Great. Now they’re going to treat me like I’m porcelain.
“Just don’t grab me from behind or pull my hair,” I grouse, dropping my hands to my side. “I can’t handle that.”
“I’m sorry,” Asher whispers.
“It’s fine.” I walk around the men and grab a beer from the fridge, using the bottle opener Trev left on the counter to open it.
“Melanie is so nice.” The four of them trade looks. I ignore them and keep talking. “Did you grow up in this house?”
Asher’s lips twitch into a frown but he quickly pulls it into a smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “Yeah. They made the guest house for Mom’s heats.” He makes a face, suddenly realizing this home has seen a lot of ass.
“Don’t worry, she reassured me this is all new furniture. She hasn’t nested out here since you moved out.” I pat his arm.
His eyes drop to the tile.
“Sanitizer,” I say with an eye roll.
“Can we talk about something else?” His voice goes a little high.
“Sure. Who’s going to get me dessert? I’m starving.” I lean against the counter and take a long drink.
“I’ll get it.” Avi stops next to the counter on his way out, ready to say something, but then he thinks better of it. He and I aren’t so different. I’ve freaked out twice while staying with these guys. Avi’s only had one flashback.
At least I excel at something.
* * *
I’m wide awake. Sometimes if a flashback is bad enough, I can sleep for days. Other times I can’t sleep because I’m afraid of the nightmares that might find me. Tonight is one of those nights. I count my inhales and exhales, trying to quiet my brain, but within a few minutes, my mind switches gears and tries to make me relive every horrible moment of my childhood.
Hayden and Avi are in the king bed with me. The nightlight in the plug illuminates the room with a soft golden glow. Avi’s snores are soft, not the annoying kind, and he’s sleeping on his side. Hayden is on his back, his hand behind his head and his breathing steady. I roll over and stare at him. The stubble on his jaw has grown in; he’s a few days past his last shave. I scoot a little closer to his warmth, wishing I’d thought to check the thermometer before going to bed. I was hot when I climbed in. I pushed the comforter off. The guys didn’t seem to mind and are sleeping comfortably.
“Come here.”
I stop breathing and look at him.
Did he say that or did I imagine it?
He moves his hand from behind his head and pulls me into his side. I hook my leg over his and wrap my arm around his middle. His shoulder is a little too high to be the ideal sleeping position, but I’ll take a little discomfort over freezing my ass off. My calf rests near his crotch, and I shift a little, intentionally brushing against him.
“Trouble,” he whispers.
I bite back a grin and wiggle again, this time rubbing my body against his side. The room fills with his scent. Thunderstorms and desire. Not as potent as an alpha, but still pleasant. I tip my head back, catching his gaze. I run my hand over his stomach and bite my lip as I feel him up, inching lower and lower. He hisses when I brush my fingers over his hardened length.
Hayden is thick and long, bigger than I’ve ever had, just the thought of him inside of me makes my pussy pulse with need. He sits and takes off his boxers and shirt, hardly moving so as not to wake Avi. Rolling onto his side, he grabs my ass and flips so he’s on his back and I’m straddling him. I glance at Avi, but he’s still fast asleep. My core clenches at the thought of getting caught, and I rub myself over his cock. He feels so good and there’s still a thin layer of underwear between us.
“Take your shirt off,” he whispers, tugging on the hem of it.
I sit and yank it off, grabbing the backs of his hands as he palms my tits. Squeezing and tugging, he toys with them until I get tired of waiting. I put my hands on either side of his head and lean forward to capture his lips. He turns his head, and I growl softly, earning a dark chuckle.
“So impatient,” he teases.
“Hayden.”
“Yes, trouble?”
“Don’t make me feel silly.”
He shakes his head and moves his hands to my ass, pushing his hips up so I can feel all of him. “That’s all for you.”