Chapter Twenty-four
I ’d done exactly what I said I wouldn’t do. Instead of asking Lochlan, I’d jumped to conclusions and hurt both of us.
The raw pain and despair in his eyes as he poured out his heart to me was something I’d never be able to forget. Even now, he was clinging to me with a desperation that shredded my heart.
“You’re a better man than I deserve,” I cried against his neck.
He’d been willing to stand—and die, if needed—by my side. All the while believing I hated him.
Evander scoffed from behind us. “That’s taking things a bit too far. You two had a misunderstanding and now you can have make-up sex. It’s what couples do.”
POP! POP! POP! One by one, the lightbulbs in the room exploded.
“You don’t need to be embarrassed, Axelle. He’s already seen you naked. Besides, it’s inevitable. And I’m sick of him hogging the shower while he polishes his dick and thinks about you.”
“Evander!” Lochlan shouted.
“What?” Evander asked innocently, then burst into a deep laugh that was positively wicked. “After the years of razzing you’ve put me through, it’s my turn for some fun.”
Lochlan groaned into my hair. “Don’t listen to him.”
Leaning back, I met his eyes, “I’m sorry?—”
“Shhh. No more sadness, boo. Next time, just talk to me when I’ve been an idiot, okay?” He kissed my cheek. “And I’m sorry I didn’t think about how things might look. I’ll try to think things through better in the future, but I can be thick-headed and impulsive, so I’m probably going to mess up again.”
“He definitely will,” Evander agreed, earning him a deadly glare from Loch.
“Book boyfriends are so much easier to figure out,” I mumbled.
“What’s a book boyfriend?” Evander asked.
“The male characters in romance books that girls fall in love with and think about while muffin’ buffin’,” Lochlan answered before I could.
“No, we don’t!” I wheezed.
Lochlan gave me a look that said, Really? You expect me to believe that?
Wasabi chose that moment to grunt, which I was sure was just a coincidence.
“I’d like to read about your book boyfriends.” Evander grabbed a notebook and sat on the floor next to us. “What are their names?”
“You can’t be serious!” My entire body flushed just thinking about him reading some of my favorite books.
“I’m completely serious. Research is my hobby, and if they are providing something you enjoy, I’d like to take notes.” Evander slid his glasses back on and clicked his pen as though he truly thought I’d start naming names.
“Don’t worry, Ev. I’ve got that covered. When I couldn’t find her, I spent time in the archive room and found a stack of books and a Kindle. I took down some names, and I’ve already read through two of them.” Lochlan’s eyes sparkled, and he grinned. “Your highlighted portions were particularly enlightening. You’re a naughty girl, boo.”
Someone please kill me. Again.
Lochlan looked back at Evander. “I’ll email you my notes. I made a list of a few scenes we could have some fun performing for her. If we get Rhodes and Saul involved, we’d have enough bodies to really drive her wild.”
I couldn’t tell if I was burning alive from mortification, or if I was so turned on that I was on the verge of cremating myself.
Evander was scribbling notes. “Good idea. We could also each pick a different book boyfriend from her favorite series and create a date night where she gets to have all of them at the same time.”
“I have four sexy guys who drive me wild just by touching me. I don’t need you guys to go through so much effort,” I protested, trying not to squirm on Lochlan’s lap.
“But if we can make your wildest imaginings come true, why wouldn’t we do it?” Evander’s brow creased in confusion. “Isn’t that the point of having partners who love you?”
Leaning to the side, I kissed Evander. Lochlan’s hand moved to support my back and keep me from toppling over. With my body sideways, the loosely draped fabric that made up the low-cut bodice of my dress fell to the side, something I didn’t realize until my nipple was sucked into the heat of Lochlan’s mouth.
With a gasp of surprise, I tried to twist back into a sitting position on his lap, but the men weren’t having it. Lochlan shifted me on his lap so I was straddling him and I arched backward, allowing Evander to sink his fingers into my hair and cradle my head as his mouth captured mine in a nearly upside-down kiss.
Lochlan licked and sucked first one breast and then the other. The palm of his right hand was flat against the curve of my back, supporting me so my muscles weren’t strained. His left hand explored my body as though reassuring himself I was truly there and that I wanted his touch.
“Guys,” I murmured between kisses, “we need to make sure Saul and Rhodes are safe. They might need us.”
“Rhodes texted ten minutes ago that he will be headed back soon.” Evander placed soft kisses all over my face.
“And Saul told me to protect you and he would be home soon. That means I’m not allowed to let you go running back into the fray,” Lochlan breathed, flicking his tongue across the hardened peak of my nipple. “And when Basileus Death tells you to do something, you do it.”
Evander’s head snapped up to stare at Lochlan. “We don’t have a Basileus. No heir was willing to take on that role.”
“We do now.” Lochlan continued to swirl his tongue over the sensitive skin of my breast. His breath teased my skin as he gave a low laugh. “And you’re kissing his wife.”
“You can’t be serious,” Evander whispered.
“Deadly serious.” Lochlan’s mouth left heated kisses between my breasts as he moved south.
“Why now?” Evander’s fingers massaged my head as he tried to make sense of what Lochlan was telling him.
I didn’t have a clue what a Basileus was, but Evander’s expression worried me.
“They insulted his bride.” Lochlan’s hand slid to my neck, undoing the ribbon so that the top of my dress fell around my waist. “You should have seen it, Evander. Saul claimed the role just so he could force them to bow to his wife. Some refused, which gave him the right to destroy the threat they posed to him, and by extension, his bride.”
I sat up, crossing my arms over my chest to hide my exposed breasts. “Hang on. What is a Basileus? What role are you two talking about?”
Lochlan grinned. “Saul is the king, ruler, sovereign, emperor, czar, or whatever title you want to use, over death. Didn’t you know you married into royalty, boo?”
“No. That can’t be right.” But as Saul’s words and the banging of his scythe replayed in my mind, I became lightheaded. “So he’s the head of the reapers?”
“No, he’s head over all of death, and both the reapers and collectors answer to him. That means no more free agents or the reaper court trying to impose their rules. We’re under a monarchy again,” Evander explained.
My ears rang, and my vision blurred. “He did that because a few reapers didn’t think I was worthy of wearing a soulmate mark?”
Lochlan threw back his head and laughed, the sound deep and rich. “Boo, he did more than that. He declared war, and they don’t have a ghost of a chance of winning.”
They had to be teasing me. Most guys just punched someone for insulting their girl.
Evander whistled. “Hades. I think I’m going to like him.”
“Now, how about we focus on comforting our queen while she waits for the victor’s return?” Lochlan pressed a kiss to the hollow of my throat.
I opened my mouth to protest, but Lochlan’s fingers brushed against my thong and Evander’s mouth captured my moan.
“Let us love you,” Lochlan pleaded, undisguised need in his words.
We both needed this. “Claim my body, Lochlan. Make me yours.”
“Um, should I leave? Or is it cool if I stay?” Evander scratched his neck.
“Stay.” I forced myself to look at them while I confessed, “I want both of you. Unless you both prefer our first time together to be more private?—”
They didn’t answer and instead just carried me to Evander’s room.
“Ev, sit on the bed,” Lochlan ordered, setting me on my heels, and stepping behind me.
I didn’t know what he was doing until he whispered, “I’m going to finish undressing you and Evander’s going to watch.”
His fingers traced the curves of my breasts and down my ribs to my waist. Gripping the skirt part of my dress, he slowly worked it down my hips until the silk slipped to the floor and I was left standing in my black thong.
Evander swallowed hard. “Axelle, you’re breathtaking.”
Loch’s fingers hooked under my thong strap on each hip and repeated the slow process of slipping it down, while his mouth sucked and kissed along my neck and shoulder.
When I was in nothing but my strappy heels, Lochlan’s right hand brushed against my stomach, then lower until he cupped me between my thighs. “Are you wet for us, boo?”
“Y-Yes,” I answered hoarsely.
“How wet?” Lochlan asked, using his left hand to move my hair out of the way so he could nip and kiss the back of my neck.
I didn’t even know that was a sensitive spot on my body, and my knees went weak. Lochlan held me up with his hand pressed against my heat.
“Lochlan, what are you doing to me?” I whimpered.
“Making you so needy that you’re going to beg for us.”
He wanted me to beg? I could save us all time and start begging now. I was already on fire.
“Let’s see how wet you are, my love.” Lochlan slipped a finger inside my heat. “Mmm. So tight.”
Evander rubbed the front of his pants, then quickly moved his hand away.
My body clenched around Lochlan’s finger.
“Something just excited our girl.” Lochlan ground his palm against me. “What was it?”
“Evander,” I croaked, my mouth dry thanks to all my fluid rushing south.
“What did you do, Ev?” Loch asked, moving his left hand to my breast.
They were going to kill me.
Evander’s brow furrowed. “I don’t know. All I did was adjust myself in my pants?—”
My muscles clenched, and Lochlan’s chest rumbled with amusement. “I think our ghost likes to watch her men. Undress for her.”
Evander stood, unbuckled his pants, and let them drop to the floor. He wasn’t wearing anything under them and his erection sprung upright.
It was a good thing I didn’t need to breathe, because I wouldn’t have been able to with the lust clogging my throat.
“Oh yes, she likes what she sees.” Lochlan slipped a second finger in my tight heat.
A new voice came from the doorway. “Then maybe you two should do it properly.”
Our necks snapped around to see Saul making his way toward us.
“Saul! You’re okay!” I cried in relief.
“Of course I am.” He stopped in front of me and lifted my chin. “I can’t stay long, but I wanted to make sure you weren’t upset.”
“I’m so glad.” Tears blurred my eyes.
“No tears, pet. You’re in the middle of something.” Saul brushed a soft kiss against my lips, then focused on Evander. “If you really want to drive her wild, come get on your knees in front of her. I’m Saul, by the way.”
“Nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you,” Evander responded, trying to cover his crotch with his hands. “I would shake hands, but, yeah…”
I would have laughed at the weirdness of my husband introducing himself to a member of my circle while he was naked and we were getting it on, but my belly was heavy with need and all I could think about was having their hands all over me, and their bodies stretching and filling me.
“We’ll have time to meet properly later. Right now, you two have my mate worked up, and it’s only fair you take care of it.” Saul brushed his fingertips across my stomach as he moved behind me. “Lochlan, go stand where Evander was. It’s your turn to strip for her.”
Saul took Lochlan’s place behind me, his left hand resting on my hip. Evander kneeled in front of me.
“Hook your leg over his shoulder,” Saul purred.
My eyes snapped to Evander, unsure how he would feel about it. I enjoyed teasing Saul, but this position was more dominating than anything I’d experienced before.
Evander leaned in, placing slow, erotic kisses up my inner thigh, clearly into whatever Saul had planned.
Saul nipped my neck. “Pet, I told you to put your leg over his shoulder.”
Using the reaper to balance myself, I obeyed and lifted my leg over Evander’s shoulder. The moment I was in position, Evander’s hand wrapped around my leg, and his tongue stroked my slit.
“Oooh!” I yelped, overwhelmed by a rush of pleasure I hadn’t been prepared for.
Unable to hold still, I wiggled, but with Evander’s arm locked around my leg, and Saul pressed against my back, I wasn’t going anywhere.
Saul’s fingers trailed across my breasts, moving upward until they curled around my throat. He gently angled my head so that I looked up and at Lochlan, who stood naked and very aroused just behind Evander.
“I’m going to die,” I whimpered as heat rushed between my thighs and raw lust awakened inside me.
“No, you’re not. Because I’m Death, and you aren’t going anywhere, sweet little pet.” Saul’s thumb rubbed gentle circles on my neck. “Here’s what’s going to happen. Lochlan’s going to stroke himself, while Evander laps up your sweetness.”
This was a different level of torturous bliss, and my muscles quivered at the thought. Evander’s tongue dipped inside my heat, eagerly licking and thrusting. Lochlan gripped his erection; a sexy smirk curved his lips as he began to slide his hand along his length. The man didn’t even break eye contact as he stroked himself.
Evander’s mouth disappeared from between my thighs. “She got so wet after you started, Loch.”
“Tell them why.” Saul traced the scythe on my hip.
“Because they’re hot,” I muttered.
“I think that’s only part of it.” Saul massaged his way down my back as Evander delved his tongue inside me again. “You don’t see yourself the way we see you. I’ve seen the way you look at each of us, and I think somewhere in that pretty head of yours, you can’t believe that you turn us on.”
“Is he right?” Lochlan asked, his eyebrows nearly touching his hairline.
“Well, yeah.” I sounded defensive, but I couldn’t help it. “Loch, you look like a freaking fae prince. Evander is a heartthrob, and I wouldn’t be surprised if every girl in the country had a poster of his face on her wall. Rhodes looks like the tough guy they describe in every motorcycle romance. And Saul, he’s like that sexy demon you know you should be scared of, but you just can’t resist his sweet talk. So forgive me if I struggle to accept that you four are obsessed with me.”
I paused, then added, “You guys are perfect, and it’s a challenge being around you when the slightest touch makes me all needy. When I get to see how turned on you guys are, and know it’s because of me, it’s exciting.”
“And here I’ve been trying to hide my boner every time I’m around you, so you wouldn’t think I was a pervert,” Evander joked.
“Same here,” Lochlan huffed. “Boo, we’re yours, and we aren’t going anywhere. Why would we when the most gorgeous and exciting woman on earth belongs to us? It’s nice to know you like what you see, too.” He winked at me, his eyes sparkling. “Does this mean I get to be the fae book boyfriend?”
“Book boyfriend?” Saul growled. “I like your collectors, but I really don’t think my jealousy can handle you taking any more mates.”
“I don’t think my body can handle any more.” I moaned as Evander’s tongue flicked across my clit, sending shockwaves of pleasure through me.
“We’ll explain later,” Lochlan assured Saul.
Evander’s hand gripped his cock, stroking it in time with the thrusts of his tongue. Saul was still fully dressed, but I could feel the evidence of his arousal grinding against my lower back. His hands trailed across my skin to cup my breasts.
Lochlan had slowed his pace, his gaze fixed on my face as Evander pushed me faster and faster toward my release. When I came, I would’ve collapsed to the floor if the two men hadn’t held my limp body upright.
“I’ve got to go. There are things I need to settle and I need to find Zacharias. I will be back in two days.” Saul nuzzled my neck, breathing deep.
Was he smelling me? Reapers were weird.
“Two days?” My stomach pitched like a ship at sea.
“I hate to leave you, but I know you’re in good hands. Once I deal with these loose ends, you’ll be safe.” Saul tilted my head back against his chest so he could kiss my lips.
“Saul?” I asked when he pulled away.
“Yes, my love?”
“Next time someone is rude to me, could you please not start a war over it?”
Saul laughed and smacked me lightly on the butt. “No promises.”
Lochlan shrugged. “Personally, I thought his reaction was perfectly reasonable.”
“That’s because you enjoy violence and revenge,” Evander pointed out.
Saul gave me a final kiss, then disappeared.
“Okay, enough playing.” My body ached with the need to be filled. “Evander, go sit on the bed.”
He did as I asked, and his eyes widened as I kneeled between his legs.
“I want to return the favor.” Twisting around to look at Lochlan, I wiggled my finger in a come here motion. “Sit behind me.”
Lochlan did as I asked, then waited to see what I would do next.
Raising myself to my knees, I leaned forward slightly and licked the tip of Evander’s erection.
“Axelle,” he hissed, his fingers reflexively burying themselves in my hair.
I was practically presenting myself to Lochlan, but he hadn’t moved other than to grip himself.
“Are you going to do something about it or just look?” I grumbled, wiggling my butt a bit to get my point across.
Lochlan didn’t need to be told twice. He shifted positions until he pressed against my entrance. At the same time I took Evander into my mouth, Lochlan buried himself inside me.
Unlike Rhodes and Saul, who had tried to take things slowly at first, Lochlan threw himself into claiming my body with wild abandon. With each thrust of his hips, Loch plunged deeper and shoved me forward onto Evander’s length.
Both men were breathing hard, as Ev used his fingers in my hair to guide my mouth and Lochlan rocked my body faster with each pump of his hips. My pleasure built until I ached with the need for release, but still I couldn’t quite get there.
Lochlan’s fingers found my clit, and that friction was all it took to send an orgasm tearing through me. As my muscles spasmed around his cock, Lochlan buried himself deep one last time, growling my name as he came.
Thanks to Evander’s length filling my mouth, my moans were muffled, but their vibrations were the catalyst that sent him over the edge. He tried to pull away, but I wouldn’t let him and continued to suck and lick as he joined me in bliss.
When it was over, Lochlan scooped me up and dropped me on the bed between them. Rhodes came in a few minutes later, utterly exhausted and too tired to talk. He collapsed across the foot of the bed and curled his fingers around my calf. Within minutes, all three men had drifted to sleep, leaving me to wonder how I’d gotten so freaking lucky.