Page 70 of Christmas with my Three Best Friends

My heart unravels as I listen to these men profess their affection for me. I’ve wanted to hear these words for a long time, yet I almost can’t believe any of this is real. Could it be a dream? Should I try pinching myself? No, Marius’s touch is enough to remind me it’s all too real and wonderful and scary at the same time.

“I love you all equally,” I manage, choking up on another wave of tears. “But I wasn’t the best girlfriend… I got scared. Insecure. I pulled back instead of talking to you about it.”

“Shay, we messed up,” Marius says. “But what I can say is… I hope you’re willing to give us another chance. We’re ready to try again. This time, we’re ready to go all the way in with you. For the long run. A proper relationship. Well, as proper as a four-way can go.”

“It’s crazy, isn’t it?” I try to laugh, but the tears are already streaming down my cheeks.

Marius wipes them away with a gentle stroke of the back of his hand, then kisses my lips softly. “Crazy but real, Shay. I want you in my life, I want to be in your life. We belong together, the four of us. It’s weird, it’s rare, but why not give it a shot if it works, if it makes us happy, huh? I’m a better man because of you, I’m a better man just by being around you. And I want to keep growing, to evolve by your side. Who knows where it might lead? Hell, I could conquer the world with a woman like you beside me.”

“Whatever you decide, just know I’m not leaving,” Richard says. “Screw another gym. Screw Vincent and anybody else who tries to get between us. We built something wonderful with West Key, and I’m sorry it took you leaving for me to really understand our value as a family unit. Because that’s what we are. You said it yourself. You can’t choose your biological family, but you can definitely choose and build your lifelong family. You’re my lifelong family, Shay. You and Jax and Marius.”

I look to Jax, profoundly touched by the warm blue of his eyes. “I never imagined I’d want something like this,” he says. “Honestly, if you’d told me I’d wind up in this type of a situation, I would’ve laughed my ass off.”

This is too much, but it’s also just what I wanted, what I’ve dreamed of. If I back away, if I weasel out now, I’ll regret it for the rest of my life. There’s no point in preparing for a life without these men. They’re here, and they’re telling me they want me for as long as we’re breathing.

“How do we do this?” I wonder aloud. “Because I don’t want to be without you, either.”

“Why don’t we try to pick up where we left off?” Richard suggests, his green gaze darkening with longing and desire. I recognize that shadow well. I see it within myself. “We were going to spend our time together. Seven days in the week, surely, we could make room for one another in a way that keeps the four of us close and sated.”

“Sated,” I giggle softly.

Marius slips an arm around my waist, pulling me close. I am soft against his toned body, the rock-hard curves of his muscles fitting me perfectly, something akin to a second skin as I surrender to his embrace. “I love you, Shay. I’ll say it until I can’t breathe anymore. I love you. And I don’t ever want to leave your side.”

“Oh, Marius,” I mumble and wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him into a deep kiss.

Richard comes closer, then gently cups my cheek and captures my mouth for himself. “We’re perfect just like this,” he whispers against my lips. “Shay, we’re unbeatable.”

“Jax, come here,” I call out, my voice trembling as he gets up from the sofa and joins us. I’m nestled between three strong bodies with golden hearts and radiant souls. I’m simmering with desire and longing and weeks’ worth of steady inner wildfires, their absence having wreaked havoc on my heart. But everything feels better now, as they’re back and holding me tightly. “Kiss me. Kiss me until the end of time.”

Jax takes over for a moment, his tongue playfully searching for mine. I’d missed the taste of him, I’d missed his fingers trailing invisible lines down my spine. Richard runs his fingers through my hair, nibbling on my earlobe and slowly licking the side of my neck. My skin catches fire as Marius swiftly pulls the zipper down on my pajamas.

Within seconds, I’m naked and surrounded, gleefully defeated and eager to be dominated.

“You’re so warm and soft,” Marius whispers as he kisses me next.

Richard’s fingers work their way down my sides as he positions himself behind me. I hear zippers and buttons loosening, the shuffling of clothes landing on the floor, of boots thudding and belt buckles clinking, but I barely register anything until I glance around and see the three of them naked and hard, ready to take me every which way.

My core is on fire. And Richard quickly discovers I’m dripping wet as his fingers slide between my folds, stumbling upon a tiny nub in need of his attention.

“It’s as if not a day has passed, and we’re still in Chappaqua,” Richard says.

“You know, there’s something we never got to do,” Jax adds, his index and thumb closing around my nipple. “The very first item on your naughty list…”

I suck in a breath as Richard continues his exploration. My back arches instinctively, and I rest my head on his shoulder as Jax massages my breast, occasionally pinching to get a rise out of me. Every whimper that escapes my throat makes him smile. Marius makes me quiver with his deep and hungry kisses.

There’s no point in fighting this any longer.

Why would I, when I’m happy? Why would I, when it’s all I ever wanted?

“The three of you at once,” I manage, remembering the bullet point that started this whole thing, and laugh as they guide me closer to the fireplace. I’m not sure how long Cassandra will be out, but I hope it’s for a few more hours, at least, because we’re about to start something I don’t want to ever end.

Marius pulls the furry rug right in front of the fire, then gets on his knees in front of me. I hold my breath as his fingers dig into my hips, and he pulls me in. A split-second later, he’s eating me out like I’m his last meal, licking and suckling on my clit until I gradually begin to crumble.

“Oh, yes,” I moan as I struggle to stay upright, my knees softening.

Richard stays behind me and slides a hand between my ass cheeks, fingers probing my wet pussy before they go in. One, at first, just to test me. Then two, to stretch me, to prime me for what’s about to come later. Then three, increasing the rhythm and widening each thrust until my hips sway back and forth, until my core tightens. Marius closes his lips around my clit, and I shove my fingers through his curly, black hair, bracing for the impending release.

Jax strokes himself with one hand, devilishly grinning as he watches me come. His other hand comes up to caress my face, his thumb slipping between my lips. I suck it, breathing raggedly as I climax, as I fall apart, completely deconstructed in a desperately needed orgasm. My whole being pulsates as Richard finger-fucks me, wringing my pussy dry while Marius licks me into sheer madness, riding the wave of my climax until I’m spent, until I’m soft and ready for infinitely more.

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