Because of Them

Chapter 14

"Does it bother you that you have to stay here with me?" Winnie asked Lex the next day. Wilder and Christian were getting ready to leave.

"Not at all, baby. I have the most important job in the world, and that's protecting you," he said sincerely. He pulled the blanket higher over her shoulders and she sighed.

She sat up abruptly, startling Lex.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"I just remembered something about the night I escaped. I need to tell them. Where are they?"

"Right here," Wilder said, scooping her up and onto his own lap. "What did you remember?"

She looked at Christian who sat in the chair by the couch.

"Someone helped me that night. They left my chain unlocked," Winnie said. "I don't know who, but-"

"I have a suspicion. Someone was giving me information way too easily while I was there," Wilder muttered to Christian who nodded.

He squeezed Winnie tight. She rubbed his back.

"We're going to miss you," she said into his chest. "Please be safe."

"I doubt Lex will miss us. He'll get you all to himself."

Lex slapped his shoulder.

Christian stood, reaching for her. "My turn."

She giggled as she was scooped up once more.

"We're going to be very careful this time," Christian promised. "How are you feeling? Are you upset like last time we left?"

She took a moment to reflect on her body. Her heart was fluttering, but that was because she was happy and felt loved, not because she was anxious. She was relaxed.

"I'm okay today," Winnie said honestly.

"Such a good girl for us," he praised, nuzzling her cheek like he always did. She smiled. "Want to do me a favor?"

She nodded. She'd do anything he'd ask.

"Hold onto this for me until I get back," he whispered, his breath fanning over her lips. Her eyes fluttered and her heart thudded softly against her chest.

He pressed his lips to hers very gently, just a little brush, but she felt it from her head to her toes. A warm, tingly sensation buzzed throughout her whole body like a high she never wanted to come down from.

His lips grazed her cheek, and she turned into his neck to hide her flushed cheeks.

"Fuck," Wilder mumbled, glancing at Lex. He expected to be jealous, or even unfazed by Winnie and Christian, but he didn't expect to enjoy it. But, he seemed to enjoy anything Winnie did.

Wilder didn't need her becoming overwhelmed, so he didn't ask her for a kiss of his own even though he desperately wanted one.

"We should go," Christian told him.

Winnie looked up from her hiding spot. She looked so pretty with a blush, so much different than her normal embarrassed one that she didn't need to have.

Winnie stood so Christian could.

"Don't you have one for me, too?" she asked Wilder so sweetly that he was unable to resist.

He bent his head. He had to reach real low to get to her lips from his height.

Kissing Wilder was different. He was rougher, and he applied more pressure. It made her toes curl at the heat that rushed through her.

"Be good for Lex," he told her, giving her one last peck.

"I will," she promised, walking them to the door. It was painful watching them go. Lex pressed against her back and she turned into him once their wolves disappeared into the treeline.

"Someone owes me a kiss," Lex smiled. "We should bake every possible dessert."

"Every kind?" she asked as he pressed his mouth to hers. She reached up, tangling her fingers in the hair at the nape of his neck. She made a cute noise that he ate right up.

He hummed, acknowledging her words.

"We got something for you," he said giving her another peck.

He pulled away with a sigh and she followed him up to the office. He opened one of the drawers in Christian's desk, pulling out a neatly wrapped package with a bow.

"For me?" she mumbled, taking it into her hands. There was a note im Christian's lovely handwriting tucked underneath the ribbon.

For our girl. Don't let Lex make a mess in the kitchen. Save something good for us for when we get back. Love, Christian.

She smiled, gently pulling at the flaps without tearing the nice paper. She couldn't remember ever opening a gift like this. She felt giddy just from being thought of. There could be a rock in the package and she wouldn't care. She would cherish it forever.

Once the paper was gone, she realized she had a book for baking. She flipped through the pages, realizing it was full of recipes. She didn't even know such a thing existed.

"Thank you," she told Lex, hugging the book to her chest. "We have to try all of them."

Lex chuckled. "I like the way you think, baby. That's why we stocked the fridge and pantry."