Page 99 of Hot Chocolate & Hitmen

“Hush your mush, woman, and let the man speak,” Key whispers in my ear. Pecking my cheek, he runs his hand over my head and drapes his arm across the back of my shoulders.

“Little One, we don’t want this to be over either.” My heart soars as elation creeps in. “But we can’t do that without sacrifice.”

Letting out a shaky breath, I tighten my grip on Teddy’s hand.

“I get that,” I swallow thickly. “I just don’t think I can put myself last again. I’m sorry.”

“Of course you’re not,” he replies, sounding almost offended. “We’d never ask you to.”

“Then wha-”

Key scoops me up onto his lap, ripping my hand from Teddy. “Just sit here like a good girl and listen.” His husky voice has all the wrong sorts of messages heading to my brain and…well. We may be having a serious conversation here, but my body sure didn’t get the message.

It’s those two little words. The ones that can make or break a woman, in the best of ways.

Atlas chuffs as Teddy smirks, noticing my predicament. “Save that for later,” Key growls behind me and Teddy winks, making me blush.

Teddy leans back in his chair in that commanding way only he can pull off. “Little one, maybe it’s early to say this, but we’vebeen hooked on you since day one. Your fire and sweetness had us caught from the start.”

My heart pitter-patters in my chest.

“Our lives may be a little complicated, and I can guess why you’re worried.” Inclining his head, I can see he’s already thought about and anticipated all of my reservations. “I can assure you though, this is not a one and done thing. We always intended to take you as ours.”

A blush soars through my body–lighting me up like Rudolph’s nose, no doubt–at the memory of Atlas claiming me as theirs this morning.

“There may be some teething issues to begin with, but we will work out the solutions as we go.”

“You’re not getting away from us,” Atlas growls, his aloof nature warring with possessive need.

“And you don’t get a choice,” Key whispers in my ear, sending shivers down my spine.

“But what about your jobs, a home-”

They all notice the hitch in my voice. The situation with Jason rearing its ugly head again.

“Baby girl,” Atlas leans forward on the table. Looking me directly in the eye, his forest green eyes light up with nothing but sincerity and unwavering loyalty. “You are our home. Wherever you go, we go.”

Giving him a happy smile, tears threaten to spill.

“We can talk about specifics later, but you will not be leaving our sides.” I glance at Teddy through my blurred vision. The sight of his soft smile warms my heart and has it pulsing with happiness.

My smile dims slightly as another thought hits me like a freight train. “Will I have to choose?”

“Choose what?” Atlas questions.

“Between you guys.” My eyes run between Atlas and Teddy as Key tightens his arms around me and strokes my knee.

“No,” they all say in unison.

“But-”

“But nothing, Sugar.” Key adjusts me on his knee so we can see each other properly. “Do you like us all equally?” I nod. “Do you want to have a relationship with us all?” I nod. “Then why should you have to choose?”

“Because that’s not how the world works,” I answer meekly.

“Screw the world. It’s not like King Dickmus–ruler of the dickiverses–once upon a time came to Earth to decree universal law that anyone with more than one partner in life should be struck down by the fellatial hammer.” I snort, picturing that vividly. “It is your life, and there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to loving someone. Sure, these types of relationships don’t always work. But, you’ll never know until you try.”

I suppose it makes sense. I swallow thickly, a little sliver of jealousy rearing its ugly head. “Have you guys ever-” I stop myself, biting my lip.

---