Chapter Five
Is it Wrong to Pummel Dough When You’re Mad?
“I heard he refuses to declare war. Seems cowardly, if you ask me.”
Standing in front of Miss Joana’s fruit stand in the market, I browsed while listening to the two men beside me. Well, eavesdropping, but whatever.
“Cowardly and weak,” the other man said. He had a bushy beard and wore a wool-knitted cap. “The king isn’t the battle-hardened warrior he used to be. The years have caught up to him, and he’s grown much too soft. He should step down and let the prince take the throne.”
“Aye. Prince Cedric would have no qualms about attacking those Haran bastards and showing them what happens to those who dare threaten our kingdom.”
“Speaking of threats to the kingdom,” Wool-Hat said. “Demons continue to roam the dark wood. I heard a goddamn horde moved through the area not long ago and attacked a farmer on the outskirts of town. The knights are a bunch of useless buffoons.”
“The conflict with the demons has been going on ever since I was a lad.”
“Same.” Wool-Hat nodded. “Why haven’t the so-called warriors of this kingdom dealt with them already? So many years, and they still haven’t slain Lord Onyx. Are they waiting for a goddamned invitation? Where is our tax money going? Apparently not into their training. They’re fools playing at being knights.”
“Interesting,” I chimed in, unable to help myself.
Wool-Hat turned to me. “How so?”
“Oh. It’s just fascinating how those who complain about such things are also the ones who sit on their ass and never do anything themselves. The knights risk their lives for us. If you think you can do better, grab a sword and go for it, my dude. Otherwise, show some respect, or keep that hole in your mouth shut.”
Was it dumb to interject myself into their rant-fest about the kingdom? Probably. But I couldn’t stand there and hold my tongue when they were insulting the knights. My knights.
To my surprise, the other man laughed. “He makes quite the point, Joseph.”
Wool-Hat—aka Joseph—didn’t find it nearly as amusing. In fact, he looked like he was seconds away from stomping me into the ground. When he took a step toward me, I braced myself for impact.
But then a mountain stepped in front of me, blocking out the sun.
“I suggest you back off and go about your business,” Maddox snarled at the man.
Joseph, noticing their very obvious size difference, did as he was told. He and the other guy took their leave, their steps quick in their retreat.
“Thanks,” I said. “I know I probably shouldn’t have—”
“You’re right.” Maddox faced me. “You shouldn’t have.”
“He was saying awful things about the knights and—”
“As is his right. The citizens of Bremloc are free to have their own opinions, however foolish they may be. You could’ve been hurt.” Maddox’s nostrils flared as he stared down at me. And then, he crushed me to his chest and lowered his face into my hair. “What am I going to do with you, sweetheart?”
“You could start by giving me a kiss.”
“A spanking would be better suited, I think.” Yet, he tipped up my chin and kissed me anyway. It didn’t last long but still made me warm and toasty on the inside.
“I didn’t like them talking bad about you,” I said softly.
“Let them voice their complaints. Their words mean very little.”
“They also said mean things about the king.” I smoothed my finger across an indention in his leather armor. Traced the groove of it. “Not everyone approves of him.”
“King Eidolon is aware of the divide in the kingdom between those who wish for war and those who wish to avoid it. Yet, he refuses to throw us into another war if there’s a chance to keep the peace. Whenever he’s reached a decision, the knights will be ready to carry out his orders, whatever they may be.”
When I’d met the king, he’d reminded me of Prince Sawyer. Strong but also kind. The air of superiority had been absent from him despite his high standing. Unlike a certain Crown Prince douchebag who reeked of privilege.
“How did you know I was here?” I asked. “Were you following me?”
“No,” he answered.
“Liar.” I bumped my fist to his belly. His rock-hard belly. Good fucking god, he had killer abs. “I can go to the market unsupervised, you know.”
His blue eyes glimmered with amusement. “Did you just punch me, oh great muffin lord?”
“You better behave, or I’ll do it again.”
“I’m terrified,” he said with that same gleam. “Truly.”
“Captain!” a female voice called out before a bombshell of a woman appeared. Long black hair, big brown eyes, and a dark complexion. Her long-sleeved blouse fell off her shoulders and dipped low in the front, showing off her impressive cleavage. A cinched corset held the twins in place and accentuated her hourglass shape. Form-fitted trousers clung to her legs and thighs and were tucked into tall black boots. Reaching us, she handed Maddox a pouch. “You forgot this on the table. How fortunate that I’m trustworthy, eh?”
“Trustworthy? That statement is highly debatable.” Maddox accepted the pouch and fastened it to his belt. “But I thank you all the same.”
I glanced between them, feeling a weird gnawing in my ribs. He’d forgotten it on the table? Meaning they’d been eating together somewhere before this?
So, Maddox really hadn’t been following me. He’d been with her . Why? Who the heck was she?
The woman tossed him a flirty little smile that soured my gut. “If you truly wish to thank me, you should do it properly.”
Maddox’s expression remained flat.
“Still a man of very few words,” she said with a sigh. Her dark eyes then shifted to me, as if noticing me for the first time. “Hello there.”
“Hi.” I could barely get the word out.
Stop overthinking it. Just because she was beautiful and standing, perhaps a bit too close, to Maddox didn’t mean anything.
Right?
It also didn’t mean anything that he’d been with her after telling me before leaving home that morning that he was working all day.
Working. Right.
“This is Isabel.” Maddox motioned to her. No further explanation.
“You must be Evan.” A sly grin curved her lips. “Quite the miracle worker, aren’t you? Managing to steal the heart of our dear captain here.”
Excuse the fuck out of me, but what? Our dear captain? And did she seriously just grab his arm?
“Enough teasing, woman.” Maddox shrugged her off and focused on me. “Are you finished shopping? I can walk you home.”
“Um. Yeah, I guess I’m done.” I dropped my gaze to the bags I’d set at my feet.
The café was closed that day, so I’d taken advantage of the free time to shop and get out for a while. I’d browsed clothes for my upcoming trip—which was creeping up on me fast—picked up new books for the reading parlor, and purchased ingredients for the casserole I’d planned to make for dinner that night. A smaller bag had honey-roasted almonds for Lake.
Maddox grabbed the bags and looked at Isabel. “I’ll be in touch.”
“Aye, aye, Captain.” She placed two fingers at her temple and did a little salute, followed by a wink. “Don’t keep me waiting for too long.”
Hot coals piled into the pit of my stomach. A burning heaviness that slowly spread through my entire body.
Who was Isabel to him? Why did they seem so familiar with each other? I was suddenly having second thoughts about my trip. Leaving Maddox alone with Boob-zilla didn’t sound like the greatest idea in the world.
She’d wanted him to thank her “properly.”
Had he thanked her before? How often? And was he still thanking her?
As I walked beside Maddox, I couldn’t look at him. Thoughts racing, I kept my eyes on the cobblestone path beneath my feet. The people around us became a blur, as did the rest of the marketplace. I felt so off.
“Should I ask Briar to check you for a fever?”
I glanced up. “Huh?”
“You’re quiet,” Maddox said. “And you’re never quiet. That rambling mouth of yours hardly ever goes silent, even when you sleep. Though, I quite like your sleepy mumbles and snores.”
“I don’t snore.” I forced my eyes away from his and looked at the fountain in the center of the square. Kids sat on the ground around it and played with marbles. Their long sleeves and hats told of the changing season. Not quite cold enough yet for a coat but getting there.
“And you call me a liar,” he said with a smile clear in his voice. I didn’t look at him to verify if he was actually smiling or not.
We found the path toward our cottage and started down it.
I wanted to ask about Isabel, but the words lodged in my throat. Relationships needed communication. Honesty. Especially one like ours.
Had I learned nothing from reading romance books? I often shouted for the main characters to freaking communicate with each other instead of doing the huge misunderstanding plot line that was often contrived just to create some tension in the story. And there I was, being like those uncommunicative and stubborn protagonists. But it was different when your heart was on the line.
Was Maddox unhappy? I was too afraid to ask.
Lupin had said nothing was set in stone. The future couldn’t be predicted, only estimated. He’d said five men were destined to love me, but he hadn’t specified for how long. What if Maddox was bored with me? He could want more than what I had to offer him. More, in the form of a beautiful woman with huge knockers and legs for days. How long until Briar felt that way, or Lake?
What if I was fated to end up alone and brokenhearted instead of living happily ever after with them?
I faltered in step and went down like a sack of potatoes, throwing out my hands to catch myself before I fully hit. My kneecaps hit the ground hard, and there was a stinging twinge in my wrist.
Maddox lunged toward me, dropping the bags in the process. Kneeling beside me, he examined my scuffed palms. “By the gods. You’re—”
“I know. I’m a walking disaster. We’ve already established this.” I pulled my hands from his and got to my feet, ignoring the ache in my knees. If only the one in my heart could be so easily ignored. “Let’s go.”
“Evan?”
I kept walking. The pang in my chest radiated outward, filling my veins with something hot and prickly. Pressure enclosed my sternum. Was I jumping to conclusions and being dramatic for nothing? Maybe. But the two of them definitely had some kind of history, and his refusal to expand on said history only unsettled me more.
Maddox grabbed my arm and spun me around to face him. “Talk to me.”
“I’m fine,” I said, though the quiver in my voice said the opposite. “Let’s just go home.”
“We’re not taking another goddamned step until you tell me what’s wrong.”
“Who is she?”
Confusion replaced his concern. “Who?”
“Isabel.” I yanked from his hold.
Understanding dawned on him. I saw it the second it did. Yet, the way he hesitated told me all I needed to know.
“Oh my god.” I stumbled back a step. The sting in my chest spread upward and settled behind my eyes. “You’re sleeping with her, aren’t you?”
“No. I’m not.” When he stepped toward me, I shook my head, and he halted in place. “Sweetheart, listen to me. It’s not what you’re thinking.”
“Yeah? Tell that to the flirty little smiles she gave you. And the wink. She was all over you, Maddox.” I sounded like a whiny child but couldn’t stop it. “You were with her before seeing me in the market. Why?”
“We were at the tavern,” he answered. “I saw you from the window and jumped up.”
“Out of guilt?”
“Because I wanted to catch you before you stumbled off somewhere.” He took a small step forward, almost like I was a wild animal he didn’t want to scare off. “I then saw the men and rushed over.”
“Who is she to you?” My voice cracked, and angry tears slipped from my eyes. “If you’re unhappy with me, just say so.”
“Unhappy?” Maddox closed the distance between us despite me trying to push him away. When he grabbed my hand, I noticed the tremble in his. “I’ve never been happier. You. Briar. Even the mutt. You all have brightened my life in ways I never expected.”
“Then why are you sneaking around with her? You told me you were working today.” A lump lodged in my throat. “You lied.”
“I’m not sneaking around. And I didn’t lie.” Maddox rested his hand on the side of my neck. “Isabel is working with me. We were at the tavern on business.”
I blinked up at him. “Working with you? How?”
“She has certain skills that make her best suited for assisting the knights with matters concerning Haran.”
“That was a lot of words that told me absolutely nothing.”
He smiled, albeit faintly, and touched the strand of hair beside my ear. “Please just trust me, sweetheart. I’d never betray you or Briar. Isabel and I have a business arrangement. Nothing more.”
“Okay.” I pressed my cheek into his hand and wound my arms around him. “But she was flirting with you.”
“Isabel likes to toy with me in that way,” Maddox said. “However, there’s no meaning behind it. She has no true interest in me and only flirts to annoy me.”
“So, you two do have history.”
“We do, in a sense. We first met several years ago.”
That unsettled sensation began to fade. “So, she’s just your friend?”
“I wouldn’t say we’re friends. More like acquaintances.” He exhaled and drew back. “The story of our meeting is quite… well, embarrassing.”
“Oh? Do tell.”
He arched a brow. “No.”
“Come on,” I whined. “Tell me.”
Another exhale. Maybe it was just the chill in the air, but his cheeks now held some color. “I first met her in a brothel.”
My eagerness to hear the story waned. “Ah. A brothel, huh? Cool. Cool.”
“Again, not what you’re thinking.”
“Yeah, because what else would you have been doing in a brothel ? Not sipping coffee and eating muffins, that’s for sure. Well, I guess eating a muffin is one way of putting it. Ugh. Now I’m thinking about that. Gross.”
“You’re the only muffin for me.”
I scoffed and flicked my hand at him. “Okay, I changed my mind. Say no more. I don’t want to hear this story.”
“Very well.” Maddox grabbed the bags off the ground and tipped his head toward the cottage. “Shall we continue home, then?”
“We shall,” I said, trying to imitate his deeper tone.
My steps became heavier on the dirt path as I quickened my pace. I kept imagining him in a brothel. Touching some hussy with big melons. Kissing her. Sinking deep inside her. Reaching the cottage, I stomped up the steps and flung open the door before heading toward the kitchen. I was suddenly in the mood to make bread. Pounding on some dough sounded perfect.
I snatched the bread flour from the cupboard and slammed it on the counter. After fetching the other ingredients, measuring them, and mixing them together, I formed a ball of dough and began working it.
“Sweetheart?”
“Can’t talk.” I slapped the dough on the counter harder than necessary. “I’m busy.”
“Maybe we should talk.” Maddox stepped up behind me. Not close enough to touch, but my body tingled all the same. And when he did touch me? Those tingles turned to sparks. He rested his hands on my hips and lowered his face to my nape. “Although you’re awfully adorable in your jealousy, I hate that you’re upset. So let me explain about the brothel.”
“I’m not upset or jealous.” I definitely was, and I obviously wasn’t handling it well. “Whatever you did before meeting me, whoever you banged in brothels or anywhere else, it’s fine. Totally fine.”
Maddox sighed, and his breath tickled the back of my neck. “Evan?”
“Shh. I’m pretending this dough is a certain tart-faced brothel wench.”
A light laugh feathered more breath across my nape. “Just when I believe I’ve seen all sides of you, you manage to surprise me.” He skimmed his lips up into my hair. “My murder muffin.”
“I’m glad you find this so funny.”
“Only because there’s nothing for you to be upset over.” Maddox turned me to face him. Love shone in his eyes, so profound that it made my resolve to stay irritated crumble. “I was dragged to the brothel by Quincy and Baden. They said I’d been working too hard and needed to unwind. I had no desire to go but went along to stop their whining.”
I scoffed. “It must’ve been so horrible seeing all those beautiful, naked women, I’m sure.”
“I didn’t sleep with any of them,” he said. “While Quincy and Baden found women to spend the evening with, I stayed in the front parlor and drank. Alone. I turned down every man and woman that approached.”
“Why?”
He shrugged and caught a strand of my hair between his fingers, tucking it behind my ear. “No one appealed to me. The only thing on my mind was getting back to the stack of paperwork on my desk and finishing the new training regimen. The ale was nice, however, so I allowed myself to indulge in a mug or two. That’s when Isabel found me.”
“She works in a brothel?”
“No. She… well, she was there for the same reason Quincy and Baden were. To unwind and have a good night.”
I cocked my head.
“When I met her, she had a woman on each arm,” Maddox continued. “She offered one to me, and I declined before standing from the armchair and leaving. Well, stumbling. I’d drank a lot more than I’d meant to, which is why I said the story is embarrassing.”
“So Isabel…”
“Prefers the company of women.” He touched my jaw. “And I prefer the company of adorably jealous muffins with murderous intent toward bread dough.”
“I’m sorry, Maddox. I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions.”
“Don’t be sorry. I understand your reaction.” That lovesick gleam didn’t leave his expression as his knuckles brushed my cheek. “But know this. Before you, Evan, I hadn’t been intimate with anyone in quite a while. Lovers. Relationships. They were unnecessary distractions. Then, you stumbled along and kindled a fire in my soul. You made me crave more. My body. My life. My heart . Everything I am, everything I have, is yours.”
Yep. The frustrated prickles lifted, and I was putty in his arms. “Mine and Briar’s. You love him too.”
“Aye, I do.” That love in the blue pools of his eyes deepened. “Yet, both the physician and I place you above all.”
“Evan?” Lake entered the kitchen in a panicked state. By the tousle of his silver hair and sleepiness in his purple eyes, I suspected he’d just woken from a midday nap. He reached me in seconds and dropped to the floor, touching the knees of my trousers. “I smell blood. You’re hurt.”
Blood? That’s when I felt a sting in my kneecap and remembered my dramatic little moment on the way home. The ache in my wrist flared stronger too. My angry kneading of the dough hadn’t helped any. “Oh yeah. I fell earlier. I’m fine though.”
Lake whined low in his throat before rising from the floor and scooping me up with ease.
I hooked my arms around his neck and let him carry me. Fighting him on the matter was useless. He placed me in a chair at the table before dashing over to the faucet to fetch water, then a cloth, wrappings, and the salve Briar had crafted especially for me and my clumsy moments—which happened pretty much daily.
“You don’t have to do this,” I said as he returned and knelt in front of my chair. “I’m okay. Really. It’s just a scratch.”
“It needs to be cleaned. Even scratches can become infected.” Lake pulled up my torn pants leg and dabbed at my knee. I winced at the sting, and his wolf ears shot upward before lowering again. Although soft, another whine sang in his throat.
“I’m okay,” I repeated. “I’ve had worse. Remember the evil thorn bush? Sometimes I wonder if he’s still roaming the forest at night searching for me.”
Lake’s lips twitched.
Victory. I didn’t want him worrying about me, especially over something as small as a little scrape.
Once my knee was cleaned and my wrist wrapped—because the minor swelling hadn’t gone unnoticed by my wolf either—Maddox gently moved Lake out of the way and picked me up. I laid my head on his shoulder as he carried me toward the parlor. Lake followed and got the fire going in the hearth. Maddox placed me on the couch and plopped down beside me.
“Don’t you need to go back to work?” I asked.
“Nothing’s more important than being here with you.” Maddox brought me to rest against his chest. “Everything else can wait.”
The three of us then curled up together on the couch—me in the middle propped against Maddox, while Lake lay on my other side and rested his head in my lap. I opened one of the new books I’d purchased from the market and read as the logs crackled in the fireplace. Lake read too, while Maddox played with my hair.
Soon, my lids got heavy. I shut the book and closed my eyes, sinking one hand into Lake’s silky hair while holding Maddox’s thigh with the other. I was in that place between awake and asleep when Lake stirred.
“You upset him earlier, didn’t you, knight? I felt the ache in his chest as if it were my own.”
“Unfortunately, yes,” Maddox responded softly. Guilt was palpable in his voice. “He saw me with a woman and misunderstood the situation.”
“A woman?” Lake lifted his head from my lap. “That must be the scent I detect on you. Did you and this woman…”
“No. I would never.” Maddox smoothed my bangs aside with a slight tremble in his hand. “Gods, I’d rather cut out my own heart with a dull blade than ever break his.”
“I believe you.” Lake returned his head to my lap and slid his hand around my thigh. “So who is she? A past lover?”
“No. Isabel and I have known each other for several years but are not, nor have we ever been, intimate. She’s assisting the knights with a certain matter. The meeting today was to discuss terms of that arrangement.”
What arrangement? Maddox had explained about the brothel, and I felt better—and less stabby—after knowing Isabel wasn’t sexually interested in him. But the curiosity about their work relationship would probably drive me nuts.
A click at the door caused Lake to sit up.
“Afternoon,” Briar said.
I opened my eyes and pretended like I’d just woken up, even adding a little stretch for effect. Eavesdropper muffin. “Welcome back.”
“It’s good to be home.” Briar hung his coat on the hook before coming over and brushing a kiss to my temple. He then did the same to Maddox, which gave me butterflies. Butterflies that fluttered faster when he petted the top of Lake’s head to greet him as well. “I missed all of you.”
The fact Lake allowed Briar to touch him like that without even flinching spoke wonders. My gentle wolf was slowly but surely coming around.
Yep. Giddiness and butterflies.
“I’ll start dinner.” I wiggled off the couch. Wiggling, because a certain captain still had hold of me.
“Give me a moment to wash up and change, then I’ll be back down to help.” Briar undid the buttons on his cuffs as he walked toward the staircase.
Maddox pecked a quick kiss to my forehead before trailing after him.
“Shouldn’t you be with your knights?” Briar asked.
“Shouldn’t you be in your clinic playing with your little plants and potions?” Maddox retorted, his deep voice filtering into the parlor as they went up the stairs.
Their lighthearted bickering made me smile. Lake led me into the kitchen, a hint of a smile on his lips too. We prepared the casserole in silence, but it wasn’t an awkward one. We moved together so well, chopping vegetables and seasoning the hunks of beef before throwing everything together to cook. Light touches and affectionate glances said everything without us having to utter a word.
“How’s your wrist?” Lake grabbed it and examined my palm. The scrapes made his ears droop. My gentle wolf.
“Good as new. Doesn’t hurt at all.”
“And your knee? Please sit if you need to. I can finish with dinner.”
“It’s better.” I backed him up against the counter and latched onto his waist. “Stop worrying.”
“An impossible request.” Lake lowered his face to my neck and grazed his teeth across my skin before circling his tongue around my pulse point. “I’m attuned to every beating of your heart. Every intake of breath.” He slid a hand between us and lightly rubbed my crotch. “I’m completely devoted to you. Now and always.”
“Lake…” Sparks shot through me, and I shuddered, clinging onto him tighter. This was different for him. He usually only did this behind closed doors. “What brought this on?”
“You.” Another graze of his teeth before he drew back. His purple eyes shone more vibrantly. “In a world of uncertainties, you are my one constant. My home. I know in my heart the knight feels the same. As does Briar. Never doubt us.”
Was he doing this to reassure me because I’d gotten upset earlier?
“Us,” I repeated with a smile. “I love the sound of that.”
His wolf ears twitched as steps came from the hall, and he withdrew his hand from my crotch. That hungry gleam remained in his eyes though. One that said he wanted to devour me. And fuck, I’d let him in a heartbeat.
We clearly weren’t the only ones in a lustful haze. Briar’s flushed cheeks and Maddox’s coy smile hinted at exactly what they’d been doing before joining us in the kitchen. They’d never had penetrative sex without me in the same room, but they groped, kissed, and fondled each other. I wouldn’t mind if they did have sex in private though.
“Dinner’s almost ready,” I told them.
Briar took me in his arms and brushed a soft kiss on my lips. “Did you have a nice time at the market?”
“Mhm. I bought clothes for my trip to Exalos and some books. And Lake’s nuts. Well, not his actual nuts. Those are already mine. But I bought him a bag of almonds.”
Lake barked out a laugh that took everyone by surprise. He normally wasn’t so expressive around anyone but me.
“You also found trouble while in the market,” Maddox said, closing in on my other side.
“That too.”
Briar laughed. He then noticed my wrapped wrist. “What happened?”
“I fell.”
He sighed and clasped my hand between both of his. Warmth was accompanied by a faint glow that spread through my wrist and up my forearm. He’d healed me with his magic. “There. All better.”
“Thanks, Doc.” I rested my no-longer-injured hand on his neck and trailed the tip of my finger along the base of his exposed throat. He’d changed into a tan-colored shirt that fell open at the top, the ties hanging loose. “How was your day?”
“It went well. Between crafting healing tonics and restocking herbs, Thane and I worked more on the protection stones. They’re not as powerful as I’d prefer for them to be.” He looked so damn tired. “It’s all due to the gems. They can only hold so much power before they crack, so they’ll protect against one strong attack but nothing more.”
“Once is more than enough.” Maddox rested a hand on Briar’s shoulder and massaged. “No more talk of work for tonight. Rest.”
“I don’t take orders from you, knight.” The affection in Briar’s voice was unmistakable. As Maddox dug his fingers deeper into the muscles of his shoulder, he closed his eyes and softly groaned. “But I suppose I’ll allow it this once.”
***
I rode Maddox hard that night. Guess all it took was a bit of jealousy about his brothel days to bring out my inner power bottom.
“Evan.” His fingertips dug into my hips as he tipped his head back on the pillow, his lips parting. Black hair spilled across his brow, the strands sticking to his sweat-damp skin.
Briar nipped at his jaw. “Give us your moans, you infuriating man.”
Maddox smirked at him. “You’ve moaned enough for the both of us, physician.”
“Our Evan gave me no choice in the matter,” Briar said before kissing him. His eyes flickered up to me as their lips melded together.
God. It was hot as hell.
Briar had taken me first, getting me nice and stretched for our captain. And I might’ve been a bit rough with him too. Sweat glistened down the curve of his spine, and bite marks scraped along his neck. Scratches rained down his shoulder blades. After making him come, I’d kissed him silly and then attacked Maddox.
“Come on, big guy.” I planted my hands on his chiseled chest and slowed my pace, taking him deep with each descent. “I wanna hear you.”
“Then work for it,” Maddox responded in a deep, gravelly voice. His expression remained smooth, but I caught the quiver in his brow and the tightening of his stomach muscles. He was close to losing his control.
Making the sexy captain voice his pleasure wasn’t impossible. I’d done it several times before, thank you very much. But he was stubborn. He definitely made me work hard for that sweet reward.
Briar skimmed his hand down Maddox’s stomach and watched me fuck him. As his gaze locked on the place where Maddox and I connected, his softening cock began to fill again. My handsome voyeur loved seeing us like this. Honestly, I understood the appeal. I loved seeing them intimate with each other too.
My skin tingled as I sensed someone close in behind me.
“Hey, you.” I tilted my head back and met Lake’s purple-eyed gaze. He’d removed his shirt but had kept his trousers on. “I was wondering when you’d join us.”
Lake’s mouth tentatively met mine as his arms came around my waist. He kissed me while Briar kissed Maddox. It was so damn perfect the way the four of us fit together.
And then, I heard a rustling of clothes.
“I…” Lake panted against the top of my shoulder. A frustrated little sound left him. “Is it all right if I…”
Oh my god. The change I’d picked up on earlier while in the kitchen hadn’t been just in my head. Lake no longer felt like the outsider looking in on us. He viewed himself as part of our unit. Our family. And he was finally comfortable enough around them to be intimate. Vulnerable.
“Yes,” I said in a rush. “One million percent, yes, it’s okay. I’d love it if you did. Gimme.”
“Knight?” Lake leaned forward to look down at Maddox. “May I join you?”
Maddox’s heavy-lidded eyes lifted to Lake. He had one hand buried in the back of Briar’s brown hair and the other on my hip, his thick cock pulsing inside of me.
Would he say no? He and Briar had fallen in love over the months, but neither of them had been romantically—or sexually—affectionate toward Lake. They accepted him as my lover but not as theirs. Agreeing to Lake’s request would breach that barrier for the first time, forcing them to get a bit closer than they ever had before.
Whatever he decided, I would respect it. I’d never ask any of them to do something they weren’t comfortable with.
A trace of a smile landed on Maddox’s lips. “Took you long enough, wolf.” His blue eyes moved to Briar. “Will you help?”
“Of course.”
“Help?” Lake pulled back a little. “What are you—”
“He means to help Evan,” Briar clarified. “So it doesn’t hurt him. I can use magic to ease any discomfort.”
Lake relaxed, no longer in flight mode. He still had his limits. He’d been all right with Briar petting his hair earlier, but I guess one of them touching him in a sexual way was still a very hard no.
Double penetration was fucking incredible. Briar and Maddox had taken me at the same time countless times. However, like Maddox, Lake was… uh, very blessed. Briar’s magical touch would be much appreciated.
Once at my side, Briar kissed my jaw and skimmed his fingers down my ribs and belly before curving around to my back. Warmth radiated from his palm, and a euphoria-like sensation took me over.
I sighed and rocked my hips, taking Maddox deeper and intensifying that euphoria. A shaky whimper left me, and Briar smiled against my cheek. I met his hazel eyes. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, love.” He rubbed up and down my spine. “Do you feel good?”
“Mhm.” The sound came out like a moan as Maddox pumped his hips up.
“Perfect. No pain. Only pleasure.” Briar captured my lips in a sweet kiss before looking at Lake. “Whenever you’re ready.”
Anticipation. Excitement. A high like I’d never felt. I attuned myself to Lake in our special way. I couldn’t sense his emotions like he could with mine, but I sensed him . The scent of peaches and spring water. As he pressed closer, the heavy beating of his heart passed through my flesh and bones and reached my own heart. They danced to a rhythm only we could feel.
Lake kissed my nape and slowly ground against me, pressing his thumb against the top of my crack. I was already stretched, so I took his thumb easily. A throaty snarl escaped him. One that spoke of his impatience. His need. As he guided his cock forward, the swollen head dripped precum. Oozed, really, providing a nice bit of lubrication as he then seated himself inside of me.
Maddox groaned.
“Not fair,” I said through my own moan. “I worked so hard, but Lake’s the one who broke your silence.”
Lake made a rough sound in his throat. Like a growl mixed with a laugh. He slowly pumped his hips back and forth, and more sounds fell from his lips.
I reveled in those sounds. Reveled in everything: Lake’s hands on my waist while Maddox’s fingertips dug into the tops of my thighs, the delicious, tingling pressure from having them both inside me, and the way Briar’s hazel eyes darkened as he watched.
I didn’t want him to just watch though.
“Briar.” I reached for him, and as his hand slipped into mine, I tugged him closer, claiming his lips. He smiled against my mouth.
Now, it was perfect. The four of us together. Kissing, touching, and soaring. Burning with desire and need. Aching with it.
I lowered my hand to Briar’s cock and gave him a slow pull, loving the breathy moan he emitted against my lips. When he took mine in his grasp, I echoed that moan. The smoothness of his palm as he stroked me from root to tip, combined with Lake and Maddox alternating their thrusts to match rhythms, had me so close to orgasm already. One hard cock pounded my prostate, withdrew, and then the other followed suit.
Briar breathed harder and arched more into me. That’s when I noticed Maddox’s hand at his backside, one finger plunged knuckle-deep.
“I love that,” I said. “I love all of us like this.”
Lake dropped a kiss to the crease of my neck.
The pressure of Briar’s lips suddenly lifted from mine.
“Where are you—”
His hot mouth then came around my tip.
“Holy shit!” I slapped a hand to the top of his head and groaned, my thighs quaking. By that point, Maddox and Lake had me pinned in place as they railed me, their thrusts hard and deep. And now, Briar was swallowing me to the back of his throat. “I… fuck. This is so good. So damn good.”
The stimulation was next-level. My muscles tensed as one hell of an orgasm began to close in, the tingling pleasure heightening with each lick and thrust. Their scents mingled in the air, consuming me. Magnolia blossoms, leather and warm spice, and peaches.
Black cardamom.
I snapped my attention to the right side of the room. A flood of golden light emanated from the lit hearth, but that light didn’t reach the shadowy corner. Something glimmered within those shadows. Topaz eyes.
“Fuck!” I came hard, spilling down Briar’s throat.
“Gods, Evan,” Maddox grunted. “You’re so…” His pace faltered, and his muscled body jerked.
A low whine tickled my nape as Lake shuddered and joined us in ecstasy. He and Maddox pumped me so full of cum that it dribbled out.
Briar pulled off my cock and pressed his face to my hip bone, his mouth opening in a silent cry. Maddox had two fingers shoved inside him and showed no mercy as he finger-fucked him. Briar came soon after, his eyes squeezing closed as he toppled over that delicious edge.
With remnants of my release still rippling through me, my gaze returned to the shadows. I saw nothing but darkness now. No glimmers of topaz. No traces of black cardamom in the air.
Had I imagined it?
Lake’s strong arms came around me, and he buried his face in my hair. “My Evan.”
“Ours,” Maddox said in a gruff tone. He’d withdrawn his fingers from Briar and gently rubbed his lower back. “Selfish wolf.”
I felt Lake smile. He knew Maddox well enough to realize when he was only teasing.
Briar kissed my belly before settling in beside Maddox on the bed. With a sated smile on his pretty lips, he crooked a finger at me. “Come here, you.”
I reached back to cup Lake’s head before dragging him down with me. He came willingly and lay on top of me, resting his head on my chest. The lower half of his legs hung off the mattress. I was sandwiched between Maddox and Briar, and the weight of Lake on top of me just made it perfect. The four of us were a tangled mess of sweat-slick limbs, our breaths still heavy and hearts beating fast.
“I think we’re gonna need a bigger bed,” I said.
Maddox snorted, the sound raspy and telling of his exhaustion. Briar kissed my temple. Lake expelled a short breath and snuggled closer to my chest. His wolf ears tickled my chin.
We’d need to clean up before falling asleep, but for now, we enjoyed the feel of each other. Enjoyed the high of our release and the soul-deep bond that connected us. Our love was unconventional, sure, but it was just as valid as any other relationship. And just as strong.
Maybe even stronger.