Page 47 of Snake

Nim

“We have something for you,” Knox says.

It takes more willpower than I’d have thought I possess to pull myself out of the licentious sensations spreading through me. There’s a sparkle in Knox’s eyes I’ve never seen before.

“Is it chocolate?” I murmur through a sigh.

I’m draped back against Mason, my legs still wide open. I’ve made an absolute mess of Mason’s lap, but I don’t give a fuck right now. I feel loose and sexy and like I’ve died and gone to heaven.

“It’s better than chocolate,” Silas says.

“More sex?” I mean, what the fuck else is better than chocolate, right?

All three of them chuckle at me as Knox takes out a slip of black satin from his blazer and holds it out for me. “We made it before you—” He cuts off, clears his throat.

“Just take it,” Silas says. “You can toss it in the trash if you don’t like it.”

My hands tremble, and I’m biting down so hard on my bottom lip that I couldn’t have spoken if I tried, as I open up the gift bag. The hard object spills out when I tip the bag open. I gasp when the intricate coal carving topples out and lands on my palm. My hand is shaking. Then again, my entire body is still quivering.

“Oh my God.”

“Do you like it?” Mason asks quietly. Silas says nothing, but there’s an expectant light in his eyes as he dries his fingers on the handkerchief he pulls out of his pocket.Knox takes another handkerchief from Mason and wipes me with it. Even that touch sends a thrill through my body.

“What the three of you just did to me, or the carving?”

He smiles, but says nothing.

“It’s beautiful,” I manage, gathering myself with effort. I sit forward on Mason’s broad lap, closing my legs and smoothing my skirt down my thighs. I turn over the charcoal carving in my hands. “Who made it?”

“It’s from all three of us,” Mason says in a quiet voice. He sounds as satisfied as I am.

“But...who carved it? It’s so detailed.”

“It doesn’t matter.” Knox tilts his head. “It came from all of us.” He goes down to his knees in front of me. “Like we all just came for you.”

I giggle, because that’s how fucking dopey I feel right now. And he smiles, and Mason chuckles…and fuck it, even Silas isn’t scowling anymore. It’s a surreal moment, the four of us out here in our little bubble of crisp air and warm bodies.

For the first time since I arrived in Cinderhart, I feel untouchable. I guess they’re probably used to it by now, but it’s nothing like I’ve ever experienced before.

I can do anything.

Be anyone.

With them by my side…I can be the Queen of Cinderhart.

If I wanted to.

But I’m not sure if that’s something I want…now, or ever.

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