Page 67 of Mocha Kisses

With hours to spare before the party, we maneuver the beds together and curl up in one big puppy pile. Luna is in front of me, Nova behind her, and Rome behind me. He kisses the back of my head and mumbles ‘just enjoy it’. I do, especially when he somehow molds his entire body to mine, his arm folding across my hip and landing on Luna’s. Nova does the same, his hand on my side. Unable to help myself, I kiss Luna’s nose and grin.

“This is the very best sandwich.”

“You’re a dork,” she whispers before closing her eyes.

Luna

I’llnevergetusedto fresh hot water while taking a shower. I’ll never take it for granted. I’ll never ever complain about having clothes that I don’t want to wear because it’s more than I’ve had in six years. I will always complain about that fucking yellow dress but otherwise? I will be grateful for whatever happens upon my lap.

Including this shimmery black gown that Nova has helped me into. It’s an inch off the floor but it hugs every curve and pushes my tits up until it looks like I’m wearing a corset. “Nova, I can’t fucking breathe.”

“Seriously? The designer said that the material was stretchy and I checked three times with Griffin that-” Nova cuts himself off and huffs as he realizes I’m joking to calm my nerves. I love the dress, even if it puts me a little outside my comfort zone. Nova steps up behind me, his hands falling to my hips. They run up and down my sides before cupping my tits. “You’re gorgeous, angel. You’re also ours and I will be enjoying every last minute as I peel this fabric from your body and then fuck you into oblivion.”

Griffin pops his head out of the bathroom, his hair in wild disarray. “Right after we get rid of the wicked stepmother.”

“And right after I fuck her in that dress,” Rome calls out. We all share a laugh, Nova turning me around and pressing me up against the mirror. His lips connect with mine and I wrap my arms around his neck as his hands cup and massage my tits. He swallows my moans as my body heats until Griffin steals me away. We both know that Nova was seconds away from ripping the dress off and keeping me in the hotel room.

“Ready for battle?” Griffin asks and I shrug before kissing him too.

“Where’s mine?” Rome whines and he emerges from the bathroom with a pout large enough to suck on. He’s even more polished than the cover release, some of the piercings missing. I frown, immediately hating it. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?

“The lip piercings and the nose one. Why’d you take them out?” He shrugs and I guess that ‘fancy attire’ doesn’t usually include Rome’s expression. “What does it matter? We’re going to war and we need our armor.” It sounds cheesy as fuck but he’s not Rome without them. Rome hesitates and then returns to the bathroom to put them in. Only when he comes out the second time do I approach and steal a kiss. He swats my ass in return, mouthing ‘brat’. Neither him nor Nova has seen that side of me yet.

I might not be ready for a foursome but they aren’t ready for when Griffin and I decide to trulyplay.

We spend the next several minutes getting ready as I debate a full face of makeup or just war paint, aka lipstick. I don’t feel like having to wash off everything at the end of the night if I don’t want to wake up as a raccoon. Red lipstick also seems like a bold choice that doesn’t fit me so I go with a neutral tone. The dress already shows I mean business and my hair settled around my shoulders brings out the beauty that my men keep going on about.

It’s been a wild nearly two weeks and the woman staring back at me is someone I’m proud of. She’s loved, cherished, and well-fed. The bags under her eyes aren’t from pain and despair but from laughing too loud and her men unable to keep their hands off of her. She has the love of her life back and two others that have kept her safe. I place a hand to the mirror, thanking her for not running. Thanking her for finally being able to trust. Thanking her for opening her heart even just a little so that these men could pry their way in.

When I leave the hotel room, I feel like I’m one step closer to that happy ending. Tonight will be the end of Yana’s hold on my future and with my father taken care of? I haveeverythingto live for.

I’m not surprised that everyone is staring at me when I enter the venue just below the office dressed in fancy clothes that are far outside my pay range. Griffin holding my hand and the other two standing behind us like terrifying bodyguards, there’s no doubt in my mind that people are now confused. Is the video we put out real? Or the press. Were we ever married?

Griffin asked for the ring back, saying that it was all part of the plan. I trust these three, so I gave it willingly. Mostly because I hated the rock.

Maximillian’s office sits above a few other businesses, one being a dance hall that he’s rented out for the night. Most of these parties take place at the larger venues a few blocks from here—not that I’ve attended one—but on such short notice, this is what he came up with. The turnout is massive, people screaming Griffin’s name as I cling to his side. There aren’t obnoxious cameras flashing in my face but the squealing might get to me.

Beneath the general chatter are the questions about our relationship, Yana’s involvement, and where my father is. They want the truth and I’m ready to give it to them. I’m done hiding.

Max greets us by the small stage, wringing his hands together. He cleans up nice, as he always has, but the weary expression has aged him a few years. “I sure hope you know what you’re doing. They’re going to take my business from me. Fuck, I’m sorry. Luna, you look really good. These men are exactly what you need. Yes,men.I’ll introduce you and then you get up there and shame the hell out of that woman.”

Griffin tightens his hand around mine and brings it to his lips. “I can do that. We’re not staying long, you know that right?” Maximillian nods. “Then introduce away.”

Yana appears from nowhere, like a bat out of hell, in her perfectly manicured suit. She’s wearing white with black accents this time, the scowl on her face matching her witch status. “Don’t fuck this all up. Promote the book, shake a few hands, and be done with it. We didn’t need a second party so soon, especially not with the woman ruining Griffin’s life.”

She’s still holding onto that lie even though we all know she’s been playing us.Cute.Rome steps up behind me, close enough that I feel every hard ridge of his body against my backside and the prominent bulge between his thighs. “She’s not ruining his life. Maybe his sleep but not his life.”

“I don’t understand why you couldn’t just let things lie! They’re together, you guys,hands off.”

Confusion washes over me. Did she even watch the video we made? If she had, she would have known that we know who she really is. Or maybe she’s in denial. So, I play into the idea that we’re just here for a party and I’ve brought along my other men with me. “I like them here. Gives me more support.” Nova snorts and he knows I’m referring to the moment he held my tits in front of the mirror.

“Did you really need to bring the fucking barista?”

Rome sighs exaggeratedly. I’m loving this side of my men. “Disrespectful but fair. Also, I’m here for moral support and I’m scared to sleep alone.”Asshat.Yana opens and closes her mouth like a floundering fish before growling at us and stomping off. Max throws up a thumb, trying to overshadow his concerned expression. Pissing Yana off wasn’t part of the plan but it was funny.

Rome and Nova set a hand on my shoulder and I relax with all of them hovering around me. My gaze peruses the crowd, seeing how many people are happy to be here, to meet The. Griffin. Solace. How have I missed this for six years? When my eyes lock with Yana’s in the far corner, it’s not a happy reunion. The scowl on her lips is no doubt a remnant of us pulling one over on her. Her narrowed gaze is locked on me as Max introduces Griffin and his upcoming book.

Before I know it, I’m being led onto the little round stage as everyone hushes.

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