Chapter 42 #2
Hey, you. It’s cold outside. Even a bit chilly for Superman. Why not come in and relax on a comfy couch?
Hey. Thanks for thinking of me, but I’d like to stay out a little longer. I enjoy chilly nights. They make me feel… more human. Full vamps don’t get chattery teeth. His strained laugh bubbled through me. I wanted to smile, but the sadness in his tone muted it.
Okay. But I hope you’re not blaming yourself for what happened?
Kind of hard not to. If it weren’t for me, you’d never have been in danger. God, I’m such a goddamn weakling.
No. If you are, I am too, and so is Dagger. We all had our minds messed with.
But it was my job to protect you. I didn’t even put up a fight against his powers. I’m half vampire for God’s sake. I should have recognized a trance state, even if I don’t use them myself.
And it was amped by Fae magic. I reminded him.
Still, I failed you. Forgive me.
There’s nothing to forgive, but if it’ll make you feel better, then I forgive you. But only if you come in. I want to warm you up. Won’t that make you feel human too?
I couldn’t help the smile that pulled at my lips as I flirted with him. I could almost see his shy grin and the tops of his cheeks turning pink as his feelings washed down the mental connection.
Guaranteed.
Then I insist.
Seb slid open the balcony door, the rush of outside air refreshingly welcome. Closing it, he stepped forward giving me a sheepish half-smile. “So I—”
“Hey, Superman,” I said at the same time, the double doors swung open.
Hunter stepped through, his entrance cutting off Seb as he tried to start over. Bryce followed behind, winking at me discreetly.
With a hefty tumbler of straw-colored booze in hand, Hunter looked even more downtrodden than Seb.
“So, kid, listen, I wanted to say…” Hunter wasn’t shy, he damn sure wasn’t scared, but his averted gaze and fumbling words seemed to hint at shame.
“Hunter, seriously,” Seb said, “I’m really sorry. You told me not to let—”
Hunter held up a palm. “Let me finish. I overreacted. I mean, you were under a Fae spell, for crying out loud.” He sighed and had a gulp of liquor. “If I’m angry at anyone anymore, it’s myself.”
“I’m angry at myself,” Seb replied, pushing his glasses up his nose. “So that makes two of us.”
Hunter clinked his glass down on a coffee table and extended his hand. “Sorry for all the shit I pulled. I was out of line.”
As Seb shook his hand, Hunter switched the gesture into an arm wrestle grip, and they both smiled, bringing me immense relief. I knew how much Seb admired the twins. This meant a lot to him. But we could go one step better.
I clapped my hands together. “Hug! Hug! Hug!”
Bryce wore a wry smile as he copied. “Hug! Hug! Hug!”
Hunter snorted good-naturedly and tugged Seb in for a quick back-slapper. He straightened with surprised eyes and gripped one of Seb’s shoulders. “Damn, Seb. You really did turn into a Clark-Kent-looking man of steel.”
Seb furrowed his brows and teased, “Are you hitting on me?”
Hunter laughed.
“I’ll hit you all right.” He raised boxing fists, and they started circling each other, goofing around and doing that pretend boxing guys do.
Bryce put on his gloves and joined in, playfully jabbing away at Hunter’s arms as he put them up in feigned defense. “Tough guy, my ass. I’ve got you on the ropes already, jaguar boy.”
As I watched them joke around and set aside all the animosity in a matter of seconds, a warm feeling of home brought more tears to my eyes.
I didn’t want to lose this home, too. Dabbing my eyes, I realized how close I’d probably come to being imprisoned or killed tonight.
I could’ve lost it all before I got to fully realize my “live a little” mantra.
I had the career and the safe space, but tonight it all could’ve tumbled down before I ever took it to the next step with any of the men who’d become so dear to me.
“Guys?” I croaked, nerves cinching around my throat muscles.
They all pulled up short, focused on me.
I froze up, even as my whole body heated with embarrassment. God, I had no idea what I was doing. I didn’t have any experience to give me confidence.
Then it hit me. I’d had that confidence once. On stage at Hunter’s club.
I loosened my tongue with difficulty and tried my best to look natural lounging with a hand behind me on the back of the sofa.
“Since we’re missing out on the end of the night’s festivities, what would you say if I put on a little show for you?
” I tossed them a wink. “As a thank you for saving my life. The night started out so well. I want it to end the same.”
All their eyes came alive, stances shifting, body language eager as Seb stammered, “Erm, wha—What kind of show did you have in mind?”
I stood slowly, hands gliding along my satin dress. “A fun one…”
I checked my lipstick in the sprawling ensuite bathroom. The door stood partially open, and in the reflection, I saw Hunter watching me from the end of the bed.
My neck flushed, and I lifted the mass of my curled hair off it, lowering my lashes in a novice come hither look through the glass.
His hand slipped off the edge of the satin duvet, and he almost fell onto the floor.
“What’s going on?” Seb peeked around him from where he sat on the bed nearby, giving a strangled sound when he caught sight of me.
I suppressed a giggle. This was going to be fun.
The thought banished most of my nerves, and I stepped back into my heels and scrolled through the music app on my new, fancy phone.
“Ready?” I called out to all of them when I’d made my selection.
I got two yeses and one cracked “absolutely” from Seb.
Still in my dress, I glided back into the bedroom where they waited with ties loosened and top buttons undone, their jackets and shoes discarded.
Bryce sat furthest from me, pressed against the headboard, as far from the other guys as he could be on the bed.
I really hoped his condition didn’t lead to any awkwardness as we all started exploring things.
I was so thankful the other guys were so understanding.
Dagger’s humor always eased the way too…
“I feel sad Dagger’s not here” I said. “I hate that he’s missing out on the fun.”
Hunter’s smile wavered. “He’s a big boy. He can wait his turn. Let’s focus on being in the moment?”
I chewed the inside of my cheek. “Before I start the music, I have a request.”
“Name it,” Hunter said, sparking a smile on my lips.
“For everything I take off, you all take off something of yours.”
“Deal.” Hunter practically growled while Seb nodded enthusiastically.
I looked to Bryce. “Are you comfortable with that too?”
“Of course,” he answered in husky tones. “I want more than anything to make this work.”
I channeled my old dance teacher, barking in my own head, Stage presence, Serenity!
I lifted my chin. “Then lay back and enjoy, boys.”
“Is touching allowed in this club?” Hunter asked, and I paused the song I’d just started.
I pursed my lips, pretending to think about it. “Yes.”
Then I hit play again, and closed my eyes letting the music wash over me.
The demanding drumbeat rocked my hips in hypnotic circles while my hands wound their way up my body.
My fingers just ghosted over my dress, teasing my body the way I knew the men wanted.
Once I could feel their gaze following the path of my fingers I curved them around to the sides of my breasts before slipping under my hair to unclasp my necklace.
“One,” I said as I let one side of the chain fall in between my breasts, then slowly pulled it free and dangled it over the vanity.
The guys took off their ties.
“Two.” I took off one earring. “And three,” I said as I took off the other.
“Hey, I think that’s one,” Seb teased.
“We’re playing by my rules tonight.” I said before biting my lower lip. “Start undoing more buttons.”
I kept dancing as they watched, my body weaving a spell they were falling under. Their eyes were trained on me as their fingers scrambled to undo shirts, giving me views of their sculpted chests.
I was a very lucky girl.
Hunter popped open the button of his pants, his hardening cock pressing against the material. God, paranormal men were so much bigger. I let my tongue trace my upper lip, imagining how he’d taste, but there was no way I’d be able to swallow all of him.
Still, I wanted to try.
Rather than linger on the problems, I imagined the opportunities.
I was going to take my time learning the hills and valleys of each of their torsos with my mouth.
I pulled the chair in the room closer, kicking my leg high as I straddled it backward, and arched my back, thrusting my chest in the air.
Their heightened breathing urged me to keep going as I gripped the chair back, pelvis rocking, pretending the seat was a man beneath me. Then I paused and bent slowly, maintaining eye contact as I kicked off my shoes.
Off came the shirts, tossed unceremoniously away.
As I started to stand, I grabbed the lower hem of my dress and started drawing it up over my body slowly, winding with my stomach and hips in spiraling patterns. Seb’s fingers dug into the comforter. Bryce looked hypnotized, lips parting in a long exhale.
Hunter’s eyes were hungry as he rasped, “Slower. Tease me, Little Dancer.”
I exaggerated each twist of my torso, the dress moving painfully slow over my breasts. When I finally pulled it free past my head, I looked over to them, and mouthed, “Four.”
Hands fumbled at waistbands, and the three of them shifted on the bed, Hunter and Seb standing to drop their pants on the floor. Bryce kicked his off onto the comforter, then tossed them into the corner.
As a new song started, I approached the bed in nothing but my black thong, and matching bra, heart fluttering like a bird in my chest.
Hunter and Seb leaned toward me, but I held out my hands to stop them from coming too close yet. “I want to keep dancing for you.”