Page 145 of May: Bloom & Bane

This is exactly what she asked for. Now move. Get closer to the bed.

My legs barely cooperate, but somehow I manage to stumble the few steps to the edge of the mattress.

Eden gets up on her knees, her eyes tracking every movement.

“How long have you been awake?”

A small smile curves her lips. “Long enough.”

Her gaze drops to where our hands are working in tandem.

“I really like this,” she says. “Seeing both halves of my mate get along.”

Told you, he growls triumphantly. Wait until she finds out you wanted to split us.

Don’t you dare! I snarl.

Why not? His pace increases. She should know how you really feel about me. About us.

That’s not… I was scared, I whisper.

You threatened to rip me out of our body, he says coldly. Pretty sure that’s relevant. Let’s tell her right now, together.

Please, I beg. Ashán, please don’t.

Don’t what? He squeezes harder. Don’t tell our mate the truth? That you wanted to cut me out? Wanted to keep her all to yourself?

I didn’t mean it, I whisper.

Then tell me, he demands. Tell me we can do this again.

This is— I gasp as his grip tightens. This is different⁠—

How? He challenges. How is this different from anything else we do together? We share her body. Why not share our own?

Because it’s⁠—

Because it’s uncomfortable? Too intimate? Makes you realize how much you actually need me?

Stop! I hiss.

NO! His fingers squeeze harder, and my knot swells fuller against my palm. Not until you say we can do this again.

Let go of me, I groan inside our mind. This is over now. Eden’s awake.

The same Eden who asked us to come closer so she could watch? He says sarcastically.

Yes.

Perfect, he says. Let’s ask her.

“Eden, does it bother you? Watching us like this?”

She shakes her head as she bites her lower lip.

See? Ashán purrs. You’re just looking for an excuse to run away from this.

I’m not, I insist.