Page 156 of Her Dark Promise

I sighed, stood, and walked behind his back as he split up the portions of meat he cut and wrapped my arms around his stomach. It felt so good to be this casual with them all. Allowing them to see my affectionate side. I never realized how draining it was to always be on guard.

Bastian finished slicing the pieces, set the cutting utensils aside, and wiped his hands on the damp towel hanging from his left shoulder. He threw the towel down, clasped a hand over my own that was sliding up his chest, and pulled me until I was in front of him. He lifted me in his arms, just as his brother had a few hours ago, and held me to him by grabbing my ass while his other hand grabbed the nape of my neck and crushed his lips to mine.

He squeezed as he pulled back and breathed huskily, “I just missed you today, is all. And seeing you with my little brother, well, okay, yeah, it made me a little jealous.”

I smirked, thinking about the perfect way to mess with him. I slid my hands over his shoulders and down his stomach and back up as I leaned in until our lips were almost touching, drinking him in, and whispered, “Did you imagine me bent overthe chaise as your brother fucked me from behind, wishing it was you who was buried so deep inside of me that it wasallI could think about?”

I nipped his bottom lip, took advantage of him being too stunned to react to hop off of him, and sat back down, eating a large bite of pork.

He asked me incredulously, “Are you going to say all of that and pretend as though nothing happened? My balls are aching now!”

Soren couldn’t contain his laughter any longer, and it was contagious because everyone had joined in—even Bastian.

“I suppose we should talk about what this means,” Soren suggested. We all looked at him, waiting for him to elaborate. “We all want her. So what does loving the same woman mean for us?”

He wasn’t asking anyone else, but his brother. Were we going to talk about this now?

“And if I tell you to back off?” Bastian raised a brow.

“That’s not something I can agree with.”

I interjected, “Would anyone like to know what I think?”

They ripped their eyes from each other and looked at me expectantly. Did they want me to choose? “I don’t think I need to remind everyone that I am my own woman who can choose who she wants to mount her.”

Someone choked on their drink as I continued, “There is nothing to do or decide. I want you both and I will not choose. If that is a problem for anyone, then you are more than welcome to stay away from my chambers.”

It was my turn to cross my arms and stare them down.

The brothers looked back at each other, and Bastian rubbed the nape of his neck as he said, “We both love her, it seems. And she has made it abundantly clear that we either agree or she will cut us off.”

“Neither one of us wants that option.” They both shook their heads.

“Just know that in any other situation, I would fight you for the right to be with her. And honestly, as long as I get to be with her, I don’t mind sharing her with one more person.”

“Well, that was poetic.” Soren ran a hand through his hair as I smiled at Bastian, appreciating what he said. “It is rather unconventional, but I have waited my whole life to be with her, and I am not going to let something superficial get in the way of that.”

I clapped my hands together and popped a blueberry into my mouth. “I am happy we are all on the same page because it would have been rather difficult for me to keep my hands off of any of you. Well, except for Emilia.”

She snickered. “Yes, I would rather be kept out of this foursome of yours. Respectfully speaking, of course.”

“Speaking of happy occasions. Were you ever going to tell us that your birthday is in a few days?” Emilia asked.

I lifted my brows, stunned they even knew about it. My eyes slid over to Soren’s, who looked at me sheepishly and said, “Don’t be cross, but I read it when I found that book about your family history.”

I smiled as I rolled my eyes and shook my head. “I am not upset, but I didn’t see a reason to bring it up. Which is why I didn’t.”

“Well, how are we to celebrate if we don’t know?” Emilia asked.

“I don’t see a point.” I huffed. “I am—”

“Three hundred and seventy years old. Yes, yes, we get it.” Bastian waved his hand.

“I think after everything that has happened, we all need something to celebrate, don’t you think?” Callum said matter of factly.

I looked to Emilia to help me out, to agree with me, but she shrugged and said, “I think they have a point. A party is a good way to let loose a little and have some fun.”

Traitor.

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