Without him anchoring me in place, I collapsed on Briar’s chest. A thin sheen of sweat coated my skin, and my breaths came rough.
The three of us cuddled afterward, with Briar in the middle. He rested a hand on my thigh and nuzzled Maddox. Our captain kissed the edge of his eye.
I loved seeing them like that; affectionate and expressing the deep bond they felt for each other. It hadn’t started out that way. They’d been rivals in the beginning, but as the months had passed, love had blossomed between them.
“I’ve been curious for a while,” I said. “Have you two ever had sex?”
“No,” Maddox answered.
“Even when I was in Exalos?”
“Even then.” He reached across Briar’s stomach and threaded our fingers together. “We kissed, of course, and lightlytouched, but anything beyond that didn’t feel right without you here.”
“But you two love each other.”
Briar nodded. “We do.”
“AndIlove that you love each other. Meaning, I wouldn’t be upset if you two had sex.”
“Perhaps we will someday,” Briar said before kissing my temple.
“If you ever do, can I watch?” I asked with a little wiggle of my hips.
Maddox chuckled. It sounded gruffer than usual, ringing of his exhaustion. “As if we could say no to that face.”
“Oh, it’s not too hard. You’ve done it plenty.” I then made my voice go deeper. “Stay here, Evan. No, you can’t do that. Too dangerous. Oh, that thing you want to know? Too bad. That’s knightly business, and muffins aren’t knights.”
Briar laughed so hard his body shook. “A fine impersonation of our captain, love.”
Both of them then turned their focus on me. Briar captured my lips while Maddox kissed each of my fingertips. They treated me like I was something precious. Something to be treasured. Warm spice and hints of magnolia blossoms surrounded me.
Another scent then surged forward.
Black cardamom.
“Are you two done with him yet?” Rowan asked. He stood at the foot of the bed, arms crossed. “The pup and I’d like some time with him now.”
Having four men was definitely a challenge. And more were on the way, according to Lupin, the butthole wizard extraordinaire. He’d said my fate had shifted with recent events. Instead of five destined lovers, I now had seven.
Muffin Lord and the Seven Alphas, I had joked. Because it’d either been laugh or cry at that point.
“Doors exist for a reason, thief.” Maddox’s voice dipped into a low growl. The two of them wouldn’t be best friends anytime soon.
“For you, perhaps,” Rowan said. “Shadows are my portals to go wherever I please.”
“Then use them to go back to the foul pit you crawled out of.”
Briar lightly coughed. “Now, Captain. Mind your words.”
“Says the one trying not to laugh at my words.”
Rowan sneered at them. Such a fiery redhead. And I loved it. When his eyes moved to me, they softened. “Look at you, little treasure. A complete mess.”
“I’m guessing you want to make me an even bigger mess?” I asked.
My favorite tooth appeared. He neared my side of the bed and grabbed my hand. “Come with me and find out.”
After I kissed Briar and Maddox, I tugged on my boxers and went with Rowan to the other bedroom. His room now, just like it’d been Lake’s when he first moved into the cottage. That had gradually changed as Lake got more comfortable and started sleeping in bed with me, Maddox, and Briar. I had a feeling Rowan wouldn’t be like that though. Even if hedidstart to like the others, he was an introvert and preferred his own space.
