and still look sexy as sin,” Ezra offered from his seat.

Linda’s eyes darted between them as she tried to figure out what was going on, but kept quiet when Randy subtly shook his head from the corner.

“Do you have everything you need?” Mateo asked.

“I think so, but I have no idea.”

“Clothing wise, yes, but she still needs at least a sleeping bag, mat, and a proper backpack,” Ezra explained.

They waited for her to change, then helped her with the needed equipment.

Most things they already had, but they didn’t want to deny Scarlett the experience of having something new.

They left the sports store with arms full of overflowing bags, each earning themselves a kiss as they dropped everything in the truck bed.

“Thank you.”

They treated themselves to take out for dinner and even ice cream for dessert before returning home where Mateo washed her new gear and Vince helped her pack her everyday clothes.

The next few days were much of the same: packing and preparing.

Scarlett took a more observational position as the three men went through their gear, especially when it came to their weapons and the silver they handled.

Her skin was constantly covered in goosebumps, despite the warm temperature in the house.

“I think that’s Vince’s,” she said, indicating the sniper rifle on the table as she descended the stairs, pulling a sweater over her head.

“And what makes you think that, my love?” Mateo asked.

“He’s your back-up, right?”

“That’s right. He likes to lurk in the shadows until he is needed.”

“While you make sure Ezra doesn’t kill himself?”

Ezra snarled, which made Mateo laugh. “Something like that. Ezra likes to be the first in a fight.”

“Someone has to be,” he mumbled. He was gently, lovingly even, placing his daggers into their foam-lined case.

“I didn’t say it’s a bad thing,” she countered. “But each of you has their set roles.”

Mateo tilted his head as he looked up at her, keeping a safe distance from the silver on the table. “And you want to know which one, so you understand better.”

“I worry less if I know that you are a good team.”

“We are,” he softly reassured, stepping up to her. Once she’d laced her fingers with his, she leaned in and laid her cheek against his chest. “We know this is scary for you, but our intentions are to return to you.”

“In one piece, please.”

“One piece,” he promised. “See that case over there?” She turned her head and watched as Ezra opened the trunk lined with dozens of glass vials. “It has most of our vampire blood reserves.”

“Why only most?”

In case something happened to you. But Mateo didn’t dare say that out loud, or mention that they had wills drawn up.

“There are a few vials in our safe as backup. That is more than enough for a single hunt, and we don’t want to be left without any in case something happens to that case. Same thing with the cash we’re taking.”

Scarlett took in the items in the room, then sighed and nodded. “Okay.”

After an early dinner, Vince took Ezra to deliver the dresser, leaving Scarlett and Mateo alone in the house. Not that he hadn’t looked forward to this all day, but Mateo couldn’t help but feel relieved.

He sat on the couch with some sports channel on the TV, but his eyes were glued to his mate as she finished up the dishes. She’d insisted on it, even on cooking dinner and he had a feeling that keeping busy helped her cope with her anxiety.

When she finally dried her hands and came over, he patted his lap in invitation.

“Come here, love.” She listened so well, straddling his thighs.

“Perfect,” he hummed, his fingers slipping beneath the hem of her dress.

He loved that she wore dresses constantly.

The simple thought of what he could do with those made blood surge south so quickly that he grew lightheaded.

Mateo tipped his head up, and Scarlett gratefully took the invitation, moulding their lips together as if she’d been waiting for permission.

He hoped that she would soon take from them as she needed but until then, he would happily be her driving force.

Scarlett’s lips moved against his, hesitantly at first until Mateo threaded his fingers through her hair to pull her closer.

His other hand slid higher up her thigh, cupping her ass and pulling her hips down on his aching cock.

The pressure let a groan push past his lips, which she eagerly swallowed.

Her hand slid under his shirt and traced over his stomach, feathering up until she had her palms flat against his chest. The action seemed to kick his heart into high gear, the foolish organ pounding against her hand.

His hips thrust into her, grinding against her pussy, craving the release he’d been so patiently waiting for. “I need you, sweet Scarlett.”

“I’m yours.”

Mateo hauled her back into a blistering kiss, his fingers teasing under the lace and slipping through her folds.

He teased her clit enough to make her jolt, moving further south to find her entrance.

He swirled there, letting her hips swivel over his finger.

Hiding necessary supplies close by had been a good idea.

He didn’t dare penetrate her, pressing his finger against her clit again.

Mateo worried that he was moving too fast, but he needed Scarlett more than he needed his next breath.

He hadn’t allowed himself to find his own release, not since she’d come home to them, and he was desperate to come.

Scarlett’s hands dropped to his belt, fumbling with the buckle until it fell open.

The button on his jeans popped, and his zipper practically fell down.

His cock burst free, his briefs unable to hold him back.

Her fingers were tender, shy even, as she fisted his length through the thin fabric.

He jerked in her hand, precum dampening the cotton.

“Pull them down,” he demanded and like the good little princess she was, she obeyed. “I love how well you listen.”

Scarlett peered between them, watching as they mutually pleased each other.

“You’re making me feel so good,” he hummed, brushing a soft kiss across her cheek.

Her thumb ran over his cockhead, collecting the liquid there and smearing it into his briefs. It felt fucking fantastic, but he needed more, he wanted to come inside her and judging by how his toes already curled, he needed to move fast.

He reached to the side table for the condoms and lube. Scarlett watched intently as he squeezed some of the jelly on to his fingers, then dipped between her legs again. She shivered, slick fingers sliding through and penetrating her hole. “I want you to stay on top. Can you do that for me?”

Scarlett slowly nodded, squeezing his shaft tighter. “Will you show me what you like?”

“I like you,” Mateo chuckled. “But I know me too well. I’m craving you and I don’t want to hurt you. You’ll have more control this way.”

She bobbed her head again, this time more confidently and then slipped off his lap. Before Mateo could protest, Scarlett’s panties hit the floor and he promptly snapped his mouth shut.

“The dress too.” She did as told, revealing her gorgeous frame. “And the bra.”

Scarlett reached behind herself and with one swift move, she stood naked before him.

Her gaze travelled over his body, and she crooked a brow expectantly.

He quickly tossed the shirt aside and kicked his pants and briefs off.

Once naked, he pulled her back onto his lap, his skin lighting up wherever she touched him.

His fingers dipped back into her as he reached for the condom and handed it to her.

“I don’t know how.”

“I’ll talk you through it.” To sweeten the deal, Mateo added more pressure to her clit and circled. “Carefully open it and take it out.” She did, and he added a second finger. “Good. Now do you see the tip?”

Scarlett inspected the condom, then nodded.

“Carefully pinch it with your fingertips.” More pressure on her clit and a third finger for her pussy. “Perfect, with your other fingers you roll it over my cock, all the way to the base.” Mateo tensed every muscle so as not to jolt and startle her. “Perfect.”

Scarlett rose onto her knees, and Mateo took his dick in a tight fist and positioned it at her entrance. She whimpered softly as his girth penetrated her, so he steadied her with a hand on her waist.

“Don’t force yourself. Take it slow.” To ease her discomfort, he increased the speed of his thumb on her clit, using pleasure to distract her from the pain.

It worked, and slowly she worked her hips, sinking down inch by inch. She held onto his shoulders, capturing his mouth once more. She was so fucking tight around his cock that he wasn’t sure how long he would be able to hold himself back.

“You feel so good,” he brushed against her lips. “Take your time, love.” Though the orgasm tingling his spine begged for anything else.

Scarlett panted, her body quivering in his arms as he circled faster against her clit.

His blood pumped hot through his veins, and he loved watching every inch of his cock disappear inside her sweet pussy.

Scarlett bottomed out, rolling her hips to adjust to Mateo’s size.

He slowly thrusted into her, testing how she would respond and when the sweetest of moans escaped her, he did it again.

The sounds created a precious melody that God himself couldn’t accomplish.

He rolled his head back, rubbed her clit, and relished in the feeling of finally being hers . Scarlett matched him thrust for thrust, the sound of skin against skin filling the air. Mateo’s toes curled and he fought hard to hold off until she came first.

He barely made it. Scarlett cried out the start of her orgasm and her walls tightened, throwing Mateo clear over the edge.

As she fell into his chest and buried her face against his throat, riding out her own climax, he thrust into her, using her to take what he’d been longing for.

His release was intense, his body feeling as if he’d been drugged and his mind no longer able to comprehend anything but her skin against his and her breath brushing over his throat.

Mateo shook with aftershocks, as did Scarlett. Once he could form a coherent thought again, he tugged the blanket off the back of the couch, holding her close while they came down from such an intense high.