46
THEA
“Sleeping beauty rises,” Sutton says as I hit the top step. I groan internally. All four of them are in the kitchen.
Squaring my shoulders, I don’t let their stares unnerve me—at least on the outside. Thankfully, I’m not the only one who looks a little worse for wear.
Sutton passes me a bottle of ibuprofen and water. I don’t hesitate to down four pills and half the glass.
I shoot a message to Cass as I finish the rest of the glass.
Me: Congrats again, Bride to be! Want to meet up for an early dinner? I have to have another look at that ring. Plus, I have an idea I want to run by you.
Something Damian said last night sparked an idea—wicked little thing. Those words spun around in my head all night long. Dreams of horns, red lace, feathers, and halos gathered into something that could bring business in to the studio—or it might cement my reputation as a harlot. I need to talk it over with Cassie to get her thoughts.
Setting my phone down, I register the smells coming from the stove. “Please tell me there’s something greasy to eat.” I try to peek around Cole, who’s cooking.
He turns with a grin. “Fried eggs? Bacon? Gluten-free chocolate chip pancakes?”
I rush over and give him a peck on the cheek. “You’re a lifesaver. I love you.” He hands me a plate and I load up, eagerly popping a piece of bacon into my mouth. “Oh my God. This is so good,” I moan as the grease coats my tongue.
“Sounds like that bacon is doing a better job than you did last night, Wes,” Sutton teases. I eye him, unamused.
“Not fair. That limo was way too small for me.” He snatches a piece of bacon off my plate. “Blue eyes knows exactly how good I can give it to her.” Wes winks at me.
I swallow and decide I can give back what they’re dishing out this morning. “I don’t know Wes…I mean, it was good and all, but I think you can do better.” I send a wink right back to him.
Wesley takes the plate of food out of my hand and picks me up easily with the other. “Hey! Put me down!” I screech as I beat my fists, uselessly, against his chest. He drops me and my food on the island.
His hands grab at my ass, pressing into the tender spots from last night, making me wince in pain. “Maybe you’re right. I think I’ve been too easy on you. Want me to show you how much of an animal I can be, Thea?” The look in his dark eyes is wild and makes me shudder.
I push him away from me. “Save it for the bedroom.” I try to hide the nervousness in my voice, although it clearly sneaks through.
He laughs roughly as he backs up. “The bedroom seems like the last place you want to be fucked.”
I roll my eyes, but he’s not wrong.
Sutton comes around, handing me my plate. His fingers brush over the bruise on my shoulder and his eyes meet mine, now soft. The wolf adorning his ring finger is in opposition to the sweet man before me. “Are you feeling alright this morning? Hangover aside.”
I know what he’s asking. He wants to know how I am after last night—physically and emotionally. He wants to know if I enjoyed it. I peer over my shoulder and see Cole and Damian casually eyeing me—waiting for my response.
Clearing my throat, I answer honestly. “Yes. I mean, I’m sore, but…” A smile slips over my lips. “I like remembering where I’ve been touched.” My nose bunches at the confession. I must be insane for feeling this way.
Sutton tips my chin up to stare at him. “That’s perfectly normal,” he reassures. “What about here?” He brushes his fingers over my forehead.
I bite my lip. I feel like I can tell them anything without judgment, especially Sutton. However, it’s strange talking about what we did so openly. “It was good for me. I-I liked all the different sensations. I don’t know. There was something about being touched by all of you at the same time that felt…really good.” I push those last two words out quickly.
From behind me, I hear a sharp intake of breath, but I don’t check to see if it comes from Damian or Cole. I meet Sutton’s eyes and then my gaze darts to Wesley, who’s leaning against the kitchen counter. Both echo a nearly similar expression—smugness, desire, happiness, or maybe it’s a mixture.
“How was it for all of you? Was it too much?” I look back at Damian as I ask, knowing I was purposefully pushing his buttons last night.
I think the others get the hint because they remain silent. Damian steps up to the island, taking my chin between his fingers. Leaning in close, he assures me, “You’ll never be too much.” I expect him to close the distance and kiss me, but he backs away. This hot and cold game he’s playing is getting on my last nerve. I’m about to say something when Sutton speaks up.
“Do you know how perfect you are, Thea?” He leans in to kiss me, cupping my neck and brushing his thumb over my jaw, giving me what his brother won’t. “You’re everything we’ve been looking for. You’re ours.”
Theirs.The words sink into me, settling over me like a warm blanket, making me feel safe, secure, and at peace. “And you’re mine. All of you are mine.” I sweep my gaze over each of them, making sure that they know I mean this claim on them. They are mine and there’s nothing in this world that can take that away. Nothing.
Cassie messaged me back while I was finishing my breakfast, agreeing to meet up for dinner. I had a couple of mini family shoots and then I wanted to pick up an engagement gift. I found the perfect thing at a little shop on Main Street—a crystal ring holder.
It’s not much, yet I know she’ll appreciate the thought.
I’m waiting at a table when I see Cassie enter the restaurant and flag her over. She looks about as good as I do after last night.
“Are you as hungover as I am?” she asks, reluctantly lifting her sunglasses to sit on the top of her head. Her brown eyes squint against the last rays of sun that are filtering through the windows.
“Oh yes,” I say, letting out a regretful laugh. “What time did you get home?”
Her eyes widen and she purses her lips. “You’ll have to ask Anthony. I could barely see or walk straight by the time he was putting me in the car.”
The waitress comes over and takes our order.
When she leaves, I notice the light hitting Cassie’s diamond and I grab her hand to gush over it again. “It’s so beautiful, Cass.” I look her in the eyes. “I’m happy for you. More than happy. You deserve this more than anyone. I couldn’t have picked anyone better than Anthony.”
She smiles at me and squeezes my hand. “I wish the same for you. If that’s what you want, someday.”
Fuck, how would that even work with four guys? It’s definitely not legal. But marriage has never been a big priority for me, so maybe that’s not what I need. I’d be happy with living a beautiful life with my guys. I know it’s too soon to even think about that, about a future, although the thought fills me with joy.
“How was the rest of your night?” She asks as the waitress puts our food down on the table. She waits for the older woman to leave before elaborating. “It looked like you were getting a little frisky with the guys in the booth. No judgment.” She assures, putting her hands up.
My cheeks heat. I thought I’d escaped prying eyes, but clearly I hadn’t. “It was…eventful,” I admit, chewing the corner of my mouth.
Cassie tips her head down and levels her gaze. “Listen, as your best friend who’s told you a million and one wild stories about my dating and sex life, you owe me at least one.”
She’s not wrong. Whether or not I asked for it, Cass willingly gave me the dirty details of her escapades before Anthony and even with him. Although, those don’t come up often anymore.
“Things got a little crazy in the limo.” She puts her elbows on the table, resting her chin in her hands, waiting eagerly for me to spill. “This is so embarrassing,” I laugh out.
“Uhhh…remember the cruise elevator story of 2018 or the jacuzzi incident of 2010.” My lips push together as I try not to cackle, recalling the details she shared.
“Okay, okay. Well, let’s just say that there are no issues with the four of them sharing. They really know how to make a woman feel…everything.”
Cassie’s eyes widen. “Like they all focused on you?” I nod vigorously while sipping through my straw. “Damn. I knew I should have experimented more in college.”
“Trust me, I experimented in college and it did not come close to what these men did. It’s hard to explain, but they each just have something about them that fits me so well. Cole is sweet and attentive. He always knows exactly what I need and the way he looks at me makes me feel special. Then, Sutton. There’s some kind of soul connection there or something, like we’ve known each other for lifetimes. When we touch, it’s like he’s reaching into the deepest parts of me and knows exactly who I am. With Wes, it’s the opposite. It’s all need and flesh. I feel like he could devour me and I’d let him because he’d make it feel so good. And Damian…” I let out a breath. “He’s the hardest to decipher. He always wants to be in control, however, sometimes I see it slip. If he’d only realize that he could trust me, he’d be able to relax. Damian wants to take care of everyone. I worry that he’ll never let anyone take care of him.” My eyes sting at the thought. Somehow, despite the emotional distance between Damian and I, a part of me cares deeply for him. It doesn’t make sense.
I admit, “I want to take care of him and I’ve never felt that need before. I’ve always been independent. You know me, I don’t really rely on anyone and that’s made me put up a wall so that people don’t rely on me either. For the first time, I think I’m ready to let my guard down.”
I’m staring down at my plate, pushing my food around as I finish speaking.
“Hey,” Cassie says, making me glance up at her. “Give into it. Let them care for you, rely on them and let them lean on you, too. I know I was skeptical, but I see a change in you. I like it. It looks good on you.” She smiles widely. I’m desperate for the attention to be off of me for once, so I shift the conversation.
“I got you a little something. A small gift to wish you a happy engagement.” I hand her the white gift bag and she unwraps the layers of tissue that’s protecting the ring holder. She loves it and comes around the table to give me a long embrace.
“Now tell me about this idea.”
I dive into the details I’ve been thinking over all day—taking the flashes of a dream and turning into a full-blown plan. I’m hoping that she’ll love it as much as me because I need her help to execute it.
“If it does well, I figure we can do more events like it so that we can bring in more clients, but also to show people that boudoir isn’t evil. It’ll also be a great way for you to get business as well. I’m hoping that with this and the money I’ve saved with Damian paying the studio rent and not having to pay rent on my apartment that we can put in another offer on the property, if it’s still available.” I study Cassie’s face. It’s stayed relatively flat as she’s listened to me, yet the last part of my idea makes a smile pop up.
“Let’s do it!” She exclaims. Cass lifts her glass of water to cheers. “Water will have to do for now, but after this, we’re going to get a real drink to celebrate.”
“Uhhh, I don’t know if that’s such a good idea after last night.”
Cass tilts her head. “One drink, we deserve it.” I want to argue, my head aches in protest, however, she’s right. We have so much to celebrate right now and it’ll only be one drink.