Page 154 of Filthy Rich Santas

Tristan runs his hands over me, firmly and tenderly, almost as if he’s examining each of my limbs. Then I realize that’s exactly what he’s doing, rubbing the faint marks his ropes left, turning and lifting each part of me to get a good look, checking me over protectively.

They all are, and I’m so overwhelmed by their care that tears prickle at my eyes.

“Hey,” Ryder says, cupping my face and searching my eyes. “You good?”

I smile as I blink them away. “I’m fine. Perfect.”

He gives me a soft smile, then kisses my forehead. “That’s exactly what you are.”

Once Tristan is finally satisfied, they settle around me, cuddling against me as they continue to feed me light snacks and encourage me to finish the water. I’m so unbelievably relaxed that it takes me a while to notice that the observation wall is opaque again.

Beckett catches me looking.

“Aftercare should always be private,” he murmurs, his big hands stroking me in a way that’s sensual and comforting without being sexual. “This part is just for us.”

I sigh, leaning my head against his chest. “I’m glad.”

His hand slows for a moment. “How do you feel about the scene?”

“I never knew I’d enjoy all of that,” I tell him honestly. “Pain isn’t something I could see the appeal of before, but the flogger took me right out of my head.”

“It was fucking beautiful to see,” he says. “All of it.”

I bite my lip, still floating in a sea of endorphins as the various ways they pushed me replay in my head. Then I nod.

“God, yes. I never knew I’d enjoy the line between pleasure and pain like that, or be able to, um, to take two of you.”

Ryder grins. “Fuck, that was hot. I’m so proud of you for letting us push you like that.”

“It was amazing. But it was also a lot, being restrained was perfect after that. It made me feel…”

I stumble over my words, not finding the right ones. It made me feel so much.

“Secure,” I finally settle on. “And god, it heightened everything.”

Tristan turns my head toward him, and kisses me deeply, pulling back to rest his forehead against mine. “Thank you for trusting me with that.”

“Thank you for knowing how much I needed it.” I bite my lip, then glance toward the opaque wall. “It feels like you guys know some of my needs before I do.”

Beckett rumbles a laugh, then kisses my neck, his lips trailing down my spine as he hugs me from behind. “Now, that’s a fucking compliment.”

My cheeks heat. “It’s just the truth.”

“You were so fucking sexy, love,” Ryder murmurs. “You always are, but that was amazing.”

It really was, and a twinge hits me as I look around the room. “Do we need to leave the club now that we’re, um, done in here?”

I’m not up for more sex, but I don’t want the night to be over.

“No,” Beckett reassures me, settling me more firmly against him as he lounges back on the wide bed-like platform.

Somewhere, they even rustled up a few soft blankets, and it’s cozy and… well, perfect.

“We’re in no rush,” Tristan murmurs, giving me a fond look.

Ryder pulls me in for another kiss, and it’s almost scary how happy I am. The way they’re touching me isn’t going to lead to anything else, and as much as I love all the sex, I might even love this part more.

It’s one of the last thoughts I have as I drift off to sleep, so deeply relaxed and satisfied that I don’t even try to fight it.

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