“Just take your damn boots off,” Sin muttered, lying down on his side, facing me, giving them room, since King Zeller was, apparently, going to sleep on the edge of the bed next to King Collins.
Cain mumbled quickly, “I could use a bed.” He bent, picking his duffle off the floor, tossing it next to me. “I call dibs, but I’m going to shower first.” He turned on his heal, and went into the bathroom.
Elder Farrar hopped forward on one foot, taking a boot off as he moved. “Dibs next to him.” He tossed the boot, and started hopping on the other foot, working on his other boot. “Fuck, my back’s killing me.”
The remaining three appeared all types of shell-shocked at the mad-dash-dibbing for the bed, all staring at the foot of it, the only place left for someone to sleep on a soft surface.
And…even as Brann and Elder Bridges started racing toward it…Elder Samson stood still, and just flicked a hand, both of them magically scooped up inside golden bubbles, and tossed out the front door that flew open as he sauntered over, muttering, “My ass is still numb from the damn ride, so I’m going to be sharing the bed with you six.” He appeared properly disgusted, dropping back on the bed below our feet, careful to keep his boots off the edge, but claiming his space just as Elder Bridges breezed back into the cabana, appearing peeved, Brann following behind him, growling softly, slamming the door closed. Elder Samson only raised his eyebrows. “You two are so predictable.”
I chuckled softly, approving wholeheartedly. “That’s why you’re one of my point guards.”
Elder Farrar grunted, rolling on the edge of the bed, still ticked at this fact, even as Elder Samson grinned a bit, resting his hands under his head, appearing all types of cozy on the soft bed while Brann and Elder Bridges grumbled, trying to find spare blankets to use on the minimal space on the floor. Cain came out a few minutes later, and I made sure not to pay any attention to him, since he was only wearing a towel around his waist, olive skin glistening with droplets lovingly sliding down his ripped frame…yep, I turned my head away as he leaned over Elder Farrar, rifling through his bag. After he returned from the bathroom wearing a pair of black flannel pajama bottoms, he flicked the lights off, but turned the overhead fans on in the stuffy room, power sitting heavily, everyone done having removed boots, and were firmly settled on the floor or bed. He crawled in over Elder Farrar, nimbly lifting to slide his legs under the sheet, and instantly turned on his side…and smoothly, but firmly, yanked me from Sin’s hold in the darkness of the room, keeping the sheet properly over us as he pressed my back to the strong contours of his front, wrapping his arm around my stomach…and palming one of my breasts possessively, even as he inhaled deeply, and silently against the back of my head.
I blinked slowly, and breathed shallowly, lifting my wide gaze from Sin’s amused, but quietly hostile, emerald eyes, and stared at his forehead for long moments, trying frantically to calm down, because I couldn’t let my heart rate or emotions or scent, do anything abnormal in the tight confines of this room. I focused on my breathing, noticing the variations between Sin’s natural scent and Cain’s forests before a rainfall fragrance. Eventually, calmed enough, I closed my eyes, but they shot open again, when Sin scooted the barest bit, removing the distance between us, pressing his familiar, strong contours against my front, trapping Cain’s hand between our bodies, only to bend and place a gentle kiss on my forehead…all while Cain froze behind me.
My lips twitched the barest bit as I felt Sin’s lips curve against my forehead, knowing full well he was being ornery—hell, who knows what else, silently running his hand down my side to my hip, pulling my leg over his hip, holding my bare thigh comfortably through my skirts slit even as he closed his eyes after tilting his head on mine, comfortable once again. I felt Cain’s chest vibrate the barest bit against my back, his wolf, but fortunately, no sound emitted from him. Although, he did press more firmly against my back, squashing me between them, since Sin didn’t move, and shifted his arm a bit between our bodies, resituating his hand over my breast, making it even more obvious what he held…and tipped his head up silently…and bit the side of my neck, his teeth latching, sinking into my vulnerable flesh. It took all I had in me to keep from jerking, or feeling or doing anything I shouldn’t at that moment, even as Sin chuckled silently against me, blowing out a breath to remove one of the many black, damp curls fanning both of our faces when Cain didn’t release his hold on me, his warm, slick tongue actually taking a long, slow lick against my flesh inside his biting mouth.
Instantly, I froze when directly in my ear, King Zeller muttered with exasperation, “You three have got to be fucking shitting me.” A pause. “Play this dominance bullshit elsewhere…like, say…when there isn’t the severest fucking Elder in bed with you!”
I do believe that would be a contradiction, because the “severest Elder” wouldn’t actually be in bed with us, but I understood the meaning behind it, and knowing full well Sin and Cain had heard him, too, I poked Sin’s side, then tapped Cain’s head, a silent demand for them to stop using me as a damn tug of war toy in whatever game they were battling against each other.
Sin muttered something under his breath, resituating his head against mine, pulling my leg more firmly over his hip, even as Cain’s chest vibrated silently again against my back while he released his hold on my neck, brushing the bite mark once with his nose before resting his head against the back of mine…and all went silent and still.
I yawned largely, even with their slightly frigid frames wrapped around me, neither one of them releasing me, and let my eyes shut. Cain had known getting into bed with us, we always slept next to each other, and yet, he had gotten into bed anyway, and then proceeded to pull me from Sin’s arms. Sin had known Cain and I were sleeping together, and yet, he had proceeded to antagonize Cain. So, they were both getting what they deserved. Arching a bit, my back popped, even as they both pressed closer, and I yawned once more…falling asleep between their combined heat.
A hand softly shaking my shoulder woke me in the pre-dawn light streaming in the sheer white curtains of the small cabana. I blinked my eyes open blurrily, toasty warm pressed between…I blinked a few times more…seeing black curls and neon green hair hanging over my face…ah, I was sleeping between Cain and Sin, wrapped like a twisted pretzel between them to where I wasn’t sure whose leg or whose arm was whose. Again, my shoulder shook, and I was instantly awake, because it wasn’t Cain or Sin doing it. Fear had me quickly wiping their hair out of my face, tilting my head a bit, frantically thinking of an excuse…but it was Elder Farrar peering down at me with sleep rumpled golden hair, a finger to his shushing lips.
I instantly breathed easier, then blinked, shaking my head a bit when a small flash erupted in my face, stirring Cain and Sin, both of them groaning softly. Elder Farrar smirked, lowering his camera, but once again pressed a finger to his lips, silently telling me to be quiet, then mouthed, “Wake them up before the others wake.” The bed barely shifted as he got out…with a damning photo, entering the bathroom.
Goddammit!
Growling quietly under my breath, I started to wiggle a bit, trying to disentangle myself from them, but I was quickly squashed on both sides once again. More awake now, I was fairly sure it was Cain’s hand still on my breast, but now under my satin-stiff top—thanks to my swim in a lagoon, holding bare flesh, and it was Sin’s hand that had slid during the night up under my skirt, his palm heating my bare ass—thank you, no underwear, my leg still wrapped around his waist, their heads slightly over mine, and I was fairly sure, resting against each other’s as they continued to sleep, not waking completely from the photo…and both of them were sporting impressive, morning woods. Not a surprise, but still, not really a bodily reaction you would want in this room. I tried wiggling once more…and quickly stopped that action when they both moaned quietly, pressing their hips against me, along with other hardened body parts…which, unfortunately, produced a very misfortunate arousal in me. Again, none of this was n
ew—for either men, but it was definitely not appropriate.
So, I did the only thing I could think of, opening my Core the barest bit, and floated in the galaxies, finding each of their tethers, pulling them to my lips, and whispering, “Wake.”
Instantly, they jolted a bit as I silently shut my power down, and I knew they were awake by the prompt tightening of their bodies, breathing altering, and resting hands turning gripping. I tilted my head up a bit, pulling the blanket over my lips, since I seriously needed to brush my teeth, but still smiled a bit at them where they stared down at me with sleepy eyes, appearing a bit bewildered finding themselves as they were, and I whispered, “Good morning.”
Sin blinked slowly, even as his eyes flared quietly, whispering, “Mornin’, love.”
Cain grunted quietly, eyes flicking to Sin’s…which were only a few inches from his own…narrowing a bit, before falling back to mine, mouthing—just in case anyone else was awake, “Morning.”
I licked my lips a bit nervously, whispering, “We need to get up.”
Sin yawned hugely, showing, not just me, but Cain his pearly white’s before stretching—pressing all of his body against mine…and I barely held back the squeak when I was suddenly turned onto my back in one of his fluid moves with his heavy weight on top of me. Sin’s lips curled against mine, emerald green glowing down on me…with Cain’s unrelenting hand still between us on my breast. Sin whispered softly, “I’ll get,” he pressed his erection between my thighs, rubbing slowly against my core, “…up first.” My eyes shot wide…Christ…the simmering arousal I had been trying to suppress rearing its ugly head. “Okay, love?”
A quick word. “Yep.” But, my eyes narrowed a bit. “Behave, Sin.”
Cain was frozen, pressed against us, his chest vibrating silently, his body trembling the barest bit in what had to be suppressed fury.
Sin winked, murmuring slowly, “This is behaving.” He tilted his head, lips rubbing against mine, and I felt his hand move between us, my breath catching when his palm slid under my top and he pressed his hand over Cain’s, squeezing my breast with Cain’s touch. “That,” he whispered softly, “isn’t.” His lids dipped, and his lips pressed against mine softly, a gentle caress of silken lips, a normal morning kiss for us…except for the fact it lingered as he squeezed his hand over Cain’s again, using Cain’s touch and warm palm to kneed my quickly heaving breast. Gradually, his head tipped back, pulling his lips from mine, a slow smile curving his lips as his gaze flicked over my face. And even though I was positive all three of us could hear the barest sound of, indeed, leaves rustling…and possibly, prairie grass blowing in a gentle breeze…as Sin’s power began to leak the barest bit in his aroused state—a sound, a feeling, he had never allowed with me, his scented spiced with earth and herbs—a scent he had never smelled so heavily of before, his head tilted up, staring directly into Cain’s eyes, both of their gazes glowing, unflinching, only inches away from each other’s, and he mouthed, “Good morning, Elder Merrick.” A quick, gentle squeeze of Cain’s hand, squeezing my breast, his grin only increasing. “It’s been fascinating sleeping with you.”
Cain’s nostrils flared wide as he bared his teeth, his wolf starting to sound on a quiet menacing growl, snapping Shifter magic subtly seeping from him.
Sin’s eyes flared brightly, grin still in place, but it was now much the same as Cain’s teeth baring, his own power starting to leak further, but definitely not in arousal.
Oh…no, no, no, no. This was not happening. Not with these two men. Neither was going to injure the other. I quickly shoved both of their hands out from under my top; even as I put my other hand between their faces, waving it in quick jerks, whispering harshly, “Stop it!” Both of you. “We need to get up.”
Both heaved a mighty breath, staring one another down.
I whispered, “Now.” And remembering the whole Shifter alpha eye contact thing, never-to-look-away-first-bullshit, I gripped both of their chins, jerking their silently furious faces toward me, my eyes darting back and forth between theirs, I whispered once again, “Now.”
Between gritted teeth, Sin hissed, “Fine.” He jerked his chin from my hold, then proceeded to shove Cain’s shoulder back so he could climb over him to only turn around, and hold out a hand to him, eyes narrowed, one green eyebrow cocked.
Cain ground his teeth together; also, glaring back at Sin, then knocked his hand away as he rolled out of bed, and proceeded to walk on silent feet to the front door, slipping outside it. Sin muttered a quiet—filthy—curse under his breath before he grabbed his bag off the floor, walking toward the bathroom just as Elder Farrar made his very timely way from inside it with damp hair, gesturing grandly for Sin to enter. Sin muttered something under his breath to him before stepping inside, and slamming the door so hard everyone woke, all of them shooting upright as if a gun had been fired, rubbing their trained eyes that darted about the room.
Lying on my side, back to my King and King Zeller, I placed a gentle hand over my mouth in stunned surprise at these turn of events, trying to breathe evenly as Elder Farrar threw his arms out wide at everyone’s grumpy as hell expression, saying sunnily, “Good morning, one and all.” His gaze flicked to me, then he bowed his head grandly. “I believe our eyes are now all wide open to face the new day.”
No shit.
Thanks for reading CHOSEN ONE. I hope you enjoyed it.
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You’ve just read a book in my FOREVER EVERMORE series. The other books in this series are KING HALL, KING CAVE, KING TOMB, released together as THE KING TRILOGY, and CHOSEN THIEF and CHOSEN FOOL.
This book was published by Escape Publishing. If you’d like to sample some more great books from my fellow Escape Artists, please turn the page.
Bestselling Titles by Escape Publishing...
The King Trilogy: Forever Evermore
Scarlett Dawn
From Scarlett Dawn comes the stunning, sexy, sensual, surprising, spell-binding King Trilogy; the first and best-selling Forever Evermore trilogy now in one volume.
King Hall
A fresh, meaty, sink-your-teeth-in-and-hold-on-tight new adult fantasy series kicks off with King Hall…
Lily Ruckler is adept at one thing: survival. Born a Mystical hybrid, her mere existence is forbidden. Then Lily becomes deeply entrenched with those who would destroy her simply for existing — The Mystical Kings. Being named future King of the Shifters shoves Lily into the spotlight. But with risk comes a certain solace — her friendships with the other three Kings: a wicked Vampire, a wild-child Mage, and a playboy Elemental. Backed by their faith and trust, Lily begins to relax into her new life. Then chaos erupts as the fragile peace between Commoners and Mysticals is broken, and suddenly Lily realises the greatest threat was never from within, and her fear takes on a new name: human.
King Cave
The long-awaited sequel to the bestselling, award-winning King Hall: the revolution is here, but the most dangerous attack may come from within. . .
The world of Lily Ruckler and her fellow Mystical Kings and Queens is rocked to the core by the attacks at King Hall. Lily has to assume the mantle of leadership, and bring the surviving Mysticals to King Cave. But she is not alone. Ezra becomes her rock, her best friend, the one person who understands. As Pearl and Jack struggle with loss, Ezra and Lily work to keep the Mys community safe in their new home, and plan a deadly retaliation. Their friendship saves them both. . .but it also draws attention. It's not normal for Shifters and Vampires to be fr
iends, and when a horrifying truth is revealed, their relationship morphs from unusual to unspeakable. Lily is good at keeping secrets that could get her killed. Is she willing to risk Ezra's life as well?
King Tomb
From Scarlett Dawn comes the stunning, sexy, sensual, surprising, spell-binding conclusion to the best-selling first Forever Evermore trilogy.
Queen Shifter, Lily Ruckler, has found solace in brutal warfare. Her bloodied fists and bared fangs fill the holes left in her memory, the blank spaces that leave her soul aching and empty. Her only pleasure is in blood; her only salvation is the relationship she has with her infant child, the baby of unknown origins who brings her solace and stability.
When a standard reconnaissance mission leaves her trapped inside King Zeller’s private quarters, surprise attraction rapidly turns to a battle of wills and an intense power struggle that leaves no clear victor. In order to win the war against the Commoners, the King Vampire and Queen Shifter must work together. But their chance meeting has led to more than an unlikely alliance. Secrets have a way of surfacing, especially on a torn-up battlefield, and Lily and Ezra are about to re-learn all they cannot remember. If they can’t control their emotions and responses, it will be to their own ruin and the destruction of everything around them.
Chosen Thief
Scarlett Dawn
The second saga in the bestselling, groundbreaking Forever Evermore series begins with Chosen Thief, where the life of a skilled lawbreaker becomes much more than she ever wanted. . .
Caroline Jules knows death is imminent. She’s only 22, but as an inmate of Death Row in the most secure Mystical jail, what else could her future hold?
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