81. Levi
LEVI
Fear is a fist around my heart, but not for the reasons Violette or Azrael think. I knew this was coming, but the reality of it hadn’t settled in until this moment. Not only am I opening myself up to heartbreak from one person, but two. I’ve literally doubled my odds.
He cannot die.
You’ve seen the proof of this yourself.
My rational mind’s attempt to ease my fear still leaves a twinge of irrational doubt, but the heartache in Violette’s expression, coupled with the insecurity swallowing Azrael’s, is enough to tip me over the edge of uncertainty.
Even if I do suddenly feel like a virgin.
Other than what happened between us at the hotel, I’ve never been with a man before.
Even if there had been a perpetual curiosity I kept buried in a box that I sank deep beneath all the trauma, coping mechanisms, and hypermasculinity I’ve always embraced—and felt natural to me.
Even if, behind closed doors, I’ve always longed to find moments of reprieve from the weight of it—something I’ve only found with Violette, and now have a longing to experience with Azrael.
And now that I’m finally being gifted the opportunity to explore something I’d never dared to imagine, my heart is hammering in my chest like my first HALO jump.
I shift to face Azrael whose expression shifts from one of insecurity to cautious hope the moment the words leave my mouth.
“You might have to be patient with me…”
Embarrassment heats my cheeks as I hear Violette’s breath catch.
Azrael’s brows knit together, throat dipping. “Is this something that you truly want?”
I hesitate, waiting to feel doubt weave its threads of anxiety in my desire for this. For all three of us to have this.
It doesn’t come.
Violette sits up, eyes fixed on us—riveted—as her dress slides back down her body.
Azrael’s gaze searches mine as I finally accept what I’ve been trying to deny.
“Yes.”
Desire and affection fill his eyes, making foreign emotion swirl inside of me.
It’s an entirely new sensation to be on the receiving end of a distinctly masculine desire.
It also makes me realize that, while I want to submit to Violette...
I want to dominate Azrael. Though I have no idea if he’ll be receptive to that.
“Do you?” I ask.
Azrael’s lips curve in a smile laden with something that takes me a moment to recognize. Shyness.
“Darling, I’ve wanted you from the moment you tried to kill me.”
I can’t help but give a helpless laugh as a pang of guilt strikes my chest. “Sorry about that.”
Azrael inches closer to me until his mouth is only inches from mine, and I feel the urge to close it.
“I’m not. All I’ve ever wanted is for someone to be as fiercely possessive over me as you are for her.”
My eyes lift to his, recognizing all the same sadness and longing in him that I’ve carried with me since I can remember.
The truth rises, demanding to be spoken. “I already am. Last night was so much closer to becoming a massacre than you realize…”
Azrael’s expression hardens before lowering his mouth, stopping only when his lips are grazing mine. My heart thumps so heavily in my chest, I’m certain he and Violette can hear it.
Finally, I close that small distance between us to capture his lips; encircle his waist with my hands to pull him against me. Azrael’s moan of satisfaction is nearly as fervent as Violette’s. Her needy whisper follows it. “Oh my fucking gods.”
The emotion in my chest burns so bright it feels like the heavens have opened up to illuminate a path just for the three of us.
My fingers dig into the muscled flesh of his waist as I guide us back between Violette’s legs, needing to feel her against me; to share this with me.
Her hands slide over my shoulders, tugging my jacket off, and I release Azrael long enough for her to lift my shirt over my head. Azrael’s eyes bounce from mine to Violette’s before raking over my bared torso.
“Fuck, you’re magnificent.”
I can’t help but chuckle at the echo of Violette’s words as I unfasten the cumbersome buttons of Azrael’s pajama top. “How much do you like this shirt?”
A laugh rumbles from his chest. “Right now? I despise it.”
My grin widens—a mirror to his—as we gaze at one another. In that fleeting moment, there’s a shared intimacy that has emotion tightening in my chest.
Gripping the lapels of his shirt, I give a single, swift yank in opposite directions, sending the buttons of his shirt ping-ponging across the room. Violette cackles with delight as one hand snakes across my abdomen and the other glides up his chest.
Azrael crowds Violette and I as he presses his body against mine and grips Violette’s thighs to tug her more firmly against me.
The long, thick bulge of his cock presses against mine, and the sensation is so new, it’s as surprising as it is satisfying, and sends a shock of electricity up my spine—and down the length of my dick.
His kiss is a striking balance between grace and all-consuming demand.
Violette nips at my neck as she begins to tease each of my nipples.
My cock twitches with need as she licks a stripe up the column of my neck and around the shell of my ear.
My groan comes out breathy and more than a little needy. “Oh, fuck…”
Butterflies take flight as she whispers her command.
“Trousers, off.”