Chapter 19
CHAPTER NINETEEN
“THETHER ME” BY GALLEAUX
BLOSSOM
Ifinish helping Nox with his haircare routine, shampoo and leave in conditioner plus combing it through with a wide tooth comb while it’s wet.
I watch as he braids it into beautifully twisted-style cornrows.
He encourages me to help with some until I get the tension right, and there’s something so intimate about doing this for him and also knowing that he’s teaching me so I can help the kids.
My chest is full to bursting by the time the others get back with the kids, just after Nox and I have finished lunch.
“Did you have a good time?” I ask, looking up to find all the kids with tired but happy faces, comparing the prizes they won.
“Oh, Miss. Blossom, it was the best! Look what Mr. Anatole won me!” Sally beams, coming over holding out a large stuffed toy unicorn.
“That’s amazing,” I tell her, smiling at Anatole as he comes over, leans down and presses a kiss to my cheek.
My mouth parts as heat races from the spot. None of the kids say anything, just take it in their stride when Steele walks over and does the same. I on the other hand am speechless, my hand coming up to hover over my cheek, which is hot and no doubt blushing bright red.
“Right you rascals,” Tina claps her hands and all the kids turn to face her. “Some time in the garden for you after all morning being indoors.”
They all hurry out, some grabbing drinks from the fridge, and I’m left alone with all three guys when Tina follows them.
“We got this for you,” Steele tells me, walking over with a bag that looks like it’s got clothes and possibly sneakers inside.
He hands it to me, and I pull each item out. A black crop top, tiny black shorts and comfortable black trainers.
I lick my lips. “This is… not much fabric.”
Three manly chuckles fill the room, and I glance up at them, my heart skipping a beat when I spot three panty-melting smiles.
“Trust us, Bloom,” Anatole says, his gaze devouring me. “You’ll understand when we get there.”
What is this place they’re taking me?
I wrack my brains, trying to work it out, especially with this scant outfit as a clue, but draw a blank.
We spend the rest of the afternoon in the sunshine with the kids, have a yummy dinner of southern fried chicken, fries and homemade slaw — one of Tina’s specialities that always goes down well with everyone.
Steele even said it was as good as his mama’s fried chicken, and Tina blushed for the first time ever.
I loved hearing something good about his past come out, and when our eyes connected, he gave me that smile which feels reserved just for me.
Soon the guys declare it’s time for bed, and the kids all groan.
“Where are you going, Miss. Blossom?” Noah asks as I take him and the others upstairs, the guys following behind us.
“Just out with the guys for a bit. But Tina will be here to look after you, she’s in charge,” I reply and he nods. They love Tina like a grandma so I know they don’t mind her babysitting them.
I help the girls get ready while the guys do the boys, and soon they’re all tucked in and butterflies fly around my stomach as I make my way to my room on the other side of the house.
“Have fun with your boyfriends,” Justin calls as I pass his door, and I stumble, willing the floor to open up and swallow me whole as my body flashes hot.
Good lord, he’s not wrong but… wow.
“Thank you, Justin,” I say back, ignoring his evil snicker as I continue to my bedroom.
Once there, I shut the door, pressing my back against it and take a deep breath. I can’t deny that it feels as if all my nerve endings are exposed, anticipation making me feel jittery and on edge.
Inhaling once again, I push off the door and start to get ready.
I’ve not been out in a long time, it feels weird.
Like something I forgot how to do, or maybe never knew how to do considering I moved here and got straight into fostering, not really giving myself time to make any real friends who I’d go out with.
Before I realise it, I’m standing in front of my mirror in the outfit Steele and Anatole chose, my hair half braided by Nox.
I pause. My eyes trace over my reflection, cataloging every mark and faded bruise that Nox and Steele have left on my skin.
And there is such a lot of skin because this outfit really doesn’t cover much.
What it does cover is highlighted with how tight it is, like a second skin.
For once, my mind doesn’t go to all the things that are wrong with my body. I actually feel good in this, feel sexy. Especially with the bite marks and the lingering soreness between my thighs telling me I am desired.
Grabbing the small black crossbody handbag I found to take my phone and lip gloss, I head along the hall and down the stairs, coming up short when I find three seriously gorgeous demigods waiting for me at the bottom.
They’re all wearing black like me, and just like my outfit, theirs shows off each of their bodies to mouthwatering perfection.
Steele is wearing black baseball shorts and a loose tank, the kind with huge armholes that give tantalising glimpses of his toned pecs and abs.
Anatole is in similar shorts, though his tank looks like it was painted on, showcasing each dip and furrow of those gorgeous muscles that may be smaller than Steele’s but are no less edible.
Nox is in the hooded tank he wore that first day they arrived, so like Steele’s it’s loose but has wide armholes.
He’s wearing more sweatpants style shorts, and fucking hell I can see the outline of his huge dick, even though it’s not hard.
They look up at the same time, and it’s like I’m a deer suddenly in the sight of hunters. Their gazes slowly drag from my face to my feet, leaving fire in their wake, and my breathing turns shallow as hunger enters each of their eyes.
“Fucking perfect, Bloom,” Anatole whispers as I blink, making my way down the stairs.
“Exquisite, Flower,” Steele adds when I reach the bottom.
“Such a perfect Princess for us,” Nox praises, and I can feel my cheeks heat at the compliments.
“You guys look… amazing,” I tell them, my eyes not knowing where to look with all this man meat on display.
“Nox, you’re driving,” Anatole orders, taking my hand, bringing it up to his lips and pressing a kiss to the back of it. A shiver falls over my skin as his eyes never leave mine.
“Urgh, fucking fine,” Nox agrees with a huff, pushing Anatole out of the way and grasping the front of my throat.
He stares into my eyes, then lowers his lips to mine, forcing his tongue into my mouth a moment later and giving me a filthy kiss that leaves me breathless and even more hot and bothered. He doesn’t say a word as he pulls back, giving me another once over, then heads to the front door.
“Have fun, dearie!” Tina calls as I try and blink from the haze Nox left me in. I turn to find her in the living room, feet up, a book in her hand that I am pretty sure is one of my smutty ones. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!”
I scoff a laugh. “That doesn’t leave much, Tina.”
“Cheeky minx!” She cackles, like a full on witch’s laugh. “But you’re not wrong!”
Anatole and Steele chuckle as we leave to find their truck idling out the front, Nox behind the wheel. Steele strides forward, opening the back door and sweeping his arm out towards me.
“Your carriage, m’lady.”
I giggle, some of the nervousness dissipating as I take his hand and climb in, finding Anatole already on the other side. Instead of getting in next to Nox in the front passenger seat, Steele steps in after me so that I’m sandwiched between him and Anatole in the back.
“Dicks,” Nox grumbles, putting the truck into drive and heading down the driveway.
“So, where are we going?” I question, and they all laugh.
“Do you trust us, Bloom?” Anatole asks back, and I nod.
“With my life,” I whisper, not quite meaning to sound as serious as I do.
But as soon as the words leave my mouth I realise they are the truth.
I do trust them with my life, and with the lives and happiness of all the kids under my care.
Which I know seems crazy because it’s been less than two weeks since I first met them.
But I know with certainty that I don’t want to know life without them.
Slow down, B. Take things one step at a time.
Fingers grasp my chin gently, turning my face until I’m staring into mesmerising blue eyes.
“No one has ever trusted us like that, Bloom. And… fuck…” Anatole lowers his lips until they are just a hairsbreadth away from mine, my eyes closing, waiting for him to eradicate that small distance. “We will spend every day for the rest of our lives proving you can trust us.”
Before I can formulate a response, his lips are on mine and I realise how much I’d missed him and his touch. I’d missed how much he takes and gives in return. How much it feels like I’ll never breathe properly again unless he’s giving me his breath.
I gasp into his mouth when hot lips kiss and suck at my neck, electricity zapping across my entire body from the caress.
My hands come up, one in front and one behind, pulling Anatole and Steele closer by their necks.
They come willingly, Steele’s large palms cupping and squeezing my breasts from behind as Anatole tangles one hand in my hair, the other trailing down my front.
“Ant,” I moan against his lips, and he growls in approval.
“Both my brothers have felt this pussy, it’s my turn, Bloom,” he commands, his fingers slipping underneath my waistband. He groans. “No fucking panties? Naughty girl.”
“I didn’t want any panty lines,” I tell him and he gives a deep chuckle as his fingers slide along my already damp folds. There’s a slight soreness still from Nox, but it seems to only add to the pleasure.
“Be careful, Princess, or we’ll make you never wear them again so we always have easy access to the pussy we own,” Nox tells me from the front, and I tear my lips from Ant’s to look at him in the rearview mirror.