What Remains_Reckoning

by Kris Norris

  Sounds echoed in the room, the familiar rustle of clothes landing on the floor making her heart race. Damn. Though she’d known full well what inviting them into her bed would result in, the reality of the act made her fantasies seem dim, almost two dimensional. Anticipation warred with nagging memories, and she tensed when the bed dipped on either side.

  Gunner pulled back, staying close enough the other men were mere shadows in her peripheral vision. He cupped her chin with one hand, the other lightly brushing her skin the length of her arm. “Scared?”

  She laughed, far too quickly to deny the question. “Nervous. I haven’t… Let’s just say it’s been a while. And I don’t remember most of the encounters at the camp.”

  Wolfe growled beside her, and Gunner retreated enough she could turn to look at the other man. His eyes had darkened, and there was no mistaking the anger creasing his brow.

  He reached out and combed his fingers through her hair. “You don’t remember? God, Morgan, please tell me that bastard didn’t drug you, too.”

  Shame hunched her shoulders, but Wolfe held tight, keeping her from turning away.

  She firmed her jaw. She was bigger than this. Better. And no matter what had happened, in the end, she’d won. “I wasn’t like the other women in there. I didn’t submit to their beliefs.”

  Wolfe’s eyes closed and the anger turned to pain. “You fought him.”

  “You would expect any less of me?”

  “No. But that doesn’t make me have to like the idea.” He tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “Do you want to tell us what happened?”

  She shook her head. Dealing with the memories was one thing. Telling the boys—fuck. All she could think about was how disgusted they’d be. How they’d never look at her the same way. Up until now, they’d only had assumptions, and she didn’t want to take away that last shred of hope they’d probably carried with them.

  Wolfe sighed, scooping her off the bed and placing her on his lap. He’d stripped down to his briefs, and his heat seeped into her. She nestled against his chest, sighing out a long breath as he wrapped his arms around her, cocooning her in a wall of male flesh. This was where she needed to be. Where the dreams and demons disappeared as if locked in another place, another time. They made her forget what the world had become, reducing her existence to the four of them. No zombies, no threat. Just skin and heat and love.

  The thought hit her hard, and she swallowed to choke back a sob. God, had she really fallen that far for the men before giving all of herself to them? It seemed so old-fashioned. A relic from an age long lost. But the simple word fit nicely on her tongue, and she smiled up at Wolfe when he kissed the top of her head.

  “I’m sorry.”

  His hushed words made her heart ache. They sounded so sincere but so utterly torn, as if he’d taken her pain and claimed it as his own.

  She traced her fingertips along his jaw, the light stubble scratching her skin. “You have nothing to be sorry for. You didn’t do anything.”

  “We shouldn’t have waited to go inside. And we should have busted into that damn barn the first night. If we’d gotten there sooner…”

  “Oh, baby. A few days wouldn’t have changed anything. Hell a few weeks wouldn’t have been enough. But it doesn’t matter. It’s over. You three got me out.”

  “More like you got us out.”

  “I wouldn’t have gotten far with my hands bound and my body barely functioning.”

  He growled again. “I’ll fucking stick that baton up Bobby’s ass if I ever see the bastard again.” He exhaled loudly. “So does this mean you don’t want to talk about it? Before we…”

  She shrugged, suddenly feeling exposed. “Is it going to change anything, either way?”

  “What?”

  He frowned and the bed dipped again as Ham shifted in beside him while Gunner shuffled over, stopping even with Wolfe’s knees. None of them looked pleased.

  Ham rested his hand on her thigh. “What could possibly change by you telling us what happened?”

  “Oh, I don’t know, other than you three deciding I’m damaged goods.”

  The words slipped free before she could take them back. Morgan bowed her head. God, she never knew when to keep her mouth shut. When to just leave things alone. She could have rattled off a few half-truths and be screaming out her first release by now. Instead, she curled in on herself, mentally preparing for the verbal backlash.

  Ham breathed out a long, slow breath, shouldering in until his body pressed against Wolfe’s as the man cradled her in his lap. Hamilton didn’t speak, just leaned in his head, resting his forehead against her temple. Tears threatened then spilled, splashing onto their skin. Fuck, she hated this. Feeling weak. Broken. She’d promised herself she’d kick this weepy shit in the ass—bring the old Morgan back. The one who fought with her hands bound. The one who wasn’t fazed by zombies or anything. The one they’d probably been attracted to.

  “Baby. Nothing you say is going to change how we feel about you. Nothing. And if it’s too soon, if it’s not something you think you can share, whether you want to or not, that’s okay. We just don’t want to say something or do something that’s going to bring back any bad memories. It’d kill us to hurt you that way.” He placed a finger under her chin and gently turned her head to face him. “You’re not weak. Fuck, you’re the strongest woman we’ve ever met. What Beau did…” He shook his head, clenching his jaw. “You saw what it did to the others. Yet you fought. Every time if my hunch is correct. You’re still fighting. You just don’t see it. All you see is the pain. We just thought by telling us, you might be able to let it go. But the choice is yours, and I can guarantee you, we’ll love you either way.”

  She gulped in some air, trying to breathe past the lump in throat. “But what if…” Her voice trailed off as his words reran in her head. Her eyes widened as she moved her focus between the three men before coming back to Hamilton. “What did you say?”

  That boyish grin took her breath away. “That the choice is yours?”

  “No. After that.”

  He chuckled, leaning in to drop a kiss on her nose. “I said we’ll love you either way.”

  “Love…” She looked at each man again, the truth of Ham’s statement shining in their eyes. She snagged her lip again, not sure how to reply. “But we haven’t even…” She waved at the bed.

  Gunner groaned. “Do you really think we need to make love to you in order to know whether we love you or not? Honey. We could scour the Earth, literally, and never find someone who made us feel like heroes the way you do. Who challenges us to be the men we should be, and not just for you. For ourselves. You were part of the team from the start. Not sure I can explain it any better than that.”

  Wolfe nudged her. “You said being SEALs defined who we were. Makes sense that the woman we fall in love with would be part of our team, doesn’t it?”

  She opened her mouth then closed it. Overwhelmed.

  Ham smiled. “Don’t say anything right now. We know this is a lot to take in. But you need to know that we’re in this for the long run. And as much as we want to lay you back on the bed and watch you come over and over, if you need more time, it’s okay. If just holding you naked in our arms is the limit before those demons start talking, then that’s all we’ll do.” He leaned in again and his demeanor changed. “But mark my words. You’re ours and sooner or later, we’ll show you the full extent of that claim.”

  Heat suffused her body, pooling moisture along her slit as her nipples peaked from his words. No man had ever talked to her like that, and she realized the idea of belonging to them made her hot and wet. The murmur of voices in her head faded away, and she knew now was the time. Fuck Beau and his insane chatter. She was stronger. Had beaten him at every turn and now she got to reap the rewards—times three.

  Morgan smiled at Ham, brushing her fingers through his hair. “No more waiting. No more excuses. Just us. Together. Making love. The rest of the day if possible.”<
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  “Sounds like our kind of mission.” His eyes clouded for a moment. “Are you sure you don’t want to talk…”

  That’s when it hit her. Telling them wasn’t just about freeing her demons, it was about freeing theirs. Giving them closure as much as her.

  She sighed, leaning against Wolfe. “Not really much to tell. Beau’s ritual is always the same. He picks his next conquest, has her dragged to his room then proceeds to belittle her as much as possible until there’s no fight left. Most of the girls just lay down and spread their legs. It’s easier. Less painful if he thinks you want it.”

  “Christ, Morgan.” Wolfe scraped his hand along his scalp. “How often does he rape the women?”

  “Until he tires of them. Once he’s had the first go ‘round, he gives them to the other men. By that time, most of women are basically catatonic. They don’t seem to care much.”

  “But not you. You fought. You didn’t make it easy for him. God, sweetheart, he could have killed you.”

  She huffed. “Cold fucking day in hell I submit to any man I don’t want to. Giving over control when there’s trust, love, is one thing. Having it taken…” She shook her head. “Not going to happen. Besides, even Beau had a line he didn’t cross.”

  Gunner snagged one of her hands. “What do you mean?”

  “He liked his women conscious. Something too easy about fucking a girl you’d beaten senseless. The first time he tried, I kicked his ass. Two of his men eventually pulled me off him. Broke his damn nose.”

  “Fucking A.” Pride sounded in Wolfe’s voice then faded. “But you paid for it, didn’t you?”

  “It was worth it to teach the bastard as lesson. I woke up four days later. He’d cracked a couple of ribs, given me a decent concussion. But from what I heard, he’d been too pissed to rape me.”

  Ham cursed, bowing his head. “Hell of a choice to make. Did he at least leave you alone for a while?”

  “About a week. I wasn’t as strong the next time. Ribs hurt like a bitch. But I got in a few kicks to his groin before he struck me hard enough to knock me out. Only lasted a couple of days that time.”

  Gunner punched his fist against the bed, pulling out of the circle as he pushed to his feet, pacing to the other side of the room. “I’ll kill him. Simple. I’m going back to that fucking camp and I’m going to strangle the life out of him.”

  Morgan sighed, giving Wolfe and Ham a desperate look before slipping off Wolfe’s lap and moving over to Gunner. She stepped in front of him, stopping him from making another round of the room. “Gunner. This isn’t your fault. I made my choice. Either he was going to stop trying to take me that way or I was going to die trying to kill him. But then you three showed up and everything changed.” She cupped his chin as he’d done to her earlier. “You were right. All of you. Saying it out loud… It’s not so scary anymore. I can let it go as long as you promise to be there when it tries to come back. When I start to doubt myself. When the voices can’t be quieted.”

  “Not going anywhere, honey. Promise.”

  “Then get your ass back to the bed and make love to me. Ham and Wolfe are waiting.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  He scooped her up, laughing when she squealed, and marched them over to the bed, placing her on her feet. She held still while the boys unclipped her bra and removed her pants and underwear, skimming their hands over her skin as they eased the clothing free. The cool air beaded her flesh with goose bumps before Wolfe stepped up behind her, his massive body chasing away the chill. He’d removed his briefs, the hot, hard length of his cock pressing against her ass. He shuffled her backwards until her calves touched the bed before gently helping her up and drawing her into the center of the mattress. He leaned against the wooden headboard, positioning her between his spread thighs, increasing the pressure of his shaft against her ass cheeks. Fire swelled inside her core and she wanted to turn on him. Take his cock between her lips and suck him dry.

  His mouth hovered close to her ear as he leaned down, licking her nape. “God, you feel so fucking good against me. I might just come from holding you.” He lowered his hands, tracing her ribs, avoiding her wound before splaying them on her waist. “It never ceases to amaze me how damn strong you are for being so small. God, we’re all easy double your size.” His fingers drew lazy circles on her flesh as he grazed them along her hips to her thighs, smoothing his hands inward until they were between her legs. “Open for me, sweetheart. Let Gunner and Ham see how much you want them to touch you. Lick that slick cleft of yours until you scream.”

  “Fuck, Wolfe. You’re going to make me come just from the sound of your voice.”

  “Good. Then we’ll get to watch you come twice.”

  Shit. She wouldn’t last long with them touching her, let alone having Wolfe describe every action before it happened.

  Ham and Gunner took their places, each claiming one of her legs. They crept up the bed, muscles tensing, the strong lines creating shadows on their skin. They looked every inch the deadly soldiers she knew them to be, and she damn near climaxed at the sight.

  Wolfe tsked at her. “Are you trembling just from the thought of them touching you? Fuck, you’re killing me here.”

  Morgan held her breath, anticipating that first touch only to moan out her breath when the men synchronized their efforts, both running a hand up her calves at the same time. The subtle differences in the feel of their touch made everything more real. More tangible, and she couldn’t stop from rasping their names as they both brushed their fingers along the silky skin of her mound.

  Ham hummed, teasing the top of her slit with the tip of his finger. “You smell so damn good. I can’t wait any longer, baby. Wolfe. Gunner and I are a bit busy. Maybe you can show her how much we’d love to touch her breasts.”

  Wolfe grinned against her hair. “Got your back.”

  Wolfe’s hands skimmed back up her body, once again tracing her ribs before stopping at the curve of her breasts. He teased the sensitive skin with the pads of his fingers, making her chest heave from her increased breath. Then he slowly moved them upward, circling her nipples, making them tighten further. Tension coiled low in her groin as her nipples beaded against her flesh, straining outward until Wolfe’s fingers plucked at the tips, drawing a ragged cry from deep inside her.

  Wolfe chuckled against her neck, nipping at her skin, adding another layer of sensation. “God, you’re gorgeous. Body strung tight, heart thrashing against the heels of my hands. You’re close and Ham and Gunner haven’t even started.”

  She pressed her head against him, rolling it back and forth as pleasure whipped through her. “Please. Wolfe. God, it’s been so long.”

  “You sound perfectly desperate.”

  “I am. Are you really going to make me wait?”

  “Waiting makes the end so much bigger. Besides, we want to make this first time last. Show you how beautiful you are. How fucking crazy you make us. No one’s ever gotten to us like this before. We never stood a chance.”

  His declaration only made her body react more. Sweat beaded her skin as her pussy began to flutter. “You keep this up and I’ll come as soon as Ham or Gunner touch me.”

  “Is that a threat? Or a challenge.”

  “Fuck, Wolfe.”

  He hummed against her ear, his fingers still working her nipples as he nodded. Twin lips kissed her hips and she bucked upwards, the need slicking her cleft demanding attention. Two hands smoothed over her flesh, caressing their way along her groin to the vee of her mound before slowly slipping inside her slit. They grazed her straining clit, dipping lower to probe her sex.

  “God, Ham, Gunner. Yes. Right there.” Her thighs pressed open, giving them more room to move.

  Hamilton chuckled against her skin, kissing his way down to her pussy. “So responsive. I can’t wait until you’re trapped between us, all of us joined.” He nuzzled her slit, placing an open-mouthed kiss on it. “Do you want that, baby? All of us loving you at once?”

/>   “Yes. God you know I do.”

  “Trust me. You can’t say it enough.” He kissed lower. “Say it again.”

  “I want you. All of you, just please.”

  “Please, what?”

  “Damn it, Ham, I’m going to go over with or without you and Gunner. And I’d much rather have your mouth on me when I do.”

  “Fuck, Morgan.” Hamilton elbowed Gunner. “Hold her open, bro. Our girl’s rather demanding.”

  Gunner’s fingers landed on her mound then eased between her lips, drawing the drenched skin apart. “Seeing as it’s our first time, maybe we can let it slip this once. But we’re determined to spend the foreseeable future loving you. That can’t be rushed.”

  “You can take it slow next time.” Once her need didn’t consume every thought until simply breathing seemed like an act of sheer fortitude.

  Her clit fluttered at the sudden rush of cool air, and Hamilton groaned, nipping it as it tensed a second time. He flicked his tongue the length of her slit, pausing to push it inside her. The warm, wet intrusion nearly pushed her over, and she felt her body start to quiver.

  Gunner sighed. “She’s close, Ham. No more teasing.”

  Ham hummed against her pussy, the vibrations making her moan. God, they’d only just started, and she knew she wouldn’t be able to hold her release off much longer. It was too hot, too close. Their touch too loving for her to battle against. She pressed her head into Wolfe’s chest as she speared her fingers through Gunner and Ham’s hair in a last desperate effort to hold off. Give them the time they wanted. Then both men sank a finger inside her sex, the combined pressure making her channel contract, and she broke.

  Heat spiraled upwards through her groin, whirling into her chest before billowing outwards, stealing her breath as her body heaved, moisture slicking the fingers still moving inside her. Her vision dimmed at the edges and she closed her eyes as her orgasm peaked, drawing a muted scream from somewhere deep inside as she arched her back then collapsed against Wolfe, spent. Her hands fell from Ham and Gunner’s hair as her thighs opened to rest against the mattress.