“Why did you go out into the woods tonight?” he asked her as he opened up an antiseptic wipe to clean out the large scrapes and some blood from th
e wound.
“I wasn’t planning on it, but as I sat on the bench, my mind wandering over too many crazy things, I felt compelled to go for a nice long walk. To clear my head.”
He leaned forward and kissed her good shoulder as they locked gazes through the mirror’s reflection.
“No more walking in the woods, day or night. Those guys were bad, baby. They could have—” He stopped and took a deep breath and released it. She turned her head sideways to look at him, and he leaned forward to kiss her lips. When she reached up to hold his face between her hands as they kissed, he knew she was feeling the full power of the attraction. He was hoping that he was gaining her trust. He would never fail her. She needed him and his brothers’ protection and love.
He pulled her into his arms, lifted her up, and placed her ass on the vanity.
They battled for control of the kiss as she entwined her arms around his shoulders and pressed her breasts against his chest. His hands maneuvered everywhere. Her breasts, her bare back, and her waist, then to her cheeks as he kissed her deeply.
He released her lips and spoke against them, holding her gaze.
“I’ll always protect you. Do you trust me, Lucia?” She nodded her head. “Do you want me like I want you? Like my brothers want you?” he asked.
She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth, and she nodded her head.
“I need slow,” she whispered.
He gently kissed her lips then her chin, her neck and shoulder, then back to her lips again.
“Is this slow enough?” he asked and she smiled as she squeezed his shoulders.
The sound of someone banging on the door outside alerted them to the arrival of his brothers.
“They’re here, baby, and their concern will be just as great as mine was.”
She nodded her head and then reached for the sweater. He shook his head.
“Leave it off. I want them to see it and make sure I cleaned it out good enough. Salvatore knows more about being a medic than I ever did.” He gave her a wink and headed out of the room.
* * * *
Salvatore walked into the bathroom, his eyes zeroing in on Lucia facing the mirror with only a white lace bra and her jeans on, a bad, bloody scratch on her shoulder that appeared to be bruising.
“Jesus,” he exclaimed and locked gazes with her through the reflection in the mirror. His arm went around her waist and he kissed her good shoulder. “Are you okay, sweetie?” he asked. She nodded her head. He could hear her heart pounding. Hell, his was, too, she looked so damn sexy.
“Lucia?” Maxwell said her name, and then Salvatore grabbed the first-aid kit.
“Let’s go into the bedroom where there’s more room.” He took her hand, and she walked with him toward the bed.
Maxwell cupped her cheek and stared down into her eyes. “We were so worried about you. Gabriele beat the crap out of those guys, and Wyatt and the deputies are going after the other ones. They’re wanted for numerous robberies and assaults across three counties,” he informed her.
“They could have killed me?” she asked.
“Don’t think about it. Gabriele was there to save you. We told you that we would protect you always. But for us to do that, you need us with you all the time. Do you understand?” Maxwell asked her. She nodded her head, and his eyes roamed over her bodice before he leaned down and kissed her.
Lucifer sat on the bed next to her. He took her hand into his and brought it to his lips while Salvatore bandaged her shoulder.
“We can’t be apart from you like this. Worrying, wondering if you’re okay and safe. We need to make some changes, Lucia,” Lucifer told her, and she nodded her head as he kissed her. Salvatore finished up and leaned down and kissed her shoulder.
Lucifer moved her to her back and stared down into her eyes.
“We know that it’s going to be difficult to let us love you and touch you intimately. But, baby, the moment we found out that you were in trouble and that you got hurt, it scared the crap out of us. What if Gabriele wasn’t there? What if the Anderses weren’t and no one heard your screams? God, baby, we are your guardians and you need to trust us, let us care for you, protect you, and love you. You have to, because I can’t take not being with you. I can’t handle wondering if you’re safe. I want you in my arms and in our bed where we can love you and show you how real men treat their woman.”
“I want that too. I know you’re worried and that you’re all scared just like I am. But I realized in that woods, when those bad men were taunting me and they had bad intentions, that I might miss out on having you. I realized that all four of you make me feel safe and loved, which I never experienced before. So why run from it? Why not embrace it? God, Lucifer, Maxwell, Gabriele, and Salvatore, I need you. Please. Make me feel whole and beautiful again. Please,” she begged.