Page 74 of Their Chosen

I tended to be quite negative since nothing in my life so far had ever gone as planned, but whenever he was around, I found myself hoping for the happily ever after, even though I knew that was a fairy tale that would never come true. He gave me a sliver of hope that maybe, just possibly, I might find some happiness in the end. And for that, I didn't want him to ever let me go.

“Thank you, Juniper. You've outdone yourself again.” The woman who had just spent the last hour helping me prepare for our summons deserved all the praise in the world.

She blushed. “Nonsense, Miss Rhowyn, it's always my pleasure. Please be careful tonight. It doesn't take much to wind up on the Queen's bad side, which is a place you don't ever want to be, especially lately.”

Her warning sat more like an omen on my shoulders, but I brushed it off, smiling at her instead in reassurance. She left me alone after that, so I turned to face the mirror, admiring her work again.

Tonight, she dressed me in a navy gown that felt like silk against my skin but was even lighter than the sheer Earth material. The bottom looked like it had been dipped in stardust, gems smattered thickly along the hem and slowly thinned out as they climbed the gown. The front was a plunging v almost all the way down to my navel. Which meant that underwear was not an option tonight, but I had to admit I looked stunning.

My hair was pulled up elaborately with a necklace and earrings winking in the light. I'd never worn anything so glamorous, and I couldn't help but enjoy the overall effect it had on me. While I would enjoy it while it lasted, I refused to allow myself to become attached or accustomed to the pampering. To do anything else would leave me broken whenever this inevitably didn't pan out.

Tossing my head in the mirror to eliminate those thoughts, I moved to the door to join the guys, a knock sounding on the door just as I reached for the handle. I swung the door wide to find Baer leaning against the frame, hands in his pockets, smiling at something the others must have said. He straightened when he caught my eye, the smile fading to be replaced with hunger.

That heat reflected my thoughts toward him. If I could, I would drag him into the room to have my way with him. His nostrils flared, and his pupils dilated, the tension in his body letting me know he felt the same way. Our eyes traveled the length of each other’s bodies before he stepped closer to me as if drawn by the heat I knew was in my gaze.

I could see the battle being waged between wanting to give me my heart's desire and knowing we had somewhere else to be. Which only made me want to push him more.

Feeling powerful under his gaze, I stepped into him, my hand going to play with his formal tunic. I could smell his fresh, rainy scent, which caused me to sway into him, aligning our bodies as much as I could. His hard length pressed against my lower belly and that rush of desire had butterflies assaulting me again. His nostrils flared as a soft moan escaped me, and his hands grabbed my hips, clenching hard enough to bruise.

Tilting my head up to face him, I silently begged him to kiss me, to push me backward into the bedroom and have his way with me.

Instead, he groaned as he scrunched his eyes shut and flexed his hands on my body again. “Rhowyn.” My name fell from his lips like a prayer. Both of us wanting to give in to the desire coursing through us, but knowing we couldn't.

“As much as I would love to watch him ravish your delectable mouth, we mustn't keep Mother waiting,” Lennox said, interrupting our moment and startling me.

I turned to find him leaning against the opposite side of the door frame, heat raging in his eyes as well. Well, Fuck! I'd expected to see anger or jealousy or even indifference after our encounter. Despite what they had told me, I hadn't expected to see lust. But now that I could see their obvious interest, I couldn't help but picture what it would be like between them. To be so wholly consumed.

I could see the evidence of their desire as I squirmed in Baer's grip. His desire grew harder as his nostrils flared, and I heard Lennox's deep inhale.

“Fuck, Princess....” His eyes darkened further, almost navy blue now with obvious lust. My gaze dipped involuntarily to see the outline of his impressive erection in his breeches. My hands clenched into the fabric of Baer's tunic to keep me from reaching out.

Lennox stepped into the space at my back, one hand going to my waist and the other wrapping around under my breasts, pulling me flush against him. A shiver shot through my body straight to my core as he leaned down near my ear. “You keep this up and I just might consider facing the wrath of my mother.” He then ground his erection into my back, sandwiching me fully and tightly between him and Baer.

I moaned loudly at the feeling of both of them, pressing back into Lennox before letting my hand trail down to run along Baer's length through his pants.

“Fuck me, Killer!” Baer exclaimed as Lennox groaned. It was then that I felt something I'd never felt before. Truly powerful and wholly desired. Never before had such powerful men shown such an interest in me.

Until now, I didn't truly believe that I could hold their interest or fully satisfy multiple men at once. But in this moment, I found myself believing I just might be able to. Not only that, but I might also want such a thing.

That realization made me want to explore more with them and Arryn. Hell, I'd even add Callum into the mix, but he hadn't shown the same interest as the other three. If anything, I felt like I was more of an unwanted burden or simply a responsibility. I'd be damned before I ever took things further with him without the same interest as the others. However, I'd be lying if I said that I didn't want his attention.

“What kind of trouble are you causing now, My Chosen?” Arryn asked behind us, humor and heat evident in his voice.

I huffed out a soft laugh as Lennox backed away, allowing my sanity to return. I peeked around Baer to find Arryn's eyes filled with mirth. “Me?” I asked innocently. “I'd never do such a thing. Trouble is not ever something I would get into.” My attempt at naivety failed, and I wound up laughing at his raised eyebrow and complete disbelief.

I pushed away from Baer, the distance allowing my head to clear more. “Alright, alright. I'm ready to go now,” I told Arryn as I smoothed my hands down to ease the wrinkles that now littered my gown.

“Let's go,” Arryn said, full of humor as he turned to lead the way out of the suite.

Before I could follow, Baer leaned down to whisper, “Hold that thought, Killer, because after our meeting, I plan on continuing our conversation.”

With that promise, he followed Arryn out the door, not bothering to even look back at me. With an amused smirk, indicating he'd heard Baer's words, Lennox winked at me, hands in his pockets as his shoulder brushed mine before he followed them out.

Fuck me! A shiver ran down my spine at the heated images that flashed through my head at their promises.

Movement off to the side had me turning my head to catch Callum pushing off the wall with a scowl and clenched fists, obviously not happy with the others' interest in me. He stomped out of the room, his broad shoulders barely fitting through the frame, his perfect ass and backside only pissing me off more. How could I be so attracted to such a dick?!

Well, fuck him. For once, I had a chance at maybe some kind of happiness, and I planned on enjoying it for as long as I could. Up to this point, my life had been one nightmare after the next, without any security. So now that something good could possibly be in sight for me, I wouldn't let some jerk stand in my way.

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