Chapter 22
T he coastal road wound higher as we headed north, until finally Marcus turned onto a private drive partially hidden by old-growth trees. The gravel path opened suddenly to reveal a manor, perched dramatically on the cliffs overlooking the Pacific. The Victorian mansion had been beautifully restored, its weathered stone and gleaming windows catching the last rays of sunset. A line of luxury cars filled the circular drive, but Marcus bypassed them all for a private spot near the entrance.
“The Coast Manor,” I read the sign as Derek opened my door, not missing how Caleb’s hand settled possessively on my lower back. “Fancy. I’m starting to sense a pattern with you guys and mansions.”
“We appreciate history.” Marcus smiled, though his eyes tracked the other guests entering with an almost predatory focus.
The ma?tre d’ practically tripped over himself greeting us. “Mr. Stone! Your usual table in the conservatory is ready.”
Of course they had a usual table.
The conservatory turned out to be a stunning glass-enclosed space extending over the cliff’s edge. Three walls of windows showcased the dramatic coastline, while the glass ceiling opened to the darkening sky. Crystal chandeliers cast intimate pools of light across white-clothed tables, and the fading sunset painted everything in shades of gold and rose.
“Marcus, Derek, Caleb,” Mrs. Rivera called out as we passed her table, her book club friends all rising in greeting. “What a pleasure to see you here.”
The brothers acknowledged them with slight nods, Marcus’ smile polite but reserved. The women’s attention then shifted to me.
“And Kai! What a delightful surprise,” Mrs. Rivera said. “Are you enjoying our little coastal gem?”
“Ladies.” I smiled, genuinely pleased to see familiar faces. “The view is incredible.”
“Oh yes, dear. Though I must say”—Mrs. Rivera’s gaze flicked between me and the brothers, seeking Marcus’ permission before continuing—“you seem to be enjoying more than just the scenery.”
I felt more than heard the low rumble from Derek behind me.
“Now, Elena,” one of her friends tittered, “don’t embarrass the boy. Though”—she gave the brothers a respectful nod—“we’re all pleased to see the Stones out enjoying themselves.”
“I think that’s our cue.” Marcus’ hand settled on my waist, steering me toward a secluded corner table with an unobstructed view of both the ocean and the entire restaurant. Strategic, knowing them.
We’d barely settled—me bracketed between Derek and Caleb, with Marcus facing us—when Professor Patterson appeared. He bowed his head slightly to Marcus.
“A pleasure to see you here, Mr. Stone,” he addressed Marcus first, then acknowledged the other brothers before turning to me. “And Kai, my boy! I trust you’re finding more historical insights since our chat this morning?”
“Still processing all the local history, sir. Though these three have been filling in some interesting details about the early settlers.”
Something passed between the professor and Marcus—another one of those looks I was becoming far too familiar with.
“Yes, well”—Patterson adjusted his glasses—“you’re in good hands for that particular lesson. I’ll leave you to your dinner.” He retreated with surprising speed for a man his age.
“Popular tonight, aren’t we?” I mused, watching the group of leather-jacketed guys from the bookstore try to catch my eye from the bar. The brothers had positioned me so I faced the ocean, but I could still see most of the restaurant reflected in the windows.
“Too popular,” Derek muttered, shifting closer. His thigh pressed against mine under the table, warm and solid.
A sleek-looking waitress appeared, her eyes downcast as she addressed Marcus. “Good evening, Mr. Stone. The usual wine?”
“Please. And bring the chef’s tasting menu for four.” Marcus didn’t even glance at the leather-bound menus being distributed. “Unless you’d prefer something specific?” His eyes met mine, softer than they’d been with the waitress.
“I trust your judgment,” I said, then couldn’t resist adding, “though if this is one of those places that serves microscopic portions on giant plates, we might need to convince Maria to feed us when we get back. I’ve seen what Jorge can do with late-night cravings.”
“Don’t worry, baby.” Caleb’s breath was warm against my ear. “The portions here are generous even for the tasting menu. Chef Antoine knows better than to let a Stone party leave hungry.”
The way he said it made heat crawl up my neck. Derek shifted closer, his presence warm and solid beside me, while Marcus’ intense gaze from across the table made my pulse jump.
“You three really need to work on your cryptic comments,” I managed, proud that my voice stayed steady.
The brothers exchanged another one of their silent looks, this one accompanied by what felt like a crackle of energy in the air. Before I could comment, the wine arrived—a deep red that gleamed like garnets.
Marcus swirled his glass, his eyes never leaving mine. The way he watched me over the rim made something wild stir inside me.
“Not your usual wine choice?” Caleb teased, noticing my careful sip.
“My usual comes in a box with cartoon animals on it,” I admitted, earning a collective look of horror from all three brothers.
“We’ll have to fix that.” Marcus’ smile was warm, though his eyes still held that intensity that made my pulse jump.
“Let me guess—you three are wine connoisseurs too? Along with your expertise in mansions, suits, and intimidating looks?”
Derek actually cracked a smile. “You forgot cars.”
“And languages,” Caleb added, leaning close enough that I could feel his warmth. “Marcus speaks five.”
“Show-offs,” I muttered into my glass, yet couldn’t help smiling. The wine was excellent, spreading warmth through my veins and making everything feel softer.
Above us, stars had begun to appear through the glass ceiling, turning the conservatory into our own private galaxy. The ocean stretched dark and endless beyond the windows, waves catching glimpses of silver starlight.
“You’re staring again,” I told Marcus, emboldened by the wine and the intimacy of the setting.
“Can you blame me?” His voice was low, meant just for us. The look he gave me over his wineglass made heat crawl up my neck.
“Careful, Marcus,” Caleb’s breath ghosted my ear. “You’re making our baby blush.”
The first course arrived—seared scallops nestled on beds of micro-greens, dotted with golden caviar. The scallop melted on my tongue, perfectly cooked with a hint of saffron. I couldn’t help the small sound of pleasure that escaped me.
Caleb’s breath hitched beside me. “Baby makes the prettiest noises, doesn’t he?”
Derek shot Caleb a warning look, but I could see the way his eyes had darkened at my reaction to the food.
The next course was a delicate hamachi crudo with yuzu pearls and micro shiso. The fish gleamed like mother-of-pearl under the starlight. “This is beautiful,” I murmured, admiring the artful presentation.
“Try it,” Marcus encouraged, his eyes never leaving my face.
The flavors exploded on my tongue—bright citrus, buttery fish, and a hint of heat from hidden wasabi. Another involuntary sound of pleasure escaped me.
Derek shifted in his seat, his eyes darkening further.
A server presented the next course with a flourish— foie gras torchon with brioche and preserved cherry. The rich, silky texture paired perfectly with the wine Marcus had chosen.
“This wine…” I started, letting the complex flavors dance on my tongue.
“ Chateau d’Yquem ,” Marcus supplied, clearly pleased by my appreciation. “A 1983 vintage.”
“Of course it is,” I laughed softly. “Nothing but the best for the Stones?”
“Nothing but the best for you,” Derek corrected, his voice low and intense.
“The chef trained in Paris,” Marcus said, clearly enjoying my enthusiasm. “Wait until you try his lobster.”
“Is this where you tell me you all trained as chefs too?” I took another sip of wine, feeling warm and loose-limbed.
“No, that’s Jorge’s domain.” Derek’s smile was fond. “Though Marcus makes a decent risotto.”
“When he’s not trying to run the world,” Caleb added, his fingers trailing along my shoulder.
“Someone has to.” Marcus’ voice was teasing, but there was something powerful in the way he held himself, like contained energy.
The lobster arrived as promised, butter-poached and fragrant with herbs. The meat was so tender it barely needed chewing. “Oh God,” I moaned softly, forgetting to be self-conscious.
A low sound rumbled in Derek’s chest. Marcus’ knuckles went white around his wineglass.
“Keep making those sounds, baby,” Caleb murmured against my temple, “and we might not make it to dessert.”
The wine had gone to my head, making me brave. “Is that a promise?”
Marcus’ eyes flashed in the starlight. The brothers exchanged one of their silent looks, some unspoken conversation passing between them.
The palate cleanser arrived—a champagne sorbet that sparkled with edible gold leaf. “Fancy,” I teased but couldn’t hide my delight at the playful presentation.
Following that came a perfectly seared duck breast with cherry gastrique and wild mushrooms. The skin was crispy, the meat pink and tender.
“The mushrooms are local,” Caleb explained, his breath warm against my ear. “From our own forest.”
“Your forest?” I raised an eyebrow.
The brothers exchanged another one of those looks before Marcus smoothly changed the subject.
The next course was Wagyu beef that dissolved like silk on my tongue. I was hyperaware of every brush of Caleb’s fingers, every heated glance from Marcus, every shift of Derek beside me.
“The stars are incredible tonight,” I said, tipping my head back to watch the sky through the glass ceiling. The wine made everything feel dreamy and soft.
“You can see Orion’s Belt,” Caleb murmured, his chest pressed warm against my back as he pointed upward. “And there’s Cassiopeia.”
But Marcus and Derek weren’t looking at the sky. Their eyes were fixed on me, intense and hungry in a way that had nothing to do with food.
“Another astronomy expert?” I teased, though my voice came out breathier than intended.
Derek’s smile was soft. “Caleb went through a space phase. Built his own telescope and everything.”
“Of course he did.” I laughed. “Is there anything you three aren’t good at?”
“Sharing,” Marcus said quietly, his eyes dark with promise.
A shiver ran through me at Marcus’ word, but before I could respond, the dessert course arrived—a dark chocolate soufflé that seemed to defy gravity, accompanied by fresh berries and gold-dusted truffles.
“This is ridiculous,” I said, watching the soufflé collapse under a pour of warm vanilla crème anglaise. “How am I supposed to go back to instant ramen after this?”
“You won’t,” Derek said with such certainty that I paused with my spoon halfway to my mouth.
“Right, because Maria would hunt me down.” I laughed, trying to ignore how the wine made their intensity feel magnetic. “I swear she has a sixth sense for when I skip meals.”
“She’s protective.” Caleb’s breath tickled my ear. “Like us.”
The chocolate melted on my tongue, rich and complex. I couldn’t quite suppress another small sound of pleasure.
“Baby likes being spoiled,” Caleb murmured, his lips brushing my temple. “Don’t you?”
I turned to meet his heated gaze. “Maybe I just like the company.”
A low rumble came from Derek, while Marcus’ eyes seemed to glow. Another silent conversation passed between them, charged with something that made my skin tingle.
“Tell me something,” I said, partly to distract myself from how Caleb’s fingers had started tracing patterns on my nape again. “Do you three practice those looks in a mirror, or is it some kind of brotherly telepathy?”
“What looks?” Marcus asked innocently, though his eyes held enough heat to melt steel.
“Those looks. The ones that make everyone else suddenly remember urgent appointments across town.”
Derek’s laugh was unexpected and rich. “Maybe everyone else just knows better.”
“Knows better than what?” I challenged.
Marcus leaned forward, his voice dropping to a register that seemed designed to make me shiver. “Than to want what isn’t theirs.”
The possessiveness in his tone should have sent me running. Instead, that wild thing inside me—the part that kept responding to their touches, their growls, their heated looks—practically purred.
“Dangerous words, Marcus,” Caleb murmured, though his hold on me tightened slightly.
“Speaking of dangerous,” I said, trying to gather my scattered thoughts, “are we going to talk about how you three seem to have the entire town trained to treat you like visiting royalty?”
“Do we?” Marcus’ smile was all predator, but his eyes held something warmer when they met mine.
“Please. The ma?tre d’ practically bowed. Even Professor Patterson looked ready to offer tribute.”
“You’re exaggerating,” Derek said, but his lips twitched with amusement.
“Am I? Watch.” I gestured subtly to where a waiter was approaching. As if on cue, the man’s steps slowed, his eyes carefully downcast as he addressed Marcus.
“Will there be anything else this evening, Mr. Stone?”
“Just the check,” Marcus replied, his tone making it clear the conversation was over.
The waiter retreated with impressive speed.
“See?” I turned back to find all three brothers watching me with an intensity that made my breath catch. “That right there. That thing you do.”
“What thing?” Caleb’s breath was warm against my ear.
“That… alpha male thing. Like you own the room.” The wine was loosening my tongue. “It’s kind of hot, actually.” I froze, realizing what I’d just admitted.
Derek’s sudden intake of breath was audible. Marcus’ eyes darkened dangerously.
“Baby,” Caleb said, his voice dropping an octave, “you have no idea what you do to us when you say things like that.”
“Maybe,” I managed, though my voice came out breathier than intended, “I’d like to find out.”
The cool night air hit me as we left the restaurant. Marcus guided me to his Bentley with a steadying hand on my lower back, and I couldn’t help but lean into his touch. The coastal road stretched dark before us, moonlight silvering the waves far below. As we pulled away, I watched the cliffs disappear, the ocean a vast expanse of midnight blue dotted with starlight.
“Someone’s feeling good,” Caleb teased as I finally gave in and curled against his solid warmth in the back seat.
“Mmm, your fault,” I mumbled into Caleb’s chest, breathing in his woodsy scent. “You and your fancy wine.”
“Lightweight.” Derek chuckled, but his voice held a note of strain. When he turned to look at me, his eyes seemed to gleam in the darkness.
“Hey, some of us can’t all be…” I nuzzled deeper, feeling Caleb’s sharp intake of breath. “…whatever you three are.”
“Comfortable?” Caleb murmured, his fingers threading through my hair in a way that made my eyes flutter shut.
“Perfect.” I sighed, feeling utterly content. “You make an excellent pillow.”
His quiet laugh rumbled through me, but his arm tightened possessively. Even with my eyes closed, I could feel Derek’s gaze burning into me from the front seat, could sense Marcus watching in the rearview mirror. The air in the car felt charged, like the moment before lightning strikes.
Caleb’s lips brushed my temple, so light I might have imagined it if not for the way Derek’s breath caught. I felt Derek’s hand reach back, his fingers ghosting along my cheek in a touch that seemed almost reverent.
“Our baby’s sleepy,” Caleb whispered, though the roughness in his voice suggested he was affected by more than just my drowsy cuddles.
“Not sleepy,” I protested weakly, even as I burrowed closer. “Just… comfortable.”
The drive passed in a haze of gentle touches and heated glances. When we finally pulled up to the cottage, something in my chest tightened painfully at the thought of them leaving. The idea of being alone suddenly felt wrong in a way I couldn’t explain, like trying to breathe underwater.
“Coffee?” I blurted out before they could say good night. “That machine you got me came with about fifty recipes I haven’t tried yet. Seems a shame to waste all those fancy settings.”
The brothers exchanged one of their looks. Marcus’ knuckles whitened on the steering wheel, while Derek’s shoulders tensed visibly.
“Baby,” Caleb started, his voice strained, “that might not be wise…”
“Please?” I looked up at him, channeling my best innocent expression. “I’ve gotten pretty good at the whole barista thing. Though I still think any machine that needs its own instruction manual is overkill.”
Another silent conversation passed between them before Marcus nodded slowly. “One coffee.”
Scout bounded to the door as we entered. His usual exuberance seemed tempered tonight, those intelligent eyes darting between his master and me with unusual intensity.
Inside, the cottage felt different with them there—not smaller like it should with three giant men filling the space, but more complete somehow. Like they belonged here, lounging in my living room while I played host.
The coffee maker—a chrome and glass masterpiece—hummed to life under my fingers. I’d never admit it to Marcus, but I actually loved the thing. It made coffee that tasted like liquid gold, and the fact that it reminded me of him every morning was just a bonus I’d never acknowledge out loud.
I arranged the steaming mugs on a serving tray, trying to steady my shaking hands. When I turned around, the atmosphere shifted. The brothers were watching me with an intensity that made my pulse jump—Marcus settled regally in my reading chair, Derek leaning against the wall with deceptive casualness, and Caleb sprawled on the couch in a way that somehow managed to be both inviting and dangerous.
“Hope you like it strong,” I said, distributing the mugs. My fingers brushed Caleb’s as I handed him his coffee, sending sparks racing up my arm. I settled beside him on the couch, closer than I’d intended, but I couldn’t make myself move away. His thigh pressed warm against mine, and I leaned slightly into his solid warmth.
Scout lay at our feet, his chin resting on his paws, watching the scene unfold with those too-intelligent eyes.
The silence stretched, broken only by the quiet sips of coffee and the crackle of… something so thick I could barely breathe. Marcus’ gaze never left me as he lifted his mug to his lips. Derek’s presence seemed to fill the entire wall he leaned against. And Caleb… God, Caleb’s proximity was doing things to my ability to think straight.
I took another sip of coffee, desperately trying to focus on anything except how right this felt—the four of us in my space, like puzzle pieces finally clicking into place.
“So,” I finally broke the charged silence. “Ever wonder what you’d be doing if you lived somewhere else? Like New York or LA?”
Derek shifted against the wall, moonlight catching the predatory gleam in his eyes. “And leave Cedar Grove?”
A silent conversation seemed to pass between the brothers. Honestly, they should patent that look—they’d make a fortune in the telepathic communication business.
“Just imagine it, though,” I continued, emboldened by their reactions and maybe the lingering effects of that ridiculously expensive wine. I let my fingers trail along Caleb’s collar, feeling his pulse jump beneath my touch. “Marcus running some Fortune 500 company on Wall Street…”
“Is that so?” Marcus’ voice held an edge that made heat pool in my stomach as he put his own mug down. In fact, none of them were drinking their coffee anymore. His eyes, usually ice blue, now burned with an intensity that should have come with a warning label.
“Mm-hmm.” I took another sip of coffee, pretending not to notice how all three brothers tracked the movement of my throat, before putting it down on the coffee table. “Though you’d probably take over the whole city within a week. Poor New York wouldn’t know what hit it.”
“And what about me?” Derek’s voice was rough velvet, dangerous in its softness.
“Oh, you?” I let my gaze drift to where he stood, my body humming with an inexplicable need to be closer. My skin felt too tight, too hot, especially when Derek shifted and his shoulders stretched his shirt in ways that should be illegal. “Definitely some elite SEAL commander. Though after that tour of your security command center, I’m starting to think even the SEALs might be a step down.”
Derek’s laugh was low and dangerous, the sound hitting something primal inside me. “Impressed by my setup, little mate?”
The endearment sent liquid heat racing through my veins. My body’s reaction to them was getting harder to ignore—this constant pull, like gravity, drawing me closer even when my mind screamed to maintain distance. I turned to Caleb, desperate to distract myself from the way Derek’s presence seemed to fill the entire room, only to find Caleb’s eyes dark with something that made my breath catch and my pulse race. “Then there’s you.”
The need to touch him, to close the already minimal distance between us on the couch, was almost overwhelming. I didn’t understand why my body kept betraying me like this, why every cell seemed to cry out for their touch. It was maddening, this constant push and pull between what my mind knew was reasonable and what my body desperately craved.
“Me?” His voice had dropped to a register that should come with its own parental advisory.
“Hollywood’s newest heartthrob.” I shifted slightly, pretending not to notice how his arm tightened around the back of the couch. “Red carpets, billboards from Sunset to Times Square…”
“Careful, baby,” Caleb warned, though his eyes said something entirely different. The brothers exchanged another one of their looks, and I swear I could feel the energy crackling between them.
“Or what?” I challenged, past caring about their hot-and-cold game. “You’ll finally do something about it? Because I’ve got to say, this whole mysterious, brooding thing you’ve got going on—”
“What whole thing?” Marcus cut in, his voice tight with something that sounded like barely leashed control.
“Oh, you know…” I waved my hand vaguely, enjoying how all three brothers seemed to be holding their breath. “The intense stares, the possessive touches, the way you all show up exactly when I’m thinking about you—which is getting really inconvenient, by the way. A guy can’t even have a proper fantasy anymore without—”
“Fantasy?” Derek’s growl rumbled through the room, and I swear the windows rattled in their frames. The moonlight cast a spell over us, painting the brothers in shades of danger and desire that I couldn’t resist. It was like being caught in the gravitational pull of a trio of stars, each one more mesmerizing than the last.
“You really shouldn’t ask questions you’re not prepared for the answers to,” I purred, feeling unusually bold. Maybe it was the wine, or maybe it was the way they all looked at me like I was something delicious they wanted to devour.
I traced Caleb’s strong jawline with my finger, watching his muscle twitch beneath my touch. His skin felt fever-hot, and I could have sworn I heard something like a suppressed growl rumbling in his chest.
“Try us,” Derek challenged, his voice rough like gravel. He shifted slightly, and Marcus shot him a warning look I couldn’t quite interpret.
“Well, since you asked so nicely,” I purred, my voice dropping to a husky whisper. “There’s this little daydream I have. Well, sometimes at night, too.” I leaned closer to Caleb, letting my lips ghost across his ear as I whispered, “You know, when I’m trying to go to sleep.”
Their stares turned impossibly hotter. My body’s need to be closer to them was becoming impossible to ignore, and my words had a boldness I didn’t normally possess.
“Picture this: I’m in some high-rise office, all sleek glass and steel, with Marcus. He’s the CEO, of course, commanding and confident. I’m his personal assistant, and he’s just given me the most deliciously inappropriate task. He corners me against the desk, his hands pinning mine on either side of me, his body caging me in.”
Marcus’ jaw clenched, his knuckles turned white where they gripped the armrest of the chair, and I could almost see the scene playing out behind those icy eyes of his.
“And Derek…” I turned my head slightly, just enough to catch Derek’s fierce gaze locked on me. “Let’s just say my fantasies about you involve a lot of climbing. Like scaling Mount Everest, except way more fun and significantly less clothing.”
Derek made a sound that was almost inhuman. His eyes flickered with an amber fire that threatened to burn me alive, his massive frame trembling with… restraint?
My fingers drifted down to trace the defined lines of Caleb’s collarbones, outlined by the deep V of his shirt. “And then there’s you, Caleb. Hollywood’s golden boy, with that movie star charm and a smile that could light up the dark side of the moon. We’re at some swanky awards afterparty, hidden away in a secluded corner of the room. You’ve got me pinned against the wall, your lips teasing and tantalizing, promising all sorts of scandalous things that would make the gossip rags’ headlines explode.”
Caleb made a strangled sound, his body bowstring-taut beside me. I felt the heat of their gazes like a physical touch. Derek’s hands curled into fists where he rested against the wall, and Marcus’ eyes had turned that icy shade of blue right before a storm.
I wanted to climb them like trees, let them devour me with that fierce intensity, claim me as theirs. My body’s responses were getting harder to hide—the flush in my cheeks, the racing of my pulse, the way my breath came in quick gasps. It was like being swept up in an irresistible tide, pulled farther and farther from shore.
Without warning, Caleb snapped. One moment I was teasingly running my fingers through his hair, and the next, he had me crushed against him. Caleb’s lips captured mine, his kiss urgent and demanding. The force of it stole my breath and my heart lurched in response. His hands framed my face, tilting my head back to deepen the kiss as if he’d been starving for the taste of me for centuries.
I moaned into his mouth, my arms winding around his neck as I melted against him. My body burned with need, my blood humming as our tongues tangled. Caleb kissed like he was trying to brand me, possess me completely, and I wanted to be taken. The low, primal growls coming from both Marcus and Derek added to the intensity of the moment, spurring Caleb on.
Then, suddenly, I felt Derek behind me on the couch. The touch of his powerful arms around me, pulling me possessively away from Caleb’s devouring kiss. I ended up on Derek’s lap, the fabric of his shirt rough against my sensitized skin. All thought fled as Derek’s lips crushed against mine, his kiss a harsh claim.
My pulse was racing, my body alight with a fire that only these three men could stoke to such heights. Derek’s lips were firm and insistent, his tongue battling mine for dominance in a heated dance. And all the while, I could feel Marcus’ intense gaze upon us, a silent promise of the pleasures that still awaited me in the arms of the enigmatic CEO.
I was lost in a sea of sensation, caught between the fierce desire of the two men who held me in their thrall.