Bound to Earth

38: Throats Are Overrated

Once again, we settled into a routine. One of the guys had taken up the job of walking Mirai to school every morning. She insisted on walking home alone, though.

I always had to double check her backpack before she left, making sure there weren't any weapons. And on days Alistar took her, I had to double check that he left and came back with the same number of weapons on him. From the smirk on his face every morning, he didn't mind me feeling him up.

Alistar took my hand in his toying with my fingers. It was moments like these, where I could sit and relax with them, that made my day. We didn't have to do anything.

He lifted my hand to his lips, kissing my knuckles. "I know last time you said no, but things have changed so I'll ask again. Have you thought more about completing the mating bond with us?"

This drew everyone's attention, my entire body freezing. It was constantly on my mind. I'd gone my entire life dead set on never settling down, finding love. They had seen the worst of me, survived it, and still wanted to stick around.

"I don't think I could ever get married." I squeezed his hand, unsure of how any of them would react. It was still better to settle boundaries now then let them all guess.

"We don't need to get married to stay together." Brynjar spoke up, not hesitating. "This is enough, even if you didn't want to take it any further."

Valentino narrowed his eyes on me, ready to speak up but holding his tongue. It was as if he could see exactly what I was so hesitant about and why. I wouldn't be surprised if he or the others knew. It'd make my life easier, so I didn't have to say it out loud.

"I mean, I'm no longer against it. It's just—I'm not sure how to explain it." The tiniest blush heated my cheeks. It was a very intimate level they were asking of me.

Valentino's eyes widened with realization and he sucked in a breath sharp enough to catch everyone's attention. "Holy fuck. You're shitting me?" I knew exactly what he was going to say and lunged for him, knowing it wasn't the truth and trying to shut him up before he—"You're a virgin."

The words barely left his mouth and I was shoving my hands under Alistar's shirt, grabbing one of his hidden knives. With burning cheeks, I threw the blade at him. "You prick, shut up"

He laughed and dogged out of the way, the knife sinking into the wall behind him. "No fucking way."

I grabbed another knife hidden beneath Alistar's clothes. Everyone was too shocked to try and stop me or realize what was even happening. Except Alistar, who was grinning ludicrously. Mostly from my hands reaching and feeling under his clothes. "I am not a virgin."

"Liar," he sang and danced out of my range.

"I have had sex before." I had my fair share of experimenting. I never found it as exciting as everyone made it out to be. It was always dull, unsatisfying.

But if sex with them was anything like what Valentino could do with his fingers, I didn't mind finding a nearby hotel and crashing all night with the first one to volunteer.

His footsteps halted, as he tried to figure out the lie and truth. "I'm—I'm confused."

"I'm not a virgin." My cheeks were so hot, I felt light headed. "I've had sex before, just not in this form."

He stared at me in confusion, blinking. Then shock and horror crossed his features, not horror with me but himself. "You're gay. That bra I found in your room, the one too big for you, it was a past lover's."

That wasn't where I was going with this. My sexuality wasn't what I was concerned with, but now it was. I didn't have any lies to tell them and even if I did, he'd see right through them. "I'm not gay."