Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 94072 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94072 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
This is new territory for me—their territory—and I intend to make myself at home.
“Not much,” Alex says, following behind. “I’m more interested in what you’ve been up to. You got started on your winery, then? Who’s helping you? How is it going so far?”
I laugh, looking around for a cup. Alex senses my confusion and moves in front of me. His sweatshirt rides up, flashing those gorgeous abs as he opens a cabinet and reaches for the top shelf. He hands me a cup, his eyes full of gratitude.
“It’s exhausting.” I sniffle and blink back tears, realizing how much better I could’ve done for these three gentle giants of mine.
Kellan comes around and hugs me, pressing my head to his chest until I regain my composure. I hear the refrigerator door open and someone fills my glass. I focus on my breathing, not wanting to fall to pieces.
“You’re anything but okay,” Kellan says.
“I’m so sorry,” I gasp. “I didn’t realize how much I hurt you. I never meant to cause any pain. It was just that I was so convinced that what Melanie was saying was true.”
“We don’t blame you,” Oscar says. “We blame her. But no matter what, we want nothing but the best for you. Honestly, I’m just thrilled that we can put this all behind us.”
“Yes, of course,” I say, pulling back from Kellan just far enough to accept the glass of water from Alex.
I drink slowly, feeling peace unfurl through my body. I’m home here, with them. Home is anywhere with them, in fact.
“The look in your eyes steals my breath,” I whisper to Kellan.
There are no words that can express what I’m feeling. After denying myself pleasure for so long, I’m ready to ease back into it. And I can tell that this is no fleeting arrangement between us. We’re all in it for the long haul.
“Now, now, you’re stealing my lines.” He chuckles, then plants a kiss on my temple.
“Can I say I’m sorry again?”
“No,” Kellan says, tilting my chin up so that he can gaze into my eyes. “We’re done with all that. Just promise not to run away again without talking to us first.”
“I promise,” I say, pouring my heart and soul into the vow.
And just like that, the last of the lingering doubts between us melts away. That doesn’t mean everything will be perfect overnight. We’ll need time and patience to figure it out, to work on this relationship, to build something lasting.
Brick by brick.
Kiss by kiss.
I reach up to caress Kellan’s jaw, the prickle of new stubble tickling my palm. “Are you growing a beard, Mr. Not a Hair Out of Place?”
“No,” he replies simply. “But if this bothers you…”
I press my lips to his, and he lets me set the pace. “Not at all,” I whisper.
His arms circle my waist, warm but without pressure. Right now it’s just him and me, standing in the kitchen, reconnecting. Then, suddenly, he sweeps me off my feet.
“I’ve missed you so much,” he growls.
I slide my hands behind his neck for leverage. He scoops me up, laughing in that adorable, boyish way of his. He carries me down the hall to a back room, kicks the door open and twists sideways to fit us through the frame.
“Really? I couldn’t tell,” I giggle, aware that we left Alex and Oscar behind.
“Then maybe I need to be a tad more expressive.”
They’ll join us soon enough, but for now Kellan has taken charge—and I don’t mind one bit.
He eases me down onto the bed before kissing me hungrily. I close my eyes as the approaching footsteps echo through the apartment’s main hallway.
“Something feels different about you,” Kellan muses, gazing at me with a twinkle in his eyes. I look up and see Oscar and Alex standing beside the bed, eager to join us.
“Maybe I’m truly happy for the first time in what feels like a lifetime,” I reply, then pat the sides of the bed. “Alex, Oscar… Come… Sit here.”
They climb onto the mattress, hunger blazing in their eyes, while I kick off my shoes. Kellan takes that as an opportunity to playfully wrestle with me, pinning me to the bed and straddling me with his muscular legs.
I swat at his thighs in mock protest. He grins down at me like a kid who just won a game of tag. I reach out for Alex’s hand and he takes it, giving my knuckles a chivalrous kiss.
“Come here, you!” I yank him down beside me so that we’re lying side by side. Then I reach over for Oscar who comes just as easily, surrounding myself with my lovers. “Ah. This is the life…”
“You’ll have to give me a second,” Oscar says. “I dreamed about this moment so many times, I might have to pinch myself to make sure I’m not still sleeping.”