by Kenna Bardot
“Kaia-” he started.
“Not done,” I hissed as he started to stand. He sank back to the bed, and a quick glance confirmed that Alec Gaius and Emerson were staring at me in shock.
“Ronan Asher Daniels, I love you. I love us. I scare myself with how much I need you.” His eyes softened fully, and I almost stopped it there but knew I had to be strong. “But I will not be your verbal punching bag when things don’t go exactly your way fast enough for your liking. Working Vali out of my system can’t be done overnight when it’s been there for years and years. I know that as it stands he can’t be part of what we have, and I accept that. It does not mean that I can remove him from my life completely. It does not mean I can’t speak to him, nor does it mean that some part of me won’t always hope that he can at least be friendly with the three of you. If you have a problem with that, now is the time for us to determine if this is worth saving, because I can’t be moved on this matter.”
I took a step towards the bed and gestured with my hand. “Hard line, Daniels. Tell me where you stand.”
Alec Gaius laughed beside me, and I turned my eyes to him to find him looking at me with pride. If I didn’t love him then, I knew I would have fallen then and there.
“You told Kaia she was worth less because she loved Vali?” Emerson asked Ronan, and I was shocked to find his eyes glittering with fury.
“I believe I said she wasn’t the woman I thought she was,” he corrected.
“On almost the same breath you used to tell me you loved me. This insinuates I am not worth loving if I’m not the woman you fell in love with,” I said pointedly, and he had the grace to wince.
“Her feelings don’t just go away, Ronan. Hard as that is for us to accept, it’s because she’s genuine and not duplicitous. She’s loyal almost to a fault and true to what she says even when no one listens. Even when no one believes her. If anything she’s more worthy of love because of the way she loves.” Emerson stood, closing the distance between us and drawing me into his arms. He glared at Ronan, and I knew my mouth dropped open. The concept of my sweet, submissive Emers glaring at Ronan would have been comical at any other moment.
“I don’t want us all to gang up on him,” I whispered under my breath although I knew we could all hear me.
“Even if he deserves it?”
“Even then.” I chuckled.
Ronan stood, crossing the distance between us and staring down at us. “I’m sorry for what I said. I didn’t mean it the way it sounded, but that doesn’t change the fact that I’m sorry it hurt you.” I nodded, letting him draw me into his arms. “I’m proud of you, Kaia Wren.”
“For what?” I drew back, shocked at his use of my name.
“For standing up for yourself. It won’t be long before Alec and I graduate and leave InkHaven. I need to know that you’ll be okay without us. That you’ll take care of yourself without us to do it for you. I’ve been on edge because you haven’t been doing that.”
The smile I gave him was sad. “I know that’s true, and I’m sorry for it. I know you assumed it was because of Vali, and while that was certainly a contributing factor, you should know it wasn’t the entirety of it.”
“Then what was it?”
“Gale. He’s one of us, and I’m certain at least you and I feel it. Is he drawing back because of the age gap? Especially now we have Emerson?” My hand tightened around Emerson’s - he hadn’t left my side even when Ronan had rushed to me.
Ronan nodded, not bothering to deny that he and Gale had an attraction, but he didn’t speak.
“I didn’t know how to handle that. I felt like I wasn’t enough, and it took me back to that place in my head that I lived in before InkHaven.” Alec Gaius moved in, probably the most in tune to the drifting mess I’d been than either of the others - he’d been there when I had been, he’d helped me get out of it. His hand took my other one in support.
“You’re enough,” he soothed. “You’re more than enough.”
I gave him a grateful smile, tipping my face up to kiss him. “We’ll find out soon, I suspect.”
“What did you do?” Emerson asked, with a smug look. He knew my more hidden mischievous side best.
“I gave him a little push.” I grinned and let go of their hands, stripping my tunic off to show them Lottie’s tank.
Ronan’s eyes went directly to my breasts, his finger trailing over the line of cleavage the top revealed. “Is that all?” he teased.
“I might have kissed him.” I shrugged. “Told him my biggest regrets were all the moments I wasted.”
“Tortured him with the idea of all the moments he could spend inside you, and he’s not as of yet.” Alec laughed, a full sound that brought a giggle from me in response. He wrapped an arm around my neck and kissed the top of my head. It was the sweetest thing, it not being sexual in nature at all.
“I like this shirt.” Ronan’s hand fisted the hem as he pulled me towards him before he stripped it off my head. “But it’s far better on the floor.”
I grinned at him. “I have to say I agree. It makes a very attractive area rug. I don’t think Lottie would be too pleased though.”
He tugged me tight to him with a growl. “You love me.” A statement, not a question.
“Yes, Ronan. I love you.” An answer, even though one was not needed.
His lips hit mine, and he proceeded to show me exactly how much he loved me. In all the ways I’d been too blind to see before. All the ways I would never forget.
Seventeen
Kaia
Maybe fighting with one of the guys and spending time with my girls was a good thing in the long run. The guys were much less overbearing and protective, considering I’d somehow survived without them to protect me for the few days when we were apart. For once, I actually kind of wished that at least one of them had tagged along for my training with Gaylord, but we all had our own stuff to worry about. After all, we were still all InkHaven students and passing and surviving needed to be our top priority.
I didn’t expect to have Gale bark out an order as soon as I shut the door behind me. “Lock it,” he said, his voice tight. His long leather coat was on the floor and his normally neat shirt was untucked.
He stared at me intently, and I fought the urge to squirm under his scrutiny. He sighed, and I braced myself since I was sure he would speak, berate me, and put me to shame for my actions at my last training session, but he didn’t. He kept staring at me, silent and unmoving. I raised my chin, determined to hold my ground. I felt no shame for my feelings, for they were mine and, appropriate or not, they were true. That was all that mattered to me.
“You’re a stubborn little thief, aren’t you?” He shuddered and expelled a low, slow breath. “Fuck it.” He seemed to race towards me, taking long, quick steps and closing the distance between us in what seemed like a moment. When I was within reaching distance, and as he was still moving and closing the gap, his hand slid under the curtain of my hair to grasp me around the back of my neck, his lips hitting mine. Gasping into his mouth, I sighed in relief, opening for him and letting his tongue dance with mine.
Where Alec Gaius was a slick and smooth persuasion, Emerson a sweet caress, and Ronan a brutal demand, Gaylord was an exotic taste. Refined and sharp joined with masterful skill.
His mouth took mine without stopping, pushing me to succumb to mindless pleasure, taking me farther than I thought possible. His free hand glided down my side, smoothing the way over my hip before it wrapped around the back of my thigh and gripped, urging me up.
His fingers were long and slender and every touch brought on a barrage of sensations as I repositioned myself to accept the inviting caress, hopping up to wrap my legs around his waist and feeling only a mild surprise when he managed to catch me one-handed. The long and lean look of him hid a steel-like strength that he used with aplomb. He hefted me up higher, his lips never stopping in their merciless plundering of my mouth, but even getting a better angle with my head angled
down to his.
He gripped me tighter against him, and I felt him walk and as my back gently hit a flat surface, I knew he had me pinned up against the wall. He continued making love to my mouth as both my hands pushed against his shoulders before digging into his hair.
I murmured against his mouth, “I want it down,” and pulling against the leather band on his hair as I did so. His hand came up to join mine, long fingers rubbing against mine before he pulled the band off.
His hair came down in a rain, and I threaded my fingers through the silky black strands. I’d never been with a man with long hair, never thought it would be attractive until Gale, but it fit him just as flawlessly as his long black leather coat and finger knife - they were simply, essentially Gaylord. I tilted my head, giving him more ability to maneuver me where he wanted me, and he kissed the side of my mouth before smiling against it.
I pulled back, grinning down at him.
“What are you smiling about, you gorgeous thief?” he teased.
“I think you maybe, kind of like me,” I taunted back with a quick kiss. “Just a bit.”
“Silly little thief.” He ran his nose along the side of my jaw, pressing his lips below my ear. “There’s no maybe about it. I would not have done this if I wasn’t certain you have me, completely.”
I kissed him again, my jaw aching from smiling wide. “You’re mine, and I’m yours, and we both belong to Ronan. And Alec Gaius and Emerson too, of course. But I’m pretty sure Ronan is at the forefront of your thoughts.” I gave him a pointed, teasing look that made his smile falter.
“Alec Gaius and I, we have a special sort of bond.”
I nodded and kissed the top of his head - it was thrilling that I can reach it. “Yes, I know. They all do with you.”
He breathed in deeply, slowly. “Ronan is very important to me and Emerson too. Are you sure they’ll be okay with-”
“Of course they will, Gale. You’ve always been one of us. The only one who needed time to come to terms with that was you.” He sighed, pressing his face into my neck again and taking a deep breath.
“I’m sorry I took so long.”
“It was hard to wait, but I understand,” I answered, squirming when his teeth nipped at my neck. “I suppose I can forgive you. If you give me what I want.”
“And what’s that?” He pulled back, staring up at me as I bit my lip.
“You. But with the rest of us. Which means, you have to put me down so we can go to the boys’ room. How do you feel about that?” He dropped me to my feet slowly, hands running down my arms to hold my hand. It was a sweet gesture as he rubbed my hand with his thumb and silently considered. I tightened my grip on his hand, threading my fingers through his as I let him think it over, knowing it would be the step that would really matter to him - age and risk versus desire and emotion.
“I am,” he said finally, and he looked as surprised as I felt to hear the words. “Zeevar, I must be truly gone for you.” I grinned up at him. “I guess we can add something else to the list of things you’ve stolen, Thief.”
“And what’s that?” I questioned with a tilt to my head.
“My heart.” He tried to keep a straight face, but my attempt at restraining my laugh was much less successful. I burst into laughter against his chest, feeling him vibrate against me in laughter as well. We separated, hands disjoining the moment we stepped out of the room. We walked towards the dormitories, our fingers brushing against each other continuously along our journey, and I found myself pretending it was just as good.
I let myself into the guys’ room with the key they let me use on rare occasions that they let me out on my own. I never knew what I would walk into in that room, and I half expected to find the guys undressed and starting without me.
In fact, the naughty part of me - that part that found intense pleasure from watching my guys taking pleasure from one another - hoped they were.
But, it was a bit disappointing when we entered. In fact, Alec Gaius was just shrugging his bag off, which meant the nerd had probably just come from studying. Well, we were going to rectify things and quickly if I had anything to say about it.
I closed the door behind me softly and grabbed Gale’s hand as soon as it did. My men turned to us and watched but no one reacted. I already imagined Ronan enjoying Gale, but shouting at me for, quite obviously, not completing my training session again.
I tugged Gaylord to the bed opposite the one where Ronan and Emerson sat. Alec Gaius simply stood, leaning against his desk and arms crossed over his chest. I pushed Gaylord towards the bed for him to sit down, and I walked over to straddle him across the waist. My eyes met Ronan’s, and he raised his brows at me - eyes lit in appreciation. I grinned at him before cupping Gale’s face in my hands and taking his lips in a kiss. It was as much to let my guys know the state of play as it was to soothe Gale’s frayed nerves. When I pulled back, Ronan had moved over and the bed dipped when he kneeled to take my lips, moving over mine harshly, tugging my hair back so my face was tipped towards him.
When I opened my eyes, he smirked down at me and turned towards Gale, who he winked at.
“How many men are you going to go and seduce, woman?” he asked me as he clutched Gale’s shoulder. I shrugged and bit my lip, loving the way Gale’s breath hitched, a fascinating sound in my ear when Ronan turned his attention to him. Ronan’s hand moved from his shoulder to grip his hair harshly, even more harshly than he ever did with me. I maneuvered and sat on Gale’s lap instead as he was pulled into the kiss. From the way Gale’s hands on me loosened, I knew he submitted - giving everything he had to the kiss with Ronan.
I smiled at Alec Gaius, who stood watching us and winked at Emerson who had stood to join Alec Gaius. It was a great vantage point so I couldn’t blame them. I was happy for the two men kissing right next to me - all the years of attraction between them exploding in the kiss. Knowing it didn’t bother me in the slightest but instead excited me, I couldn’t wait until they turned all that pent up sexual tension towards me.
It was sure to be glorious.
Gale’s hands left my hips, and he buried his fingers in Ronan’s short blond hair. I felt him growing harder and harder underneath me the longer and hotter the kiss progressed, and I grew wetter in response. Alec Gaius kissed Emerson before moving away and clearing the bed of all the things that were set on top of it. Afterwards, he moved towards me and gave me a kiss.
“Hi, baby,” he murmured against my lips, so eloquent.
“Hi, baby.” I rolled my eyes as I spoke, but I looked at him in amusement. Emerson stepped towards us and turned me to help me out of my tunic as Ronan and Gale continued to fuck through their mouths.
My top slid off my arms, and Emerson kissed my neck as I stripped off my bra. Ronan finally released Gale from their kiss, and I turned back towards Gale, whose eyes fell to my naked torso, interest alighting in those compelling eyes of his. My nipples pebbled under his stare, and Ronan gave him a smirk before bending forward to wrap his lips around one. I arched my back, feeding him more, which he took gladly. My head dropped back on a sigh, and I felt Emerson’s lips press against mine for a soft kiss. His heat dropped away from my back, and I looked and saw he and Alec Gaius had moved away, kissing each other slowly even as they still watched us.
My eyes teared up a bit at how sensitive the two were being, because the intent was clear. We all knew Ronan and Gale had wanted each other for a long time, and while Alec Gaius and Emerson were likely excited to enjoy the new member of our little group too, they were willing to give us time to enjoy one another first. I gave them a grateful smile that turned into a squeal when Ronan grasped me around the waist and plucked me off Gale’s lap. I ended up on my back, hands grabbing at the sheets as his lips, still wrapped around my nipple, nibbled and bit at the tender flesh there.
I felt another weight on me - Gale slowly prowling over my body and supporting himself over my other side until he mimicked Ronan. Two mouths worked my breasts at once, over
whelming me and readying me so quickly I felt as though I might just burst.
It was a first for me, this - somehow in all the times we’d been naked on the bed we’d never managed to do this before.
As I brought my arms up and over my head to give them better access, I moaned, “Blessed be the gods.” My fingers clawed at the sheets over my head and my eyes rolled back.
On Ronan’s side, lips left my breast and kissed and licked down my torso. It wasn’t very long until Gale followed suit and together the two men pulled my pants down my legs, stripping them off. I opened my eyes and Ronan shoved my thighs apart and kissed the sensitive skin on the inside of my thigh. I drew in a sharp intake of breath - so close to where I wanted him but seemingly miles away. I squirmed and circled my hips but a hand came up to stop me. He chuckled into my skin as he gave it another quick, teasing kiss.
I opened my eyes just in time to see him grab Gale by the hair, tugging him to bend so that his head was at the top of my core. Their breath intermingled, adding to the overwhelming heat pulsing between my legs in anticipation. I felt my juices flowing, almost boiling in the heat of my need.
