22. Marla
MARLA
A laugh bubbles up from my chest before I can stop it. The absurdity of the situation hits me all at once: three people in my bed on an early Monday afternoon, sunlight streaming through the windows, and Alex standing in the doorway looking amused rather than jealous or angry.
"You're late," I say, grinning despite the heat flooding my cheeks.
"Traffic," he replies smoothly, already pulling his shirt over his head.
The atmosphere shifts the moment he crosses the threshold.
The temperature in the room seems to rise as he approaches.
Russ's hand stills on my hip, his fingers pressing slightly into my skin.
Nick's breathing changes against my neck, becoming more deliberate, more aware.
Suddenly the playful tension from seconds ago transforms into a heavier, more excited interaction.
Alex moves to the bed with that controlled grace I've come to recognize, his brown eyes taking in the three of us tangled together. The mattress dips under his weight as he climbs on, and I feel the shift ripple through all of us.
Nick shifts without a word, making space, his muscular arm sliding around my waist to pull me closer.
Suddenly I'm surrounded. Russ on my left, his chest warm against my back.
Nick on my right, his hand splayed possessively across my stomach.
Alex in front of me, close enough that I can feel the heat radiating from his lean, muscular frame.
The bed feels smaller with all four of us, the air warmer, charged with anticipation that makes my skin tingle and heat pool between my thighs.
"This is crazy," I whisper.
"You said that already," Russ murmurs against my shoulder, his lips trailing down to my collarbone. His touch is lighter than the others, teasing rather than demanding, and it makes me shiver. His blond hair tickles my skin as he moves lower.
Alex's hand cups my face, tilting my chin up so I'm looking directly at him. His palm is warm and slightly rough, and the scar along his jawline catches the morning light. "Do you want us to stop?"
The question is serious despite the heat in his gaze. I could say yes right now and they'd stop. I know that with absolute certainty. But the word that comes out of my mouth is, "No."
"Good," Alex says, and then he's kissing me.
His mouth is firm and confident, his tongue sliding against mine, making my toes curl against the mattress.
Behind me, Nick's hand slides under my shirt, his palm warm and calloused against my stomach.
The contrast between his rough hands and gentle touch makes my breath catch.
Russ's fingers trace patterns on my thigh, moving higher with each pass, his touch feather-light and maddening.
I'm being touched everywhere at once, and it's overwhelming in the best possible way. My heart pounds so hard I'm sure they can all feel it.
Alex pulls back just enough to tug my shirt over my head, and then his mouth is on my neck, my shoulder, and moving up to the curve of my breast. His lips are warm, his tongue tracing patterns that make me gasp.
Nick's hands move to my back, unhooking my bra, his fingers brushing down my spine and I arch into him.
Russ shifts lower, his lips brushing against my hipbone as he hooks his fingers into the waistband of my underwear.
Something shifts inside me. I'm tired of being the one who's always reacting, always responding to what they want. I want to take something for myself.
I push Alex back hard, catching him off guard. He falls against the pillows, surprise flashing across his face. Before any of them can react, I'm straddling him, my hands braced on his chest.
"My turn," I say.
Alex's brown eyes darken with interest. "Is that right?"
"Yes." I reach between us, guiding him inside me, and sink down in one smooth motion that makes us both groan.
For a moment, I'm in control. I set the pace, rolling my hips and taking what I need. Alex's hands grip my waist but he lets me move, lets me ride him the way I want. The power is intoxicating.
Nick and Russ watch with barely concealed hunger.
"Harder," I demand, moving faster.
I throw my head back, chasing the pleasure building inside me. This is what I wanted. This feeling of control, of choosing exactly what I need.
Then Nick's hand closes around both my wrists, pulling them behind my back.
"That's enough," he says quietly.
The shift is immediate. My control vanishes as Nick holds my wrists in one hand, his grip firm but not painful. I try to pull free but he doesn't budge.
"Nick—"
"You had your moment," he says against my ear. "Now it's ours."
Alex's hands tighten on my hips, and suddenly he's the one controlling the movement, thrusting up into me while Nick keeps me lightly restrained. The loss of control should frustrate me, but instead it turns me on so strongly and quickly, I almost come.
Russ moves behind me, his hands sliding up my sides, his mouth finding my neck. His teeth graze my skin while Alex continues moving inside me.
"Breathe," Alex says, his voice steady even as he thrusts harder.
Nick's free hand slides down to cup my breast, his thumb circling my nipple. Russ's hands grip my waist from behind, steadying me as Alex drives deeper.
"More," I manage to say. "I want—"
"That's it," Russ murmurs against my neck, his breath hot on my skin.
The pleasure builds so fast my whole body stiffens in anticipation of release. Alex moves inside me while Nick's hand slides from my breast down between my legs, finding where I'm most sensitive.
"Please," I gasp, my heart pounding.
Nick's mouth finds my shoulder, his teeth grazing my skin. "You're doing so well," he murmurs, and the praise makes heat flood through me.
"Don't stop," I manage to say between gasps.
"We're not stopping," Alex says, his voice rough with desire. His hands grip my hips harder, pulling me down onto him with each thrust.
The pressure builds inside me, coiling tighter and tighter. I'm trembling, my thighs shaking.
"I can't—" I start to say, but the words dissolve into a moan.
"Yes, you can," Nick says firmly, his hand sliding to my throat, not squeezing, just holding me in place.
"Look at me," Alex commands, and I force my eyes to stay open, to meet his gaze even as pleasure threatens to overwhelm me.
"Harder," I demand, my voice breaking. "I need—"
Alex thrusts up harder, and Nick's fingers work where I'm most sensitive. The combined sensation makes me cry out. The orgasm crashes through me with devastating force, making me scream. My body clenches around Alex, waves of pleasure rolling through me so intensely I see stars.
"Fuck," Alex groans, his movements becoming erratic as he follows me over the edge, his grip on my hips bruising.
Before I can catch my breath, they're moving me. Alex pulls out carefully, and Russ guides me onto my hands and knees. I'm still trembling from the first orgasm when Russ pushes inside me from behind, filling me completely.
"God," I gasp, my arms shaking.
Nick moves in front of me, his hand cupping my face. "Open," he says quietly, and I do.
The sensation of Russ moving inside me while Nick fills my mouth is overwhelming. I moan around him, and he groans in response.
"That's it," Russ says, his hands gripping my hips as he sets a punishing rhythm.
Alex's hand slides beneath me, finding my clit, and I nearly collapse from the intensity. They work together, pushing me higher and higher until I'm shaking uncontrollably.
My second orgasm builds faster than the first, crashing through me so hard my vision goes white. I feel Russ finish inside me with a low groan, his forehead pressed against my shoulder blade.
Nick pulls back, and they shift me again. I'm boneless, barely able to move, but Nick lifts me easily, positioning me over him as he sits back against the headboard. He lowers me onto him slowly, and I whimper at the sensitivity.
"One more," he says against my ear. "Give us one more."
Russ and Alex are on either side of me now, their hands everywhere; stroking my breasts, thighs, and back. My entire body is so sensitized, it's almost painful. Nick moves inside me with slow, deep thrusts that make me gasp with each one.
Russ's hand joins Nick's between my legs, and the dual sensation pushes me over the edge one final time.
The orgasm is slower, deeper, rolling through me in waves that seem endless.
Nick follows seconds later, his grip on my hips tightening as he finishes with a low groan that vibrates through my entire body.
My body is trembling, completely spent, and I can feel my heartbeat everywhere. Every limb feels like a wet noodle, impossible to move. My core throbs with satisfaction and I can't help a small smile that pulls at my mouth.
Nick's hand gentles on my throat, then slides away completely. He presses a kiss to my temple. "Breathe," he reminds me quietly.
I realize I've been holding my breath and force myself to inhale deeply. The air feels cool against my overheated skin.
Nick moves to the bathroom and returns with a warm washcloth. He's gentle as he cleans me up, his touch careful and almost tender. It's such a contrast to the intensity of moments ago that it makes my chest tighten with unexpected emotion.
They rearrange us in the bed, pulling me between them. Russ's arm drapes across my waist, Alex's hand rests on my hip, Nick's fingers trace lazy patterns on my shoulder. The afternoon sunlight filters through the curtains, casting everything in a soft golden glow.
"This is insane," I murmur, my voice hoarse.
"Which part?" Russ asks, amusement in his tone.
"All of it." I close my eyes, feeling safe despite everything. Despite the danger, despite the uncertainty, despite not knowing what any of this means. "I should be terrified... and embarrassed."
"But you're not," Nick observes.
"No," I admit quietly. "I'm not."
Alex's thumb traces circles on my hip. "Good."
I'm starting to drift to sleep, my body heavy and satisfied, when the sound of an engine breaks through the peaceful morning.
A dark car tears up the gravel driveway, spraying rocks violently against the cottage. Nick is out of bed with a gun in his hand before I can even process what's happening.