“It’s safer this way.” He kissed the top of her head.
They didn’t say anything for a long time, both lost in their tight embrace. They simply enjoyed the warmth of the other’s body. Seth inhaled the sweet scent of Amelia’s skin while her fingers drew small circles on his chest. They knew they had to pull away eventually, but neither of them had the courage to do it just yet.
“So, what do we do?” asked Amelia.
“I don’t know… I guess I’ll have to visit Blake more often.”
“We won’t be alone…”
“At least I’ll get to hold you.”
“And Blake won’t mind…?”
Seth furrowed his brows and held Amelia at arm’s length so he could see her eyes. “Why would he mind?”
“She… why would she mind?” She wasn’t sure what had gotten into her or why she was bringing this up, but once she started, she couldn’t stop. After all, it had been something that had tortured her thoughts for days. “Have you honestly never thought about it? That she’s a woman, a woman who likes men… She grew up with you and Aaron, the only guys her age who knew her secret.”
“Are you saying Blake might have like… a crush on me?” Seth struggled not to laugh at the blush spreading across Amelia’s face and neck.
“Not now, but maybe in the past? I don’t know… it’s possible.”
“Oh, you’re so cute when you’re jealous!” He pulled her back against his chest and squeezed the life out of her.
“I’m not jealous! I’m just concerned about Blake. I don’t want us to make her feel uncomfortable.”
“Believe me, Blake never had a crush on anyone.”
“How do you know that? You know it’s insensitive of you to dismiss it like this…”
“Well, has she told you anything?”
“No…”
“There ya’ go!”
“It doesn’t mean that…”
Seth looked into her eyes again. “Baby, trust me. I know Blake better than anyone. She’s always been like a little sister to me, and she’s always seen me as a brother. Aaron too. Anyway, Elena and Aaron discovered they were mates the second they hit puberty, and they’ve been inseparable ever since. Blake never showed a real interest in any guy in the clan, although we often talked about this girl or that boy, and later this woman, or that man… We’d joke around, rate them from 1 to 10 like the stupid teenagers that we were, then she would go back to her books. There, I’m even talking about Blake with “she” now, just to show you that, yes, I am perfectly aware of who she is. If she had ever looked at me differently, then I might have considered starting something… although that would’ve been a very bad idea.”
Amelia’s heart jumped at the thought, but she immediately realized it didn’t bother her. She cared about both of them too much to feel jealous of Blake. No, she hadn’t lied. She hadn’t brought this up because of jealousy, but because she genuinely
didn’t want to hurt Blake’s feelings in any way. She had to take all precautions, cover all grounds. Their situation was weird enough as it was.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “It’s just that last night a saw a new side of her… She’s tough, and amazing, and… oh my God!… she has five tails, but she’s also insecure and scared. She’s lost so much…”
“… and gained a lot. She made her choice, Amelia, and she knew the consequences. Never pity her, that’s the last thing she needs.”
“I won’t! But I will worry…”
“Well, that’s something you’ll have to learn how to live with. I worry about her all the time, so do Roman, Aaron and Elena. But she doesn’t need to know that. The path she’s chosen is not an easy one, but she’ll make it to the end. You’ll see.”
Amelia nodded and pressed her body against his one last time before building up the courage to go back to the mansion.
CHAPTER THREE
The Blackmanes’ Trial
The month of August passed with no incidents, which was great in what their plan was concerned, but not so pleasant for Amelia and Seth. They spent time together almost every day, but always in the presence of Blake, Elena, or Aaron. They never dared do much than hold hands and steal a kiss or two when they thought no one was watching. Some days, it was enough. Other days, their lust boiled so close to the surface that they could barely hold themselves back. It was torture. Because there was simply so much they could take, they ended up at Seth’s cabin without even remembering quite well how.