Page 14 of Tarnished Embers

“Will you show us your favorite paintings?” Oct asks softly from next to me, and my cheeks heat knowing that we’ve just been standing in the middle of the National fucking Gallery, hugging and seeking solace from each other as if we were alone and not surrounded by people.

“I’d love to,” I reply to Oct while looking up at Kit, my voice only a little thick from the sorrow that seems to surround us. Before I second-guess myself, I press my lips against his, tasting the salt of my tears as he kisses me back.

Kissing Kit is like coming home and finding everything changed. It leaves my head spinning and my pulse racing but not necessarily in a bad way. We part after several moments, only for Oct to spin me around and plant his lips on mine.

I melt into him, because what else can I do when he kisses me like I’m the oxygen he needs to breathe? He’s like a fairground ride, terrifying yet exhilarating, and my hands clutch his jumper as he deepens our kiss, giving no shits that we’re in public.

Just as quickly as he started, he pulls back, his eyes alight with mischief.

“I needed another taste after this morning,” he tells me with a wink before taking my hand and stepping to the side. My heart thuds in my chest, my stomach dipping at his words. To be wanted so fiercely is a confidence boost like no other.

Suddenly, Prince is there, and my eyes dart to his lips, wondering what it would be like to kiss him. He’s the only one I haven’t tasted yet, and my body leans towards him in an unspoken plea. He gives me a smirk, a devilish expression that destroys my already damp knickers.

I watch, barely breathing as his hand comes out and wraps around the front of my throat before he steps closer. It’s a soft touch, his thumb stroking my racing pulse and his eyes tracking over my lips. He’s teasing me with the knowledge that he could cut off my air supply if he wanted, and the crazy thing is, I would let him, even in the middle of the foyer of the National Gallery.

My tongue comes out to trace my lips, an obvious invitation, and heat flares through me when his green eyes become the colour of emeralds; dark and sparkling.

I shut my eyes when he leans in close, waiting for his lips to land on mine.

“When I kiss you for the first time, Sugar, my thick cock will be buried so deep inside you that you’ll feel me for the rest of your life.”

My heart fucking stops, but a second later, cold air hits me like a slap to the face and my lids blink open to see him standing a few feet away, his gaze locked on me and that damn smirk on his pillowy lips. Fucking bastard.

“Ready, Cinders?” Cas asks, a slight note of teasing in his tone. I narrow my eyes at him in a glare and he laughs, the sound making butterflies swarm in my stomach. “Don’t be salty,” he says, taking Prince’s place and darting in to press a quick kiss to my lips. “And he’s not lying. Prince likes to fuck hard and deep and he’s got the weapon to back up his promises.”

My eyes widen, my mouth dropping open at his words.

“How do you know that?” The question blurts out before I can stop it, but something tells me I can guess the answer.

“We told you, we’re family, and family takes care of each other.”

Oh, my motherfucking god.

My brain just shuts the fuck down, lust roaring through me at the thought that they know each other in that way. I stand frozen in the middle of the National Gallery and try not to melt into a puddle on the polished, marble floor. Why is the idea of them together, tangled limbs, so fucking hot?

“Come on, little sis. Show us those paintings,” Oct urges, his voice full of laughter as I try to reboot all my systems, and his hand slides into mine, his palm warm and enough to get my brain semi-functional again.

He pulls me towards one of the galleries, Kit holding my other hand. I try to ignore the slightly shocked expressions on some of the people around us, having clearly caught the kisses and possibly Oct’s nickname for me. It mostly works, though I can feel their curious stares like an itch across my skin.

“Mummy, I thought you said we can’t marry our brothers?” a little girl asks as we pass, and my cheeks flare, my entire body going blistering hot.

Fuck my life.

CHAPTERSIX

“GODS AND MONSTERS” BY LANA DEL RAY

EMBER

We spend the rest of the morning strolling through the galleries, and I point out all of my favourite pieces. They all seem interested, especially Kit who turns out has a keen eye for art and architecture.

We stop for lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe, which the guys declare is their new favourite place to eat after enjoying the rock-inspired vibe and the yummy American-style food. Afterwards, I take them to see the sights of London, a whirlwind tour of all the major buildings, and by the afternoon, even I’m flagging. It was an amazing day though, being able to just be with the guys and not have to worry that someone will know we shouldn’t be acting so close. We even managed to keep ourselves in check, enjoying each others’ company as we gazed upon iconic buildings that make up my hometown.

The twins snag the seat either side of me for the drive back, and the movement of the car soon lulls me to sleep, my head drifting to Oct’s shoulder.

“We’re home, little sis,” he murmurs what feels like minutes later, and I blink, trying to focus my blurry vision. The sun is setting and the car is indeed pulled up outside of our front door.

“Maybe I should call you Sleeping Beauty,” Cas teases from behind me as the door opens and a blast of fresh spring air hits me in the face, waking me up.

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