Page 43 of Always Alchemy

‘Ahhh,’ they both chorus in unison as Belle and Gen get up to join us. Gen is resplendent in custom gold sequinned Gossamer, her updo giving Charlize Theron in a Dior ad, while Belle’s in a soft pink that only someone with her divine, honey-coloured skin tone could pull off in the bleak midwinter.

‘Most beautiful brideever,’ Gen declares, giving me a crisp kiss on each cheek. ‘And this room is divine. I’ve never seen Claridges look quite so lovely.’

The room is indeed divine. There’s an entire row of red-and-gold decked Christmas trees lining the entire far edge of the monochrome-chequered dance floor (I don’t see that being a problem atalllater when the boys start getting their groove on). Meanwhile, on the tables are huge silver candelabras with red tapered candles and masses of velvety red roses everywhere: arranged in vast spheres; clustered in julep cups; spilling out of silver wine buckets.

I wish I could live in this room forever.

‘I’m so, so happy for you guys,’ Belle says, giving me a huge hug as Gen steps aside. ‘Adam looks delirious, and so he should. He knows he’s won the jackpot.’ She giggles. ‘I heard about the stag. Was he a total mess when he got back?’

I laugh just recalling the state he was in. ‘Oh my God. Hereeked.He had vomit all down his tie. My brother had to help me put him to bed. But he was so sweet. He kept crying and telling me he couldn’t cope with how much he loved me… until he passed out, that was.’ I shrug. ‘It was pretty adorable. He was destroyed the next day and vowed never to touch alcohol again. He’s planning on having a sip of champagne during the toasts, but not much else.’

‘It’s not like he needs the extra high,’ Maddy says. ‘He’s ecstatic enough already.’

‘He’s in good company,’ Darcy proclaims. ‘Mads isn’t drinking, and I’m trying my damnedest to get knocked up, so I’m trying to be good, too. Every little helps.’

I glance over her shoulder at Max and Dex. They and Gabe are now talking to Adam, while Gabe’s obscenely beautiful girlfriend, Athena, chats animatedly with Anton. Gabe keeps turning away from my husband to check on Athena, which amuses me no end. This table isincestuous.By my count, Gen’s fucked two of the guys, as has her sister—her two husbands—and Athena’s got intimate with three. It’s cosy, to say the least, but they all signed off on the table plan, so I have to assume they can all handle it like the liberated adults they are.

In immaculate morning suits, Darcy’s husbands both look spectacular. I wiggle my eyebrows. ‘God. You certainly don’t need any alcoholic lubrication with those two around.’

‘Nope.’ She smirks smugly. ‘Just plenty of other lubrication.’

‘Dear God,’ Belle says with a grimace and a fleeting glance at her brother. I giggle. I can’t imagine she enjoys hearing Darcy’s colourful anecdotes about her brother’s unconventional sexual exploits.

‘What’s that like,’ I wonder aloud, ‘trying to get knocked up by those two?’

She sighs happily. ‘It’s a breeding kink come to life, that’s what it is. We may as well rename our house The Milking Parlour once a month. It’s that bad. Or good.’

‘I’m so out it’s not funny,’ Belle says weakly as she collapses back into her chair, holding out a hand in front of her face as if to stave off any more visuals. I cover my mouth to hide my amusement and shock. I really need to become cooler, but my extremely rapacious new husband keeps me plenty busy all by himself—a fact I’m sure he’ll remind me of inoooh, about three hours.

I can’t even imagine what it would be like with two of them.

15

THE MILKING PARLOUR

DARCY

‘Upstairs. Clothes off. Both of you.Now,’Max orders as soon as we get home from the wedding, emptying his pocket paraphernalia quickly and noisily into the bowl on the console. I’m not sure if it’s the emotion of seeing another couple tie the knot as happily today as we did six months ago, or the knowledge that my ovulation test showed up positive this morning for the first time this month, but the man is raring to go.

He couldn’t breed me first thing, as I performed said test right before I went out to the hairdressers, but he’s damn well going to make sure he and Dex breed me now.

Our sex life has obviously been most excellent this past year—duh—but I have to admit that the boys’ attempts to knock me up have added a major frisson to our sessions. It’s like they’re on a mission. Rutting season is officially on in our house every four weeks and both my men are trying their damnedest to put me in the family way. It’s even gotDex’s alpha male side—usually less evident than Max’s—out to play.

I kick my heels off in the hallway and hold my hand up. Dex is also removing his shoes and about to follow me up the stairs like Max’s obedient little soldier. ‘Wait. Don’t move,’ I tell him.

He looks up from untying his shoelaces and I am reminded once again that I would go to the ends of the earth for this man; I would walk—no,dance—happily off the end of a plank for him, because those huge tiger eyes of his are quite the most bewitching sight I’ve ever laid eyes on.

‘Stay there,’ I say. ‘Both of you,’ I add, echoing Max’s words.

They watch in what looks like bewilderment as I hoist my gown up so I can walk up the sweeping staircase that intersects our beautiful hallway. When I reach the top, I turn around and let my dress drop. ‘Come here, Max.’ I crook my finger at him. ‘Come stand beside Dex.’ When they’re both standing together next to the massive, twinkling Christmas tree at the foot of the staircase, a sight for sore fucking eyes in their morning suits, I shoot them a dazzling smile.

‘First one to catch me is the first one to breed me.’

Dex’s jaw drops open.

Max grins wickedly as his foot hits the bottom step.

I laugh in delight and turn, making a run for it down the wide galleried corridor.

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