Lake sat on the bed with a ball of yarn beside him and holding knitting needles. He glanced up as we entered the room, and his fluffy tail wagged once. He looked so damn happy to see me.
“Why are you smiling?” Rowan asked.
“Oh, no reason.” I hopped onto the bed and snuggled up to Lake. He smelled like peaches and springtime. “It’s just cute to see the two of you bonding.”
Lake being in there with him instead of downstairs was proof of that.
Rowan huffed. “No, we aren’t.” He kicked off his shoes and unfastened his tunic, tugging it over his head. Lean muscles moved beneath his bronzed skin, the sight making my mouth water. “Lake didn’t want to see the captain’s naked arse, is all. Said it’d give him nightmares.”
“I didn’t say that,” Lake gently interjected.
“You didn’t have to. It’d givemenightmares, so I put the pieces together.” Rowan slid into bed and brushed his knuckles along my neck. “You too tired?”
“No.” I leaned into his touch and met him for a soft kiss, and then giggled as he shoved me farther down on the bed and straddled me. Out of my four men, he was the only one who preferred to bottom.
“Better not fall asleep on me, little treasure.” He grabbed the vial of oil from the bedside table.
“I won’t.” All the blood swarmed to my groin, and my breaths hitched in my throat.
After minimal prep, Rowan rode me hard, gripping the headboard as he banged me to within an inch of my life. Yet, despite the rough way he fucked me, the softness in his eyes was unmistakable.
I loved every second of it. The way the firelight kissed his tanned skin. Every glide of his body and scrape of his nails. How he groaned and took me deeper. Loved every prolonged gaze where his topaz eyes said so much without him having to say a word.
Even better? Lake was there too.
“My human.” He feathered kisses in my hair.
“You should join us, pup,” Rowan panted, rolling his hips. “His ass is yours for the taking.”
“I’m happy just as I am,” Lake murmured against my skin. He buried his face in the crook of my neck. “This is all I want.”
More and more, I wondered if Lake was asexual. He definitely set the sheets on fire when the mood struck him, but he seemed to prefer other forms of intimacy, like snuggles and kisses. Head pats too.
“Suit yourself.” Rowan’s nails scraped my chest as he threw his head back and moaned. “Gods.”
Jets of warm cum splashed on my belly. As he came down on me faster, ass muscles clenching around me, I joined him in that quaking mess of ecstasy and an intensity that went much deeper than sex. He collapsed on me afterward, turning his face into my neck.
“Save a horse, ride a muffin,” I panted.
“You’re a fool,” Rowan rasped. “But damn if I don’t love you with every bit of my black heart.”
His heart wasn’t black. He just wasn’t used to caring about people—or them caring about him. In his eyes, he saw himself as a villain. Hopefully, with time, he’d see himself the wayIsaw him. Someone snarky, adorable, and worth more than any amount of coin he could ever steal.
Rowan spooned me while I spooned Lake—my wolf liked being little spoon. Peace settled over my heart. With the addition of Rowan, everything felt more balanced. Perfect.
I hoped the cozy life we’d built together would last forever.
Chapter Two
Strike of the Cookie Killer
The castle in wintertime was like something out of a fairytale. Snow covered hedges, frosted windowpanes of the greenhouse, and frozen pools within the garden. Many flowers remained in bloom, their soft petals painting the grounds in shades of violet, light blue, and white.
I’d bet my inventory of coffee beans that magic had been used on them. Briar had enchanted Lake’s garden in the same way, keeping all of the vegetables and fruits thriving even in the frigid temperature.
The clank of armor and boots sounded from the path before two guards rounded the corner.
“Morning, young Evan,” one greeted me. He had brown hair and pale eyes that complemented the wintery day, like frost among the snow.
