Page 43 of Speechless
Theo shook his head. “Right now, that doesn’t matter.”
“Why not?”
“Because we don’t want whatwewant to influence your choices,”Brooks said. “We have our own versions of this list. Fill yours out. Then we’ll compare and go from there.”
Something about that settled me. This wasn’t a list of demands—it was a curiosity. Something to explore. But…
The question I’d been about to ask froze on my tongue. I was going to ask if they would still let me move in if I didn’t want it. But even asking that felt like a lie.
I couldn’t say that I wasn’t interested. Not only because of Element, but because what I’d said that nightwastrue. I’d always imagined a relationship outside of the ‘normal.’ Had always wondered what it would be like to have someone take the load off my shoulders and just let me breathe.
That was what they were offering, and though I was still nervous as hell, I’d already told them I wanted them. We all loved this. I owed it to myself to see what it could be like instead of stopping something before it had the chance to blossom.
Isolde and Ocean would give me a hard time before being over the moon.
Actually, the last time we’d gone through a form like this, Isolde had been on the other side of the country. Now we were here, and I felt like going through it with them. Possibly with the addition of Rowan’s chocolates.
Still, the anxiety of not wanting to get it wrong rose up. “What happens if there’s something you guys want that I don’t, or the reverse?”
“Then we'll talk about it,” Brooks said. “But I don’t see that happening.”
“You don’t know. I could be a total freak, and you have no idea.”
“Baby, I already know you’re a freak, and you’re exactly my type of freak.” His grin made my stomach flip.
“How long do I have?”
“There’s no time limit. Take whatever time you need to think about it.” Logan held out his hand. “Can we put our numbers in your phone?”
“Please.” I unlocked it and gave it to him, my eyes still on the list.
I looked through the first couple of pages while they passed my phone around and entered their numbers. When Bastian handed it back, it was open to a group chat with the four of them, texting them so they also had my number.
Sitting nestled between them felt so natural. Like we’d been doing it forever. “By the way, I know Liz suggested it, but I really don’t have to move in here. I’m sure my apartment is fine. I just need to get it cleaned up and make a report tomorrow.”
Brooks frowned. “Get it cleaned up?”
“Yeah,” I sighed. “I didn’t go all the way inside, but I think I’ll probably need a new couch. I’m a shit seamstress and there’s no way I’msewing up that many cushions.” All four of them were silent, staring at me. “What?”
“When you said your apartment was broken into, I thought you meant the lock on your door or window was broken and some things were missing. Are you saying your apartment was ransacked?” Theo asked.
Nerves danced along my spine. “Yeah. Lots of things were broken, and it was quiet, but I didn’t want to risk them still being inside. I knew I had bad luck, but this tops the list.”
Bastian growled, low and dark. “You said they took your spare keys?”
“Yeah.”
“Then you’re moving in,” he said.
“Maybe.”
He turned his face like he might kiss me again. “No maybe. You are moving in.”
I bristled, lifting the papers. “I might be okay with this, but I’m not okay with orders I have no say in.”
“You were attacked. And now that person has access to everything you do. Locks need to be changed at both your and Cecil’s houses. You won’t be safe.”
“I didn’t know you could talk that much.”
