by J. E. Cluney
Gina and Henry were already considering expanding the business and buying the building next door. They’d requested me to work more, but I’d turned down the extra hours. I wasn’t able to handle it right now.
They’d understood, but had hired another staff member to pick up the slack.
I wasn’t even sure if I would continue working there. As much as I loved it, I’d been wanting to be with my mates mainly now after everything we’d been through.
“How’s the inheritance coming along?” Marcus asked as he enjoyed a chocolate twirl he’d brought with him.
“It’s nearly sorted. I still can’t believe Mr Brady dug that up,” I murmured as I shook my head.
He’d pulled some strings at the start of the week in regards to my family. I wasn’t sure what prompted him to do it, but I was glad he did. He’d uncovered an inheritance I was due, which my aunt had tried to get her grimy little hands on but had been rejected, as I was the one listed in the will.
For some reason, it all got lost in the kerfuffle of me ditching my aunt and going it alone, as she’d never mentioned it to me so I’d not pursued it. I guess she’d hoped she’d find a way to get her hands on it, but my parents had been adamant in their wills that I was the sole inheritor.
I’d spoken with the solicitor Mr Brady had gotten me in contact with, and I was being left with enough money to buy a house if I so desired.
All my worries for money over the years were something I could’ve avoided if I’d known about it as soon as I’d turned eighteen, but I didn’t focus on that. I was just grateful my parents had left me something.
I was also meant to get the majority of their belongings too. Natalie and Dixon had most of it and were happy to send it down as soon as I wanted it. This included clothing of my parents, books, the rest of their photos, and anything else.
My aunt and uncle had put most of it into storage for now to sort through later and had forgotten about it until I mentioned it. Natalie had apologized profusely, wishing she’d thought of that when they’d been finding me photos and videos of them, but it had been in storage for so long, they’d just forgotten all about it.
“You know, money isn’t a problem. We can buy a house easily. We’ve got money,” Lucas said.
“We have a house though,” I replied as I arched a brow at him.
One which Lucas had asked us all to stop paying rent for a few weeks back. He just wanted help with bills, which we were all grateful for.
“Well, all that money you guys paid me, I actually saved up. I was going to give it all back at Christmas as a huge surprise, but I guess we could use it now. Maybe we could look at buying another house somewhere,” Lucas said, and we all turned to him in shock.
“What? I don’t need it,” he said in his defense. “Besides, we’re all mates, a family now. We share everything. What’s mine is ours,” he added with a charming smile.
“How much rent had I paid in total?” Skip muttered, and I knew he was wondering just how much he could fix up his beast.
“A bit,” Lucas said with a wink.
“Why would we buy another house?” Ollie asked.
“To go away for a bit. I know this place may hold bad memories for all of us. We might want a fresh start somewhere else,” Lucas said.
“We’ve got uni,” I reminded him.
“I can make portals,” he shot back.
He had a point there. We really didn’t need to still live so close to the university.
“You guys have family here,” I added.
“Again, portals,” Lucas said with a chuckle, and I just rolled my eyes.
“A change could be good for all of us,” Marcus agreed. “Besides, this place sounds like it’s going to grow big quickly. Especially now that it’s destination zombieland,” he said with a snort.
“Wouldn’t surprise me if an annual zombie event started up for tourists. Zombie week or some shit,” Skip muttered.
“Wouldn’t that be in bad taste?” I asked softly as I eyed the memorial wall. Out of all the names on that wall, how many of them had been the zombies that had attacked us?
“They’d fundraise for the families of those who lost people. Even though it would be a harsh reminder for residents, I imagine it’d be great for the local economy,” Ollie chimed in.
I wasn’t a fan of it, but I understood. Focus on the good in a tragic time. But making it zombie themed? That was in bad taste. Why not witches, dragons, and banshees? Not that I wanted to remember my part in it, but that would be more welcome.
“If we were to buy another house, where would we buy?” Ollie mused as he thought on it.
“Somewhere with land again,” I said softly.
“Lots of land, so we can shift,” Skip added with a grin.
“I think Palmwoods or Eudlo would be good. There’s lots of land out there,” Lucas suggested.
“Are we really thinking of moving? All of us?” I asked softly.
Sure, I was mated to them, but such a big move was a huge commitment.
“Being mated isn’t a commitment? We’re life partners from here on out,” Marcus said with a snort as he overheard my thoughts.
I smiled at this and shook my head. He was right—in a way, we were essentially married now.
“Not yet. We’ll do that too eventually,” Lucas said, and my cheeks burned at the thought.
Marriage.
Why was it making my chest tighten with the sudden urge to cry? I’d never thought anyone would want to take that step with me. I didn’t think I’d meet anyone who would accept me for me.
I’d never planned on walking down an aisle in a stunning white dress. Who would hand me off anyway?
Dixon? Did it matter? Maybe Trish would do the honors for me.
“Hey, we all love you exactly as you are. And honestly, I don’t think a single one of us isn’t keen on putting a ring on it eventually,” Marcus said as he leaned over to stroke my cheek.
“Ugh, who gets to choose the ring design then?” Skip asked with a sigh.
“She does, and we all chip in,” Lucas stated as if it was obvious.
Skip pouted at this but accepted it, and I just closed my eyes, taking joy in feeling their shared love for me.
They wanted me, forever and always, and it made my heart sing.
Things slowly fell back into place as everything resumed as per normal, although things felt different in the entire town. More and more tourists came, and I threw myself into my studies.
We’d started to be intimate again after taking a few weeks off with all the stress and grieving, but one night when I forgot clothes and headed out into the hall, Skip saw me naked, and things took a turn.
I was glad to be reviving that aspect of our lives, and I handed my resignation in to Gina and Henry when my inheritance came through.
We’d made the choice to start looking for a new home, someplace we could start fresh.
House hunting proved quite fun, and Lucas informed me there was no price limit, which only made it even more exciting.
The idea of moving to a new home that was actually ours was thrilling, and it squashed all my worries and guilt, giving me a new focus.
We checked out houses all over the coast, before settling on a vast property in Eudlo that backed onto the National Park for added exploration.
Lucas was sure he could ward the entire property, and with the help of his father, he’d see about getting the park warded as well so we could shift and use it freely.
The modern home was a two-story with six bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a detached self-contained granny flat.
There was a giant shed as well, which Skip was ecstatic about. He and Lucas were planning some epic buys, including a boat and other vehicles.
I couldn’t believe the rich, luxurious property with an outdoor pool, and with Lucas magicking all of our stuff there, we moved in within a few days.
Sure, I missed the old house, but there was too much heartache and bad memories tied t
o it, and I wanted out.
I’d spent a day with Emma saying my goodbyes, but like Lucas said, he’d portal me up for uni, so it’d be like I never left.
Emma and George were thinking of moving down to the coast anyway after everything, as she was still unnerved about her possession.
All the psychic witches had gone about getting powerful warding charms and pendants sorted after that incident, which we were all grateful for.
I adored the new house, loving all the modern finishings and the brightness of the place. So many windows and glass sliding doors to let all the natural light in.
“You love it here, don’t you?” Skip asked as I lounged on the daybed on the back patio overlooking the pool and gardens.
“It’s gorgeous, and all ours,” I said softly, uncrossing my legs as the warmth of the sun flooded through me.
Skip sat down on the bed with me, chuckling as he shook his head.
“I never would have thought I’d end up in place like this. I feel like I barely contributed compared to the rest of you guys,” he said with a sigh.
“Hey, we’re all equals here. What’s mine is yours, and vice versa. Besides, you help us out with everything, so stop stressing. Just be happy. It’s in all our names,” I reminded him.
I still had a chunk of my inheritance left to live off of until I finished uni, then I was hoping to open a business with what was left with Ollie.
A little vet surgery we could call our own.
“Yeah, I suppose,” Skip murmured as he stared out across the pool to where Lucas and Marcus were planting new fruit trees and setting up a full veggie patch.
Marcus was using his magic to get the fruit trees grown and ready to bear fruit, which I loved to see.
While Ollie…well, he was nowhere to be seen.
But I knew where he was.
He was in one of our many paddocks riding Million, whom he’d moved here with Baby.
He’d even agreed for Bob to send down any tough horses for him to break in, and Ollie would keep whatever money he got from selling them once he paid Bob back for their initial purchase. Considering they were dogger horses, it was next to nothing.
Skip had spent the first few days helping Lucas put up extra fencing, not wanting to rely on magic too much as he enjoyed the hard labor.
But he’d accepted help for the stable, which we’d miraculously gotten approved through Council quickly. I was sure Lucas had gotten his father to see to that.
“So I’m back on a farm,” Skip said with a snort as he stretched out beside me.
“A hobby farm. We only have horses and the chickens,” I noted as I opened one eye.
I smiled as he rolled over and kissed me.
“It’ll grow quickly. You and Ollie won’t be able to help yourselves. You both like helping animals,” he said softly as he hovered over me.
I bit my lip, and he just groaned at the sight.
“I could just eat you up and have my way with you,” he murmured as he kissed me again.
“I’m sure you’d love that,” I whispered once he’d started to nibble on my neck.
“Are you saying you wouldn’t?” he quipped as he pulled back, those playful sky-blue eyes boring into mine as he smirked.
“Oh, I’d enjoy it,” I purred as I ground up against him.
Those eyes dilated even more, and his nostrils flared as he drew in my already aroused scent.
“Well, you’re easily turned on, aren’t you, my little pixie?” he murmured as he cupped my cheek with one hand.
“You just have that effect,” I said slyly as I hooked one leg over his waist.
His lips caught mine in a possessive kiss as he slid one arm under my back.
I drank him up happily as he delved his tongue into my mouth, stroking it with expert movements before drawing back to give my bottom lip a hard suck.
‘The things I’d do to you. I’d hold you down, taste you, make you beg me to finish you off, then enjoy that sweet nectar of yours as I made you finish for me,’ he murmured into my mind.
My body reacted to his words like they were a scorching wildfire tearing through me, igniting my being and burning my core.
“Oi! Do you mind? We’re trying to get the garden sorted!” Lucas shouted out across the pool.
“I think you’re getting them all flustered too,” Skip said, chuckling mischievously as he projected images of all our naked bodies grinding and bucking.
“Fuck you,” Marcus cursed as he rose.
“You’ve done it now,” I whispered.
Skip winked at me, and I frowned as I felt the wave of mischief slip through my mind.
He hefted me up in his arms, and I barely had time to register his plans before he hurled me through the air in a squealing mess.
I hit the cool water with a yelp, my clothes soaking through as I bobbed down under the water, and I scowled as I resurfaced and turned to Skip.
“Bastard!” I barked, but he just laughed as he leaped into the pool with me.
So much for enjoying a nice sunny afternoon lounging around.
Lucas dove in with us, wearing a singlet and board shorts for his garden work, and I laughed as Skip swam over and pulled me into his arms, twirling me around as I enjoyed the pleasant coolness of the water on the warm day.
Marcus dusted off his dirty hands from planting before jumping in while Lucas waded up behind me, brushing my wet hair to the side to plant a sweet kiss on my nape.
“I’m glad you’re settling in so well,” Lucas said sweetly as Skip released me.
I turned to rest my hands on Lucas’ shoulders as I treaded water.
“I think we all are. Uni is going well too, everything has settled down,” I said softly, annoyed that the sudden dunk in the pool had staved off my growing arousal.
‘We can fix that,’ Lucas said coolly as he caught my lips in a soft, tender kiss.
They were warm and gentle as he stroked my lips with his tongue before he eased inside, exploring my mouth while I moved my arms around his neck.
His hands circled my waist, holding me against him as the water lapped at our chins.
I quivered as Marcus’ body came up behind me, and he kissed my exposed shoulder softly.
“We should skinny dip,” Skip suggested, already tugging off his board shorts. He’d not even worn a singlet outside today.
I moaned at the idea as Lucas pulled back, giving me the charming smile I adored.
Lucas and Marcus took turns helping me undress, and I helped them remove their clothing as well, while Skip swam over to join us after tossing his clothes on the edge of the pool.
“What happened to your shoes?” I asked Marcus and Lucas. They’d been wearing them while gardening.
“Took them off, while Lucas magicked his off,” Marcus answered as he raised his hand to stroke my cheek lovingly.
Droplets of water dripped off his hand, and I enjoyed the kiss of the water on my bare skin as I stood on my toes. It’d be easier if we moved to the more shallow end.
“Ollie will be bummed he missed out,” Skip said and laughed softly as he pulled me back into his arms.
I squeaked as his excitement jammed into my lower stomach, then he claimed my lips again.
“We haven’t christened the pool yet,” Lucas noted as he ran a finger down my back, causing me to quiver.
“We’ve only really christened the main bedroom. I vote we make today the day of christening,” Skip declared as he rubbed himself against me with a devious look.
“I’m not sure I’m up for that much,” I admitted. It was a big house, and Skip was wanting to even christen the granny flat, shed, and stable from what I could see in his mind.
“We’ll take turns. Vaginas don’t need time to reload,” Skip retorted.
“They can get sore from too much though,” I said with a sharp laugh at his audacity.
“I’ll make sure to use magic so we don’t overuse you. We don’t want you out of action,” Lucas said as he moved i
n, sandwiching me between Skip and him as he kissed my nape.
“I’m more than happy to watch a few rounds,” Marcus added, those frosty eyes trailing over the sight of me squished between the pair of naked bodies.
He’d developed an odd love for it.
I drew in a sharp breath just a moment before Skip claimed my mouth in a heated kiss.
I drank him up, enjoying his hands caressing my arms and coming to rest on my hips as he ground himself against my lower stomach.
I couldn’t help it as I trailed one hand down his stomach, loving the firm muscle that shuddered beneath my fingertips as I continued downward.
I took his delighted length into my hand, giving it a gentle pump as Skip growled against my mouth.
He used one hand to fist my hair and angled my head as he tasted me, his tongue stroking mine with precise, confident movements as he used his other hand to tease my left nipple.
Lucas reached around to tease my other nipple while pushing his hardness against my arse, suckling on the sweet spot where my neck and shoulder met.
“I think we could both have our fun with you in the pool,” Skip murmured as he broke our kiss, allowing me to gulp in air.
I moaned as he pushed images into my head of him driving inside me while Lucas took me from behind, filling both my entrances.
Now that was a welcome idea, and I leaned up, demanding Skip’s mouth once more.
He pulled me hard against him as he ravished my mouth, and Lucas dove one hand down to trail between my cheeks.
I quivered as he found my rear entrance and carefully teased it.
‘I’ll magic us some lube,’ he murmured as he continued to litter my shoulders in kisses.
‘In…the water?’ I sent back as Skip reached down to stroke my clit, causing me to arch and shudder involuntarily.
‘It’s magic, it’ll work,’ Lucas said with a chuckle into my mind.
I moaned against Skip’s battling tongue as Lucas eased the tip of his finger into my arse, and I felt the magical lube prepare me as he worked on stretching me and relaxing me.
I wouldn’t pretend like I had developed a kink for the butt stuff, but I knew the orgasms were sometimes more intense.
