Page 23 of Room One Hundred and Eleven

“I’m not old enough to drink.” Poppy shakes her head and doesn’t accept her crystal flute.

How did I forget? She’s eight years my junior. Seven for Aiden. Sixteen for Carter.

Tonight we’re going to help her grow up.

“Besides, Gunner told me never to drink from an open container.” She swallows as if we’ll be angry with her for refusing. “Especially not in circumstances like this. A first date, alone together, it doesn’t seem wise.”

“Good girl.” Carter squeezes her knee. “I’m proud of you for keeping your guard up, even though you don’t need to with us. And for listening to Gunner. He’s seen a lot.”

“So have I. Not too long ago, Melody had something slipped in her drink at Riley’s brother’s bar. They called over to the club and Gunner sent me to check on her. Mel was really messed up.” She doesn’t need to explain, but I’m glad she feels comfortable enough to be open with us. “It scared the crap out of me.”

“I heard about that.” Carter frowns.

“Here.” I take a sip from my glass to prove it’s not spiked then offer it to her. “No pressure. You don’t have to have any if you don’t want. But if you’d like to taste it, take mine.”

“What’s the worst that could happen?” She chuckles. “You’re going to have sex with me anyway.”

“Yes. Yes, we are.” Carter adjusts himself, his cock already straining at the crotch of his tux pants.

Poppy surprises me when she reaches for my drink and downs it in a few quick glugs before sputtering.

Knox cracks up as he taps her back. “I’m going to love this. You’re the sort who doesn’t do anything halfway, aren’t you?”

“Gunner says I’m impulsive.” She pouts as if she doesn’t like to think of herself that way.

“Nothing wrong with going all in once you make up your mind about something.” Carter often does the same with business. Of course he’d respect it.

“In that case, can we get on with this before I get cold feet?” She leans forward and bites the strawberry Knox is holding, her teeth grazing his fingers.

Ah, fuck.

“You’re not going to get cold anything with us around.” He’s not as mindful as me or as cautious as Carter. “Can I unwrap our present?”

Knox has never been the sort to calmly peel the paper off a gift. He shreds it and tosses it over his shoulder in his excitement.

It’s kind of nice to always know what he genuinely feels. Carter poses more of a mystery.

Even now. Even to us.

He doesn’t show a lot of emotion…unless we’re fucking.

Then his desires are obvious and intoxicating.

“Help him.” Carter jerks his chin at our beauty.

“You’re not going to?” I’m not an idiot. I get that he can’t. That even his iron-clad control has its limits. But I wonder if he’s ready to admit that to himself.

“I’m going to enjoy the show.” Carter leans back on the mountain of pillows and undoes his belt.

I swear the clink of the metal buckle sets off some kind of Pavlovian response in my crotch.

My dick is hard before he spreads open his fly.

A gasp returns my attention to Poppy. She’s staring at Carter’s cock, which he’s slowly working as he surveys his temporary kingdom and his very willing followers.

“Wouldn’t want you to be shy about being the first one naked.” He shrugs as he watches Poppy and strokes himself.

“What manners!” Knox snorts.

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