Chapter 32 #2
Bryce stepped away but kept holding my hand.
Gazing into my eyes, he said, “We’ve both had intimacy—albeit non-sexual in the traditional sense, to be clear—with Serenity.
And now you’re the buffest jaguar that ever existed, and I…
well, I have new, powerful magic churning within me that’s spawned from nowhere. Coincidence?”
Dagger grumbled as he eased himself onto a couch, comforted by Carrot’s purrs and nudges. “Buffest jaguar. What a crock.” He looked at me with a worried glance. “Just joking though, of course.”
I winked at him, wanted to reassure him but also focused on where Bryce was going with this.
Bryce carried on. “Seb has a telepathic connection with her, even though he’s only a half-vampire.” He raised a brow at Dagger. “Have you noticed anything different since you met Serenity?”
Dagger ran his hand down Carrot’s head and body in long strokes, softly pulling upward on her tail as he mulled the question. “Well, now that you mention it, I do… get a lot more boners when she’s around. Does that count?”
None of the guys laughed. But I had an internal giggle. I struggled to keep my face stony.
“Sorry about that.” Dagger cleared his throat. “Seriously though, now that you mention it, my jaguar tat’s been feeling different.”
“What’s the punchline now?” Hunter asked through gritted teeth as he drummed the couch arm.
Dagger looked at me but addressed his twin, voice sincere.
“No punchline. It’s like electrical pulses up and down this arm.
It doesn’t hurt or anything. Feels like I could knock out a hippo, to be honest. The ink feels funny, like sprayed-on titanium or something.
” He shrugged. “It’s hard to describe. It feels like a bulletproof vest wrapped around my arm. Except it ain’t heavy.”
“Then Serenity may not only be drawing us to her, but something more could well be at work,” Seb said sheepishly, over the top of his Bloodweiser.
“No shit, Sherl—” Dagger noted the disapproving slant of my mouth and changed his tune. “That seems to be the case, kid. The question is, what do we do about all this?”
“Well, I suspect none of us are going to want to let Serenity go.” As Bryce moved toward me, he offered his hand. When I took it, he led me into the loft’s living room, inviting me to sit next to Hunter, who pulled me in close.
Bryce dropped into an oversized armchair the furthest away from everyone else, pointing at me with Hunter, saying, “You see? I have no problem with sharing her affections. It’s hardly a rare thing in New Nebraska, is it?
I’ve even read research that claims poly relationships are often the most successful.
” He shuffled in his seat, pursing his lips before saying, “But, Hunter, I don’t want to float ideas that’ll cause any tension between us. ”
Hunter slipped a gentle, warm palm under my top, massaging and rubbing my back softly.
“Bryce, you’re like family. I trust you.
Completely. And I can’t deny you the touch you’ve been robbed of all your life.
Can’t be anything but happy for you.” He exhaled hard.
“But…” His eyes went to Dagger. “I feel like some people would be very difficult to get along with, in that type of arrangement. Even if they do claim to have a special bond with Serenity.”
Dagger snorted and opened his gaping mouth.
But then he paused and looked at me. Breathing deeply, he spoke to Seb.
“Not a lot of people know this, but I was a paramedic for a year and a half, before I became a cop. You look weak, kid. I’m not exactly a fan of the remedy, but—if Serenity’s in agreement—I can extract a couple of syringes’ worth of her blood for you to drink.
See if that helps you feel better. No fangs, no bites, no venom, but you’ll get a shot of what you need. Serenity?”
I was proud of my bad boy. “I’ll do it. Once you’ve faced the fangs of a monster, needles are nothing. Bryce, would Gerald be able to pick up—” I turned to Dagger. “What do you need?”
“It’ll be easier if I talk to the old war horse directly. Bryce, may I?”
Dagger’s professionalism, preciseness, and sincerity in doing the blood draw, and the marked revitalizing effect it had on Seb seemed to melt some of the ice floating around the loft’s air.
It emboldened me to pick up where Bryce had left off.
“If you guys all want me, I’m not going to choose between you.
I can’t promise what will come… But, we can try if you want?
” All the guys started to nod, but I had to continue.
“I just need to take it slow.” I rubbed at one of my scars, then stopped the second I noticed.
But all the guys’ eyes were on me. They’d seen what I’d done.
“We understand,” Bryce said softly.
“Okay, so maybe we all hang around the loft, go out for dinner, and do things like… feed the ducks at the park.” I hadn’t done that since I was a kid but wanted to just enjoy life again. “It’ll be lovely.” Or at least, it sounded lovely to me.
I glanced between Dagger and Hunter. “And of course, it’ll be a good chance to practice getting along and understanding each other better, right?
” I was determined to melt some of the ice between the twins, even if things didn’t work out between us or I had to leave New Nebraska.
“So, let’s just see if it works. If it suits us. What do you think?”
Seb responded before my mouth was closed. “I’m down.”
Bryce raised a hand. “Obviously, I’m in.”
Hunter rubbed his nape. “I wish I could be more optimistic,” he said with an apologetic wince, “but I just have doubts that a few fun outings are going to change things… or certain people.”
“I wonder who he could mean.” Dagger rolled his eyes as he scratched between Carrot’s ears.
Hunter’s shoulders tensed, but he never looked his twin’s way. “But so long as everyone agrees to stay respectful and take it slow—”
“Didn’t I just fucking do that?” Dagger pushed his fingers against his chest, eyes narrowed on his brother. “You’ve got your hackles up for no damn reason. As usual.”
Hunter’s jaw flexed. “My point is,” he said, calming his voice on his next exhale, “I’ll give it a try, for you, Little Dancer.” He huffed out a sigh. “You’ll be safer with everyone here keeping an eye on you, so that’s good reason enough. For now…”
“And”—Bryce leaned forward in the maroon armchair, cutting between the twin’s eyelines—“there’s a perfect night out coming up soon. One where we can all go out together, and enjoy a special time.”
“Where’s that?” I asked, pressing the gauze firmer onto my arm. Dagger had been so swift and neat at taking the blood.
I looked over at Seb’s handsome face and shining eyes. I hoped my blood wouldn’t make him fly around the room or any weird shit like that.
“The New Nebraska Annual Charity Ball. There’ll be people from all over the state coming. We’ll probably even meet some poly families too. There’ll be a banquet, dancing, casino games. I think it’ll be a great evening out. Dagger, you’ll be up to attending a party in eight days’ time, right?”
Dagger looked down at his bandaged legs and chuckled. “As long as I’m breathing, I can find an excuse to have fun.” He sighed hard. “But come on, man. That ball is for elites, and we both know it. It’s something crazy like thirty-five grand a ticket. You can’t possibly—”
Bryce swatted the air. “My gift to everyone. The tickets, evening wear, all on me. Consider it a goodwill gesture toward this new situation we’re trying out.”
Imagine, me at a fancy ball with flashy gowns and tuxedos, champagne, and classical music.
I was a little nervous about mingling with throngs from high society, but then Bryce was about as high as it got, and he was my new…
boyfriend? Mate felt too serious. What did it even mean?
They all spoke about it with a sort of reverence, like it held mystical power.
I enjoyed their company, sure. Cared about them.
Absolutely. But I didn’t know exactly what I felt or what I wanted beyond that.
“I think that’s a lovely suggestion, Bryce. It’s so generous, really. Thank you.”
Bryce focused on Hunter but spoke to the whole room. “You’ve got a couple of spare rooms. Maybe Seb could stay over sometimes? Say two, three days a week, to see how he clicks with us all sharing the same space? You know he’s a good guy, so there’s no worry there, and I’m happy to pay his rent.”
“Rent. Give me a break.” Hunter met eyes with Seb. “Consider yourself at home, kid.” His tone turned a bit harder. “You seem like a good guy. Just don’t let Serenity down…””
“I won’t.” Seb stood and shook Hunter’s hand.
In a move that surprised me, Hunter pulled Seb in for a back-slapping bro hug.
Things were going so well, I felt embarrassed at the huge yawn that closed my eyes.
“I’m sorry, guys. You know, the past few days.
Bryce, I’m so sorry about the feast. I feel like I’ll fall asleep at the table.
” Luckily, we’d been helping Bryce clean as he cooked so there weren’t many dishes left for him or the guys to do.
He shrugged. “Not important. Just means plenty of leftovers. But did you eat enough?”
“I’ll grab a protein bar before bed.” I got off the couch, got the bar from the kitchen, and hesitated after my first step toward Hunter’s bedroom.
I glanced around at everyone. “In the name of taking this slow, I’d…
like to stick to sleeping in Hunter’s bed until we figure out how everything’s going to go.
” I tried hard not to blush. “But I don’t want anybody to feel left out. ”
“Whatever makes you comfortable,” Bryce said.
Hunter rose with me and laid a tender kiss on my cheek. His smile has returned full blast. “I’ll be in soon.” I rose on my toes and kissed his lips.
“Hey, in the name of not feeling left out…” Dagger opened his arms, palms up, and flashed me a crooked smile.
Hunter’s fingers tensed for a second on my waist. But his knee-jerk grimace faded, which gave me hope that this relationship might actually work.
“How about I kiss everyone else goodnight?”
As soon as the words left my lips, three strong bodies swayed toward me.
Even Seb’s on the couch. Their sudden collective yearning tightened the air in the room, leaving me breathless.
An embarrassed flush bloomed across my chest as I found myself the center of attention.
How would kissing each of them be different?
Seb seemed a safe first choice. I took a step toward where he sat on the couch.
He answered my unspoken question with a soft nod. “Please, Seren. Is it okay if I call you that?”
“Seb and Seren. I love it.” I closed the distance between us and let instinct guide me, not giving it too much thought as I crawled onto his lap and stroked his hair.
My other hand cupped a clean-shaven cheek and our mouths met in sweet harmony.
His lips were warmer than I’d thought they’d be, and I sank into the kiss with a happy sigh.
He shivered and his lips parted for me. I feared I’d taste my blood in his mouth, but he’d had water after, and I tasted nothing but sweetness. My tongue explored, nudging against one of his fangs, and I flinched, jerking back. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude.”
“It’s all right,” He rubbed his nose against mine. “I know I’m different… Thank you. It was amazing.”
I laid my palm on his chest, a little unsure what to do with my hands. “Goodnight, Seb.”
He held me by the waist, helping me back to my feet, and I turned to find Dagger behind me. His gaze bored into mine, as if staring into my soul.
Giddy nerves raced along my skin, anticipating my first kiss from Detective Bad Boy.
The second I stepped within reach, he pulled me in by my hips.
He cut off my happy cry of surprise with an impassioned kiss that held nothing back.
His tongue parted my lips in an instant, his hand on my back keeping me close.
I leaned in, my heart racing, breath hitching, but he was such a tease, he pulled back.
We stared into each other’s eyes for several moments.
Then he kissed my chin, my cheeks, my eyelids as they fluttered shut. “Here’s to many more goodnights.”
My heart was still thumping. “Let—let’s see. Goodnight, Dagger.” God, I hoped more kisses like that were on the horizon.
Which left Bryce. I bit my lip, suddenly shy again. “Bryce?”
“God, yes.” He stood from the armchair and gently gestured for me to approach. “But I have to warn you, I’ve, uh, never kissed anyone before.”
I rested my hands on his shoulders, grateful for the smaller height discrepancy between us after craning my neck to kiss Dagger. “Well, I’m here now.” I cupped his strong jaw. “And I’m thrilled to be your first. I haven’t actually kissed many men either.”
“I just never want to let you down.”
“You won’t. And if you do, we’ll work it out.” Out of all the men, I knew I could trust Bryce to communicate best and care about anything that might upset me.
He wrapped his arms around me, caressing my back over my top, looking down at my face.
A blush blazed across his cheeks, and I closed the distance for him, taking it slow, smiling against his mouth at the way his breath quickened with each tender brush of our lips. He tasted like the cinnamon he put in his drink, and it was so perfect.
And intense. His kisses seemed to set off an inferno in my veins, and I needed to pull away, dizzy with the rush of heat through my body. It reminded me of that night I’d had to cool off in the shower. Gasping, I rubbed his cheek and pulled back enough to mumble, “Goodnight.”
Fuck. Bryce seemed to have a powerful effect on my internal thermostat. Then again, they all did. I lifted my hair off my neck to cool it, breathing hard.
“Night, everyone.” Riding the rush that their fevered gazes ignited in my blood, I hurried down the hall and ducked into Hunter’s room.
I stripped down to my panties, imagining strong hands doing it for me.
I tried to decide who I wanted it to be, standing behind me, hands roaming my body, ready to follow me into the bed.
No matter how hard I tried though… I couldn’t choose.