24. Doc
“ I ’m fine,” I insist as James grabs me by the shoulders from behind and shoves me toward the door.
“You’re a shit liar,” he replies. “Say goodbye to Kail, who knows to call if he needs to.”
I glance at Kail, who waves before going back to administering painkillers to De Luca. “Everything is under control, Doc. Go home and go to bed.”
“I am in charge here!” I try to protest as James pushes me out the door.
James laughs and leans in, whispering, “Sure you are, Ash.”
Scowling, I shake off his hold and march myself through the house. I’ll admit I’m a little tired, but it’s been a long week; that’s what happens when someone attacks the Family. It’s an all hands on deck situation, and I’ve been busy making sure the fucker doesn’t die before Carter is ready for him to.
Not only that, Enzo had his second surgery in the midst of all this, so I’ve also been going back and forth between the main house and mine in order to check on him. So I might be a little stressed, and in need of a few more hours of sleep than I’ve been getting, but I’m fine.
Stalking out to the car, I wait expectantly for James, who takes his sweet time.
“You forgot how to open your own door?” he asks when he reaches me.
“You’re the one who always insists on doing it for me,” I bite back.
He laughs and opens the door, holding a hand out. “Would you like me to help you inside as well?”
“Fuck off.” I fight back the urge to shove him and climb into the backseat.
“You know,” he says as he settles into the driver’s seat and starts the car. “You made sure everyone else took time off and got proper sleep, it’s okay to do so yourself.”
I want to state, for the millionth time, that I’m fine, but I know better than to think he’d believe me. Sighing, I lean my head against the window and fight to keep my eyes open, not wanting to even give a hint that I may be a little more tired than I’ve been letting on.
At the house, James marches me upstairs.
“What if I’m hungry?” I ask.
“Are you?”
“No,” I admit. “Soren made me eat before he left.”
“Good. Now, shower and bed for you.”
“You have to lay with me,” I demand.
He laughs and nudges the door to my bedroom open. “I mean, if you want, I'm not sure how Soren feels about that though.”
I frown. “He knows you’re mine. I told him our relationship isn’t up for discussion.”
James shakes his head and then jerks his chin toward the bed. “Not what I meant.”
It takes my tired brain far too long to process what I’m seeing when I turn my head to see what James is talking about. There, curled up under my blankets, blond hair the only thing visible, is Soren.
“Oh,” I say. “Well, yeah, okay. You climbing into bed with us probably warrants another conversation.”
James snorts, grabs my hand and leads me through to the bathroom. I don’t fight him as he turns on the shower and then strips us both of our clothes. Honestly, this is such a routine thing between us, it doesn’t occur to me that maybe I should protest in some way.
I meant what I said. While all three of us sleeping in the same bed warrants another discussion between me and Soren, and James, too, nothing about this scenario does. I refuse to change my relationship with my best friend simply because it may make someone else uncomfortable. I respect Soren and the right he has to feel a certain way about me being naked and touched by another man, but I’ve learned over the years that men come and go, James does not.
I won’t change who I am or what I need for the comfort of anyone else. I’m more than happy to discuss boundaries, and figure out how to make sure everyone is comfortable with the shifting dynamics, but no one gets to tell me what I can or cannot do with the person who’s been my…everything for so long.
So lost in my thoughts, I don’t realize James is finished with our shower until he guides me out and the cooler air of the bathroom makes me shiver.
“You’re like an overgrown toddler,” he complains as he dries me quickly then dresses me in a pair of sweats I didn’t even know he’d got out.
“I’d argue but honestly that seems like too much work.”
James shakes his head and stares at me for a moment. “Do I need to brush your teeth for you?”
“Yes.”
He sighs but does it anyway, as if he knew that’s what the answer would be. Once he deems me clean and ready to go, he tucks me into bed. “Goodnight, Ash,” he whispers, kissing the corner of my mouth. “Text me if you need anything.”
I hum and snuggle into the warm body lying next to me, my exhausted brain confused for a moment why I would need to text him since I can’t remember the last time he slept in his own room, but sleep quickly takes me, making all thoughts moot.
When I wake, it’s with a jolt, my heart racing and eyes flying open as soon as my brain comes back online.
Someone presses a hand to my bare chest. “Hey, you’re okay,” they say.
It takes a moment for me to recognize that the person I’m in bed with is not James, and that makes my heart beat faster for a moment before I realize it’s Soren. Fucking hell.
Carefully sitting up, I reach for the water James left on my nightstand and take a few sips, easing my dry mouth and throat before turning to face Soren and his expressive blue eyes.
“Sorry,” I say. “I have a hard time sleeping, and so waking up can be…interesting. Especially when I’m overly tired.”
He reaches out and drags a thumb across my stubbled cheek. “It’s okay. I hope I didn’t startle you?”
Shaking my head, I grab his hand, gently kissing his fingers before lacing our hands together. “No, I’m fine. What about you? Did you sleep okay?”
He nods. “Probably slept for too long but it was nice, long overdue.”
“What time is it?” I ask.
“Almost one.”
I blink at him. “Are you serious? Fuck, I need to call Kail. Where the hell is James?” Dropping Soren’s hand, I push the blankets back. He sets a hand on my wrist, squeezing tightly.
“Stop, Doc. Everything’s fine. I’ve been up for a little while. I’ve spoken to both James and Rose. She took over for Kail and he should be sleeping now. James came in to check on you about half an hour ago; he said to let you sleep, and apparently the Boss called to also order you to take a day off.”
“Fucking underhanded mafia Boss,” I grumble.
Soren laughs and loosens his grip a little but doesn’t let me go. He tugs on my wrist, forcing me to look at him. “Are you mad I stayed over without talking to you first?”
I shake my head. “No, it was a nice surprise. Feel free to do it whenever you want.”
He smiles. “Good. I wasn’t sure if I was being too forward or not. But…I didn’t want to be alone, and the choice was between you or my best friends, and let’s just say it wasn’t a hard choice.”
My cheeks heat and I’m embarrassed to say I fucking blush. “I…probably shouldn’t be so happy to hear that.”
“Why? We’re…doing this, aren’t we? Whatever this is?”
Swallowing, I nod. “Yeah, we are. But still, I’m not sure your friends will appreciate knowing they came in second place to me.”
He laughs, long and loud, and the sound goes straight to my dick. When he looks at me, his blue eyes shine with mirth and mischief. “Trust me, those fuckers know the score and how they rate. If they knew I was here, they’d be encouraging me to hold more than your wrist.”
“Oh really?”
“Mmhmm, they like to tease, and think I need to get laid.”
I laugh a little and scoot closer to him. “And what do you think?”
Soren leans in, his lips brushing against my ear as he says, “I think I want to see those pretty lips of yours around my dick. I just don’t know if I want it before or after I make you come on my cock.”