Chapter 15 ~
Rory ~
I wake to lips pressing kisses along my collarbone. I smile, my eyes still closed. My hand rests on their firm chest—smooth skin beneath my fingertips.
Someone’s playing with my hair, curling it around their fingers and tugging slightly. A grumbling noise escapes me, not ready to wake as it’s doing the exact opposite.
They chuckle, their chest vibrating under my fingers.
I turn my face into their shoulder, revelling in the warmth the bodies pressed up against me are giving.
Someone grins against my neck. They leisurely drag their lips down to my collarbone.
Goosebumps ripple across my skin in their wake.
I tilt my head silently allowing them access to my neck.
I feel the bed dip as they shift closer, pressing up against my side.
The scent of evergreen gives them away as they lower their mouth, pressing kisses on the sensitive skin.
A third person shifts between my legs, their fingers tickling my sides as they trail up, skimming just under my chest before going back down, down.
The movement pushes Maverick’s shirt up my body, balling under my boobs, thankfully not revealing anything because I'm not wearing a bra.
Their hand settles on my thigh, stretching out so their thumb is on the side of my thigh, squeezing slightly. I squirm at the sensations.
I think I vaguely remember Jace coming in last night. He apologised profusely for waking me but I could feel his panic in his voice when he climbed into bed, only settling when he had his hands on me. Luc and Mase weren’t bothered by it.
I never realised I was missing something until Jace’s body settled between my legs. I sleep well with Luc and Mase but I miss going to sleep with my best friend.
I curse breathlessly when Jace nips at the skin just above my shorts.
Despite the very brief pain, heat floods through me.
My eyes fly open and my hand goes to his hair, accidently yanking his head back.
The doona falls over his shoulders, exposing the heat that flares in his grey eyes as he groans gutturally.
Note to self: J likes his hair being pulled. I have a feeling he likes to toe the line between pain and pleasure.
“Ro. If you don’t let go, we’re gonna have a problem,” Jace warns me, a sinful smirk playing on his lips.
I involuntary clench my legs around him as his voice sends shivers of desire flooding through me.
“I don’t know, J,” Luc teases. “I think our Rory’s okay with that.” He lowers his head, sucking on my neck.
“Fuck,” I breathe, my hand curls around the back of Luc's head, needing to keep his devilish lips on me.
Did he just say our?!
My eyes are ripped away to focus on Luc who’s sucking and nibbling on my exposed skin.
Jace crawls up my body with a wicked grin, only stopping when his mouth is a breath from mine.
“Is that right, Ro?” He murmurs.
The top half of his body is bare, showing off his gloriously toned skin. His arms flex as he keeps his weight off me, being cautious of my ribs. Those bulging muscles are like a neon sign capturing my gaze.
His Dec tattoo blares in my eyes.
I stare at Jace, knowing whatever I say will change us. There’s a faint nervousness behind the desire and need in those grey irises.
Messing around with the guys is one thing. But Jace?
Mase, who's now propped up facing me, leans down.
“Answer him, Angel.” He purrs, nipping on my ear lobe before soothing it with a swipe of his tongue. He places a hand on my hip, squeezing it gently in reassurance.
Jace smiles softly, looking disappointed. He pulls back slightly when I don’t immediately respond.
I nibble on my lip, anxiously. I should let him go. I shouldn’t let this happen. I know I shouldn’t but I can’t stop myself.
Because it’s him.
I lean up, hesitantly pressing my lips against his. His eyes widen almost comically in shock, not expecting me to react at all. I go to pull back but don't get very far.
His hand reaches up to cup my cheek, deepening our kiss. Jace’s lips caress mine as his tongue slips in my mouth, moving across mine in soft, seductive strokes.
My hand slides through his dark brown hair, tugging slightly on the soft strands at the nape of his neck just enough to test that pleasure-pain line.
He growls against my lips, the vibrations heightening the sensations.
His hips sink down against mine and I moan against his lips. Fuuuuck. His hardness meets my centre perfectly, heat flooding my system as he continues the seductive dance of his tongue against mine.
Mase’s hand on my hip moves down to my thigh while Luc continues sending short sparks of heat through me as he nibbles on my neck. I stretch up—one hand on Jace's chest, the other gripping the back of Luc's head still pleasuring my neck.
Mase bites down on my shoulder, making my hips buck up against Jace who rocks against me.
I'm drowning in the heavenly feeling of their hands and lips on me. Everything melts together into pleasure as heat fills every part of me, building up and up.
The door handle dips with a loud click.
I break off my kiss with Jace. I pant slightly, my eyes wide.
His grin blinds me and I can't help the joy that takes over the conflicting emotions within me.
Luc and Mase both bury their faces in my neck on opposite sides of me, giving me a very brief chance to try and cool down.
The door pushes open. Maverick jumps on the bed.
"Looks like you guys are already up and at it.” He smirks, looking at my flushed face and messy hair. My face reddens even further.
He leans over Luc, accidentally landing on his leg. Luc swears colourfully and shoves Maverick off him. Undeterred, Mav presses a soft kiss on my swollen lips. He rests his forehead against mine.
"Happy birthday, baby," he murmurs before pulling back.
Luc punches Mav's shoulder as soon as he's sitting down. Maverick winces as Luc clutches his injured leg.
I look at Jace who's moving back down my body to nestle between my legs. Ignoring my still sensitive body, I try to cool the desire that rises seeing the dangerously hot grin Jace is giving me.
I glance up at Mase to see his reaction. He gives my hip a gentle squeeze before winking in a way that I know he's telling me not to overthink it.
Easier said than done.
The door opens again—Dom and Alec stumble in, bleary eyed.
"Happy birthday, Sunshine," Alec greets, handing me a hot cup of tea. I have to sit up to drink it.
I laugh softly when I see what's written on the outside.
Rather than just my name, there's all the nicknames the guys have for me in gold writing against the white and black marbled background.
Ro. Baby. Sunshine. Sweetheart. Butterfly. Angel.
It warms my heart.
I take a sip. Alec smiles hesitantly at me and my eyes widen. His mum’s recipe.
"Holy shit!" I marvel. "That's amazing."
Alec gives me a lopsided grin. I was right, it is sweet but it's really yummy.
"Do you want to get up for breakfast or eat in bed, Sweetheart?" Dom asks, leaning over Luc, a lot more carefully than Maverick, and presses his lips against my temple.
Alec gets up and opens the blinds. The light outside is a warm orange with highlights of pink running through the light hue. Is that the sunrise?
"What time is it?" I ask incredulously. My gaze swings to Mase and Luc. They both wince.
I look down at Jace who's nestled back between my legs, his head on my stomach.
"It's just before six," Dom informs me.
"What the hell are you all doing up this early?" I ask the general group, looking at them like they've lost their minds.
"Mason woke us up," Luc gestures to himself and Jace. Mase shrugs like he's got no regrets.
"Maverick woke us up and dragged Dom out of bed when he went back to sleep because he knew Mase would wake you up." Alec yawns between words.
Speaking of Mav, he doesn't look like he slept much last night if the dark circles around his eyes are anything to go by. Honestly, he looks half asleep.
Mason's giving his brother a concerned glance. He doesn't say anything to him, however, I have a feeling he will be talking to Maverick later.
"Sweetheart?" Dominic prompts, reminding me of his question.
"Umm, what about on the verandah?" I suggest and the guys all nod.
Jace rubs his face into my pyjama shirt like he's trying to wake himself up. I run my fingers through his soft, messy hair. Jace just gives up and lays his head back down, his eyes closing.
"Oh!" Mason exclaims before clambering out of bed and out the door. The guys merely shake their heads and I look after him in confusion.
Maverick steals Mase's spot, sitting up behind me. He puts his arm around my shoulders and I snuggle into him. He brushes my hair out of the way to place a kiss where my shoulder and neck meet. His head leans against mine.
Mason comes back in, a box in his hands. He sits cross legged at Maverick's feet.
"Okay," he announces, "you have to open mine first."
I look down at Jace, hoping he'll fill me in on what I don't understand. Actually, he might be asleep. Maverick definitely is.
"What am I opening?" I ask Mase and his face falls.
Luc grabs me hand, squeezing gently. "Your presents, Butterfly," he tells me, sad but almost knowing expression enriched in his features.
I look around and see the same look on everyone's faces.
Mase doesn't let me say anything, just hands me a box. Mase nudges Mav awake. He stirs, grumbling at his brother.
Mase gives me an encouraging look and I lift the lid off the box. I pull out a heap of clothing and hold it up.
Laughter bubbles out and the guys join me.
Luc helps me lay out all the cheesy, sarcastically quoted t-shirts in various colours and styles on bed. I instantly find my favourite and decide I have to wear it today. A lot of them are about angels.
"He had a lot of fun ordering them," Maverick tells me, sitting up.
Mase nods quickly, almost bouncing on the bed. I climb out of the sheets and Mase wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me into his lap.