Chapter Eight
Avery
“That’s it. Get up. We’re leaving." I sit up abruptly, causing Jaxton to startle as my hips grind into him. His hands find my waist, gripping tightly to keep us nestled together.
“What?”
The guys say in unison, confused by my sudden outburst.
“Let’s go out! I can’t stand sitting inside any longer. My burn’s better—plus, it’s dark out, so no sun to make it worse.”
Liam, eyes glazed and clearly preferring mischief, tries to find his focus. “Where are we going this late?”
he protests, sitting up and effectively caging me against Jaxton’s chest.
“I want to take you somewhere special—but no questions.”
I pout, my bottom lip sticking out just enough. They cave easily, letting me drag them to the car.
Jaxton drives in silence for a while, but Liam, impatient with the unknown, finally breaks. “You gonna tell us where we’re going?”
he chuckles, his eyes twinkling with excitement. I make a mental note: Liam likes surprises. I glance at Jaxton and notice his lips are puckered in a silent fit.
I laughed, the sound pulling Jaxton’s attention from the road to me for a moment. “No questions,”
I remind him, pointing playfully in his direction. “Even if you’re pouting.”
I try to sound threatening, but it comes out more like a kitten’s growl than a cougar’s snarl. Nowhere near as intimidating as the deep rumble Jaxton releases, warning me to behave.
A grin spreads across his face, a predatory gleam lighting up his golden eyes. “Easy, Kitten.”
His hand trails down my thigh, fingers slipping dangerously close to where my heat pools.
Thankfully, we arrived at our destination just in time. Jaxton parks at a dead end, and excitement bubbles within me. I leap out of the car and pop the trunk. Liam rounds the back, laughing as my childish enthusiasm infects him. He grabs the blanket from me and shuts the trunk.
“Come on, this way.”
I lace my fingers with Liam’s, pulling him in the right direction before stopping to wait for Jaxton. He locks the car, and I extend a hand towards him. “Gimme!”
He chuckles, slipping the keys into his pocket before taking my hand. He brings my fingers to his lips, kissing them softly. “Where to, baby?”
“Follow me!”
I lead them through a small break in the tree line. The path is short, maybe a hundred yards, and we quickly arrive. “Here we are!”
Jaxton looks around, confused. “Baby, all I’m seeing is a whole lot of trees. What am I supposed to be looking for?”
I roll my eyes with a teasing sass. “Not here, you goof. Through there.”
I gesture to a narrow path ahead.
They follow me the rest of the way, breaking through the last few steps into a clearing. Their expressions shift from confusion to recognition as we step into the meadow. We’d talked about this place before, my hidden stargazing spot. The moonlight and stars reflect off the dark surface of the lake, and the field is dotted with tiny white flowers, glowing faintly under the night sky.
“Your meadow.”
Liam’s voice is quiet, but the weight of his words carries a significance that tugs at my heart. His emerald eyes are full of unspoken questions, understanding that no one else has ever been here—until now. Until them. I already know I’ll share everything with them—my light, my darkness—if they ask.
When I’m sure my voice won’t betray the flood of emotion in my chest, I manage to speak. “Pretty sweet, huh?”
Before I can take another step, Liam grabs my arm, pulling me close. Jaxton presses against my back, turning me into the perfect marshmallow center between them. Words form on Liam’s lips but get stuck in his throat. Jaxton doesn’t bother with words—his lips find the back of my neck, sending shivers down my spine. Liam kisses me, murmuring something unintelligible. Their touch rewires every nerve in my body, sparking a fire in my veins that only they can ignite. My fingers tangle in Liam’s hair, tugging to send my own message of possession.
A low growl rumbles in Liam’s chest, his approval vibrating against me. He tightens his grip, pressing me closer as Jaxton mirrors his movements from behind. Soft, needy sounds escape me, and I can’t stop rubbing against them like a kitten, owning Jaxton’s nickname without a care in the world. We fit together so perfectly, puzzle pieces finally snapping into place. Why would I ever want to pull us apart?
Liam is the first to break the kiss, his lips trailing along my jaw. His voice is thick with emotion. “I can’t believe you brought us here.”
His lips find the spot just below my ear, sucking gently. “You’ve been such a good girl, sharing your secrets with us. We’ll have to reward you later.”
I whimper as they both step away, Liam picking up the blanket he dropped. “Later?”
My voice trembles with anticipation.
They both chuckle deeply, the sound washing over me, making my legs press together in a futile attempt to relieve the building tension inside. Jaxton speaks for them both. “Yes, Kitten. Now, get your mind out of the gutter and show us this special place.”
His devilish smirk makes me want to slap him, but half of me is swooning. He tugs me toward the center of the meadow, laying the blanket down and pulling me down beside him. His campfire scent envelops me as his warmth seeps into my bones. Liam settles on my other side, his scent of saltwater mixing with the night air, completing our perfect little sandwich.
We lie there, the stars lighting up the sky above us. Jaxton’s voice is soft, as if he doesn’t want to disturb the peace. “This place is beautiful. I can see why you come here.”
I nod against his shoulder, then tilt my head to press a soft kiss to the side of his neck.
Jaxton’s breath hitches. He turns, half-draped over me, his forehead touching mine. “You’re determined to be bad tonight, huh?”
His lips brush mine softly, teasingly. He smiles down at me, then kisses my forehead. “You going to behave?”
I snicker, “Probably not.”
Lately, they’re all I can think about—their smiles, their touch, their scent. Everything about them feels like pure nirvana.
Liam’s chuckle carries a promise of mischief. “Our brothers are going to love you."
I nod slowly, letting the statement linger in the air before speaking up, my voice tentative. “How… how do you plan on sharing me with them? I mean, I’ve never done anything like this before. It’s all so new to me, and after talking to Lennox tonight, I get the feeling I’ll like him and Kamden just as much as I do you two. But I don’t want to come between you guys or cause any jealousy. I couldn’t imagine feeling more for one of you than the others—or even having to choose if you decided one day that this type of relationship isn’t what you wanted.”
Liam’s eyes darken, his pupils dilating with a possessive spark that makes my heart pound. For a moment, I wonder if that possessiveness will clash with the idea of sharing me, but he just lets out a deep breath, his gaze softening as he reaches for my hand.
“Avery, sharing isn’t exactly easy, even for us,”
he admits, his thumb gently stroking my hand. “We’re possessive by nature, especially when it comes to someone we care about. But we’re all on the same page here. We’ve talked about this—a lot, actually. There’s no question that we all want this… and we all want you.”
Jaxton nods, his expression warm and reassuring as he leans in closer. “We’ve always been close, Avery. Our bond as brothers is strong enough that we want to share this life together. You’re right about Lennox and Kamden. We know you’ll feel for them what you feel for us, and that’s exactly what we want. We’re not asking you to choose; in fact, choosing would mean losing what makes this work. You’ll belong to all of us equally, and we’re here for that.”
The reassurance in his words washes over me, easing some of the anxiety I hadn’t realized I’d been carrying. “So… you’re saying there wouldn’t be any jealousy? No hard feelings if I feel the same way about all of you?”
Liam’s mouth quirks into a half-smile as he squeezes my hand. “We’re all in this, Avery. For us, it’s not a competition. There’s enough room in this relationship for you to grow feelings for each of us. In fact, that’s what we’re counting on.”
Jaxton reaches over, his hand resting on top of mine and Liam’s. “We’re all grown men, Avery. We know what we signed up for, and we’re fully committed to this. There won’t be any jealousy because, frankly, there’s nothing to be jealous of. We each bring something different to the table, and it’s what makes this work.”
My shoulders relax as I look at them both, seeing the sincerity in their faces. “You make it sound so… simple.”
“Because it is,”
Jaxton says, grinning. “You don’t need to worry about us, okay? We’ll figure this out together. As long as you’re honest about how you feel and open with us, we’ll handle everything else.”
Liam nods, his gaze softening further. “You’re not just someone we’re seeing, Avery. You’re someone we’re building a life with—all of us. We’re in this with you for the long haul—if that’s what you want,”
Liam says, his tone sincere. Both he and Jaxton let out soft, amused laughs. "We know we haven’t known each other that long, and it might seem early for a conversation this deep, but honesty is everything to us. So here we are."
A slow, warm smile spreads across my face as I look between them, my heart swelling with a mix of excitement and relief. “Then I’m all in too. Whatever this is, however it works… I want it with you guys. All of you.”
Jaxton wraps an arm around my shoulders, pulling me close, and Liam leans in, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead. In that moment, surrounded by their warmth and certainty, any lingering fears fade away, replaced by the feeling that I’ve finally found exactly where I belong.
But it’s Jaxton who whispers, his voice thick with warning. "You’re lucky I’m too worried about someone seeing this creamy skin to fuck you out here—but mark my words, Kitten, when we get home… you’re mine." His voice grows rougher as his hips grind against me, emphasizing his desire. The idea of an audience doesn’t bother me; if there were voyeurs, I’d let them watch.
By the time we’re done kissing, my lips are bruised, and Jaxton pulls me back against his chest as we continue to gaze up at the stars, their light flickering like fireflies dancing across the night sky.
Eventually, the air turns cooler, raising goosebumps across my skin, a shiver racking my body. Jaxton reacts immediately, tightening his hold on me and grabbing the edge of the blanket to wrap us both in a cozy cocoon. Liam follows suit on my other side.
"You’re getting cold, Bee," Liam whispers softly, not wanting to break the magic of the meadow around us.
He’s right. The chill is seeping into me, and the remnants of my burn only make it worse. "Yeah. Are you guys ready to go?"
"Sure am, baby," Jaxton replies, his tone a reminder of his earlier possessive claim. The look in his eyes promises he’ll deliver as soon as we’re home.
We climb to our feet and stretch after lying still for so long. Jaxton picks up the blanket, tucking it under his arm while taking my hand with his free one. Liam falls into step on my other side, lifting my hand to kiss my knuckles, making my heart skip a beat.
When we reach the car, Liam opens the passenger door for me, making sure I’m safely inside while Jaxton tosses the blanket in the trunk. Once they’re both in the car, Jaxton starts the engine and cranks the heat. He glances at the clock, then at me, his brows furrowing with concern. "Kitten, you don’t come out here at night by yourself, do you?"
My heart skips a beat, and my dad’s warnings echo in my head: Avery, don’t be going out there at night alone. Yes, you’re capable, but unpredictable things happen. Don’t put yourself in danger.
Jaxton’s expression darkens as he reads the answer in my silence. His concern quickly shifts to displeasure. "Promise you won’t do it anymore," he says, though I can tell he wants to make it a demand.
The thrill of rebellion is nothing compared to the satisfaction of pleasing him, so agreeing is easy. "I promise."
"Good," Jaxton says, his voice soft but firm.
"Good girl," Liam adds, his praise making me melt.
Their request should have triggered my independent streak, but instead, their approval overrides everything else.
As we drive home, Liam’s phone lights up with an incoming video call. He glances down, smirking as Kamden’s name flashes across the screen. With a laugh, he answers and holds the phone up between us, giving Kamden his first real glimpse of me. There’s a moment of quiet as Kamden’s face fills the screen, and I can tell he’s taking it in, maybe still a little disappointed about missing the last call.
Kamden’s gaze softens, and he gives me a warm, welcoming smile. “Avery, it’s about time we finally met,”
he says, a hint of relief in his voice. “I was beginning to think I was cursed to always miss these calls.”
I laugh, giving him a little wave. “Trust me, I was starting to think the same thing. It’s great to finally meet you, Kamden. I feel like I’ve heard so much about you already.”
He chuckles, rubbing the back of his neck. “And I’ve been hearing everything about you. They’ve got me convinced you’ve got magical powers or something after showing them that lake.”
“Oh, it was gorgeous,”
I say, leaning in a bit so he can hear me over the hum of the road. “It’s one of my favorite places. You’ll have to come next time—I think you’d love it.”
Lennox chimes in from somewhere off-screen, a playful tone in his voice. “She’s right, Kam. If you could pull yourself away from that restaurant of yours, maybe you’d have time for a lake trip.”
Kamden laughs, glancing back toward Lennox with an amused shake of his head. “Opening a restaurant isn’t exactly a walk in the park, Lenn. But I’ll admit, I could use a little time in a place like that. This whole opening phase has been intense, but I love it. It’s starting to come together.”
Lennox grins, giving him a nudge in the background. “He’s trying to sound humble. Don’t let him fool you, Avery. The place is practically his second love.”
Kamden shrugs, a glint of pride sneaking into his smile. “Maybe, but I’m excited to step away for a bit. We’ll be in town soon, so we can finally meet in person.”
His eyes warm as he continues, “It’ll be nice to have some downtime with all of us together.”
My heart skips a beat, and I grin. “I’d love that. I’m looking forward to meeting both of you in person.”
“Oh, you’ll be sick of us soon enough,”
Lennox teases, flashing a quick grin. “But let’s make sure you have our numbers so we can chat until then.”
Jaxton, glancing at me from the driver’s seat, grins. “I’ll send you their contacts and create a group chat for us. By the end of the night, you’ll have direct access to each other.”
The phone’s screen glows softly as Kamden’s face fills it; his expression warms as he settles in for a conversation that already feels familiar. As we drive along, I listen to him talk about the restaurant, his voice slipping into a tone of pride despite the fatigue that shows in his eyes. “It’s been a lot to manage,”
he says, smiling slightly, “but seeing it come together is worth every late night. I can’t wait to show you guys when you get home.”
I chuckle, leaning closer. “Well, from the sounds of it, the place is amazing. I’d love to see it. Just as long as you promise to take a night off to relax, too.”
Kamden’s smile softens, and he nods. “That, I can do. Especially since I’ll finally be meeting you in person,”
he says, a flicker of excitement in his eyes. “Lennox and I are ready to give these two a run for their money.”
“Good luck with that,”
Jaxton chimes in, glancing back at me with a smirk. “We’ve already set the bar high, haven’t we, Kitten?”
Lennox’s laugh echoes through the line, warm and easy. “High standards or not, Avery’s already got a good taste in the family, so we’re just hoping to live up to it.”
He winks at me through the screen, a little flirtatious spark in his smile that brings a blush to my cheeks.
Before I know it, we’re pulling up to my house, the familiar sight of the porch light welcoming us home. Jaxton slows the car to a stop, and I turn back to the screen, feeling a reluctant pang at the thought of ending the call.
“Goodnight, Avery,”
Kamden says, his voice soft. “We’re really looking forward to seeing you.”
Lennox nods, grinning. “You have no idea. Sweet dreams, Avery. And, hey, make sure these two behave.”
I laugh, feeling that familiar warmth in my chest. “Goodnight, Kamden. Goodnight, Lennox. I’ll talk to you both soon.”
The brothers exchange a few more playful goodnights, and I smile as the screen goes dark, already feeling like part of something bigger, something that just might become a home of its own.
The air inside the car feels charged, thick with a tension that’s been building all evening. Every glance from Liam, every casual touch from Jaxton, has been sending sparks up my spine, lighting a slow-burning fire that I’ve barely kept under control.
Jaxton’s hand finds mine, his fingers warm and strong as he gives it a gentle squeeze. Liam’s gaze catches mine in the rearview mirror, his eyes dark, filled with the same smoldering intensity that’s been simmering between us all night. We exchange a silent understanding, a promise of what’s to come, and step out of the car with an unspoken purpose.
The moment we cross the threshold into my living room, any pretense of restraint shatters. Liam’s hands are on my waist, pulling me close, his breath warm against my neck, while Jaxton’s fingers tilt my chin up to meet his gaze. In the span of a heartbeat, I’m surrounded, the world falling away until there’s only the heat of their touch, the thrill of their intent. They don’t just claim me—they consume me, every lingering glance, every firm touch reminding me why I’m so willing to surrender to them completely.
And as they lead me deeper into the house, I know tonight will be one I won’t soon forget.