I braid my hair and put on some lip gloss and mascara. I stand in front of the mirror for a second and take my body in. Little hickeys mark my breasts and a few small bruises dot my hips. I run my finger along one. It’s small and I can tell their fingers caused it. I don’t remember them happening, nor does it hurt, but I like seeing them there. I lean forward, looking at my swollen lips that are well loved and I blush. I’d never been kissed before, but Dean and Wes made up for lost time just last night. The evidence is all over my mouth and I wonder if people will notice.
I find a pair of jeans and pause when I see the insides of my thighs. Heat floods my core when I see little marks all over the soft skin there, too. Holy crap, they were really making sure I’d remember our night together. It’s branded all over my body. I smile because I don’t care if it’s overly caveman and possessive. I want that.
I grab my white work polo with the team’s logo on it. I decide to wear sneakers because I’m not sure what my day will consist of. I’m a physical therapist, so I don’t think they expect me to show up in slacks or a dress. I’m thinking casual but put together is best. I know I’m going to be on my feet a lot, but maybe not at first with it now being off season. I’m not sure what all I’ll be doing until they are back.
Heading out, I glance over at the guys’ door. I would hear them if they were back already because they would be yelling my name. I snort at the thought as I hit the elevator button and pull my phone out of my purse. Maybe I should send my men a text. Thinking of them as mine makes butterflies dance in my belly.
I was surprised they would slip out without waking me. I was in such a rush I hadn’t given it a ton of thought until now. After what we shared, what could be so important that they had to rush out? Maybe I didn’t mean as much to them as I thought.
I push that thought from my head. That isn’t possible. Not after the way they touched my body. The things they said and did to me. I may not have known Wes and Dean for long, but I know they would never hurt me. I can feel that to my core.
Unlocking my phone, I step onto the elevator. Something must have happened, and worry takes root. There is no other reason. I see I have a few missed calls from my dad and a few texts from my friend Mindi from back in New York. We lived in the same building and went to the same high school. She got married a few years ago and we still keep in contact mainly through text these days. We have gone in different directions in life.
She wasn’t like most of the other girls I’d gone to school with. There wasn’t a snotty bone in her whole body. I often escaped to her place when my mother was entertaining and I needed to get away. Her home was always a safe haven and her parents were sweet, too.
I’m disappointed when I don’t see anything from Dean or Wes, but then I remember I don’t have their numbers and they don’t have mine. Crap. I guess I missed that during the sex and them stalking me. I snort at my recap of our relationship so far.
Relationship.
The one word bounces around in my head. We are in a relationship, right? They said they’ve been waiting for the one and believe I’m it. This feels like more than boyfriend and girlfriend territory. Well, at least to me, but what do I know? This is my first relationship.
I go to call my dad back, thinking maybe he has Dean’s or Wes’s number. Another text from Mindi lights up across my screen.
Mindi: You gave your cherry to two men?!
What. The. Fuck.
How could she know that? It wasn’t even hours ago that this happened. No one should know. My heart starts to pound. Oh god. If she knows, that means that video of the guy filming at the restaurant last night must have been leaked or something. There is no other way. Another text fills the screen.
Mindi: Answer me, brat face!
I click her messages. I see link after link of articles with my name, along with Wes’s and Dean’s. I click one as the elevator doors slide open. The article starts to load as I walk out of the building. I freeze when I hear my name being shouted from every direction. I look up to see paparazzi everywhere. People shove microphones in my face and shout questions. I freeze, unsure of what to do.