Eric let out a sigh of relief. Tate’s balloon was suddenly full again and he puffed up, ready to play protector—and lover, if she’d let him.
Kell wore a satisfied smile. “Good choice.”
Belle was inching closer to giving in, but he was also thankful that she was going to let them watch over her.
Something about the house had made him edgy from the first moment. He hadn’t said anything, but he’d often felt as though he wasn’t alone in a room when logic told him otherwise. Sometimes, he’d even felt someone staring. Gates said the place was haunted. Eric wasn’t a believer…but he wasn’t a disbeliever, either. Belle’s theory was that the zealot next door neighbor had caused tonight’s ruckus to scare her into leaving. Eric didn’t agree, though he didn’t know who else to blame.
“Let’s go upstairs,” Tate directed. “We’ll take care of you so you can get some sleep.”
She seemed to falter, victim of some anxiety Eric didn’t understand. They were going to watch over her and keep her safe. Wasn’t that what she wanted?
“I don’t want to sleep,” she confessed, her voice breathy.
Eric felt as if a boulder had hit his chest—and liquid flame filled his cock. Holy shit, that really did sound like she wanted sex.
“Hot damn!” Tate grinned and lifted Belle off her feet. “You won’t regret this. We’re going to make you feel so good, baby.”
“Stop for a minute,” Eric insisted. “Put her down.”
They all needed to slow down before they made the same mistake they had in Dallas by jumping in with both feet and not talking the situation through. They’d been so happy to have Belle naked and seemingly willing that they hadn’t thought through the ramifications. Her statement just now could be taken in more than one context. No way could they leave any gray area or room for interpretation.
“Why should I do that?” Tate demanded, but he complied, though with obvious reluctance.
“Belle, what exactly are you asking for?”
She bowed her head slightly, as if she wasn’t quite sure she could or should answer. “I want you all to be with me.”
That wasn’t a precise answer. They couldn’t move forward until he knew the truth.
Kellan’s eyes narrowed. Obviously, he wasn’t happy with her reply either. “You don’t have to sleep alone, Belle. We’ll all get pallets made up. One of us will sleep in the bed with you, if you want. Or we can stay up and talk, take your mind off your fears until you’re ready for a good night’s sleep.”
“That sounds horrible,” Tate complained.
Eric saw Kellan’s tactic immediately, and was glad the two of them were on the same page with making Belle state her wants explicitly.
“But you’ll survive, Tate,” Eric promised, sending him a glare that demanded he get on board.
With a long, unhappy sigh, his big buddy put her down.
If Belle wanted to be held or kissed…or more, she would have to ask for it. Eric wouldn’t take advantage of her vulnerability or give her any reason to wake up tomorrow and blame them for whatever happened.
Eric led an oddly quiet Belle toward his room on the second floor. Tate followed. Kell said he’d gather extra bedding and meet them back in the bedroom. Still she didn’t speak up. Either she’d meant what she’d said literally and they were in for a hard night, or she was being a coward. He hoped they had some ibuprofen in the house for the inevitable backache he would have tomorrow. Nothing would relieve the ache in his cock. He doubted he would get a minute’s sleep knowing Belle was so close and he couldn’t have her.
When he led Belle into the bedroom, Tate prowled in as well, frowning with all the happiness of a thundercloud.
Eric put a hand on his best friend’s chest, stopping him. “Don’t look at me like I took your favorite toy away.”
“You totally did. I didn’t even get to play with it.”
Sometimes he was far too literal. “What has Kellan been trying to teach us?”
Tate sighed. They’d been going to BDSM clubs with Kell for years, but had only recently gotten serious about topping when they realized Belle would likely be submissive in the bedroom. What they’d learned since was about far more than what flogger to use. Instead, Kellan had tried to teach them the value of communication.
“Damn it. Why can’t we just fuck?” Tate put a hand up. “Don’t say anything. I know the answer. If she wants sex, she needs to ask for it.”
Kellan came in and dropped an armful of bedding on the floor, then slapped Tate on the back. “Ah, he learns.”
“He learns that he’s likely going to remain horny and lonely. Sometimes, D/s sucks.” Tate grumbled. “Vanilla guys just get to fall on the woman they want and enjoy her.”