I turn back toward him, giving him a psychotic look. “What the fuck was that?”

“You’re exhausted.” He runs the cloth over my front, pulling me in closer for a kiss.

“I want your cock inside me,” I whisper into his lips.

“You’re out of control.” He chuckles darkly, lifting me in his arms, pressing my back to the solid tile wall.

“You made me this way.” I smirk back, unapologetic about it.

He thrusts inside me, and I cling to him. Slowly he pulls back, then again, he thrusts.

“Harder, Alex. Stop treating me like you’re going to break me.”

He pulls back from me for a second, his eyes meeting mine. Yeah, we’re both still fucked up from what happened. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

“Then fuck me properly because you know it’s what I need.”

This time there is no holding back. The man I know and love gives me exactly what I need.

Chapter 45

It’s early morning whenI sneak out of bed in search of the delicious smell coming from the kitchen.

I pop up on my toes and kiss Maddox’s cheek. “Merry Christmas.”

The others are all still in bed, but he’s up making us breakfast. He puts down his spatula and pulls me in for a proper kiss. “Considering last night’s activities, I assumed you’d appreciate a chance to sleep in with everyone else this morning.”

I shrug. “I could think of a better way to spend my morning.” I smile suggestively, running a finger up his arm.

“Temptress. Don’t go distracting me or I will burn everyone’s food.”

“I’m sure I could do something for you without distracting you too much.” My hand slides down his front, and I palm his cock through his boxer shorts. He’s hard already. I lick my lips, so desperate to taste him.

A tiny yap comes from the front of the house. “Did you hear that?” I ask, my eyes flying up to his, sure I just heard a dog bark, knowing very well there is no dog living on this property.

“Nope.” A playful smirk stretches across his lips, his eyes twinkling mischievously, daring me to continue. His free hand tangles into my hair, and he pulls me into him for a kiss.

But then I hear it again, a definite little dog bark. I pull back from him. “You had to have heard that. Moving away from him, I make my way down the hallway, feeling the coolness of the hardwood floor beneath my feet. As I approach the front door, I can see a box through the clear side window. I swing the door open in a rush.

“Oh, my fucking God.” My squeal echoes through the quiet house, and instantly, the boys burst from their rooms, a chaotic flurry of sleep-mussed hair and bare chests, their sleep shorts hanging low. Even Maddox has left the kitchen to see what I’m on about.

There in the center of a large box is a little black pup, with floppy ears and the most adorable tiny wet nose you have ever seen. She pushes her head out of the box further and gives another little yap. I drop down onto my knees and pull her out of the box completely and onto my lap. She wiggles around, and I pat her soft fur, hugging her into me. “She’s adorable.” I smile up at the boys, wondering who did this.

“Merry Christmas, Red.” Geovani smirks, giving himself away.

I beam back at him, happier than I have been in so long. We have a little family.

After a delicious Christmas lunch and a day running around after the new little puppy that I have named Lola, we all sit by the fireplace. The boys have a bottle of whiskey open, and I’m sipping on an espresso martini. The five of us are more relaxedthan we have ever been. Today has been one of the best. I’m full and sleepy as I lean into Ricky’s side while he strokes my hair absentmindedly. Lola is on the rug in front of the fire, a ball of black fluff all curled up and content. She’s adorable, and I can’t believe she’s mine. Or ours.

“This has been a perfect Christmas,” I murmur to no one in particular.

Alex comes into view, a yellow envelope clutched in his hand. I have to blink up at him to refocus my sleepy eyes. “I have one last Christmas present for you.” He passes it to me, and I look back at him, confused.

I sit up, now fully awake. “What is this? I thought the house was my gift. And the puppy, and the jewelry.” I pull the envelope open and some papers slide out. An unsettling wave of unease washes over me.

“The paperwork to annul our marriage, if that’s what you still want?” he explains. But I can see that. I’m just not sure why. I thought everything was going well.

“Oh, I wasn’t expecting this.” I look them over, wondering if it is what I even want anymore. I’m no longer freaked out by the idea of being married to someone. But I also feel odd about being married to Alex when I can’t do the same with the other boys. Our little fivesome feels unbalanced.