by Ava Mason
Easton grunted, pressing me into him. “We’ll finish this later.” He growled this in my ear before letting me go. Hunter swam up to me, his eyebrows wiggling.
“What you guys doing?”
Easton frowned and turned to him. “You know what we were doing.”
Hunter grinned and pulled me to him, cradling me in between his legs as he leaned against the side of the pool. “I’m pretty sure it’s Avery’s turn.”
I frowned, looking at Avery who was racing Christian to the other end of the pool. “I think Avery’s going to have to wait.”
“Why?”
I ran my hand through my hair, pulling stray pieces out of my eye. “Avery and I need to work on our trust, first.”
Easton grinned, laughing. “Oh, he’s going to hate that.”
I smiled back at him. “I know.”
Hunter chuckled and I leaned into him, settling myself as his thumb traced my stomach. We turned to watch Christian touch the end of the pool right before Avery. Making a triumphant noise, Christian threw his hands into the air but Avery jumped on him, dragging him under the water. After struggling for a minute, Avery and Christian both came up for air, grinning and walking towards us.
Avery wrapped his hands across his chest. “It’s cold. Who wants to get in the jacuzzi? I turned it on earlier.” His smile was catching and I stood up, feeling happy.
“I’ll join you.” He grabbed my hand, leading me and everyone else, out. We rushed across the red bricks towards the jacuzzi. Christian’s sweats clung to my hips, threatening to drop to the ground, so I slid them off and jumped in the water in my underwear and t-shirt.
“Mmm…” The water was so warm. I instantly relaxed as the warm water hit my legs and I glanced at Christian, remembering the last time we were in the jacuzzi together.
He gave me a small smile and I settled next to Avery in the jacuzzi. Hunter claimed the other spot next to me.
“So,” Christian turned on the bubbles. “What do you think is going to happen next?”
Easton sat across from me, looking at Christian. “We’re going to get dressed and choke down Avery’s food.” Avery splashed water at him. “Then watch a movie. And just take a few days off, taking turns with Princess over there,” Easton nodded at me, “except for Avery, of course.”
Easton glanced at me, giving me a knowing grin that slipped away as soon as Christian faced him.
Avery’s face turned red and Christian slammed his fist against Easton’s shoulder. “Don’t talk like that.”
He gave Christian a snarky look. “It’s okay, I’ve already confirmed it with her.”
“Hey, what the hell?” Avery looked at me and I just shrugged. He tried to slip his hand out of mine, but I gripped it tighter, stroking my thumb against his palm. I pulled him closer, then turned to straddle his lap, ignoring the lecture Christian was giving Easton. “I think you have some work to do before you get a taste of this.” My voice was soft, so no one could hear me but us. “You need to prove to me that you can earn my fuck.”
His dick bulged in his shorts and he pulled me a little closer, stroking my sides.
“Oh, yeah?”
I nodded.
“And what kind of things am I going to have to do to taste that sweet cunt of yours?”
His dirty words were turning me on but I leaned forward to whisper in his ear, smirking. “You can start off by fixing us dinner, every night this week.”
He groaned, running his free hand through his beard. “Fine.” He looked back at me, and his eyes were dark. “Only if I get to eat it off you.”
I melted at his words. “Depends on what you make. What’d you cook tonight?”
He choked on his words. “I didn’t plan for that tonight.”
I laughed. “Okay, seriously, wha’d you make? I need to know if I should really enforce this.” I leaned forward, pressing my hands on his shoulders. “Are you a good cook?”
“Does that mean if I make horrible food I’ll get out of this arrangement?”
I shook my head. “Nope. It just means I eat a few snacks before dinner.”
He grinned, “I can cook if I want. I made chicken and eggplant parmigiana. It’s in the oven. And Hunter made a salad.”
I raised my eyebrows, impressed. “And what are you cooking tomorrow?”
He sighed. “You’re serious about this, aren’t you?”
I shook my head. “Absolutely. How many meals did I have to cook in Hawaii?”
His lips turned up into a smile. “Yeah, that was pretty nice, having a woman look after me.”
I smiled, feeling all glowy and squishy inside. I ran my hand through his beard, tugging it softly. “Thanks for not shaving.”
His smile turned into a grin. “You really like it?”
I nodded. “I love it.”
“Good. Then I’ll keep it.” He leaned forward, kissing me softly. When he pulled away, I traced my fingers over his tattoo of the unicorn.
“Listen, I’m sorry about Mia. I know you loved her and…” I looked into his eyes. “I promise I’ll try not to end up like her.” It wasn’t eloquent, but I wanted him to feel that he was safe opening his heart to me.
He breathed in deeply. “I think we’ll be okay. You were right. I think together, we’ll make it.” He looked behind me and I turned. Hunter and Christian were laughing, then Easton splashed water at Hunter, a grumpy look on Easton’s face.
“I agree.” Smiling, I nodded and he nuzzled my neck.
Christian’s words cut through our conversation. “Anyway, back to what I was talking about before. I meant the Queen. Liam and Andre. Any news on what’s happening now?”
I turned back around, still sitting in Avery’s lap.
“I think they’re going to do a full investigation into Liam.”
“They might need to do one on Andre.” Christian’s eyes bore into me and all eyes turned to me. Avery put his arm around me, stroking the side of my stomach.
“I think that Ember’s been using Andre. She had a very persuasive personality.” I didn’t go into further details.
Hunter bit his lip, thinking. “Okay, I’ll let them know.”
“What about Sophia’s office? Ember was able to get in at least one unsanctioned hit that we know of. There could be more.”
I frowned, thinking about the people she may have killed.
Hunter tugged his bangs out of his face, sighing. “This is a shit-storm. At least they’re finding the relics.”
“They are?” I sat up.
Hunter nodded. “Yeah, I spoke to Edward earlier. They’ve rounded up a bunch of Ember’s men. One of them gave up the location of her hideout.”
I leaned back against Avery, relieved. “Good.”
“Thanks to us.” Easton was grinning and his words sparked a smile between all the guys. I didn’t smile, I couldn’t forget the price to Aria. One of her best friends betrayed her. And Liam, he must be devastated.
A light blinked, then a musical melody rung through the air. All my guys except Avery stood up, a frown on their faces.
I looked around. “What’s that?”
Hunter climbed out of the jacuzzi. “It’s the front door. I’ll get it.”
Avery stood up next, pushing me off his lap but taking my hand. “Let’s go check the oven.”
“Good idea.” We followed Hunter up the stairs.
Leaving Easton in the jacuzzi by himself, Christian walked up behind us, “I’ll pick out a movie.”
I glanced back at Easton. He didn’t move; he just stared off towards the field with a thoughtful look on his face.
We walked towards the house and I skipped ahead of the guys, pulling my shirt off and throwing it to the ground. I heard several groans and I grinned, entering the warm house.
I went to Christian’s room to find dry clothes. When I leaned over, I bumped into someone.
Turning around, it was Christian. He’d snuck in so quietly, I hadn’t heard him.
He had a nee
dy look on his face which only lit the fire inside me. Pulling me to him, he kissed me softly. I opened my lips, letting his silky tongue slide against mine. His hand went to my breast, stroking the side softly, then he pulled away, brushing my hair from my face.
I smiled, biting my lip and he bent over, pulling out another drawer. “I figured you needed clothes. Shirts are here.” He pulled out a black tank top and glanced at my bare chest, grinning. “Sorry, I don’t have any extra bras.”
I smiled. “You sure?”
He shoved that drawer closed and then opened another one, rummaging through it while I put on the tank top. It was a little big and it showed some cleavage, but not too much. He threw a pair of boxers at me. “You can wear these. Tomorrow we’ll go get your stuff from the other place.”
“Thanks.” I pulled them on and they hung on my hips.
“Looking good.” He smacked my ass.
I yelped, jumping, and then a shadow filled the doorway. Hunter had a tight smile on his face.
“It’s the Queen. She’s here to see you. She’s waiting in the living room.” He looked me over. “I advise you wear something a little more covering.” He raised one eyebrow. “Although later on I wouldn’t mind cuddling up with you on the couch in that. I just might find a little space for my fingers to sneak in somewhere.”
My face turned red and I took in a deep breath, suddenly unsure if I was ready for all the hormones that were running through my body. Living and fucking all these guys in one house was going to be mad.
He chuckled. “Don’t worry, Princess. We’ll take it easy, if that’s what you need.” He glanced out of the room. “But I would suggest you hurry, don’t want to keep her waiting.”
He didn’t move away though, he just stood there with his hand in his pocket, looking at me like he wanted to tell me something.
“Just spit it out.” I smiled at him. “I know you want to tell me something.”
He stepped into the room and took my hand. Then he pulled his hand out of his pocket and placed something in my palm. I looked down; it was a beautiful silver necklace.
He eyed the one at my chest. “I didn’t know if you wanted to keep that one. I know your mom gave it to you.” He shrugged his shoulders and shoved his hands back into his pocket. “But I thought with the blood and all that, you might want a new one.”
I looked down at it. It looked very similar to the one my mother gave me. “How did you know?”
He just shrugged and smiled mysteriously, then glanced back at Christian.
I turned around. “Did you have anything to do with this?”
Christian shook his head, but I could tell that he was lying so I gave him a look. He scowled and gave Hunter a look. Reaching out, I pulled them both to me, feeling their love pressing into me.
“Thanks, guys.” I wanted to cry, I was so overcome with emotion but I held my tears in. “This means everything to me.”
Hunter kissed my cheek. “You’re welcome, Princess.”
Giving me a tug, he smiled, then walked out the door. I turned to Christian and slapped his arm playfully. “Liar.”
He grinned. “Yep, that’s me.”
Both Christian and I changed quickly, putting on clothes more appropriate for a Queen and fixing my necklace, then we walked out together, with him holding my hand. He led me to the living room where the Queen was sitting on the edge of a green velvet couch. She stood when we entered the room and held her arms out to me.
Her eyes were puffy and her mascara was smudged. Instead of greeting her, Christian squeezed my hand and walked off towards the kitchen. I pulled Aria into my arms and she grasped me tight. Her body was shaking but she wasn’t crying, though I know she was trying not to. There were two guards near the front door and two at the back, but they didn’t look at us.
After a while, she pulled back and I tugged her back on the couch. She was wearing sweatpants and a t-shirt, and she looked so strange in such casual clothes. She rubbed her red nose, taking in a deep breath and I gave her a moment to gain her composure.
“I came here to thank you, and your team, for everything you’ve done for me.” She paused and I took her hand, gripping it softly. The dark circles under her eyes hinted that she hadn’t slept in a couple of days. She opened her mouth like she wanted to say more but shut it with a snap, biting her lip like she was trying to keep her tears from falling.
“It’s okay. I understand. You don’t have to say anything else.”
She shook her head. “No, no. I want to apologize for everything Ember put you and your team through. I know you’ve been through some shit. And I am sorry for it.”
I tried to reassure her, I certainly didn’t want her worrying about me right now. She had so much other stuff to work out. “It’s fine. Everything is good. I’m just worried about you. How are you doing with all this?”
She sucked in a breath and by the look on her face, I don’t think anyone had asked her this. She stared off into the glass wall for a moment. “It’s actually, a pretty bad shock.” She looked at me. “Did she tell you why?”
I took a second to consider my answer. I bit my tongue and shook my head. “I just think that they got to her, you know?” Right now she didn’t need to know how bitter Ember really was. Some things just don’t need to be revealed. Ember’s reasons wouldn’t help her with the aftermath.
She nodded, knowing that I was lying, but she accepted it. “Do you know anything about them? The people she was working with?”
“Not really. She only said that they were connected to the men who killed my dad.”
“I see.” She nodded. “It’s as we suspected, then.”
I nodded with her, not knowing what else to say and silence settled between us. My hand was still on hers and I wished I had Christian’s power to help heal her heart a little. I thought of offering it but then I decided against it. It might be too weird, and maybe she would feel awkward turning me down. I’d let Christian offer it himself if it was appropriate.
“Do you want to stay and eat? We’re having eggplant.” I said this like I wasn’t sure it was going to be good or not.
She looked amused. “I’m not here to stay. I came to give you a new assignment.”
I took in a deep breath, hoping she’d at least give us a few days to relax.
She smiled, nodding to one of her guards. He nodded back, then walked out the front door. “Don’t worry, you’ll have a couple of weeks off, if you decide that’s what you need.”
I gripped her hand, thanking her without saying a word.
“When you’re ready, I’d like to send you home.”
I sucked in a breath, as squirmy worms overtook my stomach. Gratitude overwhelmed me, and the need to go come called me like a siren. But I couldn’t help the anxious feeling that cut off my breath, the way my heart pounded in my chest.
What will I find there?
She continued. “Based on what you just told me, we need more information about the people who killed your parents. And, honestly, we need them taken down.” She looked into my eyes. “You need to take them down.”
I nodded, gripping her hand harder. Yes. I was going to take them down.
“I know that you are, mostly, ready to go home. You’ve been loyal and I’m grateful for it. You have given me a great gift. However, I fear that if I don’t let you return soon, you might wish you’d never declared fealty to me.” She tried to grin, teasing me a little, but it only came across as a sad smile.
“Thank you.” It was all I could think of to say.
“But. I do hope to see you again, one day.”
I pulled her into my arms, hugging her tight. “Of course.”
She held me for a moment and the bond between us strengthened. I would definitely keep in touch. Then she took in a breath, pulling back. “And, erm, I know that I’ve already asked so much of you but there is one thing left for you to take care of.”
The door opened and I heard Hunter’s voice growl from the kitchen.
“Oh, hell no.”
I looked over and saw the guard returning with James, who gave Hunter the biggest eat-shit grin.
“What’s up, guys?”
Please
Note from the Author:
Order the next book here.
Tell the world how you feel about this book. Write a review! You would immediately own my heart forever!!!
Thank you!
Reach Me
Want to stalk me?
Here is my private facebook group.
My newsletter.
My fan page on facebook.
My website that needs some work ;)
Copyright © 2017 by Ava Mason
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
