by Emma Dean
Ash was a fucking good kisser too. He held Kenzie’s face with a grip that was both gentle but unyielding. He held her in place and fucked her mouth with his tongue. Finnick let out the groan he’d been holding in and he couldn’t hold back anymore.
He pounded into her from behind and watched as she slid her hand into Ash’s pants, jerking him off. Ash returned the favor and rubbed her clit while Finnick took her.
Watching the two of them made him lose it. Finnick thrust one last time and felt his cum fill her before it oozed out – too full. He groaned and murmured her name, kissing her as she came. Her grip on Ash’s neck was hard enough to leave marks.
She convulsed around him with the full force of her orgasm and Finnick cursed, thrusting into her again. Kenzie was going to milk him dry until she sucked the marrow from his bones.
“My turn,” Ash growled.
He grabbed Kenzie and rolled her on top of him. Ash pulled down his sweats and she sank down, taking him like a champ. Finnick couldn’t help but watch, noticing the way his cum slid out of her and covered Ash.
Fucking Christ, he was hard again just watching them and the way she rode him…Kenzie turned and grabbed Finnick’s face, kissing him hard enough he tasted blood. Yes, it was his turn for her sweet mouth.
Her hair was like silk between his fingers. Kenzie gripped him, stroking gently and he thrust into her hand. It was strange to feel her pleasure through the bond as it crested and fell, crashing to the ground as she shuddered around Ash.
Finnick released her so she could collapse on top of the other fox and Ash growled as he came, throwing his head back. It wasn’t something Finnick had never seen before. They’d shared a girl on occasion after all, but seeing him with Kenzie…
Ash had never looked like that at anyone.
That was love on his face and somehow it made him seem softer, more approachable. It was fucking weird to see and Finnick immediately wondered if he looked that goofy when he looked at her.
Her laughter broke the spell and Finnick snorted, pushing her over. “You lost.”
“I’m not even mad.” Kenzie grinned at the both of them. “It was totally worth it.”
He slid off the bed and grabbed a few washcloths he’d stocked in her bathroom for exactly this reason and soaked them with warm water. Finnick cleaned himself up as he watched Kenzie snuggle into Ash and he knew without asking that Ash had accepted the mate bond.
Had Kenzie?
Maybe he should ask.
He threw them both a washcloth and tossed his in the hamper. “What do you guys want for breakfast? I was thinking pancakes with blueberry syrup sounds pretty fucking good.”
“With eggs and bacon,” Ash agreed. He gave Kenzie a little peck and Finnick snorted.
“How many times do I have to show you how to do this?” he asked, crossing the room.
Ash rolled his eyes and Kenzie stared at him in confusion. “What are you talking about?”
“Like this,” he said, taking Ash by the back of the neck.
Finnick kissed the other fox as if he were Kenzie – a reminder that he would never be far.
When he released him he gave Kenzie a wink, loving the shocked look on her face and the smell of her arousal ratcheted up, filling the room completely. Ash just cleaned himself up with that stupid smile on his face.
“I swear you use every opportunity to do that,” Ash said, pulling his sweats up over his dick. “And I’d be annoyed except it works every fucking time.”
“Gotta know your audience,” Finnick whispered into Kenzie’s ear before kissing her cheek.
“Actually you’re both doing it wrong.”
Finnick turned to see Hunter in the doorway with his arms crossed over his chest. When had the alpha ever come to play with them? Oh, Finnick wanted to see him play bad.
“Care to join us?” Finnick asked. “I’m sure Kenzie could go another round.”
But Hunter didn’t ever look at Kenzie. He maintained eye contact with him as he crossed the room without replying. Finnick was too shocked to do anything when Hunter gently cradled his face in his hands and pulled Finnick down.
The alpha’s lips on his own made him stiffen for a moment in confusion, but the fucker was right. He was a damn good kisser. The way he gripped Finnick, biting his lower lip hard before gently sliding his tongue in his mouth…
What the fuck.
Finnick was hard again.
Hunter’s thumbs caressed his cheeks and then the smaller fox released him and Finnick just stared at the guy who had never once gone out with them. He’d never seen Hunter with another girl or guy and honestly he’d wondered if he was a virgin or maybe just…asexual. That was totally possible.
But there was no fucking way when he could kiss like that.
The alpha fox gave Kenzie a look that promised her so many things and Finnick watched him turn around like nothing had happened, slipping his hands into his pockets. “I made coffee if you guys want some,” Hunter said as he walked out. “I’ll see you after work.”
The look on Ash’s face probably mirrored his own – a strange combination of shock and lust. Then there was Kenzie who definitely looked like she needed to go another round after watching that.
Finnick smiled as he watched Hunter leave. “I have so many questions.”
Chapter Nineteen
Kenzie
It was hard to stay focused on the ward system with Ash and Finnick lounging around, playing on their phones and basically doing nothing useful. They were there to help her and Selene while they worked on setting up for one of the empty warehouses Samuel had.
Help was a strong word.
They were basically there to make sure if anything happened she and Selene weren’t alone.
Normally it wouldn’t bother her, but Kenzie couldn’t get the image of Finnick kissing Ash out of her head. And Ash had acted like it was nothing – like it was normal.
It had brought up a lot of questions that Ash and Finnick had answered during breakfast. Apparently when the two of them went out together they’d find themselves attracted to the same girl. And neither of them cared much about sharing or…crossing swords.
They were both passionate. They both followed that instinct into whatever felt right at the time. Kenzie had asked if they were into into each other…but no. It was just a sex thing.
Though she could clearly see how much they cared for each other. She would even go so far as to say they loved each other in that bromance way guys had. It was kind of amazing actually.
And then there was Hunter…
Kenzie shook her head and refocused for the thousandth time that morning.
The Alpha of the West Coast Pride had been doing his own research on who the perpetrators were with an army of private investigators, so he was rotating his projects around. Once this ward system was up and running he’d move a research facility here. Kenzie just hoped it held up against whatever it was that was in league with demons.
She really hoped it wasn’t the fae. Those fuckers were such a pain in the ass.
Kenzie tapped the new charm in her ear that allowed her to see as well as a raven shifter and studied the main device. Selene was a genius at finding ways to get the magic into a form she could actually work with.
Adding tech was always dangerous and could so easily do something very, very bad.
When they’d been experimenting with the vibration tech they’d accidentally opened a portal onto another plane. Thank the Fates Selene had the sense to shut it down before the rip in the universe had been noted by someone on the Council monitoring that kind of thing.
Then Finnick caught her staring again and he gave her a wink.
Kenzie glared at him. “Can you find some way to be useful?” she snapped.
They had spent the entire day yesterday in bed and it had been one of the most amazing things she’d ever experienced. When they weren’t having sex, the three of them watched anime and ordered pizza with pineapple and bacon on it.
Then when Hunter had come home from work things hadn’t really changed other than the sex. The alpha fox had simply joined them on her bed, watching the show with them until it was time to go and get the next two people on Brad’s list as a group.
He’d sat on the farthest edge, a few feet away, but he’d still been there – participating.
Kenzie had made a point to include him, even going so far as to sit next to him, leaning into him while Ash and Finnick got more provisions. Hunter had held her like he was supposed to, but it still wasn’t second nature to him.
This was all new for the fox.
The affection and companionship were new for her too, but Kenzie knew what was expected and how things were supposed to go. But it was like Hunter had grown up under a rock. He was that disinterested in other people.
Except for his little bit of chaos in the world.
It was kind of adorable because he’d tried so hard to make her happy. Hunter had even put his arm around her shoulders as they watched the show, but he was stiff and quiet. The only thing he’d asked her was if she was okay.
Somehow without telling him, he’d known about the memory charm.
How did he just know stuff?
“Fine, I’ll go check…something,” Finnick said. “Come on Ash, we’re distracting her from her work with our manly muscles, glistening in the warm light.”
“Why are you so fucking weird, man.”
Ash and Finnick walked around the edge of the warehouse, grumbling at each other but Kenzie knew it was just how they were. Every time Finnick made Ash uncomfortable it was to remind him that even though Ash was the quiet one, Finnick never forgot about him.
She loved that about them.
And Hunter…Kenzie didn’t really understand that dynamic, but they were always there for each other. Hunter was more the overseer though, he didn’t really participate in the everyday shit that Finnick and Ash did.
What did he even like to do in his spare time?
The door opened and Selene strode in with another box. “I have the rest of the stuff here. Can I get you anything else?”
Kenzie shook her head and screwed in one of Selene’s enchanted metal chips. “How’s Gram-Gram?”
“She’s getting bored so I told her she should go visit you.”
Kenzie snorted. “Tell her she should go find that boy toy.”
Selene sat down at the table Samuel had ensured was there among a few other niceties. “I will never understand your relationship with Grandma Edith.”
“Me either.” Kenzie set the screwdriver down and looked up at her sister. “What about you? How are things with the coven?”
It was so bizarre not knowing everything already. Kenzie had spent her whole life in that goddamn house and now that she was finally free she missed the shit out of her sister and grandmother.
Why did witch life have to be so complicated?
Selene looked around; her gaze pausing on the boys as they scuffled in the corner over Fates knew what. The massive warehouse was completely empty except the small luxuries Samuel had made sure they had while they worked.
They had the big, nice worktable and fancy new computers. There was a generator that looked like something straight out of Star Trek to power everything including the mini fridge that was thoughtfully stocked with water and fruit.
Kenzie shook her head and selected the next chip, checking her notes before sliding it into the casing. The Alpha wasn’t the asshole he pretended to be. He was in a position of power and had to defend it from little shits who tried to steal from him.
Understanding why he was a jerk made it easy for her to accept what had happened and move on.
She had stolen from him after all.
“The coven is a total shitshow right now,” Selene confessed, slipping on her own gloves to no doubt double check her work. “Between the investigation into the curse on our house and Peter’s involvement…a connection hasn’t been made between him and Brad yet, but I need you to be careful Kenzie. Takahashi isn’t stupid and you’re technically going against the coven and the Council with this contract.”
Kenzie flipped the screwdriver around and around like she used to with pens and considered her sister. “You’re not doing anything to impede the investigation are you?”
The slight tinge of pink on her cheeks was answer enough.
“I’m not going to tell you you’re being stupid, but if you’re doing something that could harm your position…at least make sure it can’t be traced back to you.” Kenzie eyed Selene until her sister squared her shoulders and nodded.
They may be friends and coworkers now, but Kenzie had raised her ass and she wasn’t about to let her ruin all her hard work. “What’s the rule?” she asked.
“Don’t ever get caught.”
“Exactly. So be careful. Blame it all on me if you have to. The coven doesn’t see me as a part of the clan, not really. I’m basically your get out of jail free card.”
Kenzie screwed the last chip into place and then checked to make sure it was aligned perfectly before getting out the portable solder. This was always the worst part. The heat mixing the magic and the tech…sometimes it was fine – sometimes it wasn’t.
Selene had the grace to look offended. “I’m not ever going to shun you Kenzie. If I have to challenge someone to make sure that doesn’t happen, I will.”
Oh, a witch challenge. “That hasn’t been done in like…a hundred years.” Kenzie kind of wanted to see one. “My money’s on you though.”
She pulled her goggles down and Selene backed up as Kenzie brought the solder to the chips.
Sparks flew in a rainbow of colors, but nothing exploded even though Selene was ready for it, hands out to shield them both at a moment’s notice. The solder metal wire was something they’d designed together and had to be made from scratch.
They even held the patent for the formula.
But so far no one could duplicate the efficiency and most of it blew up in their faces. Kenzie wasn’t sure what those people did wrong, but the balance of elements had to be perfect. She and Selene usually made the wire in a clean room.
It sold for thousands per ounce when they had enough surplus to sell.
The wire melted into the exact consistency she needed and the smell of the sage, among other things, infused into the wire filled the room. Kenzie wrinkled her nose. Burning sage wasn’t a pleasant smell.
And...done.
She lifted up her goggles to admire her work. Now for the hard part. Getting it to function as it was supposed to.
The tech was fine, but when magic was a part of anything there was always this weird glitch that happened. Tweaking and tuning was tedious, but necessary or the ward wouldn’t keep out even a squirrel shifter let alone a fucking demon.
Kenzie covered the parts with the outer casing and started hooking up the wires. The program she’d developed was top notch, but she’d had to do some tweaks for Samuel that she’d never had to do before. The Alpha had a list of paranormals so long she hadn’t even heard of half of them before.
Creating a code for each of them was a giant pain in the ass. But so was the magic part. A detection and prevention system was no joke. The only reason they’d been able to get it done so quickly was because they’d had previous working templates to base it off of and a Council member who had something from each species.
“Anything else I can help with?” Selene asked, pulling up her chair. “I always feel so useless during this part.”
Kenzie pulled up the program and slipped on her computer glasses. “I feel the same way when you’re doing the magic part. And no I just need…ah, here it is.” She opened the code window to double check everything and then selected the program. “I’m going to run through the diagnostics real fast, enter in the blueprints of the building and then we can test it.”
“Is the list of approved paranormals there as well? Did I give it to you?” Selene asked, peering over her shoulder even when
they both knew the letters, symbols, and numbers meant nothing to her.
“Yea, but I’m making it so the only ones who currently have access are you and me.” Kenzie snickered as her fingers flew over the keyboard.
They both looked up when Finnick started raising his voice and Ash just crossed his arms over his chest, shaking his head.
“Are they fighting?” Selene asked.
Kenzie snorted. “They’re always fighting. I bet you five dollars Finnick is trying to tell Ash that the best Star Wars movie was The Empire Strikes Back and Ash is insisting it is Rogue One. If they can’t come to some kind of consensus it will devolve into whoever can do the most pushups wins.”
Selene covered her mouth and laughed. “There’s no way it’s that accurate. I’m raising it to ten dollars and that they’re arguing over who has the biggest biceps.”
Her typing paused and Kenzie considered her foxes. “I’m putting a hundred dollars on a movie or pop culture reference.”
“Who’s the strongest or most beautiful.” Selene stuck out her hand.
Kenzie shook it with a grin. “Deal.”
Hitting enter she leaned back while the diagnostics ran. “Hey boys!”
Both Finnick and Ash turned to glare at her like she’d interrupted a very important conversation.
“What are you guys talking about?” Kenzie asked as sweetly as she could.
“He’s trying to tell me that he will never watch Lord of the Rings because he’s already read the books. Tell him, Kenz. Tell him how good they are,” Finnick demanded. “He’s shooting down my marathon suggestion.”
Selene laughed and slyly slipped her a hundred dollar bill. “Looks like you guys are really getting close. I’m happy for you big sis.”
Stuffing the money in her pocket, she eyed her sister. Selene had grown into a gorgeous woman. Age was just a number in the witch world. Soon Selene would be twenty and an actual candidate for coven leader.
Kenzie trusted her sister’s judgement. Selene had always been more serious, more practical, and generally took the safer route. So for her to smile and laugh and accept these lesser shifters as family…it was a big fucking deal.
