Page 18

“What’s wrong?” I asked Winter when we were alone in my room to get ready for spa night.

“I think I was about to be an asshole,” he muttered as he stared into his bag but then winced. “I’m still going to be one because now I can’t not tell you.”

“You’re not an asshole,” I chuckled. “I’m sure it’s fine.”

He sighed. Heavily. Then he gave me puppy dog eyes as he closed the bag. “I got you something because of what we talked about—you maybe not being comfortable with things. I thought we could play and explore even if spa night is PG. So before spa night—”

I moved to him and rubbed my hands over his chest. “Okay, now I maybe get when you say my rambling is cute. You’re being pretty cute.”

“You’re always cuter,” he muttered and gave me a soft kiss. “I got you a toy. For us.”

“That’s—not sweet, but presents are nice,” I chuckled, not sure what else to say. “Interesting.”

He nodded looking like he thought he might still get scolded? “Glad you’re interested, but I’ve not gotten you anything real yet. Not even flowers, and that’s such an asshole—”

“Hey, hey, no, no,” I cut in, even moving a couple of fingers over his mouth. “You give me gifts all of the time, Winter.” I flushed when his eyebrows shot up and he looked like he was ready to use the toy. “Not the gifts I meant, dirty boy.”

He kissed my fingers. “Then I’m confused.”

I smiled. “Every time you use a transportation circle, that’s a gift for me, Winter. I can’t do that. You’re doing something nice for me. The day you did that for me so I could put Clarence to rest—that was such a gift. It was everything I needed when struggling. How—why would flowers be better? Fuck flowers. Seriously.”

He searched my eyes and kissed my fingers again. “You are such a gem, little sexy. Seriously. You’re so appreciative after not having what you should have. I wish I could be an adult like you to feel that way. I get selfish. I get…”

“You do better than you think,” I promised him. “You’re the one who taught me that.” I hugged him and he chuckled, hugging me back.

“Sooo yes, you want to see what I got then?”

It was hard not to smile. Winter always just brought out the happy. “I’m interested.”

“Interested is good. Really good,” he murmured, leaning down and kissing my neck. “How about a curious?”

“Uh-huh,” I grunted as he worked up to my ear. “I’ll raise you an intrigued.”

“Oh, now we’re getting somewhere,” he purred and lifted me up.

I swallowed a yelp as he set me on my dresser. I glanced past him and swallowed a sigh. Everything had been boxed up and brought here from the room I’d had at my parents’ house, but I hadn’t had time to go through it all or even the desire.

“I can’t do this here,” I whispered, feeling small.

“What?” he asked, doing a double take at whatever was on my face. “Did you change your mind and want…” He frowned.

I shook my head. “I can’t mess around on the furniture that came from my prison and with everything bought with my parents’ money all packed around me.”

Understanding filled his eyes and he immediately hugged me. “Is that why you haven’t unpacked at all and everything is still in boxes?”

“I think so,” I mumbled. “It makes me all feel ick and like I could wake up back there. It’s why I can’t ever sleep here unless I’ve crashed on the couch. I didn’t even realize it or—”

He gave me a soft kiss. “Okay, grab the stuff besides the bath bombs. We’re doing spa night in your room, your domain, and later we’ll figure out what to do about your room.”

“Kelton wants to give me normal and take me to IKEA,” I admitted.

“That’s an awesome idea,” he said firmly, nodding when I glanced at him. “Go get ideas. Start over. You’ve got the money, Bev. Get this all moved out of here and start fresh. We’ll cleanse it and clean it and you can bring in only what you want. The rest you buy and donate the bad.”

“That would be amazing ,” I sighed. “I feel like a baby and also an idiot that I didn’t catch this sooner.”

“You have too much always going on to—I’m sorry we didn’t catch that this could hurt you.” He gave me a soft kiss and then rushed me to grab everything saying his scalp was in desperate need of attention.

Seriously, Winter was just amazing.

He checked with me if he could talk to Tracey about what I said because he didn’t want me overloaded. He promised me that she would be receptive and that way it could be a frank discussion without worrying about hurting each other’s feelings.

Because he’d noticed that I’d said several times that it was really Tracey’s house. She’d lived there for years and I couldn’t even visit after Grandfather died.

But he added that now Clare would be living there—four adult women who had very full lives and needed space. It wasn’t being roommates to save money but for security and long-term.

Plus, I had the land.

I had a lot of land. That vacation estate was over fifty acres

“Thank you for the gift you’re giving me by handling that,” I told him. “And for asking first.” I gestured between us as we set our stuff down in my room. “This is the relationship I want. Feeling safe with you—and to talk to you—and that you won’t go behind my back or manipulate me.”

“Me too, little sexy,” he whispered before pulling me against him. “Me too, Bev.” He kissed me desperately and then set me on the dresser in my dorm room this time. He reached into his bag and pulled out a wand massager vibe. “This way I can touch you when you’re not sure your comfort level. It’s got twenty-eight different vibration settings.

“And I realized I wanted to see you finish with each one—find out which you like. Then there’s different power levels and another twenty pulse modes.” He kissed me. “I want to see you experience it all, Bev. Let me please you. Spread your legs a bit and let me touch you this way.”

I nodded and did what he said, taking off my shirt as well so he saw my breasts. He was happy I did.

Duh.

“Well, we can skip super low because you’ve played before,” he muttered as he turned it up and then slipped it in my pants. “Yeah?”

I ducked my head against his chest. “You can’t watch me so intently. It’s embarrassing and then I won’t be able—” I gasped when he changed the vibration pattern. I reached for his shorts, but he moved his hips away.

“No, this is just you. I want—this is so fucking sexy and I’m so enthralled that you’re letting me that I don’t want to miss a second or be distracted,” he muttered in my ear. “Yeah, you like this.”

“I like this,” I confirmed even if not really a question.

And then I finished way too fast. Everything was already sensitive and the way he was so into it… I came so hard that I was fisting his shirt like I would fall otherwise.

Then again, it was on the damn dresser.

“What should we try next?” he chuckled as he moved the toy away.

I swallowed loudly. “How about a shower together even if might be a bit cramped?”

“Fuuuuuuck,” he deeply groaned, kissing my neck. “Your shower here isn’t big enough to do it safely. I’m too—I want to. I so want to, but…”

I flinched. “You’ve done it.”

He cleared his throat. “Yeah, and I wasn’t as built as I am now, about ten or fifteen pounds less of muscle, and—she could have really gotten hurt and it…”

“I’m sorry,” I muttered, realizing it was a real worry for him.

“No, I am. I know you were willing to give me something big for your first time, but I can’t ever risk you, Bev. Magic can only heal so much sometimes.”

“It wasn’t your fault,” I comforted.

“It wasn’t,” he agreed. “She got shy and went to cover up, but I thought she was reaching for something and—I caught her. She didn’t get hurt. Luckily. I just—her head would have landed on the metal for the doors, and—it’s not worth it unless a shower meant for two people.”

I gave him a soft kiss. “I’m glad you told me. I won’t do it with anyone else until my bathroom at home is renovated. I want to be safe too.”

“Because you’re smart,” he praised. “Sorry, I ruined the mood.”

I felt his disappointment and gave him a soft kiss. “Want to be a perv and just watch me shower?”

He blinked at me for a full minute. “Yes, yes, I do. Yes, please. All forms of yes. I think I just came.”

I laughed. I laughed so hard that I did actually start to fall off the dresser, but he caught me and kept me safe.

Winter always would.

I didn’t take a long shower because it was… I wasn’t as wild as I tried to be sometimes, but I also kinda loved that I wanted to embrace it.

Winter shocked me by offering to let me watch him shower next.

And stared at me the whole time he jerked off under the water. It was so fucking sexy that I was on him the moment he got out of the shower. He carried me to bed when we were in nothing but towels and we tried another setting on the toy.

“Bev, this is getting serious for me,” he whispered when we were done, both of our chests heaving. He cupped my face when I flinched. “I’m not asking for the label. I’m not asking—actually, I am asking that if you don’t see this— us having a future that you tell me. My feelings are getting serious. I don’t want to hide that from you.”

I swallowed loudly. “That’s scary, but I’m also thrilled. That—it seems like it should be one or the other.”

“I’m scared but would be thrilled if you told me the same,” he muttered, searching my eyes.

“I don’t know, Winter.” I hurried on when hurt filled his eyes. “But my life is so much better with you in it. I’d fall apart if you were gone tomorrow. I…” I cleared my throat. “I wouldn’t want to find another phone sex guy. That’s you, not because phone sex is fun.”

“Could you see this as being real?” he pushed.

That answer was easy and immediate. “Yes.” I furiously nodded. “I don’t know what that means or how that would seriously work with what I am, but even the idea of you graduating and not being around campus makes me sad. You’re just—yes.”

“Okay, good.” He let out a slow breath. “Good.”

“Really? I feel like I still didn’t give you what you needed,” I worried.

“You did,” he promised. “I’m falling for you, Bev. I just need to know that you could do the same so I don’t become roadkill.”

“I don’t understand that,” I whispered, my eyes going so wide they almost hurt.

He frowned. “You don’t understand why I would check?”

“No, how can you fall for me?” I asked, completely meaning it. “I’m a mess, Winter. My family—what I am—all of it. I can’t—I would run from someone like me. I can’t—it doesn’t make sense.”

Sadness filled his eyes. “That’s your abuse and family talking.” He kissed my nose when I objected. “There are guys who are stepping up their plans for the Wicked Challenges just so they can be near you on your court.”

I sighed. “Those are assholes who want to fuck me because they think I’m easy or just care that I’m good looking. That’s not…” I trailed off when I saw in his eyes that it was more than that. “Oh.”

“Yeah, oh ,” he chuckled darkly. “So there might be some jealousy in your future now that I’m invested. Just to warn you.” He swallowed loudly. “I just needed to know you’re there with me.”

“Oh yeah, I would fucking beat a bitch up if she was all over you or tried to steal you from me,” I told him firmly. “Like drag her hoe ass to my lake and have the animals drown her.”

His eyes went wide this time, and he burst out laughing. His deep, deep laugh filled the whole room, and the bed shook as he held me. “Oh fuck, Bev, that just healed all of my insecurities and worries. Yeah, you drown that mythical hoe, little sexy.”

I missed something again. Or I responded in a way that he hadn’t meant.

I was just glad he was settled with the topic and not feeling insecure. I really, really did like Winter. I just didn’t think I could ever know how to be in a normal, healthy relationship after all I’d been through.

He was still in a good mood in the morning and we made out again, him promising there would be a lot more attention on me when I was done with my period. Even I understood what he meant by that… And I was so in.

Ridiculously in.

On the way to the factory with my security, I texted Wyatt that Mrs. Reid figured out something and she wanted us to work on expanding it and limits. But I could explain it to him when he had a chance so there weren’t any more instances with his overbearing friend he never introduced me to and us being half naked around each other.

Yes, I was still salty. I think I deserved to be.

There were some interviews going on at the factory, and I was glad that we were asking people to bring in their familiars when they interviewed. Two I ruled out because of that.

People could lie and there were ways to hide their real intentions with powerful magic. But I didn’t even think there was magic to silence a familiar since it was so rare for anyone to be able to understand them.

Jasmine gave me a curious look when it was done, waiting for me to explain.

“Spies,” I told her, specifically naming for which family.

“People need fucking lives,” she mumbled under her breath.

I couldn’t agree more.

I smiled when I saw Kelton working and getting stuff ready, going over by him but feeling awkward. He’d been upset that I’d ignored him at the factory and asked if we could work together. I was fine with that, but it was all—it was never easy making the first move.

Or I guess he had by asking. Life and relationships weren’t easy.

“Hey, morning,” he greeted when he saw me standing there. “You sleep well?” He smiled when I nodded. “We’re still on for today, right?”

I immediately nodded, totally not remembering that we’d made plans or what we were doing. And I was pretty sure he caught onto that.

“Sorry, I should have confirmed instead of just saying let’s do something Saturday after the factory,” he said easily.

“It’s fine. I just—there’s so much. I’m sorry that everything is so complicated.” Neither of us seemed to know what to say then, so I just pushed forward. “IKEA? Normal Saturday trip to IKEA, right?”

He beamed at me. “Sounds great. Yeah, whatever you want.”

Okay then. Good. We could just walk around and get lost in the crowd and I could get ideas for my room at home after the renovations… Which apparently would be soon with the way Clare was now motivated.

Better than me having to handle it for sure.

We worked hard and well together. I was glad that he seemed to understand that I kinda had to ignore everyone a lot of the time. It was just so hard to focus on anything else besides getting the big batches done.

I was ready for some relaxing fun when I was done, but instead there was a menace and problem waiting for me. The address of the factory had already been disclosed, so I couldn’t get upset about that, but I wasn’t happy he knew I was there and my schedule.

Then again, it probably wasn’t hard to guess given I was a college student. Still, it was definitely a conversation to have.

“You look well, Bevin,” my uncle said with a smile that creeped me out.

And always had.

I simply nodded, raising an eyebrow to basically ask what he was doing there and what he wanted. But then I thought better of it and glanced at my watch as if it was notifying me of a text. Then I held up my finger to him and pretended to respond, but really I was recording the whole thing so my ass was covered.

That seemed to surprise him, or he was at least going to act that way because of how many people were around. “I thought there would be a better reception from you when—”

“When you offered no help or support when I filed to be disowned? When my father was a menace and psychotic? I don’t know why you thought that would be, Uncle Jeff, but I cannot think of a single reason you would come see me. Well, a reason I would want.”

It was hard not to smirk. Normally, I would have just called him Mr. Shaw, but Jeffrey Shaw hated being called Jeff.

Hated it.

It was so stupid, but Father and others would do it intentionally and tease him for blowing up that it wasn’t his name. I’d always made a point to call him by his full name because I understood being bullied and picked on by the family.

He’d never acknowledged it or given me a second look, but his wife—who was an absolute snake—would always make mumbled comments about me being a weirdo or freak. Seriously, the whole family was rotten.

“Look, you’re too young to understand, but your father had a hold over all of us—”

“Oh, this is going to be good when you start off so strong,” I drawled. “Spit it out. What do you want so I can tell you no?”

Anger burned in his eyes at me doing that in front of others, but he quickly swallowed it down and smiled. “You won’t want to do that when this benefits you, Bevin. You’re a smart girl, and I’m sure you understand the current situation the family is in. Jean isn’t the right choice and it’s not because she’s a girl. She’s better than Alex but not the right choice. You are.”

So I wasn’t smart enough to get things when he wanted to excuse his bad behavior, but I was when he wanted to use me? Right, but he didn’t really believe that and was going to pull a fast one on me.

I decided not to even play the game. “Yes, I am a smart woman.” I smirked at him when victory filled his eyes. “Which is why I won’t let you puppet me.” I threw my head back and laughed when he frowned. “Oh, you are as dumb as Charles always said, Jeff.”

He doubled down though. “I understand your distrust after all you’ve been through, but I don’t want to puppet you, Bevin. I want to support you—your aunts and uncles do.” He gestured to the warehouse. “Clearly, you were the overlooked gem in the family, even Jean and Mother have said it. You should be the one to take over the family.”

I let out a huge sigh and scrubbed my hands over my face. “You think I’m a fucking moron if you seriously expected me to buy this shit. I’m eighteen . There is no world where this family of vipers will let me ever be a real family head. Plus , now you want what I know about Familiar Treasures. You want the owner. You want the business secrets.

“And you think I’m too stupid to understand that.” I snorted. “You’re not even the first Shaw family member to try this.” I nodded when shock flashed in his eyes. “Yeah, you’re late, but I’ll tell you the same thing I told Jean— I’m not a Shaw . I’m a Millen. You all can sit and spin. More than that, you also underestimated me, and I won’t forget this stupid ploy.”

He grabbed my arm when I turned to leave but froze when one of my security pulled a gun and demanded that he let me go. He did but acted like it was on his own. “We’re not done talking, Bevin.”

I snorted and glanced at my arm to his hand before meeting his eyes. “But you just proved that I’m right. You couldn’t hold it together for five minutes to even pretend that I would be the boss, not you.” I stepped closer to him, showing that I wasn’t scared. “I get that you love your wife and listen to the vicious snake, but you should sometimes tell her no.”

“This wasn’t her idea,” he lied.

Yeah, right. It had her stink all over it.

“There’s nothing wrong with following your mate’s lead and being a united front, but make sure you don’t follow her off a cliff. She’s not remotely as smart as she thinks she is and has spent so much time looking down her nose at people she’s got eye strain and doesn’t see things clearly.”

I turned to walk away, glad when one of my security made Jeff stay there.

I decided to toss one more thing over my shoulder. “Besides, my money would be on Jean. She’ll fucking eat you idiots alive, and I won’t ever be puppeted.”

I waited until we were all home and pulled out my phone, calling Jean.

“This is a surprise,” she greeted. “What can I do for you?”

“Nothing,” I bristled hating her attitude. “I promised to share information and I am.”

“I appreciate it,” she said firmly, sounding a bit tired. Okay, I could give her a pass that she wasn’t doing what Charles always had and made people feel that even talking to him was a favor to them.

“Uncle Jeff was waiting for me at the factory. He wants me to be the head like I’m too stupid to know he won’t puppet me the whole time.”

“Glad you understand that,” she muttered. “And you said?” She chuckled when I snorted. “Did he let it go?”

I gave her the paraphrased version of the conversation, making sure to hit the points that he said the others agreed with him on—not if I knew that was the truth. But also that I would put money on her.

“He already tried to take over himself, but it was amusing for everyone to agree that he was creepy. He’s not remotely as charming or funny as he thinks and people laugh at him, not with him. So you were his next chance.”

“I will say it in every language you need, but I don’t want the job, rather my own life and I won’t ever be puppeted.”

“Message received,” she muttered, knowing it was also for her.

“I will send you the recording I took just for your own sanity since we’re not exactly close.”

“I appreciate it and this open line of communication,” she hedged.

“Good. Because I also have a question since I’ve been too busy at school to get in on the gossip. But did one of the Hughes women recently marry?”

“Yes, the head of the family’s next-in-line brother, their oldest girl. Why?”

I chuckled, but it built into a full laugh. “Oh shit, I’m your favorite person today. We had another spy come here. Not from Hughes this time. That family she married into. They sent one of their top guards to infiltrate because there’s an affair going on and she thinks information will lead to love.”

“It’s so twisted it could actually work within the top-tier families,” Jean drawled. “Do you know who? Who is the source?”

I couldn’t tell her the guy’s familiar. “Security overheard parts of a call, so he sucks at his job of security. And it’s the bride’s father and the groom’s mother.”

Jean laughed. It shocked me so bad that I almost dropped the phone.

Then I saw Taylor was trying not to laugh as well, having overheard what I’d said.

“Okay, I’ve got someone laughing here too. What am I missing?” I asked.

“The groom’s mother was the first love of the head of the Hughes family,” Jean purred. “She wasn’t up to the acceptable standards for the Hughes and he was already promised out. So she got pissed and mated into a rival family is how Grandmother tells it. It was a big deal for members of the different families to marry.”

“Oh shit,” I hissed. “And now he’s doing his brother’s first love. He said ‘affair’ not like one time and she’s… Wow! Okay, well, you’re welcome.”

“Yes, thank you because this is amazing. I don’t need to deal with—thank you. Truly. I’ll remember this.”

“Good, because I’m not at war with you. I’ll let you know if I hear anything else.”

“I will do the same. Be well, Bevin.”

I honestly believed she meant it.