Between Feather and Fur (Gryphon Melds #1) Read Free Page B

would struggle to keep their hands off her, until she was ready. There was also much to learn about their new mate.
    As painful as it was, they pulled away. “We have to take care of her needs, and then figure out how we’re going to make her stay.”
    Ben nodded, knowing the reluctance of his friend to move away from their ‘one’.
    “Let her rest and we’ll fix a feast, for when she wakes. Then, we’ll see how much we can get her to tell us. If she won’t, we’ll go digging.”
    Ben knew digging meant a complete background check. Not that it mattered who she was, the important thing was she was theirs, the rest they could deal with.
    “Good plan.”
    “Yup, you’re not the only evil genius, plan maker around here.”
    Their eyes locked, both grinning like idiots. Inadvertently, their gaze slid back to their one. Ben held up his hand and Steve high-fived him. They had her, now all they needed to do is convince her to stay, forever.
* * * *
    The combination of light filtering through the window and her growling stomach brought her slowly back to awareness. She reached up, rubbing her eyes before opening them. She blinked up at a white celling, with small inset modern light fixtures. She rolled to her side on the soft bed, glancing around, the spars furniture, a plush white couch, small table and side tables. Large framed art hung on the walls, most were black and white impressions of city streets.
    Where the heck am I? She bolted up at a soft knock at the door to the left of the room. A sudden panic swelled in her chest with the door knob twisting and opening a fraction.
    “Arial?” Sandy blonde hair appeared, followed by concerned, golden hazel eyes, set in a handsome face, with a gorgeous chiselled jaw and smile which could melt ice in the artic. His gaze met hers. “Hey, you’re awake.” He smiled and shoved open the door, striding right up to the bed.
    “Are you alright?”
    “I, uh, yes.” It all flooded back, she passed out on these men last night. Her cheeks flooded with warmth. “I’m sorry for all the trouble.”
    “Oh, no, don’t start that. Trouble...” He leaned down and touched her nose, with the tip of his finger. “...you’re not. So do you like it?”
    Her brow scrunched in puzzlement. “Like what?”
    “Your room.” He swept his hand around. “You can of course change anything you don’t like.”
    “My room?”
    He shook his sandy-haired head. “Room to share.   Remember? Ben and I decided we like you and want you to stay and share this big ol’ place with us. Work keeps us out most the time, it’d be nice to have someone enjoy it more than we can
    “You want me to stay, even if I, uh, fainted last night.”
    “Of course” His smile never wavered. “You were dead tired no doubt. Ben’s been in the kitchen cooking. Your bathroom is there.” He grabbed her blanket and pulled it back, before grabbing her hand and tugging her up and off the bed, gently steering her to the second door in the room. “Hurry up, he’s eager to try out his cooking skills on someone other than me.”
    “Wait my bag?”
    He moved away to pick up the duffle bag and hand it to her. She clutched it to her chest; they stared at each other for a moment. He looked her up and down, studying her, his gaze drifting downwards.
    Insecurity gripped her, still uncertain. “You really want me to stay?”
    Steve nodded. “We’ll talk about the arrangement once you’re out of the shower and have eaten. Okay, now go.” Feeling like it was more a command, she hurried into the bathroom.
    A little bewildered, she glanced and caught her reflection in the mirror; her eyes widened in horror at the state of her hair and crumpled clothing, after sleeping in them last night.
    Oh, god, she looked worse than a transient. Carl would be yelling at her by now, his disappointed glare making her insides turn and feel worse than the dirt under his feet.
    No, I won’t think of that now, put it behind me. I have worth; I