Tempting Offer: A Reverse Harem Romance (The Code Book 6)

by Bethany Jadin

  11

  “WHAT. THE FUCK. IS this?”

  I can’t suppress a laugh when I hear Jax’s deep voice call out from the bedroom. Gunner pauses his activities at the bathroom sink and turns to me, white foam on his lips, toothbrush mid-air.

  “Uh oh. What did you do?” he mumbles through the mouthful of water and toothpaste.

  I grin. “Nothing.”

  “Bullshit.”

  Still grinning, I just shrug as I reach past the big guy and grab a hair tie from the counter. He’ll see soon enough.

  Trigg and Daniel are on either side of Gunner, and they’re smiling devilishly, too. They helped me obtain Gunner and Jax’s measurements for the Halloween party and insisted on knowing exactly what I was planning. They’ve been sworn to secrecy, but I think they’re almost as excited as I am to see how the costumes will look.

  I take a minute to admire my two quiet, charming men, watching them in the mirror as I brush my hair. They aren’t as attention grabbing as Gunner, or as commanding as the twins, but they’ve claimed just as much space in my heart.

  The deep tans we obtained during our honeymoon adventures, sailing around the islands and down the coast of South America, have faded a lot in the time we’ve been back home. It was a truly amazing time, but as fun as it was, I’m glad to be back on land for a while.

  I love our daily routine here at home, working together in the Hive, making marvelous messes in the kitchen, piling into our big custom bed together at the end of a satisfying day. And I know the yacht isn’t going anywhere — we have more adventures to come.

  But for now, this is heaven.

  Plus, I wouldn’t miss this evening for the world.

  It’s Zoey’s last charity event for the clinic, and then she’s leaving, setting sail for her own adventures. She’s been preparing for it for months, from the time we left the resort on our honeymoon cruise until now, one crazy training course after another.

  Each time she came back from one she was damn-near exhausted from the intense program they’d put her through, but the weariness never took an ounce of glow away from her happiness — it’s clear this path suits her well.

  Jude steps out of the shower and reaches for a towel. “Was that my brother I heard yelling curse words?”

  I nod with a smile as I pull my hair back into a simple ponytail. “I believe he just found his costume.”

  “I’m guessing you didn’t wind up going with zombies?” Jude lifts both eyebrows.

  “Hey, if your brother didn’t want to wear tights, he shouldn’t have let me pick the costumes,” I say.

  Gunner nearly chokes on his toothbrush. “Tights? For Jax?”

  “Oh, that’s not all,” I promise with a wicked smile. Before he can respond, I cinch my robe tightly and slip out of sight, heading into our communal bedroom.

  Jax is standing at the foot of our massive, six-person bed, hands on hips, looking down at the four items. He glances at me as I enter, his face drawn into a dubious expression. “Please tell me this is Gunner’s costume.”

  I join him at the bed and wave a hand at the leather tunic. “Do the shoulders on that look wide enough for Gunner?”

  “Fuck.” Jax closes his eyes and rubs his face. “Why... why does this have to be a costume thing? Who the hell came up with the idea of having Halloween in the middle of summer?”

  I cross my arms and look at Jax like he’s being a petulant child. “You damn well know who. I think it’s a brilliant idea for the fundraiser, and one night in a costume isn’t going to kill you.”

  “It might,” he says, thoroughly unconvinced. “It’s a damn good thing I like Zoey so much.”

  “She loves you, too. Now stop fussing and get dressed.”

  He stares down at the costume again, like he’s hoping it’s morphed into something different. He nudges the pointy green hat with a red feather, a little hope coming into his eyes. “So, I’m dressing as Robin Hood?”

  I turn toward him, sliding one hand across his chest while gently tugging on his full beard with the other. “Robin Hood would go great with this wild bush you’ve got going on, but no. You, good sir, are attending this fundraiser as Peter Pan.”

  His eyes widen, skepticism etched across his brow. “Peter-fucking-Pan? Are you serious?”

  Jax’s twin marches into the room, still as naked as the day he was born. Jude slaps his brother’s shoulder, amused to no end with Jax’s discomfort. “Come on, man, it’s for charity. Take one for the team.”

  “Easy for you to say, asshole — you don’t have to put those on.” Jax points to the thick green tights laid out on the bed.

  Jude smirks. “It’s one night. It won’t kill you.”

  “That’s what I said.” I give Jax a sassy smile and cock my head to the side, waiting expectantly for him to start getting ready.

  Instead, he scowls at his brother. “Or, you know... I could write a big fat check and go in my regular clothes.”

  “Oh no,” I protest. “You don’t get to just put on jeans and your riding leathers and call it a day. You agreed to this.”

  Jax shakes his head. “The hell I did. I never agreed to wearing tights.”

  I sit down on the edge of the bed beside his costume and squint at him playfully. “You said I could decide which famous trio we’d go as.”

  “And you just had to choose one that put me in tights, yeah?”

  “Yes. And I’m not even sorry,” I say, tilting my head with a sweet, innocent smile. “It was that, or you were dressing up as a hot blonde. I almost went with Charlie’s Angels.”

  “Jesus Christ.” The alarm in Jax’s expression makes me laugh with glee.

  Jude chuckles, too. “Now that would have been perfect. Especially if you arrived on your Harley, blonde hair all blowing in the wind.”

  Jax flips his twin off before returning his attention to me. “So, if I’m going as Peter Pan, then you’re going as Tinker Bell, right? I could maybe get on board with this plan if it means you’ll be wearing a short little fairy thing and some sexy fishnet stockings.”

  “Not quite,” I say, bouncing off the bed. I pull the coat hanger off the hook behind the bedroom door and hold the long, blue nightgown against my body. “I’m going as your Wendy.”

  The twins stare at me in confusion for a moment before realization dawns on them both.

  “So that means...” Jude says slowly, his eyes lighting up, and he looks back and forth between me and his brother.

  “Yes, indeed,” I confirm, my grin filled with the delight of a child bounding down the stairs on Christmas morning.

  “Holy shit, now I really regret not being able to go,” Jude says, shaking his head in amazement.

  “Gunner! Get your ass in here!” Jax yells.

  “What’s all the ruckus about?” Gunner asks as he enters the bedroom. Trigg and Daniel trail behind him, barely disguised expressions of anticipation on their faces.

  All eyes are on Gunner as Jax asks, “Any clue who you’re going to this party dressed as?”

  “I assume something rad that highlights these babies,” Gunner says, flexing his massive biceps. “The Hulk maybe? You know, all green with nothing but little pieces of cloth here and there.”

  “Oh, you’re gonna be green, alright,” Jude snickers. “And it’s a good thing you’re not planning to wear much.”

  Gunner’s eyes narrow. “What’s that mean?”

  The twins look at me expectantly while Trigg and Daniel chuckle not-so-quietly.

  “What the hell are you two laughing at?” Gunner asks, looking more bewildered by the second.

  I hold up a finger. “Just a second, I’ll get your costume.” I disappear into the walk-in closet. A moment later, I emerge with Gunner’s attire.

  Gunner just stares at the delicate scraps of sparkling fabric with disbelief while the rest of the guys erupt into loud laughter.

  Trigg’s doubled over, trying to catch his breath. “Oh my God, it’s better than I imagined!” />
  “Are those... wings?” Gunner asks.

  “Fairy wings,” Jude corrects, holding his stomach from laughing so hard.

  Gunner punches him hard in the shoulder. “Trying to imply something?”

  “Well, if the wings fit...” Daniel says before quickly ducking out of Gunner’s reach.

  “Fuck all of you,” Gunner says with a menacing growl, but he takes the costume from me and runs a hand along the tutu, his fingers trailing across the petal-shaped layers of bright, glittery green satin and soft mesh. He glances at Jax’s iconic costume then at the blue nightgown I’m still holding. “I’m Tinker Bell, right?”

  “Yes,” I nod, watching that glint of amusement I love growing in his eyes as he turns his gaze back to the sparkling outfit in his hands. “You game?”

  “Hell, yeah,” he says with an excited nod.

  I break out in a big smile, because I knew he’d be up for it. If there is one man who doesn’t mind an entire ballroom full of people staring at him questionably, it’s Gunner.

  He touches the top of the fairy ensemble, adorned with sequins across the bust of the corset and flowery ruffles on the thin shoulder straps, then fingers the sheer, white pantyhose I’ve draped across the hanger.

  “You know, I’m going to be the biggest guy in the room. Will this thing even fit? It looks like it’s made for one of my thighs.”

  I size my big man up, letting my eyes linger on his wide, muscular form. I was suspicious when I first saw the outfit as well, but I was assured that it’s made of stretchy material and tailored to his exact measurements.

  “I can help you get into it, pantyhose and all,” I promise. “You just start at the toes and roll. Come on, take that towel off.”

  Gunner never has to be told twice to get naked. He drops the towel and plops down on the bed. I take a moment to appreciate his ample package and feel a twinge of jealousy, because there’s no way this outfit is going to leave any fodder for the imagination. Every woman in the place will have their eyes on my men tonight.

  Gunner will be in his element — he loves showboating his goods. He doesn’t have a shy bone in his body.

  Jax, on the other hand... he prefers to be the guy standing in the corner, quietly scowling behind his leather jacket as he keeps a watch on things. Tonight, he’s going to have to step out of his comfort zone, so it’s a good thing I know Gunner’s enthusiasm will eventually win Jax over, too.

  I bunch the pantyhose up around my fingers and kneel in front of Gunner so I can begin rolling it up, starting at the toes of his left foot. My activity prompts Jax to pick up his dark green tights and examine them, his lips forming a grimace and one eyebrow cocked in that characteristic expression both of the twins make when they’re doubtful.

  Inch by inch, I ease the stretchy material up Gunner’s legs, amazed with how well the delicate fabric spreads over his massive thighs, hugging every crease and bulge of his muscular form. He stands and wiggles as we both work the hose over his firm ass. He reaches into the front of the thin material and adjusts his package.

  Stepping back to check my work, I stand beside Jax, who is appraising our lover with arms crossed, his green tights still balled up in one fist. His eyes are glued to the well-defined bulge between Gunner’s legs.

  “Looks good, right?” I say, nudging his side with my elbow. “Sure you don’t want to wear those tights?”

  The shake of his head is emphatic. “Fuck no. I don’t want everyone to see my shit.” He points at Gunner’s package. “Seriously, man, that pantyhose is hugging your balls like they’re on fucking display at Macy’s or something.”

  Gunner’s face lights up like fireworks at New Year. He walks over to the closet door and opens it to reveal the full-length mirror. He turns one way and then another, appraising his mostly naked form.

  “Dude. This makes my cock look huge,” he says with fascinated glee.

  “Dude,” I counter. “Your cock is huge.”

  He turns from the mirror and gives me a wink while cupping his package. “Like what ya see, do ya?”

  Jude rubs his forehead. “Christ, would you finish getting dressed before that pantyhose rips and snaps off you like a slingshot and puts someone’s eye out?”

  Gunner struts over to the bed while the rest of the guys shake their heads and chuckle at his swagger. He reaches for the tutu and the bustier top and holds them out to me.

  “Here, help me with the rest of this so I can get those wings on. This is going to be awesome. And you.” Gunner narrows in on Jax with a firm look. “You’re wearing those tights. Your junk will look epic.”

  “No fucking way. I’ll keep my epic junk tucked right here inside these jeans.” Jax’s arms are still crossed.

  I wrap a hand around one of Jax’s arms and tug gently. “Come over here,” I say encouragingly.

  Jax begrudgingly allows me to lead him back to the bed, where the rest of his costume is still laid out. I knew he wouldn’t feel as brazen as Gunner about wearing a revealing costume, so I made sure to order an extra-long green leather tunic. If the seamstress followed the measurements, it should reach to the lower part of his thighs, just a few inches above his knees.

  I take the tights from him and stretch the costume out more fully on the bed, draping the custom-made tunic over the tights then adding the wide belt on top. Finally, I slide the blade of the dirk into its leather sheath hanging from the belt.

  “See? You and your epic package will be covered.” I step back and wave a hand to illustrate my point. “It’ll just show off your legs and these sexy arms. Or...” I snuggle up to Jax’s side and lower my voice seductively, “...you could skip the tights and just wear the tunic and your boots. That would be hot as hell.”

  Jax narrows his eyes into a dubious glare, but Gunner follows my lead and delivers a hard smack to Jax’s ass then spreads his fingers, grabbing a big handful of flesh through his jeans.

  “I wouldn’t mind having full access to what’s under that tunic,” Gunner whispers into Jax’s ear. “Whaddya say?”

  “I could get in on that action.” I run my hands down Jax’s bare chest in agreement and give him a salacious smile.

  “No, huh-uh. Don’t do this ganging-up-on-me shit.” He straightens his back and tenses his muscles in defiance, but I see the small hint of a smile on his lips.

  “Oh?” I ask with feigned surprise, pressing against his chest as Gunner nuzzles Jax’s ear from behind. “I thought you liked when we do that.”

  “Dammit. I can’t believe you two.” He shakes his head in defeat. “Fine. Let’s just get this fucking show moving.”

  Gunner grins and slaps Jax’s ass again. “Hell yeah, let’s do this. Emma, help that man with his tights. Oh, hey! Where’s that body spray of yours? You know, the one with the sparkly flecks of shit in it.”

  “You mean glitter?” I ask.

  “Yeah, the one Daniel bought you. It glows in the dark.”

  “It’s in the bottom drawer of my vanity.”

  Gunner heads toward the bathroom while carefully pulling the tight, spaghetti strap top down over his head and thickly muscled shoulders. “Goddamn, I’m gonna look fucking fabulous.”

  12

  “I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU got him to wear it.” My best friend is covering her mouth and nose with both hands, trying to hide her amusement. “I mean, Gunner in a tutu and fairy wings is amazing enough, but Jax—”

  “You have to be fucking kidding me.” Jax looks both ways in the crowded room and turns toward me, using Gunner and I as a shield while he lifts his leather tunic and adjusts his package. “I’m never gonna look at a mini-skirt the same. I can’t even bend over without this thing riding up my ass.”

  Zoey adjusts her Egyptian headdress and toasts him with a glass of champagne. “Welcome to the world of women’s fashion. But you really rock those tights, Jax. And Gunner, you’re... something else.”

  He gives her a playful wave and an overly coy smile. “This old thing? Just a typical Sa
turday night.”

  The guys have both had a lot of attention from the moment we walked into the hotel ballroom. It’s been a mixture of guffaws and surprised laughter mingled with hungry, appreciative stares at my men’s muscular physiques.

  Whereas Jax’s beard is doing a pretty decent job hiding his near continual scowl, Gunner’s wide smile is as genuine as they come. He’s riding high tonight, his broad shoulders squared with confidence as he struts through the ballroom, hobnobbing with vampires, witches, and cowboys.

  “There are some great costumes here,” I tell Zoey as I skim the crowded room. “This was a fantastic idea. I’m glad you’re going with a popular vote on the contest instead of using a panel of judges. I’d have a hard time picking.”

  Gunner appears at my side and nudges me with an elbow. “Hey, we should ask her where she got that.”

  I follow his subtle chin nod to an attractive woman wearing a skin-hugging slip dress that’s way shorter than the tunic Jax is sporting, paired with thigh-high white stockings and an old-school visor emblazoned with a red cross. The dress is partially unzipped down the front, revealing a lacy, black bra showcasing her ample breasts.

  “You mean the sexy nurse?”

  “Hell yeah. Reminds me of when you worked at the hospital.”

  I shake my head with a laugh. Gunner has a one-track mind. “You do remember what my scrubs looked like, right? They didn’t have a zipper down the front.”

  “I’m just saying,” he says with another appraising look at the woman. “You would look good in that.”

  “You think?”

  “Damn straight. I wouldn’t mind getting a full-body sponge bath from you. Whaddya think, Jax? Should Emma take up personal nursing duties?”

  Jax leans to the side to get a better look at our object of attention, but his hand remains poised at his upper thigh, as though it’s at the ready in case he needs additional cover for his manhood.