Chapter 126: Don’t Hurt Anyone Because of Me

Today was fucking exhausting. First, jet lag is an absolute hitch, and I had a million and one meetings. I couldn’t even talk to Amelia aside from a few texts. Donald assured me she was happy and they were having a good day. I felt like I would totally spoil that because I had a bitch of a headache and I was grumpy. I slammed my car door and got out without even realizing how frustrated I was.

I took a few deep breaths; I couldn’t cope with the negative energy. The cold air brought me such calm as I walked inside my house. The smell of delicious food filled my nose; the Christmas lights were still on, and the fireplace was going. I wasn't thinking about taking the lights down, but I may leave them up. Soft jazz music was playing from the media station.

Donald was standing in the kitchen, chopping something and wearing a long-sleeve compression shirt and tight dark jeans that showed off his ass and left nothing to the imagination. Amelia was lounging on the couch, flipping through a magazine and humming along to the music. I felt my chest tighten at seeing my house—not simply as I walked in. I felt lived in and that I had everything I have ever wanted. Donald looked up and smiled. I smiled back at him, forgetting all the frustration of the day.

“Hey, handsome. Dinner is almost ready,” he said, coming over and placing a kiss on my neck and then my lip.

I hummed, placing my hands on his hips and pulling him against my body. I could fucking get used to this greeting. I heard Amelia and broke the kiss just in time to watch her as she flung herself at me. She loved doing it, and I loved holding her. I shifted my hold to make sure I wasn’t hurting her.

“Hey, babe,” I said as she nuzzled my neck.

She mumbled something, but I couldn’t hear. I placed her on her feet before placing a kiss on her lips. She tasted like Donald, which was so strange for me to even consider. I pulled back and smiled at her; she looked good, happy, and glowing, and that made me smirk. They had a fun day; she took my coat off, smiling back up at me.

“Have a good day?” she asked as I removed my suit jacket, ready to be free of it.

I didn’t have to wear a suit, but as the face of the company, I found it important, especially when I was younger. So many people didn’t take me seriously in a polo and khakis, so now Justin Creed in a suit just stuck. A good day, but I am exhausted,” I replied, giving her a smile. I didn’t want to bring the negativity of my day home, not to my girl.

“Let’s get you fed, and then you can rest. I know jet lag is a bitch,” Donald said, pulling down plates and loading them with lasagna. One of my favorites.

He went to the dining room and set them down.

“Damnit, I can get used to this,” I said, kissing his neck before I took two plates and went to the table.

Amelia followed with another setting, complete with napkins and forks. I watched how she visibly winced as she sat down. Her hand dropped between her legs, and I saw the ice pack. I wanted to reach across and take the ice pack out of her mouth and take it into mine. Donald came in with a steaming plate of garlic bread and a salad. He disappeared, returning with a bottle of sparkling water and another ice pack for her before going back to the kitchen. She immediately put it between her legs, understanding me, and I laughed to myself. They must have fucked all day for her to be that sore. Her eyes met mine before darting away.

Was she shy? I knew why they had been doing it all day? I would definitely have to revisit this later, preferably when I was balls-deep inside her.

“I asked her,” changing the subject of the discussion I was having to myself. I know she likes wine.

“I am taking some pain relief, so it is best that I don’t miss it,” she said, her demeanor immediately dropping.

I owned it; I didn’t want to make her sad. I reached for her hand, and she let me take it. I was relieved she didn’t flinch away. That had killed me yesterday, and she gave a soft smile.

“I am okay. I feel as safe as I could possibly be with you two,” she said. I gave her a soft smile.

Donald came back with a bottle of wine and positioned two glasses before sitting down. We dug in and ate in silence as we savored the delicious food.

“Wow, Donald, this is the best lasagna I have ever had,” she exclaimed between bites.

“Thank you; it was the fastest thing I felt like I learned how to cook,” he said, grinning at her.

“Despite owning so many restaurants, I can barely boil water,” I mumbled. They giggled, and Donald chuckled.

“That is okay, luley. I will always cook for you from now on,” he said, tapping his knees…

I liked when any part of his body touched mine. We finished eating, laughing and talking about some of the most random shit. Eventually, she began to clear the table, and I watched her carefully; my focus immediately went to the way she favored her uninjured side. I hadn’t forgotten about the Incident. I just wanted us to enjoy a few moments together before we had to go there. When she was disappointed in the kitchen, I turned to Donald, who was studying me. The intensity of his stare told me that he knew what I was thinking.

“I was waiting for you before talking to her about it. It upsets me when I think about it. Still, I don’t want to get heated and make her jumpy; she has been doing very well today,” he said in a low tone. I could hear the water running in the sink and dishes being loaded into the dishwasher, so I knew she couldn’t hear us. I nodded silently, biting my lip.

“How many times did you guys have sex that she needed an ice pack?” I asked, actually surprised at myself for bringing it up.

It didn’t bother me; I was genuinely curious, and he tilted his head slightly, maybe unsure where my emotions were. I didn’t say anything to reassure him; he didn’t have anything to be worried about. His eyes flicked to the doorway and then back to me.

“Four or maybe five times, I think. She has a very high libido,” he said slowly, studying me.

My eyebrows raised. I knew we were both horny men, but damnit, his dick must be fucking raw.

“Wow,” I said before taking a sip of wine, and his gaze didn’t leave my face.

“What made you change the subject so abruptly?” he asked, his forehead creasing.

I thought about it. I don’t know why, but I did. I was curious, though. Being with both of them was the most sex I have had in one day, even in my twenties. I didn’t know that was possible without assistance. But they were both healthy and physically strong; those were all good things. I was about to come up with a bullshit answer because there was nothing I could say that would make him believe I was just genuinely curious and not jealous when Amelia walked back in.

“Justin, Donald and I went car shopping today,” she said, beaming.

Donald and I had discussed this at Christmas; he wanted to make sure I was okay with him buying her a car. I didn’t mind as long as she had what she needed. He was thoughtful when it came to money; we both had a lot, and we both wanted to spoil her, but it wasn’t a dick-measuring competition. I smiled at her.

“Yes, I saw the lovely beast of a car in the garage. But we need to talk before you start going on a random joyride,” I said; her smile faltered, and she nodded solemnly.

I stood up, and the sound of my chair made her flinch. I silently cursed myself. I walked over to her and lifted her into my arms and walked us to the living room. I settled on the couch with her on my lap and pulled a blanket over us. She snuggled in closer. I was grateful that she wasn’t flinching because she was afraid of us. Donald settled in next to me and draped her legs over his lap before draping one arm behind me on the couch. His closeness distracted me for a moment, but I collected myself.

“I know this isn’t something that will be easy to talk about, but we need to know everything that happened so we can keep you safe,” I said as softly as I could.

Her eyes immediately began to fill with tears, and because of her pure vulnerability, I saw on her face how young she actually was, and that made me pause. A very smart woman, beautiful and mature, but underneath all of that, she was still a young woman who was alone in the world and probably used to fighting her demons without anyone to help her. Donald reached up and softly brushed the tears that slid down her face.

She was…

“I don’t know what we can say to make you believe that we will do anything to keep you safe. Her eyes, letting the rest of her tears cascade down her cheeks, you.” She said in a whisper.

“I just don’t want you two to hurt anyone because of me.”

“You’re safe,” he said gently, and she turned her face into his hand. She closed her eyes.

Stuck With My Three Home Bases