Sierra
Chapter forty-two
“And we are finally done,” Zander announces, as my head falls back onto the couch.
We worked since we got back to my apartment to get the project done, so we wouldn’t have to worry about it any longer.
There’s a soft knock at the door and I get up, stepping over Zander’s legs. I don’t worry about looking through the peephole. I already know who it is before I open it.
Standing on the other side with a smile from ear to ear and a casserole dish in her hand, is Mrs. Butler.
She’s gotten a few more wrinkles from worrying about me and Sam.
It breaks my heart that she feels she let us down.
If she had only gone to the authorities when my aunt first disappeared, we had a good chance of living with her, and Sam and I would never have been separated.
“Thought you two might be hungry.” She winks slyly as she steps past me into the living room and walks over to the table. “It’s still hot. Just took it off the stovetop.”
“Thank you, but you didn’t have to,” I remind her.
“I know, but I wanted to. Did you get a new video from Sam?” Her expression softens as she looks at me.
“She’ll have one tonight. If you like, I can get my brothers to make sure she makes one for you too.” Zander stands, walking over to us.
“You would do that?” Her voice hitches as tears well in her eyes.
“I’d be happy to. In fact, I’ll message them now.”
“Do you think Sam could call her?” I ask him. “I know she can’t talk to me, but maybe she can with Mrs. Butler.”
“I can check with my dad, but I don’t see why not.” Before he can turn away to go get his phone, Mrs. Butler wraps her arms around him and squeezes him tightly, the tears finally break free.
She quickly lets go of Zander and rushes to the front door. Before she steps out, she pauses. “Save some for Cyrus,” she says without turning around.
“She’s sweet,” he says softly as he turns around to grab his phone from where he left it. before quickly running down the hallway to the bedroom. When he walks back over to me, his fingers flying across the screen on his phone.
“Yep. Hungry?”
“Starving and this smells delicious. What is it?”
Opening the lid, I smile brightly. It’s soup but not just soup. My favorite—chicken gnocchi.
“Holy shit, is that what I think it is?” he asks, licking his lips.
“It is. Sit down. I'm going to get us some bowls and spoons.” I quickly go to the kitchen, getting what we need.
When I come back, he’s looking at me slyly.
“This isn’t a real date, just so you know.
It was a homework date, so I’m going to need a do over.
I want a chance to take you to a movie, bowling, mini golf or, you know, something like that.
I’ll pick you up at your door, then bring you home and awkwardly hope the entire night I can kiss you goodnight. ”
“There’s still a chance.”
Did I just say that out loud?
“Yes, you did. But now that I know I have the okay to kiss you, I will.” He laughs.
Shit, I need to learn to keep my mouth shut.
He winks as he reaches for the ladle and starts pouring some soup into our bowls.
“Listen, I don’t want you to think you have to tell me about your dates with the others, or what you do on them.
I know that each of us is on a different page in our relationship, so there’s no pressure there.
” He swirls his spoon through the creamy white liquid before scooping some up and eating it. His eyes close as he hums.
“Thanks. Yeah, I guess there are some conversations we need to have.” I look down at my spoon. “Are you a umm, a virgin? It’s okay if you aren’t, I’m not. Well, you know I’m not because of the video, but Cyrus and I, we’ve—”
“Stop right there, baby. You don’t have to tell me what you and Cyrus are doing, but thank you. As far as being a virgin, no, I’m not. But I’ve only slept with one person and we used condoms. I can get tested if you need me to. Actually, I think it’s a good idea that we all do.”
“I trust all of you, but yeah, that sounds good.”
“Are you sure everything was okay at school today? You seemed upset when we picked you up from the library. Did Wes do something? Say something? I’ll fucking kill him if he did.” He clenches his fist so hard, his knuckles turn white.
“I’m fine, Zander. I can handle a little name calling.
As far as Wesley is concerned, he knows exactly how I feel.
Now, can we get back to our date? After dinner, isn’t a movie and cuddling normally the acceptable protocol?
” I raise my spoon to my mouth, tasting the delicious doughy goodness, and I do a little happy dance.
It’s mouthwatering, but I expected nothing less from Mrs Butler, she’s an amazing cook.
“Then I guess we need to finish eating.” He winks and takes another bite.
We spend the rest of dinner glancing at each other, wearing matching smiles.
I’m warm and content, lying in Zander’s arms with my head resting on his chest. He’s rubbing tiny circles along the exposed skin of my arm, causing my hair to stand on end. Electricity dances down my arm as his fingernails scrape it gently.
We’ve not done anything but lie here, but my body feels like it’s on fire. My hardened nipples rub against the soft material of my bra and I squeeze my thighs together, fighting back the desire coursing through me.
When his breathing turns heavy and he moves his legs to adjust himself, I know he’s just as turned on as me.
“So, when is your uncle coming home?” he asks, and I freeze.
Shit, did we ever talk about who lives here?
I sit up, so I can look at him.
“The last couple days have been crazy and I’m not sure if it was ever said or not, but you have to promise to keep it a secret. Well, you can tell the other guys. Just no one else.”
“I promise, baby.” Sitting up more he reaches out, running his hand along my arm.
“Rico doesn’t stay here. I live here alone, well, until Sam comes back.
” I scrunch my nose cause that's technically not right.
“No, not alone, I guess. Cyrus has been staying with me every night since CPS showed up. And, well, before then, when he found me beat up, he was staying here to help me. So I guess I live with Cyrus.”
“Okay. Umm.”
When he goes quiet, my heart sinks. If they’re truly okay with this being a group dynamic, then he shouldn’t be mad about that. Is he having second thoughts? Will the others?
“Is that a problem?” I scoot back, holding my body rigid.
“Fuck, baby, that came out wrong. I don’t give a shit that he lives here. I’m jealous he gets to sleep with you and have you all to himself.” He scoots closer to me, slipping his hand behind my neck and pulling my face close to his.
His warm breath skims across my cheek before he places his lips on mine gently. The kiss deepens as his tongue pushes its way in, gliding against mine.
My hand cups his cheek before it slides through his hair. Zander slides his free arm around my back, holding me against him as he pulls me back down on the couch. Laying on our sides the kiss nor his hold on me breaks.
“God, I’ve dreamed of kissing you,” he whispers as he pulls away, his husky voice sending a shiver down my spine. He gazes at me with hooded eyes that yearn for more, and I desperately want to give it to him.
“Is that all you’ve dreamed about?” I ask shyly.
“No, but it’s definitely one of the best ones. The other things, well, I don’t want to scare you away.”
He rolls me so I’m on top of him, my legs falling on either side of him. His hard cock presses against my core as he rolls his hips up. Zander stops quickly, eyes wide.
“Shit! Shit! Shit! I’m so sorry, baby.” He quickly tries to roll out from under me, but I press my hands down against his chest and grind my core against him.
“Don’t be sorry. Out of your brothers, I am the closest to you. We’ve spent the most time building a relationship, and I think we should move further. I’m not saying let’s have sex right now, but kissing and other things are fine.” I lower my head, my hair falling around his face, and kiss him.
He groans, and I swallow. We get lost in each other, exploring each other’s bodies with our clothing on. I have intense feelings for him, but it’s still so new that I don’t feel the need to rush.
We’re so caught up we don’t hear the door open until someone clears their throat. Someone who’s standing right above us.
Cyrus? Please let it be Cyrus and not Rico, or worse, Mrs. Butler. No, it’s not her. The sound is masculine.
I don’t want to look up, and from how still Zander’s lying underneath me, I don’t think he does either.
“Got to say that’s fucking hot. I’ve heard those delicious sounds from our girl, but seeing her as she makes them is hot on a whole ‘nother level. Especially when it’s with someone else.
” I tip my head up and Cyrus kisses my swollen lips.
“Have fun, baby, I'm going to get something to eat, then take a shower. Treat her good, brother.” Cyrus heads into the kitchen then off down the hallway and a few moments later, I hear a door shut.
Zander and I both look at each other with wide eyes before we burst into laughter.
“Guess that’s bound to happen with this many people together,” he says, nipping at my bottom lip.
“I guess so, and practice makes perfect.” My voice is low and I smirk.
“Baby, I like how you think.”