39. Mia
MIA
“And then Professor Teague told the whole class how well I’d done with assembling a team and managing them. That was the point of the assignment, not just the resulting video. But she told me after class that she really liked the video, too.” I was gushing, but I couldn’t help it.
I sat on the sofa in the living room at the Baylor House, one knee pulled up on the couch as I listened. “No, they didn’t think I was bossy. Or, well, maybe they did, but that was my job. To be the manager of my minions.”
I smiled at the gentle teasing. “All right, maybe I do like being bossy.” I could admit that, but it didn’t diminish my excitement. “I bet I get an A on it, and that’ll mean getting an A in the class.”
Nodding rapidly, I wrapped up the call. “Okay, you too. Take care and see you soon.”
Tossing my phone on the cushion next to me, I looked up to see Diego leaning against the doorframe to the dining room, watching me.
He had a black button-down shirt that was rolled up at the sleeves to reveal his tan, muscular forearms. Had I ever thought that forearms were attractive before moving in here? Probably not.
“How’s Tori doing?” He said it lightly, but I knew he was still embarrassed that Tori and Jayden knew about what had happened at that Halloween party.
“Fine as far as I know, but that was Sara.”
“Really?” His smile brightened the room as he strode toward me. “That’s wonderful. I’m so glad that you can talk to her like that now.”
He reached me and held out his hand. I took it, getting to my feet. “Where are we going?”
He spun me around and pressed me against the back of an armchair. “Nowhere, I just wanted to kiss you, and I don’t trust myself with you on a sofa.”
And kiss me he did. He caged my body with his, trapping me between his hot, hard muscles and the back of the chair. The moment his lips met mine, it felt so damn good. Each of them kissed a little differently, but I thoroughly enjoyed—and was gaining much practice—with each style.
I melted under Diego’s touch and scraped my fingers along his back. As he ravished my mouth, I brought one leg up, wrapping it around him and grinding my hips against his.
He pulled back just enough to whisper, “Maybe I don’t trust you on the sofa with me, either.”
With a quick grin, I captured his bottom lip and bit it gently. Then his mouth claimed mine again, and I held him even tighter.
Until someone cleared their throat.
Diego and I jumped apart, only to find Aaron leaning against the same doorframe where Diego had been a few minutes ago.
“Anyone could’ve come in here.” He looked like he was trying to fight amusement.
Since our return from the week at the condo, we’d tried to be discreet around the house, but sometimes we messed up.
I blamed the guys—not because they couldn’t control themselves, but because they were so damn sexy that sometimes I couldn’t control myself.
I rubbed the back of my hand across my mouth, still feeling the sensation of Diego’s lips on mine.
Diego wasn’t perturbed by Aaron’s scolding. “Want to switch? You can kiss her while I’m the lookout.”
“I like that plan,” I said instantly.
“I’ve got a better one,” Aaron said. “Though that one does sound pretty good. But we’re not alone.”
I didn’t know who else was home, but I vowed to be more careful… when possible.
“Cody’s rehearsal is going to wrap up in about thirty minutes. He suggested we meet at that Thai place down on Spruce Street. You guys interested?”
“Sure,” Diego said.
“Could we go to the condo instead?” I asked, only half teasing. Too bad it was over an hour away.
“You’re insatiable,” Diego said, and he pinched my ass, which made me squeal and then giggle.
“It’s a good thing I am, because I’m kind of outnumbered three to one.”
“And you love it.” This time, Diego’s husky voice was an inch from my ear.
“Don’t make me clear my throat again,” Aaron warned. “Can I tell him we’ll meet him there in an hour?”
“Sounds great.” And I didn’t mean the food. I loved every second I had with the three of them, whether it involved food, just hanging out, or far more sensual things.
A few days later, I was up in Cody’s room.
He had his headphones on and was working out something on his keyboard.
I had headphones too, ones he reserved for my use when I visited him up here.
Sometimes he let me listen to his playing, but today there was a classical piece he’d wanted me to listen to.
It was surprisingly exciting with moody, slower sections that gave way to quicker ones that built up to a grand, sweeping climax.
And I was rather fond of a good climax these days. Which was good because, for the first time in my life, I was regularly having them.
I leaned back on the throw pillows on Cody’s bed.
They hadn’t been here the first time I’d come up to his room after we returned from Chattanooga.
But then the next time, there were brand new pillows on his bed, and the sheet music that had been scattered everywhere had been corralled into piles. Mostly.
I was really getting into the music when I noticed Cody take off his headphones and stand up. I took off mine too, sitting up cross-legged in his bed.
“You okay?” There was a slight frown on his face.
“I just can’t work this part out.”
It was still hard for me to believe that I knew someone who composed actual music, even though I’d seen him do it before.
“Wish I could help. Can I be your muse?”
He arched an eyebrow at that. “You already are.”
That was so sweet. “You know me and my lack of music knowledge, but maybe if you tell me the problem, I can at least listen.”
He ran his fingers lightly over the keyboard. “I’m just not getting the sound I want. Can’t tell if it’s the music itself, the settings, or the instrument.”
“Well, there are at least six other instruments, all within eight feet of you. Maybe try one of those?”
“Yeah.”
He scanned the room, walking around his desk. I thought he was going to pick up the guitar that was leaning against the wall by the bed. But then he came over and sat down next to me.
He patted my leg. “How about I try this keyboard?”
Warmth filled me as I realized it was a setup. He was so damn cute sometimes.
I straightened my leg and put it over his lap. “Be my guest.”
He put his hands on my thigh and shin as if ready to play, but then he frowned at the denim under his fingers.
“Can I take off the keyboard cover?”
My pulse sped up, but I nodded and unbuckled my jeans, only a little self-consciously.
I’d recently done so many steamy things with these men that I was getting used to it—and very used to the unbelievably good orgasms—but sometimes I still got a little shy.
I lifted my butt off the bed, and Cody tugged my pants down and off.
Even that much—just having his hands on me—was enough to make arousal pool between my legs. But that increased as he repositioned my bare leg over his lap and started playing. His fingers flew over my skin, tapping as he would for a real keyboard.
It almost looked like he could hear music rising from the makeshift keyboard that I couldn’t.
It was so fascinating watching his face as he focused that I forgot to be disappointed that he hadn’t moved on to other things once he got my pants off.
I leaned back against the wall and just enjoyed the feel of my leg on his, his hands moving on it, and his closeness.
I probably would have been content to stay there forever, but after a good five minutes, his hands stilled.
“I think I’ve got it.” He smiled at me.
“Do you need to write it down?”
“Nope, I’ve got it. Thank you.”
“Anytime,” I said. “Literally. I like being your instrument.”
He raised an eyebrow and gestured toward my t-shirt. “I’ve noticed.”
I looked down and saw my hard nipples poking against the shirt.
Oops.
“Well, if you wanted an impartial piano, you should have used someone else’s leg.”
“Don’t want to.”
He scooped me up and pulled me across his lap as he scooted back against the headboard. Now both legs were across his and his arm was around my back as he held me to his chest.
“You are my muse, Mia.”
The way he said it filled some deep-seated need in me. He sounded like he meant it.
“You’re pretty important to me, too.”
He still had me in his arms, a frown of concentration on his face. “Important is not the right word. But whenever I try to find the right words, they disappear like notes into the air.”
“Do you want to sign?” I asked. I loved being in his arms, but I could give him space if he wanted to.
“No. Though I do appreciate you learning to sign the alphabet.”
That’d been fun. Sometimes we tried to spell out naughty things across the dining room table from each other—discreetly, or mostly discreetly.
I leaned my head against Cody’s shoulder. There was just something incredible about being cradled in someone’s arms. The safety, the warmth, and the fact that he wanted you there.
“It’s too soon,” he finally said.
“For?” I asked.
“For me to feel the way I do.”
Oh.
My breath stilled, with my hand against the muscled wall of his chest. I wanted to look into his endlessly deep blue eyes, but I knew that would make it harder for him.
“I don’t think regular rules apply here. To any of this,” I said softly.
His head lowered, his forehead pressing against mine.
“I love you,” he said, the words faint but clear. “I know it’s too soon, but?—”
My heart beat painfully hard in my chest as I brought my finger up to his lips, stilling his words. Did he really mean that? I knew what I felt for him—for all three of them—but I didn’t think anyone would return the feeling. As he said, it was too soon.
Except, I knew how I felt, so maybe I could trust what he felt. “It’s not,” I said. my head still buried against his shoulder. “I feel it, too.”
“You do?”