Page 236 of Quinlan

Of Rome’s.He needs to suffer some more, sweetheart. Him and Aria. Give it time. We promise you it’ll be worth it.

We’re making him wait like Jagger and Laurel and I had, darling.Damien, being so fucking reasonable.We knew pain would come and the fucker would stretch the fear out before he went at us. We have to wait.

I slam my laptop shut. Groan into the empty room. Grind my teeth. Press my knuckles to my eyes.

The three faces I love flash behind my closed eyes. Rome’s scowl. Damien’s hint of wicked amusement. Liam’s stoic expression, the fire in his eyes.

Deep breath.

Better. Much.

Bzz.

A message from Anne. It’s like she could sense I’ve been desperate for a friendly face. The photo she sent me is of her, flaunting her new business license.Dayton Marketing Solutions, the paper in her hands, says. Dayton, as in Nick’s and her last name.

My fingers fly across the screen on their own, typing to Anne how excited I am for her. How proud I am to have such a badass sister-in-law and a friend.

The phone buzzes again the moment I hear a low swooshing sound behind me. I put it down and spin on my chair in time to catch Rome, then Damien, then Liam filtering through the sliding bookshelf.

They couldn’t have been more handsome if they tried. Dark suits. Heated glares. Their lips pursed into a straight line.

Not a word. They say nothing as they form a circle around me, watching me, seeing through my white T-shirt and pale jeans. They see my heart.

The beginning of relief. That’s what it feels like. Metaphorical hands reaching into my heart and ripping away the pain.

My eyelashes flutter. This is more than just relief. This is longing. I’ll never have it any other way.

“You’re back early.”

Their jackets go on the floor. Sleeves rolling up their forearms.

“This doesn’t sound likegood evening, I’m so glad you’re home.” Rome’s hand sinks into my hair, my locks fisted in his tight grip. He yanks on it, tilting my head to the side. His face lowers to mine. “We talked about this, did we not?”

“Ye—” The‘s’is silenced by Rome’s lips. By Rome’s bruising, all-consuming kiss and how he uses my hair to pull me closer.

Two hands join him. Liam’s thumb circles the tattoo on my cheek. He’s not gentle, not just stroking me. He pushes me to the side, deeper into Rome’s kiss.

Damien pinches my nipple through my shirt. Without a bra on, his fingers inflict pain. A glance his way, and I’m calmer than I was a second ago. He’s enjoying this, my pain. And I love that.

“Well?” Liam’s fingers move to my chin, stealing me from Rome. “Let’s hear it.”

His intense glare and low voice set me on fire. Even the lock of hair that falls on his forehead doesn’t make him look younger or sweet. He’s deadly, and he wants me.

Only me.

I start talking. He doesn’t care to hear it anymore. He’s ruthless as Rome was as he crushes his mouth to mine, tilting my head so he could fuck my mouth with his tongue. He licks me. Tastes me. Possesses me.

My eyes roll to the back of my head, and I gasp into his mouth. I reach for his scar and stroke it, grasp for it, caress it. I need him as much as he needs me. I need that manly, delicious groan from him.

Wetness pools between my thighs. My nipples are pulled tight, and Damien them. The roots of my hair burn, and it sets off more pleasure within me. More desire.

“Next time.” Damien’s fingers wrap around my arms, hauling me to my feet, pressing me to him. His sapphire eyes are dark, the shadows of scruff beneath his high cheekbones darker. “We won’t be so gentle. We’ll edge you, but you won’t get to come. We’ll give you a week of that.”

We’re playing a game. I fucking love our games. My heart isn’t as heavy when he’s like this.

“Denied orgasms?” My indignation is fake. His eyes glint anyway. “You would never—”

Damien is the third man to shut me up this evening. His teeth sink into my bottom lip, his satisfied grunt reverberating on my skin. He bites me harder, and I moan from how good the pain feels. From the taste of my own blood.

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