Why am I here? I shouldn't be here for this. I don't want to be. Do I?

  My gaze travels from Jamie who raises an eyebrow, and Ellis who's staring at me with so much longing it physically hurts. I don't know what he sees in my face, but he jerks his head in a determined nod. "Anything. I'll take the help. Thank you, Jamie."

  "You're welcome," Jamie replies and wraps an arm around me. "Ready to go back to Blue? Your phone hasn't stopped ringing for the past five minutes."

  Shoot! Jumping from my chair, I shuffle to my phone and see Cassidy and Mom have been trying to get ahold of me. They're going to have so many questions...

  Twenty-Two

  JAMIE

  Our drive back to Detroit is coming to an end. While I'm excited to be back in my own space, I'm nervous about the changes coming. Our unknown future makes me nervous and a bit more possessive than normal.

  Which is probably why I've already decided Violet's coming to stay with me tonight instead of back at her apartment. It doesn't help that she's been crying on and off during the car ride. Leaving her mom after everything that's happened recently has made her emotional.

  Holding her thigh isn't enough. I need to comfort her and hold her. Violet's hurting, and being stuck in the driver's seat is far too much of a divide.

  Glancing over at my girl, I watch the slow rise and fall of her chest as she dozes against the window. I've soothed her right back to sleep each time she's jolted awake. It's late, plus she's still healing. I know she struggled to leave Blue and her family, but I wish I could have gotten her home sooner.

  The city lights highlight her messy hair and slightly parted lips. She's fucking beautiful after an evening of traveling and crying. I don't love the swollen spaces beneath her eyes—they remind me how much she needs a hug.

  I'm gonna snuggle the shit out of her in about fifteen minutes. That is, if she lets me. Who am I kidding? I'll love her until she gives in and realizes it's a better idea to sleep in my bed with me than alone in her sad apartment.

  When I convince her to move in with me, I'm going to demand she buy all the decorations she wants. Her room is fucking ridiculous. Someone so full of life shouldn't live in such a depressing fucking room.

  Forcing myself to take a deep breath, I calm my anger at the injustices my woman has faced. She's been struggling for so long. Though I can't fix everything, I still feel a sense of responsibility. I should have pushed her harder to open up. If I had, she could have been happier a long time ago.

  "Jamie." I jump and glance over at Violet, who's glaring out the windshield. "Why am I looking at your apartment and not mine?"

  Willing my heart to slow down, I take another breath. Jesus, I'm on edge. "You're spending the night with me, my love."

  I feel her glare move from the building to the side of my face. "I think the proper thing to do is ask."

  "Sheesh, you woke up grumpy." Maybe I should bite my tongue, but the fastest way to get Violet on board is to push her all the way so we get the fight out of her system.

  "Jamie freaking Murphy," she growls, slapping my arm as I pull into a parking spot.

  Turning to her with the car in park, I give her my full attention. "Yes, my love?"

  Her eyes narrow, and her seatbelt stays firmly locked in position. She's not going to leave the car unless I convince her it's okay for me to take care of her. Jaw clenching, brain working overtime, I know I need to jump in before she hurts herself trying to come up with an excuse for me to bring her home.

  "Violet," I murmur, reaching forward to tuck my hand around her neck. My thumb rubs softly along her jaw, and slowly but surely, she melts. "I need you with me, please. You may not need me right now, but I'm fucking shaking with the need to take care of you. Please?"

  Her eyes soften so fast the breath gets stolen from my lungs. I'm proud as hell of myself and her when I don't detect defeat in her posture, just pure sleepiness and submission.

  "Okay," she whispers and leans her head into my palm. "Just tonight, though."

  I snort quietly and unclip her buckle with my other hand. "We'll see."

  Self-control is bullshit. Honestly, I wish it didn't fucking exist or wasn't required in many situations. Like right now, my woman is getting ready for bed with the fucking bathroom door closed. That shit should be open, and I should be helping her.

  Instead, I'm sitting here like a dumbass waiting for Violet to shuffle her way back to me. Christ, she shouldn't be straining her ankle so much. Logically, I know it's mostly healed, but I want her on my bed, under my blankets. Warm, happy, safe, and healing.

  Just as I'm about to say fuck it and bust the door down, Violet swings the bathroom door open with purpose. She doesn't move from the doorway. Cocking her hip, she crosses her arms and stares me down.

  I'll admit, worry fills me, but I play off the feeling by leaning back on my elbows with my thighs spread. Only in a pair of loose boxers and flexing my abs, I hope I'll get out of whatever is about to happen.

  While her eyes do heat and she licks her plump lips, she stomps her foot a little. Her bad one.

  "Be careful," I snap, sitting back up, ready to snatch her and tuck her in with a pack of ice for her ankle or some shit.

  She ignores my demand and glares at me. "Why is there an extra toothbrush by yours?"

  "It's yours," I reply without skipping a beat.

  Violet shakes her head. "It's not. Whose is it?"

  I know what she's thinking, and it hurts my heart to see her so vulnerable right now. "The only reason you think it isn't yours is because the bristles aren't smushed to shit. It's new. I put it there for you so maybe you'd get the hint that I want you here long enough to brush your teeth every day."

  Her sassy hips shift until she's standing straight before her arms fall to her side. "Oh..." she murmurs, a blush rising on her cheeks.

  Unable to help myself, I glance down to see the blush dipping between her breasts. In a tight little tank top and cotton purple panties, Violet looks like she needs some direction.

  "Come here, love." Beckoning her to me, I hold out my hand and spread my thighs so she can step between them. She only hesitates for a second before pressing herself against me. "And up," I rumble, guiding her legs to straddle me.

  She does so willingly. The openness of her legs and facial expression make my dick hard and my heart pound. "You bought me a toothbrush for your bathroom," she mutters, sounding like she's still trying to figure me out.

  "I did," I say and press a gentle kiss above her left breast. Right where her beautiful heart beats.

  "And...you love me." Her long eyelashes cradle the tears she's trying to hold in. I hear her words and understand them for what they are.

  My sweet girl needs some reassurance. "And I love you," I confirm with a kiss on the front of her throat. She trembles slightly and gives me more of her weight.

  "I love you too," she whimpers and to my delight, starts swiveling her hips.

  My attention shifts to my raging hard on. Gripping her hips, I lift my head away from her heated skin and grit my teeth. "You keep doing that and this won't just be an innocent sleepover, V."

  A burst of giggles erupts from her, startling me and bringing a smile to my face. "When the hell do we ever have an innocent sleepover? Get your dick out, Jamie."

  "Who's in charge here?" I say with warning all the while doing as she says.

  Blonde and purple hair fanning around her bare shoulders, Violet grins and reaches between us. Her hot little hand grips my bare cock and pumps it far too gently to be more than a tease.

  "Me?" She bats her eyelashes at me. "I think it's my turn to use you. Don't you think I deserve some playtime of my own?"

  Fucking hell. What the fuck? She's so damn sexy and the words dripping out of her lusty mouth test my control. "Violet."

  Her bottom lip pops out like she's innocent and sweet, but I can see the horny goddess beneath bending me to her will. "Please?"

  "Fuck. Yes. Fuck yourself on me, my love." I groan before moving my hand around her ass. Reaching further, I find her hot pussy from behind and pull her panties to the side. "Sit on my fucking cock."

  She tsks at me and playfully nips at my lip. "I'll be doing more than that," she replies. Her voice turns into a blissed out sigh as she sinks onto my throbbing erection.

  "Jesus. Shit. Fuck," I grit out, dropping my head onto her shoulder.

  If Violet wants to use me for her pleasure, there's no way I'll deny her. Her slippery cunt glides up and down at a pace that I know will get her to that peak she craves at least once. Whimpers and breathy sighs accompany the wet sounds of our bodies coming together.

  I refuse to lose the battle to the pressure building in my balls and pleasure making my limbs tense. This is about Violet. Her hand which held my cock minutes before now plays with her clit, helping her walls ripple and cling to me.

  "You're so fucking tight," I grunt, grabbing her full ass cheeks in my hands to help work her up and down.

  "Jamie," she whimpers. Pain zips through my scalp as she tugs my hair out of my ponytail and holds on. "I'm gonna—fuck!"

  With determination to make this first orgasm last, I take one hand and pull her top down to suck one of her pert nipples into my mouth.

  "AHH!" She bucks and screams out her release. I swear my teeth fucking tingle as her juices drip down my cock and thighs.

  My restraint diminishes the longer she clings to me, but I hold back knowing my gentle encouragement to keep going will send her crashing into another orgasm soon enough.

  "Another," Violet pleads, but she doesn't wait for my permission. Sex can be hot, sweaty, and all-consuming while being soft, full of love, and comforting at the same time.

  "Give me another, Sweets." With my mouth on her pretty tits, I savor the taste and feel of my woman.

  Twenty-Three

  VIOLET

  Once again, I'm awake before Jamie. If this continues, I know he'll start to worry, and maybe he should. The nightmares are awful, and I'm starting a trend of waking up sweating multiple times a night.

  The early morning sunlight reminds me that life is moving on while I feel stuck. No part of me wants to work this week or unpack at my apartment. Cassidy's there, and while I love living with her, I want to stay with Jamie.

  I don't feel like I can yet. Maybe it's toxic, but having my apartment as an option right now is vital for my mental health. Or it's holding me back, I don't freaking know.

  Jamie sleeps peacefully beside me as I watch him. It's not creepy because I love him. It's not.

  Keeping very still, I keep my breaths shallow. Each time he moves, I slam my eyes closed. I'm not ready to face the day because the plans I have today are tough.

  Glow up plans. When I decided to come back to Detroit, I promised myself I would face the issues and heartbreak that sent me running. Which is one of the reasons I didn't fight Jamie much on him bringing me here last night.

  Not only did I feel like I needed him, I wanted him. Just like I want to stay curled up next to him for the rest of my life. Alas, I have some trauma to figure out.

  I'm going to talk to the two men who broke my heart today, even if I throw up from worry. Not that I think they'll blame me or anything anymore, but because I'm terrified I won't know what to do.

  Will I forgive them too easily? What if I can't forgive them? If I forgive them, then what? Am I still in love with them? Can love burn out of existence immediately after heartbreak?

  And my biggest fear of all...Can I trust myself to know what to do?

  "Sweets, what's on your mind?"

  Jamie's rough voice wraps around me and pulls me from my zoned out panic. My vision clears and I see his chiseled, glorious face watching me with concern.

  His eyes flare at my obvious perusal. "As much as I love the heat in your eyes, you naughty girl, there's something on your mind that's more important than my cock."

  "What about my pussy?" I pout, wiggling closer to him beneath the sheets.

  With a soft kiss on my forehead, Jamie tucks me into his chest. "Your pussy was put first last night. Now let me take care of your worries."

  Sighing, I give in to his request. "I need to talk to them."

  Jamie's quiet in response to my declaration only heightening the tension in the room. Tingles race across my bare arm as he tickles me, helping me relax back into my pillow. The muscles in my neck loosen just a smidge, but it's enough to make me feel like I'm not in fight-or-flight mode.

  "I'm scared, Jamie..." I whisper. My eyes feel heavy, but tears don't build. "I don't know how I'm going to react. What if..." Groaning, I cover my face, not wanting to start rambling about the what ifs right now.

  "Hmm, what are a few of the main what ifs you're stuck on? Let's start there," Jamie encourages, continuing his soft touch.

  "What if I forgive them?"

  Jamie kisses my shoulder, and I take it as praise, allowing it to warm me up. "Then you forgive them."

  Turning my head, I look into his eyes to see patience and love. "You wouldn't judge me if I forgave them? You don't think Cass or Mom would be disappointed in me?"

  "I think everyone else can fuck right off with their judgment. Including me if you ever felt like I would judge you. No, my love, I'll accept and support however you go about finding your closure. But..." His sleepy face turns hard. "If you let them back into your life and your heart, I'll expect a fuck load of groveling and personal growth."

  "Have you forgiven them?" I whisper, worried about his response.

  The hand tickling my arm rises and brushes across my cheekbone. "We're a package deal, remember? No way can I forgive them if you don't."

  Sighing, I roll my eyes a bit. "That's some messed up co-dependency."

  "No," he states. "I'm not ready to forgive them until they can prove themselves worthy of it. And that starts with treating my woman properly. Now, next what if."

  The urge to roll away and avoid his intense stare weighs on me, but I hold strong. "What if I still love them?"

  "Do you?"

  So matter of fact. So pushy. "I don't know," I lie.

  "So yes. And that scares you," Jamie notices, still petting me. "That's okay, Violet. All that means is you have a big heart and you love deeply. I, for one, am honored to have my space in there, as should they."

  He just completely bulldozed over my lie and shut me right up. "I don't⁠—"

  Pressing a soft kiss to my mouth, Jamie shushes me. "You can still love them. Loving someone doesn't mean forgiving or forgetting. Those things can coexist, which is why this is so hard. I knew you still loved them by the thoughts whirling around in your mind. If you didn't, you would have sworn them to hell a while ago."

  Darn it. He's right. I love Nate and Ellis, and it fucking hurts. "I don't know who they really are," I whisper, tears blurring my vision. "How can I love them if I don't know them?"

  Jamie's lips turn down, and I wonder for a moment how deep his feelings run for them too. He opens and closes his mouth a few times before finally settling on a response. "I don't know what to say to that, my love. Love is complicated enough without heartbreak. Love without trust is hard."

  "What if I can't trust myself to make the right choices? I love two men who had a revenge plan against me. They wanted to use you. Am I a terrible person if I just let it go?" Now the questions and concerns are flowing, making my head spin and my mouth dry.

  Jamie's hands run through my matted hair and stop at the base of my skull, keeping me steady. "You've grown so much, Violet Bennett. You can trust yourself, and you want to know why? Because you've been through hell and crawled yourself out all on your own."

  "No, I didn't. I⁠—"

  "Hush," he grumbles, narrowing his eyes on mine. "You did. Nobody forced you to get back up every time. You literally fell off a fucking cliff and climbed back up all on your own. If that's not a goddamn metaphor for how strong and resilient you are, I don't know what is. I do know that if you ever question yourself, I'll be right here to help or just nod if you need the reassurance."

  "I can't ask you to always make me feel better, Jamie." That would be ridiculous.

  "Too bad, Sweets. You fell off a cliff and got your heart broken by two assholes, so get used to me hovering. I'll be stuck to you like glue." He's being serious. Oh, and he's not done. "I also feel like I should have known something was up. I feel like I fucking failed you, V, so please for the love of God, let me help."

  His words and declarations settle on my heart like a warm blanket. I get how he's feeling, so letting him take the reins with some things feels right. He needs this, and I need some support. We're both vulnerable in our own ways and so strong in others.

  "Okay. Can you ask them to come over then?"

  Jamie plants a firm kiss on my lips and says, "Of course. Go hop in the shower. I'll join you soon." When he shifts to grab his phone, I scurry away, not wanting to deal with the other two quite yet. Hopefully I'll get some before they get here.

  Twenty-Four

  NATE

  “Maybe you should pull over and I'll drive."

  "Shut it," I growl, gripping the steering wheel so hard my knuckles turn white.

  Ellis just laughs off my rudeness and turns to fully face me. "You're panicking."

  "No fucking shit." Cringing at my attitude, I force my shoulders to shake off the tension to no avail. Glancing at Ellis, I'm relieved to see amusement on his face. "I'm sorry. Fuck, this just needs to go well."

  His warm hand lands on my thigh, grounding me. "I know. It's okay. Honestly, I just don't want to die before we fucking get there. So could you please focus on driving so I can give Violet the satisfaction of killing me if that's what she desires."

  Unable to hold my laughter in, I snort. "You're so dramatic. I'll get you to your place of death, don't you worry."

  "Thank you." He beams at me as if I wasn't just being a huge douchebag. Grabbing his hand, I press a kiss to the back of it and do as he requested.

 

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