The next morning, Jenna awoke with a start, the events of the previous day rushing back to her. She sat up slowly, glancing around the unfamiliar bedroom with a mixture of confusion and apprehension. Beside her, Alex and Dean still slept soundly, their chests rising and falling steadily with each breath.
She slid out of bed carefully, trying not to disturb them and padded over to the window. Peering out through the blinds, she could see that it was still early morning, the sun just beginning to peek over the horizon. She sighed as she ran a hand through her tousled hair. What was she going to do now? She couldn't very well stay here with Alex and Dean indefinitely, much as the thought of being trapped in their erotic web tempted her.
Glancing back at the bed, she noticed Alex stirring, his brows furrowing as he started to wake. His breathing hitched, shallow and uncertain, before he blinked groggily at her silhouette in the dim room. Confusion flickered across his face, and he sat up quickly when he realized she was no longer beside him, sheets slipping from his shoulders.
"Jenna?" he asked, rubbing his eyes as if she might vanish again. "Where did you go?"
"I'm right here," she replied softly, returning to sit on the edge of the bed. "I just couldn't sleep anymore."
Alex nodded, scratching his chin thoughtfully. "I understand. I know we've thrown a lot at you in a short amount of time." He reached out to take her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I'm sure you must still have so many questions."
Jenna bit her lip, considering. "I do," she admitted. "But I'm not sure where to even start." She sighed, glancing down at their joined hands. "This is all just...a lot."
Alex nodded sympathetically. "I get it." He glanced over at Dean, who was still deeply asleep and snoring lightly. "We've been together for so long, it's easy for us to forget what a shock our lifestyle can be to outsiders."
Jenna looked at him questioningly. "Your lifestyle? What do you mean?" She shook her head, waving her hand dismissively. "Not that it's any of my business."
Alex smiled wryly. "It's okay, you can ask." He leaned back against the headboard, tucking an arm behind his head. "Dean and I have been in an open relationship for years now. We have other partners from time to time, but we always make sure to communicate openly and respect each other's boundaries."
Jenna blinked, processing this new information. "Wow, I had no idea," she admitted, feeling a pang of envy at the easy intimacy between them. "You two seem so...in sync with each other."
Alex laughed softly. "We are. We've been together through a lot." He tilted his head, studying Jenna curiously. "Does that bother you? The thought of us being so close?"
Jena considered the question carefully. "No, not really," she said slowly. "I envy your connection, honestly. You both seem so content and confident in your dynamic."
Alex smiled warmly at that. "We are. And we're happy to include you more if you want that."
Jenna bit her lip, uncertain. As much as the thought of being involved with them further excited her, she wasn't sure she was ready for such a commitment. "I don't know," she hedged. "I'm still trying to process everything. This is all so new to me."
Alex nodded understandingly. "I know and we don't expect you to make any decisions right now." He reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear tenderly. "Take your time, get to know us better outside of the bedroom. We'll be here when you're ready."
Jenna smiled gratefully at his consideration. "Thank you." She glanced at the clock on the bedside table, seeing that it was already past nine. "I should probably get going soon. I need to figure out what to do about my bags still at the train station."
Alex frowned in concern. "Wait, your bags are still there?" He sat up quickly, reaching for his phone on the nightstand. "We need to go get those before someone takes them."
Jenna nodded anxiously, her fingers twisting together in her lap. "I know," she said, her voice unsteady, "but I'm not even sure how to get back there. I don't have a car, and everything feels so complicated right now."
She bit her lip, hesitation tightening her chest. "And I'm scared of running into that man again, the one who tried to…" Her words trailed off before she forced herself to continue. "He saw me with you on the train, saw us having sex and ever since then I can't shake the feeling that he's still out there, watching. It makes everything feel unsafe."
Alex's face darkened at the mention of the intruder, his jaw clenching. "Don't worry about him," he said firmly. "You won't have to face him alone." He started typing on his phone. "I'm texting Dean now. He'll know what to do."
As if on cue, Dean began to stir, rolling over and blinking sleepily at the two of them. "What's going on?" he asked groggily, rubbing his eyes.
"Jenna's bags are still at the train station," Alex explained quickly, showing him the relevant text on his phone. "We need to go get them before someone takes them."
Dean's eyes widened as he processed this new information. He sat up quickly, reaching for his own phone. "Got it," he said, typing rapidly. "I'm texting the station manager now. He's a friend and will let us collect the bags without issue."
Jenna breathed a sigh of relief, some of the tension leaving her shoulders. "Thank you," she said sincerely. "I don't know what I would have done otherwise."
Dean smiled at her, reaching out to take her hand and pulling her back down onto the bed beside him. "You don't have to worry about that anymore," he said firmly. "You have us now. We'll take care of you."
Jenna's heart fluttered at his words, even as a part of her remained wary of relying too heavily on them so soon. She bit her lip uncertainly.
"What is it?" Dean prompted gently, sensing her hesitation. "What's on your mind?"