Page 68 of Claimed

I just shifted at will for the first time!

An elated laugh bubbles out of me as Chase’s eyes grow impossibly wide. Maddox's hand tightens my hip. My human hip.

“I love you too,” I blurt out, laughing at the way Chase’s jaw just dropped open. Then I launch myself across the bed at him.

“Omph!” he grunts as I collide with his firm body, wrapping myself around him. It takes all of one second for him to snap out of his shock and hug me back.

“Cherry pie,” Chase whispers, making me chuckle at the new nickname. “You shifted.”

“I did,” I whisper back. “On purpose.”

He pulls back and clasps my face in his hands. “Because you heard me.”

A large smile covers my face as I nod happily. “Tell me again.”

It’s his turn to grin as he offers me his dazzling smile, then whispers, “I love you, Cherry Rosewood.”

“I love you, Chase Timberland.”

His smile grows even bigger before he pulls me closer and kisses me. My fingers find his bare chest, and I close my eyes, letting him take control. It’s soft and gentle and leaves me hoping it will never end.

Eventually, he pulls back, giving me a final peck on the nose before tucking my head under his chin and hugging me close.

I wish I wasn’t so sore from Bain’s monster cock. Otherwise, I’d be eager to strip him down and straddle him.

Chase bursts out laughing, and I pull back a little to glance up at him. “Monster cock, hmm?” he asks as he chuckles.

“You heard that?” I gasp in shock.

“You spoke through the bond,” Maddox tells me.

“Oh my god!” I say, burying my face in Chase’s chest. “I didn't know!”

“Don’t worry, sweetheart,” Maddox tells me. “We can teach you how to shield and how to speak to specific people.”

“Thank you,” I whisper from where my face is still buried in Chase’s chest.

“I’d prefer we don’t,” Chase says, sounding amused. “I rather like hearing everything she’s thinking.”

“Rude,” I whisper, and he laughs, squeezing me a little tighter. So tight it almost hurts.

“Ease up, you’re holding her too tight,” Bain growls out, and I glance over my shoulder at him.

“You can feel that?”

He nods. “Now we’ve bonded, I can sense your emotions.”

Really? I had no idea mates could do that. I take a second to see if I can feel how he’s feeling. It takes me a moment to feel inside and the jumble of emotions there, unsure which ones are mine, and which are his and Maddox’s. I feel love, pride, and happiness swirling together, and I glance at Maddox, realizing that’s him I feel.

I search again and find amusement, love, and worry. Bain.

“I can feel both of you!” I say in surprise.

Maddox smiles as he explains, “It might be harder for you, having multiple mates will mean multiple emotions to sift through.” He reaches out and squeezes my knee. “But don’t worry, we’ll figure it out.”

“I vote we go eat breakfast,” Hunter says as he climbs off the bed. “I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m starving.”

I start to let go of Chase, but that’s when I realize, “I’m naked!”