Chapter 28
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Fawn
I wake up snuggled between two warm bodies. It is officially the best feeling in the world.
Then I move—and groan. Goodness, I’m tender everywhere. As the sleep lifts from my mind, the events of last night come crashing back.
I crack one eye open to find Wolf staring down at me through narrowed eyes. A slow smile spreads across his lips. “How are you feeling?”
The bed shifts behind me. Seven’s hand skips over my left hip as his lips touch my shoulder.
“A little sore,” I admit.
“I’m not surprised,” Wolf says dryly.
“With your permission,” Seven says. “I will fetch Eiden. He can tend her in the bath before breakfast.”
“You’re asking me this time,” Wolf says dryly. “I appreciate that. I saw how he was last night. I dare say he will have been suffering waiting his turn.”
“Please, can I bathe with Eiden?” I ask of Wolf.
“Of course,” he says, smiling.
Seven slips out of the bed.
Wolf carries me through the bathing area and onto the separate room off the side so I can go . When the annoying male lingers, I shoo him out.
He frowns. “You can barely stand,” he says. “I will turn my back, and that is my only concession. After you’re done, I will carry you to the pool.”
“Fine,” I mutter. I need to go. It’s not like I can wait.
Barely have I finished when he scoops me up and carries me toward the pool… just as Eiden comes tearing in… and comes to an abrupt stop.
“Go ahead,” Wolf says, handing me off to Eiden.
Eiden blinks. Wolf smirks and splashes into the pool. He wades over to the soap dishes and begins to clean.
Eiden exhales a slow breath. “Did Jude bang his head?”
I giggle. “No.”
His eyes search mine as he carefully wades me into the pool, the hot water soothing my aches. “You look tired.”
“I’m fine.” I cup his cheeks, feeling how he trembles. I wrap my arms and legs around him as the water envelopes us. He heaves a ragged breath and cuddles me back. “I enjoyed it. I’m just a little sore.”
“I know the perfect solution for that,” he says, voice dipping to a husky purr.
I snort a giggle.
“Don’t let me stop you,” Wolf says from the other side of the pool.
We both turn in his direction. He has been efficient with his cleaning, and his thick, tawny hair looks dark as he rakes a hand through it, slicking it back against his head. The water clings to the dark hair covering his thickly muscled chest and belly in the most arresting way as he wades out.
“That is one hot shifter,” Eiden says thickly as Jude climbs steps out of the pool, both our gazes glued on his ass.
I turn, finding Eiden now watching me with a question in his eyes.
“What?”
“Did that upset you?” he asks.
His question confronts me.
Should I have been upset that someone else was admiring my mate?
“If it were Marigold, I would want to scratch her pretty eyes out,” I say bluntly. I stroke my fingers over his cheek. “But he is hot, and I like that you think so too.”
“Thank fuck.” Eiden’s mouth slants over mine, and we share a kiss full of nipping teeth and dueling tongues. When he tears his lips away, we are both panting hard. Like last time, he takes over to the pool’s edge and sits me on the side. Only today, there is no preamble. With a groan, he buries his head between my legs. His agile tongue moves over me, easing all the soreness and lifting me swiftly toward a blissful climax.
After, Eiden takes his time bathing me, and I take my turn to wash him with the same loving care before we both dip under the water and rinse the subs away.
“May I tend you?” I ask, sliding my arms and legs around him. I can feel his cock hard between us. I want to touch and kiss him there, to be the one making him come.
“Wolf is not here anymore,” he says, feigning innocence. “Was that not one of your rules?”
I groan. He is right. It still doesn’t feel quite right to initiate something when Wolf is not here. His easy acceptance today and last night has gone a long way to allying my worries. I sense a time will come when I might feel comfortable being with one mate without the other.
Mate?
Is that what they all are becoming?
I’m so comfortable with Wolf, having known him since I was little, yet Eiden and Seven feel right, too, like I’ve known them for far longer than I have.
Eiden helps me out of the water. We both dry off in a fluffy towel. And then he leaves me to get dressed, which is when Blue nudges his head around the door and makes a beeline for me. He accepts a pet, his tail beating from side to side so fast that his whole body wriggles.
“Are you hungry?”
Woof!
“Don’t fall for his dramatics,” Eiden says, standing in the doorway with a grin. “He has been eating the finest steak. The cook has also discovered he has a fondness for carrots and crunches them with relish. Come on, Blue. Let’s leave our doe mistress to finish dressing.”
Blue, his tail still wagging, slinks over to Eiden.
I wash my hands and slip on my shoes. When I enter the main room, there is a breakfast spread on the patio table. Eiden sits on the side of the table nearest to me. Seven and Wolf are talking amiably on the other side.
But it is none of them that I linger on, and a familiar quickening in my lower belly is for Nox, who turns to glance back at me.
Goodness, nothing should be able to stir me after all the pleasure I had yesterday and this morning.
“Come and sit here,” Eiden says brightly, indicating the chair between him and Nox.
I glance at Wolf. He only smiles and goes back to his discussion with Seven.
Unexpectedly nervous in the face of this amiable domesticity, I slip into the chair between them with Nox on my left and Eiden on my right.
Blue has found a sunny spot on the balcony and is lying down. His ears are pricked up as if anticipating another treat.
“He has settled in well. We do not keep pets here. Everyone who meets him is curious and then instantly smitten,” Eiden says. “Persa has already mentioned getting one for her children. Where she might have to venture to find one is another matter… You must be hungry. What would you like to eat?” Eiden busies himself pouring me tea before drawing the platter closer so I can pick something I like.
His sweet scent lingers, wrapping around me like a warm, comforting caress.
I select a golden croissant that makes my mouth water just by picking it up—and bite down with a groan… then jerk when I feel Nox’s hand against my thigh.
I cut a glance at the brooding male.
He continues eating.
And begins to lift my gown.
Eiden chooses to capture my free hand and begins to brush his thumb over the back.
“Is your croissant tasty, little doe?” Nox says, eating his breakfast with his left hand as if nothing untoward is going on.
I think about stopping him. I should stop him. But my heart is pounding out of my chest and stopping him requires either dropping my croissant or snatching my hand from Eiden, who has now settled our joined hands against the table. My eyes dart to Wolf. He does not appear to be paying any attention and is still talking to Seven.
My skirt comes higher still. I feel Nox’s calloused fingers against my upper thigh.
“What are you doing,” I whisper-hiss, refusing to make eye contact with Nox again. The table is wide. If I keep my voice low, Seven and Wolf won’t hear.
Eiden frowns. He glances down and swallows audibly when he sees what Nox is up to.
“Open your legs for me, little doe,” Nox says in a low, even tone that nevertheless carries command.
Eiden moans lowly.
“I had a rule,” I mumble, trying not to think about his fingertips drawing circles ever closer to the apex of my thighs.
“Technically, this is not breaking the rule,” Eiden says.
When I glare at him, he shrugs and nods his head in the direction of Wolf. Point made: Wolf is here, but he also does not know.
Nox pushes his fingers between my closed thighs, the tips bushing my pussy and sending a sweet jolt through my swollen clit. My legs part of their own volition. I huff a ragged breath. My panties offer no protection as thick fingertips leisurely pet over my intimate folds.
“Nox,” I hiss, although, by this point, I don’t know if I’m asking him to stop or do more. This feels very naughty—scandalous.
No, I don’t believe I want him to stop, even though every gentle caress cranks up my arousal, and I can’t possibly find relief here.
“Did you get her off in the pool?” he asks Eiden casually.
“Yes, I, um... went down on her again,” Eiden says thickly, his eyes bouncing between his plate and my lap.
I take a large bite of my croissant to stifle the moan as Nox’s fingers slip underneath the edge of my panties.
His fingertips lightly pet my swollen clit. He makes a tutting sound. “Absolutely filthy and wet. Eat breakfast like a good girl, and no one will notice what I do.”
I reach for my cup of tea but think better of it.
“You should probably relax today,” Nox says, slightly louder. “Maybe, read one of your books? I heard you enjoyed your visit to the library.”
‘I... I did.” My words are coming out on a pant. How can Wolf and Seven not notice?
“Well, we’ve got a patrol this morning,” Nox says. “Eiden and I are taking Jude. And Seven has his royal duties, which will keep him busy.” He plunges two fingers into my core and curves them, finding the sensitive bundle of nerves that makes me twitch. “So I dare say you’ll have a bit of time on your own. Blue will keep you company.”
My face is burning. I try not to react. I want to come. I can’t come. I stuff another piece of croissant into my mouth. It doesn’t help. My next moan is loud.
Seven and Wolf swing their faces my way.
Nox stills his fingers.
“Are you well, Fawn?” Seven asks, frowning.
I swear my cheeks are hotter than the fiery pits of hell. “Fine, thank you! I think I’m going to rest today,” I say inadequately… which is when Nox slides his fingers out, brushing over my clit. The sweet, almost climax sensation undoes the last of my restraint. I clamp my hand over my mouth—I doubt it does a damn thing to fool anyone.
Nox lifts the fingers he has just had inside me to his lips and sucks with a deep, satisfied groan.
I tear my gaze away only to slam into Wolf, who glares at us.
“I just needed a little taste,” Nox says.
Eiden makes a choking sound.
“The fuck! You’re a bold bastard,” Wolf rumbles.
Nox shrugs, picks up a crispy piece of bacon, and stuffs it into his mouth while leaning casually back in his chair. I brace myself, thinking Wolf is going to launch himself at him. But then he resolutely returns to his breakfast and whatever he was talking about to Seven.
Nox pushes his chair back and drops his napkin on the table. Leaning down, he cups my cheek, turns me to face him… and plants a chaste kiss on my lips.
The silence around the table is deafening as he brushes his thumb across my lower lip.
“Later, little doe,” he says. Then he winks at me and strides off.