Between Feather and Fur (Gryphon Melds #1) by Angela Castle Read Free Book Online Page A

mermaid, relax, they are going to love you.”
    She clutched at Steve’s arms like an octopus dipped in liquid nitrogen. Ben gently pried one of her hands away and held it firmly as they walked towards the large house. Despite them telling her stories of how loving and kind their parents were, it didn’t help settle her nerves.
    “Our mums have been chafing at the bit to meet you. I get texts nearly every day.” Steve patted her clenching hand and he didn’t complain she could be cutting off his circulation.
    “Remember what the therapist always tells us.”
    “Emotions lie; rely in what is real and what are true facts.” She parroted. It rang true—three weeks of therapy, twice a week. Ben and Steve insisted on sitting in with her, quietly supportive. Mrs. Ashfield was twice Arial’s weight and wore bright and bold, multi-coloured clothes. The woman was clearly comfortable in her skin. It made Arial feel more at ease; she never batted an eye lid at the two gorgeous, hunky men, by her side throughout the sessions.
    “So, what are your feelings right now?”
    “Fear of rejection. I feel I’m not going to be good enough and I won’t fit in.” A part of her therapy was to be open and admit all her thoughts, especially her feelings.
    “Is it a fact, or is a false feeling?”
    She took a deep breath, rejecting the negative emotions like Mrs. Ashfield taught her. “False.”
    “Are we here to support you through this no matter what?” Ben gently squeezed her hand to get her attention.
    “Fact.”
    Her reward, their brain melting sexy smiles. God, how she loved it when they smiled at her. The way they touched her with soft caress, hugged her against their hard muscled bodies, declaring all her curves so soft, they can’t resist holding her close. At the same time, all the attention was slowly driving her insane with a building sexual hunger, unlike anything she ever knew. Being with Ben and Steve without the intimate connection of sex was like standing at an all-you-can-eat buffet, and starving to death.
    Already her mind was made up to make the first move on them, soon…well, as long as the meeting of the parents went well. After all, what kind of girlfriend was she, having two sexy men devoted to her? It was time she gave back more than a tidy house, smiles, and helping Steve in the office filing away the paperwork for one of his businesses.
    The boys kept their fingers in quite a few business pies, from the nation-wide tyre and auto business to real-estate developments under the umbrella of Gryphon Industries. She was stunned to learn not only did they own the penthouse apartment they lived in, but the whole building, as well.
    “If anyone should be trembling in their boots, it’s us. I know my mum’s going to break out the photo album.” Steve pulled her from her musings.
    “Ahhh… but you look so adorable, naked on your bunny rug.” Ben goaded.
    “Just like the one of you having your first bath, peeing on your mother. Yeah, fucking fantastic.” Steve rolled his eyes making Arial giggle.
    “Prepare for the stories, baby, don’t believe a word any of them say, we were perfect angels growing up.”
    “Even I don’t believe that.” Arial giggled again, loving how she could join in the teasing.
    “I’m sure I can sue someone for slander, somewhere,” Steve muttered in good humour, as they resumed their walk down the path to the front door. The door swung open before Steve raised his hand to knock.
    A tall, curvy woman, with bright hazel eyes stood before them, her rich auburn hair hung around her shoulders, she didn’t look much older than Arial—early thirties at a guess—impeccably dressed in a pencil skirt and a pale blue, satin blouse.
    “You know better than to knock young man; this is still your home, even if you’ve decided to live in that lofty tower of yours!”
    “Hello, mum.” Ben moved in to hug the woman while Arial fought not to let her jaw drop. His mother pulled back from