26. 26 Ryder
26: Ryder
The water is hot, but not as hot as the way Tori’s legs feel wrapped around my waist. Her nails dig into my shoulders, and yeah, maybe I’m a little cocky about how much she’s already coming apart for me. It’s a damn good look on her—head tipped back, lips parted, making those soft little gasps that could probably bring a weaker man to his knees.
Not me, though. I’m not weak. Except maybe for her. But that’s a secret I’m taking to my grave.
“You look so fucking good like this, Kitkat. I could eat you up,” I murmur, leaning in to kiss the spot just below her ear. Her skin is slick with water, warm and soft, and it takes everything in me not to lose it completely.
She lets out a breathless laugh that goes straight to my dick. Not that I need the help—things are already plenty intense down there, and the piercings don’t exactly make me subtle.
“You talk too much,” she gasps, her fingers tightening in my hair as I press her harder against the tile.
“Yeah? And you love it,” I shoot back, grinning as I shift my hips just enough to make her gasp again. God, I love that sound. I could listen to it on a loop forever.
What I don’t love is the fact that Blaze and Thorne are here, too. I’m not the best at sharing. Blaze, of course, looks calm as ever, because he’s Blaze and he doesn’t know how to be anything else. Thorne, on the other hand, is staring at Tori like she hung the moon, and it’s both infuriating and kind of... I don’t know. Hot? Weird? I’ll just ignore that feeling for now.
“Ryder,” Blaze cuts in, interrupting my moment. “Let me.”
“Let you what?” I snap, though I already know what he means. The guy can’t go five minutes without trying to take over. Typical Blaze.
“You know what,” he says, stepping closer, his dark eyes flicking to Tori like she’s the only thing in the room that matters. “Move.”
I glance at Tori, who’s looking at me with that half-amused, half-annoyed expression that I hate how much I love. “Fine,” I mutter, stepping back just enough to let Blaze in. “But don’t take all night. Some of us have priorities.”
Blaze doesn’t even dignify that with a response. Of course he doesn’t. He just cups Tori’s face with that stupid, steady touch of his, like he’s about to worship her or some shit, and leans in to kiss her. It’s slow, and I try not to roll my eyes because, yeah, okay, it’s kind of sweet. But also, get a move on, dude, you said I could have her first.
Then Thorne steps in, his hands skimming Tori’s sides as he leans down to kiss her shoulder. “You’re going to be coming all night, Vic. I hope you’re ready,” he murmurs, his voice low and intense, and I swear I see her shiver. It’s irritating how good he is at that brooding thing, but also... fine. It’s kind of hot. I can admit that.
To myself.
Quietly.
“Alright,” I say, clapping my hands together. “Lovefest over. My turn again.”
Blaze and Thorne give me matching looks that are somewhere between exasperated and amused, but they move, and I step back in, wrapping my arms around Tori as I press my forehead to hers. “Don’t think for a second I’m letting them show me up, Kitkat,” I whisper, grinning as I shift my hips again. “You ready for me?”
Her laugh is breathless, and when she pulls me closer, I know I’ve got her exactly where I want her. Right here, with me. With us.
I sink into her, slowly, teasingly, and every damn thought in my head scatters. She’s warm and tight, hugging me just right, like she was made for me, and for a second, I almost forget Blaze and Thorne are even here.
“Fuck, Kitkat,” I mutter, my voice a low growl as I press her harder against the tile. “You feel so good. So fucking perfect.” My fingers dig into her hips, and I pick up the pace, each thrust sending shockwaves through both of us.
Her head falls back, a low moan escaping her lips, and it’s enough to make my chest swell with pride.
I did that. Me. Ryder fucking Hall.
Of course, the moment can’t last, because Blaze steps in, his calm, steady presence brushing right up against my chaos. He doesn’t say a word—he doesn’t need to. His hands find her waist, adjusting her just enough to make space for himself.
Tori’s hand slips down, her fingers curling around his length, and I can’t decide if I’m annoyed or turned on. Probably both.
Definitely both.
I glance at him even as I drive into her harder, making her gasp. Blaze throws me a faint smirk, so smug I want to slap him. He glances at Thorne, who’s already moving in, his hands sliding up Tori’s sides as he leans in to kiss her.
Thorne’s lips claim hers in a way that’s both possessive and tender, his hands cupping her face as he tilts her head to deepen the kiss. My rhythm falters for half a second as I watch them, and damn it if that doesn’t make me feel something I don’t want to unpack right now. Maybe ever.
Tori’s hand tightens on Thorne’s shaft, her grip firm and teasing as she strokes in time with my thrusts. “You got us all,” Thorne murmurs against her lips, his voice low and demanding. “Show us who you belong to.”
Her moan is muffled by his kiss, and the sound is enough to push me closer to the edge. I grip her hips tighter, my pace quickening as I pull her closer, harder, determined to make her feel every inch of me.
“You’re fucking perfect,” I groan, my voice rough with effort. “Fuck, Kitkat. You’re everything.”
Her hands squeeze around the guys’ shafts in response, her body shuddering as I drive her higher, and I know we’re both close. The way she moves against me, the way her lips part against Thorne’s, the way Blaze’s hands slide over her—it’s too much, and not enough, all at once.
And for the first time, I don’t mind sharing. Not when it’s like this. Not when it’s her .
I grunt, gripping her hips as I drive into her. She’s so tight, so perfect, hugging me like she doesn’t want to let go. “You squeeze any harder and I might lose my shit.”
Her moan is soft and shaky, and it’s enough to send a rush of heat through me. My rhythm falters for half a second, but I don’t stop. Can’t stop. Not when she feels this good. My hands guide her as I set the pace again, each thrust hitting deeper, harder, making her gasp.
Blaze’s groan rumbles beside her as her hand works him, her strokes confident but uneven with the way I’m moving her body. His hands are on her chest, his thumbs teasing her nipples, pinching and rolling them just enough to make her squirm. “That’s it, Doll,” he murmurs, his voice low and rough. “Show us how perfect you are.”
Thorne isn’t far behind, his head dipping to trail kisses along her jawline, his hands steady on her waist as her other hand strokes him in time. His voice is quiet, his words meant just for her, but I can see the way her body responds to them, the way she shudders under his touch. “You’re ours, Tori,” he says, all gravelly. “Every inch of you.”
Her moans are breathless now, soft and needy, and I can feel her tightening around me more, driving me closer to the edge. Blaze’s breathing grows heavier, his jaw tightening as her hand brings him closer. His hips stutter, his body jerking as he reaches his peak, spilling over her hand.
Thorne groans next, his hands gripping her waist as his own release comes, his climax spilling over her fingers and wrist. “Fuck,” he mutters, his voice rough as his head falls forward, his lips brushing against her shoulder. “You’re incredible.”
Tori lets out a shaky laugh, her head tilting back as she turns to look at me. “Still with me, Blue?” she asks, her tone teasing but breathless.
“Still here, Kitkat,” I say, my grin sharp despite the way my body feels like it’s about to combust. “But not for long if you keep doing that.”
I thrust harder, faster, driving into her with everything I have as her body tenses, her walls clenching around me so tightly it pulls a groan from my chest. “Jesus fucking Christ,” I mutter, my voice low and wrecked. “You’re going to be the death of me.”
She shatters first, her head falling back as a cry tears from her lips, her body shaking as she comes apart in my arms. The sight of her, the feel of her, the way she gasps my name—it’s all too much. I pull out just in time, my release spilling over her stomach and thighs, marking her as mine in a way that makes my chest swell with satisfaction.
For a moment, the four of us stay like that, the water washing over us as our breathing slowly steadies. Blaze is the first to move, grabbing a washcloth and rinsing her abdomen with gentle hands. “We made a mess,” he says with a faint smirk.
“And she loved every second of it. Didn’t you, Kitkat?” I reply, leaning back against the tile with a satisfied grin.
Her laugh is soft but genuine as she glances at me. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“Sure,” I counter, brushing a wet strand of hair from her face. “Pretend you didn’t, but we both know the truth.”
She rolls her eyes, but the smile tugging at her lips says enough. And as Blaze and Thorne work to clean her up, their touches careful but lingering, I can’t help but think how fucking lucky we all are.
Ours. Completely.
The shower’s a mess—steam clinging to every surface, water pooling on the tiles—but we’ve all looked worse after a fight. Blaze is the first to step out, ever the practical one, grabbing a towel and tossing a fresh one in my direction.
“Make yourself useful,” he says, nodding toward Tori, who’s still leaning against the tile, legs weak.
“Bossy,” I mutter, but I grab the towel anyway. I crouch down, gently wrapping it around her shoulders before scooping her up, ignoring her weak attempt at protest. “Relax, Kitkat. You earned a free ride.”
She glares at me, though it’s hard to take her seriously when her cheeks are flushed and her lips are twitching like she’s trying not to smile. “I can walk, you know.”
“Sure you can,” I reply, carrying her out of the bathroom like the damn hero I am. “But why would you want to when you’ve got me?”
Blaze follows us, towel draped over his shoulder as he mutters something about water on the floor. Thorne trails behind, silent but close, his gaze flicking to Tori like he’s making sure she’s okay.
I set her down on the edge of the bed, handing her a fresh towel before grabbing one for myself. “You know, Kitkat,” I say, rubbing the cotton fabric over my hair with exaggerated care. “You really should invest in a bigger bed. This thing is barely big enough for one, let alone four.”
Tori snorts, grabbing the towel and drying off with slow, deliberate movements. “Why? So you guys can get all awkward and weird the day after? I think we’re better off keeping things tight. Forces you to deal with your feelings. Besides, you’re the ones who got the bed.”
“Deal with my feelings?” I echo, feigning horror. “I don’t have feelings. I’m a manly man, remember?”
“You’re an idiot,” she says, laughing softly as she pulls on a fresh shirt. The sound makes my chest tighten in a way I don’t want to think about too hard.
Thorne smirks, grabbing a clean pair of sweats and tossing them onto the bed. “She’s not wrong. You two were unbearable after the last time.”
Blaze raises an eyebrow, stepping into his own clothes with his usual precision. “We weren’t the only ones,” he says dryly, nodding in Thorne’s direction. “You avoided eye contact for two days.”
“I wasn’t avoiding eye contact,” Thorne replies evenly, pulling on his shirt. “I was avoiding you.”
I laugh, falling back onto the bed and sprawling out like I own the place. Our girl crawls up the mattress to lay directly in the middle, Thorne is at her side instantly, and Blaze follows shortly after, claiming her free side. Once we’re all settled, I stretch out at the foot of the bed, grabbing her ankle and pulling her foot into my lap. “You’re tense,” I say, running my thumbs over the arch of her foot. “How are you tense after a night like that?”
“Gee, I don’t know,” she replies, rolling her eyes. “It could be because I killed someone. Or maybe it has something to do with the three of you constantly hovering like I can’t be trusted to be alone?”
Blaze sits on her left, his hand resting lightly on her arm as he starts tracing soft circles on her skin. “We’re not hovering,” he says, his tone calm but pointed. “We’re making sure you’re okay.”
“Hovering,” she says again, glancing at him before turning her attention to Thorne, who’s perched on her right side, his hand brushing her hair away from her face. “You gonna back me up, or are you joining the hover brigade?”
Thorne shrugs, his lips quirking into the faintest of smiles. “You’re not wrong.”
Blaze sighs, clearly outnumbered, and starts tracing patterns on her abdomen with his fingertips. “Fine. Hovering,” he mutters. “But you didn’t seem to mind earlier.”
“I didn’t,” she admits, her voice softening. “But I think we need to talk about... all of us.”
“All of us?” I echo, raising an eyebrow. “What’s there to talk about? We’re amazing. End of discussion.”
Her glare is sharp enough to make me grin, but she doesn’t take the bait. “Seriously,” she says, her gaze flicking between the three of us. “I can’t have you guys getting all awkward every time we do this.”
Blaze sits on her left, his hand resting lightly on her arm as he continues tracing those soft circles. “You’re not wrong, but we don’t have to figure it all out tonight,” he says, his tone calm but reassuring.
Tori looks between the three of us, her gaze softening. “But I already know,” she admits, her voice quieter now. “I don’t want to keep splitting my time between you three. I want us to be… I don’t know. A unit? I don’t want a day with you, then a day with Ryder, and one with Thorne. I want every day to be all of you all at once.”
Thorne nods, his expression thoughtful. “As much as I hate losing my time alone with you, I can live with not taking turns, if that’s really what you want.”
“Although, it’s not just about sharing you,” Blaze adds, his hand sliding down to rest against her abdomen. “It’s about building something. A family. That’s what we’re doing, isn’t it?”
Her breath hitches, and for a moment, none of us speak. It’s a big word, ‘family,’ but it fits. The way we look out for each other, fight for each other, love each other...it’s already there. We just haven’t said it out loud yet.
“That’s what I want,” Tori says finally, her voice steady despite the emotion in it. “I want all of you. Always. Not just when it’s convenient or easy. I want us to be a family.”
I grin, pressing my thumbs into the arch of her foot and earning a soft groan from her. “Well, good news, Kitkat. You’re stuck with us. All of us. Even when Blaze is being bossy, and Thorne is brooding, and I’m—”
“Annoying?” she interrupts, shooting me an amused look.
“Charming,” I correct, grinning. “But sure, let’s go with annoying.”
Her laugh is soft, and when her gaze sweeps over the three of us, there’s something warm and steady in it. “I love you,” she says, her voice barely above a whisper. “All of you. And I don’t care how we make this work, as long as we’re together.”
Blaze leans down, pressing a kiss to her temple. “We’ll figure it out,” he says firmly.
Thorne brushes her hair back, his hand lingering at her cheek. “Together,” he agrees, his voice low and certain.
“And with a bigger bed,” I add, earning a laugh from Tori and a pointed look from Blaze. But I don’t care. Because we’re here, and we’re together, and for the first time, it feels like everything is exactly as it should be. Nobody got shot. Nobody was slashed open. We all made it out unscathed, which is more than we can say from our previous encounters with Nico.
The room falls into a comfortable silence, the kind that only comes when you’re surrounded by people who know every piece of you—the good, the bad, and the batshit crazy. I massage the sole of Tori’s foot, my grin softening as I glance at her face. She’s staring at the ceiling, her lips pressed together like she’s thinking too hard.
“So,” I say, breaking the quiet. “We’ve talked about us. What about you, Kitkat? What do you want to do now?”
Her gaze snaps to mine, her brows furrowing slightly. “What do you mean?”
“I mean,” I reply, leaning back and crossing my arms behind my head, “you’ve got options, don’t you? You could go back to your dad and learn the trade. You know, really dive into the whole queen-of-the-underworld thing. Or,” I add, glancing at Blaze and Thorne, “you could stay here. Merge the Iron Triad with whatever’s left of the Niners and run this place.”
Her lips twitch like she’s considering it, but she doesn’t speak.
“Or,” I say, dragging the word out, “you could tell us to screw all of that and go back to college. Be a regular person. Study something boring like accounting.”
Blaze snorts softly, and Thorne’s lips twitch, but they don’t interrupt. This isn’t their decision to make. It’s hers.
Tori’s quiet for a moment, her hand brushing absently against Blaze’s where it rests on her abdomen. “I don’t know,” she finally admits. “It’s a lot to think about. I’ve spent so much time surviving, I haven’t really thought about what comes next.”
Thorne nods, his voice soft but steady. “You don’t have to decide right now. But whatever you choose, we’re with you.”
Blaze hums in agreement, his thumb stroking over her stomach. “Whatever you decide, you won't be doing it alone. We're never leaving your side again.”
“Just promise it’ll involve a bigger bed,” I say, my tone lighter.
Tori laughs, shaking her head as she leans into Blaze’s touch. “I’ll keep that in mind.”