Chapter 17
After Warren left, very late, for his photo session, I finished my shower and then found Andrew stumbling into the living room area of the suite, eyes squinted.
His hair was sticking up everywhere and he was butt naked.
When he heard me giggle, he spun around to face me, a relieved expression on his sleep-creased face.
“I thought you left.” He closed the distance between us and pulled me in for a tight hug. “I was worried we’d hurt you or scared you away.”
Another tug from my heart came at how sweet and innocent he sounded. I reached up and ruffled his hair, loving how unkempt he looked for a change. “I took a shower. I wasn’t in my best state when I woke up.”
Sinking onto the couch, he pulled me down on top of him and buried his face in my wet hair. “You smell like me. I like it.”
I stroked his face and grinned down at him. “You’re soft in the morning. It’s cute.”
He grunted. “Cute?”
I nodded. “Cute. You look like a little boy.”
“Woman, you’re killing me. None of those things are things a man wants to hear the morning after his first time with a woman.”
My cheeks warmed. “Well, I hope you mark it in your calendar. First time having a cupcake would be a great line to look back on and try to figure out why you’d chosen to ignore all the cupcakes you’d had before.”
He kissed my cheeks. “You’ll be lucky if you don’t wake up to a couple dozen bouquets of flowers this day every year for the rest of your life.”
“Yeah, right.” I rolled my eyes at him. “Do you have plans today?”
He checked both arms for a watch and then both of mine, only finding the diamond bracelet that had survived the night and my morning shower.
He also seemed to get distracted by what I was wearing.
His white dress shirt from the night before, to be exact.
His eyes focused in, and he ran his hand through his hair before touching the open neck of the shirt.
“I’m never going to get tired of seeing this. ”
My heart did more of the ditzy stuff it’d been doing. “Your plans?”
He groaned. “I have some calls to make and some family stuff before karaoke tonight.”
“Oh, yeah. Karaoke.” I scratched my nails against his beard, loving the feeling of his stubble. “Maybe you’ll get up and sing for everyone, huh?”
“Or maybe I’ll have a stroke and die instead. Either one sounds like about as much fun.”
I laughed until I glanced up and saw Lucas stumbling into the room, and it turned into a gasp. He looked like he’d gone three rounds with a tiger and lost. His chest was scratched all to hell and back, some of them angry looking. I covered my mouth with my hand as tears instantly peppered my eyes.
Andrew glanced over at his brother and chuckled. “Don’t worry, baby. It’s not as bad as it looks.”
Lucas rubbed his hand over them and sank onto the couch next to us, reaching for me.
After pulling me into his lap, he hugged me tightly.
“There’s a reason I wanted to be on bottom, Cupcake.
Your nails are vicious, and I like them.
I like these marks just as much as I like looking at my marks on you. ”
I ran my hand over them and ignored the tears streaking my cheeks. “I hurt you. I’m so sorry. I don’t even remember doing this.”
Andrew swore and reached over to wipe the tears from my face. “Fuck, I don’t like seeing you cry.”
“Cupcake. I’m wearing badges of just how fucking good we made you feel. I like it a little rougher than the other two, anyway.” He ran his hands over my hip, where a bruise was showing. “Should we feel like shit for this?”
I looked at the bruise and shook my head. “I like how you hold me.”
“Then don’t feel bad about these marks. I plan on you leaving many, many more.” Lucas suddenly grinned and looked over at his brother. “Guess what I heard when I woke up for a minute this morning?”
“Was it the sound of Warren fucking our Cupcake in the shower? Because I’m pretty sure the dead in Canada would’ve heard it if not for these beautifully soundproofed walls.”
I gasped. “No!”
Lucas laughed. “Yes. You’ve got a set of lungs on you. If we’re ever someplace not so well protected, we’re going to have to find a gag for this sexy mouth of yours.”
Andrew grinned. “Plenty of gags around here. Two within touching distance.”
I frowned. “You’re not mad about this morning?”
“Hell no. I liked hearing you come, knowing that Warren was pleasing you.” Lucas shrugged. “Would I always like to be involved if it means touching you? Yes. Do I need to be involved every time? Again, yes. Do I have to be involved every time? No. You’re in charge here. You take who you want.”
I shifted. “I’m in charge?”
Andrew nodded. “I know we’re bossy once you give us the green light, but if you are hesitant, at all, we don’t touch you. You have all the power, Cupcake. You’re in control.”
“I thought you liked to be in control.”
“I didn’t say it was easy that you’re in control. It’s just how it is. I’m a selfish asshole and I wish I could push you into doing exactly what I want, but I won’t. It’s got to be you picking us.”
I dramatically threw my forearm over my eyes and sighed. “This is a lot to take in.”
Andrew laughed and gave me a kiss on the forehead before standing. “I’ve got to get ready for the day. Can I talk you into taking a shower with me, too?”
I looked down at his naked body and sucked in a sharp breath. Yeah, he wouldn’t have to talk me into much. I climbed out of Lucas’s lap and took Andrew’s hand. Then, I reached down to take Lucas’s hand, too. “Coming?”
They both followed me to the bathroom, smiles twisting both of their mouths. I’d made them happy, and that feeling was everything.
Andrew had to leave for work after our joint shower, but he didn’t look like he really wanted to.
Lucas went to my room and got clothes for me to put on and then we lounged around on Andrew’s couch and talked about our work and lives while eating room service.
I was happy to spend the day curled into his side.
Hands wandered at times, and we christened Andrew’s couch a time or two before it was time for me to go back to my room to get ready for karaoke.
It had become so normal to be surrounded by the triplets, or at least one of them, that being alone in my room felt strange.
No one grabbed my hand, or ass, when I moved around the bed, and I changed without receiving an orgasm for it.
They’d grown on me so fast that it was a little overwhelming.
Thinking about it too much would just send me spiraling, so I ignored the feeling of panic that ran right under the surface.
I dressed in my new lingerie and a new dress before heading down to the restaurant for dinner.
I’d gotten a text from Andrew telling me to meet him there before he was forced to listen to people singing poorly for a few hours.
I was so excited to see him that I walked right past Mark without even noticing him until he’d reached out and took my arm.
“Hey, you. Where are you off to so fast?” His smile was friendly, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “I missed getting a dance with you last night.”
I glanced towards the entrance of the restaurant and fought back an annoyed huff. “Yeah, I didn’t stay long. Sorry about that. I’m sure with as many bridesmaids as Macy has, you managed to find a pretty woman to dance with, though.”
He shook his head. “I was holding out for you.”
I practically stapled a smile on my face and shrugged. “Sorry. I’m actually heading in for dinner. I’ll see you around.”
“Hey, I was just heading that way myself. I’ll join you.”
I bit back a shouted curse and started walking away, hoping he’d change his mind. “Don’t feel like you have to keep me company.”
“Oh, I know you’re not short on company. Seems like all three of the Strickland brothers are filling your dance card these days.”
I’d just made it into the restaurant when that comment froze me in my tracks. Turning to face him, I frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
He held up his hands and laughed. “Relax, honey, it was just a joke. Although, maybe you are into some super kinky shit? What would you call three brothers fucking one girl? A harem? No, that’s when a man gets it on with multiple women, right? A backward harem?”
I told myself to stay calm; I really did. Something about the triplets had given me back some of my attitude, though. I shook my head at Mark and narrowed my eyes. “You know what, honey, I think I’d rather dine alone than with you.”
Smile vanished, Mark scowled down at me. “What’s your deal?”
“One, I’m not your honey. Two, after barely knowing me, you asked me for a threesome in front of my friends. Three, you’re rude.”
“Four, you’re just not her type, asshole.” Andrew’s voice was pure steel from behind me. He rested his hand on my lower back, and I could feel the anger radiating from him.
Mark puffed out his chest and scowled, seeing someone he could really vent his anger at. “What the fuck is the deal with you and your freak brothers? You’re sniffing around her like a pack of dogs smelling a bitch in heat.”
Andrew gently and calmly moved me behind him before turning back to face Mark. “You’ve got seconds to fucking vanish before I embarrass you in front of your friends here.”
I backed away, not knowing what was going to happen.
“Oh, fuck you.” Mark swung at Andrew, his fist flying fast and hard through the air.
Andrew shifted, caught Mark’s arm as it missed his face, and yanked it down while simultaneously lifting his knee.
Mark’s jaw made hard contact with Andrew’s knee before Andrew shoved him backward on the ground and squatted next to him.
While Mark held his face and groaned, Andrew straightened his shirt like nothing had happened.
“You’re going to leave now. Consider your invitation revoked.
You have an hour to get the fuck out before I find you and let Lucas have a go at you.
My freak brother likes getting his knuckles bloody. Your call.”
Mark swore and rolled onto his hands and knees before picking himself up and glaring at me. He looked like he wanted to say something, but then glanced at Andrew and thought better of it. His retreating back was a nice last picture of Mark to have in my mind.
The whole thing was over so quietly and fast that hardly anyone noticed.
I just stood there, staring at Andrew, as he turned back to me and forced a smile.
It was brittle, and I could see his jaw working as he worked through whatever was going on in his head.
Finally, he moved into my space and leaned down so I would be the only person privy to his words.
“We’re not freaks. And you’re not some bitch in heat.
You’re the fucking sun, and that piece of shit will never have a chance to touch you because he doesn’t understand that.
Worlds revolve around you. We get that. He never will. ”
I blinked back tears and nodded. There was nothing for me to say. I knew they weren’t freaks. They were well-adjusted men who were decent and so kind. As for me? I felt like the sun when I was with them.
“What’s going on?” Macy’s angry voice rang through our private conversation and had me snapping back to reality like a bus had struck me.