Chapter 16 ~ #4
I think about any brownie recipes I know. I’m pretty sure there’s one in Mum’s recipe book. I found it in the safety deposit box at the bank after I saw that guy. I wonder if Alec could help me find out who he is?
“I can try and replicate it if you want?” I tell Luc.
He lifts his head off my shoulder. “Really?” He asks, hopeful.
“Yeah. I mean, it might not be exactly the same,” I warn him.
Luc enthusiastically shakes his head. “It doesn’t matter. Can…can I help you?” He asks vulnerably.
I smile softly before hugging his waist. “Of course,” I murmur lightly. “In fact, I expect it.”
His arms encircle me as he exhales, burying his face in my neck.
“Thank you, Rory,” Luc says after a little while. He drops his head, staring into my eyes like he’s searching for answers.
I’m not sure where the others are, but everyone’s gone. Luc seems to realise that at the same time I do because something changes.
I’m suddenly extremely aware of the proximity between us.
Luc’s hands grip my hips, mine tucked under his shirt, his hands are firm without bruising.
His breath gently fan my lips. Those green irises are like a gateway to his soul, giving away every emotion—even the ones I can’t read.
There’s tiny flecks of gold and lighter hues of green I hadn’t realised were swimming in those gorgeously mischief filled eyes.
I’m not sure who moves first but those sinfully addicting lips find mine. He kisses me like he’s spent his whole life trying to find me. I kiss him like I didn’t realise what I was missing until him. Until them.
He devours my mouth, leaving me breathless and unsteady on my legs. I could melt into a puddle at his feet if not for those strong arms holding me up.
We stumble back until my back hits the counter and Luc easily lifts me onto the counter, not breaking our contact.
Need runs through my whole body. I pull him between my legs. Luc steps into them willingly. My hands roam up his shirt, feeling the ridges of his toned body. His deep groan rumbles through me.
My lips part when Luc probes for access, his tongue stroking mine. I faintly recognise my hand moving from under his shirt to his neck, my fingers sliding through his hair.
My mind becomes dizzy and unfocused, muddled by all that is Luc. I must whimper or make a noise because he pulls back, panting.
I’m left breathless when his mouth finds mine again before he backs away. My heart and…other parts ache with every step away from me he takes.
Luc shakes his head in disbelief. I’m confused by his sudden need for space but I don’t have to wait long to find out.
“You are so addicting.” Luc’s eyes travel over me, still shaking his head. “You’re like a drug I don’t want to stop taking. Being close with the guys is a big enough risk, but you…you’re something else my father can take away from me.”
I realise that Luci’s fear while different, it’s similar to mine.
When it boils down to it…it’s just fear.
I said I would leave. I told myself that I would leave.
That I wouldn’t get attached or let myself feel anything for the guys beyond friendship but…
I can’t. I’m scared shitless about my father finding me but here, with them… I’m not afraid of him.
I’m afraid of losing them. It’s only been five days but I’m not sure I could come back from losing the guys.
I kissed Jace.
When we were younger, I fought my feelings for a long time out of respect for Dec before I told Jace how I felt. It was only a few weeks before Dec’s death that Jace told me he felt the same but then Dec was gone. And I was taken away. Now he’s back, and my feelings for him haven’t gone away.
I slide off the counter onto my wobbly legs. We just stare at each other, neither of us moving closer or further away.
“I didn’t mean for this to happen,” I finally get out.
“Me neither,” Luc replies softly.
“I don’t know how to stop,” I tell him, hoarsely. Emotion tightens into my throat.
“I don’t want you to,” Luc says immediately.
I give him a heartbreaking look. “Luci…”
“I know,” Luc interrupts. He strides across and collects me in his arms. “I know it’s not just me,” he breathes.
“Butterfly.” Luc grabs my hands and I look up at him. “It’s okay,” he tells me, strongly.
I start to shake my head but Luc keeps talking.
“I heard you and Alec talking the other day,” he admits. My mouth drops open. “I came into the kitchen to get my phone when the guys were still messing around with your car and I heard you and Alec talking through the open window.”
“Seriously?!” I gape. Luc shrugs, unapologetically.
“Why didn’t you say anything?” I ask him.
His thumb rubs small circles onto the top of my left hand as he responds.
“I didn’t want to make you admit things you weren’t ready to yet,” he says honestly.
“I wanted to see where things were going. I was worried about what I’d just told you and I didn’t know if it was going to be different now Jace is back in your life but it’s not.
Jace being here didn’t change how things were for you and me, or you and Mase or Mav or Alec or Dom,” Luc rambles. “It’s only gotten better.”
What is he asking of me? Does he want it to just be us? Is he saying he likes how things are now? Just sharing me around with his brothers?
“What are you saying?” I finally ask. “I don’t want to get between you all. And…I’m not sure I can pick one of you.”
In fact, I know I can’t.
These last few days have been perfect. There’s been rough patches but I can’t deny how I feel about them all.
After Mase and Luc fell asleep last night, I tried. I put myself on the spot and I thought about if it came to it, would I be able to choose. And I can’t. I won’t.
“Butterfly…” Luc lifts his hand to cup my cheek. “We don’t want you to pick. That’s the beauty of a polygamous relationship.”
Luc grins at my dumbfounded look. I try to squash the hope in me but it didn’t work.
“What?” I manage to get out, thinking surely I’ve misheard him.
“I—we,” Luc says, speaking for the group, “don’t want you to choose one of us. We would like it if you would be in a committed relationship with all of us.”
I search those unusually serious green eyes, looking for any chance he’s messing with me and find nothing but honesty and truthfulness.
Luc smiles gently, clearly seeing that I’m overwhelmed. He rests his forehead on mine.
“Think about it,” he says softly. “We’re not going anywhere.”
He’s not lying to me. He’s serious. Holy shit.