Page 76 of The Proximity Effect

“There’s this beautiful cabin about ten minutes away with enough space for—” Archer’s voice softened, and the pause was weighted with possibility before he finished, “for when you’re ready.”

My brain completely stopped working. They were house hunting. And not just for themselves. They were thinking about me. About my eventual place in their lives. Not just as their chef or whatever we were, but as a permanent fixture.

Oh God. Was I hyperventilating? I was definitely hyperventilating. The lights above started to blur together into one sparkly mess.

“Oh wow, okay, this is wow. Not ‘wow’ in a bad way, more like ‘wow’ in a ‘holy crap, is this really happening?’ way, which I guess could still be bad, but it’s not, it’s... overwhelming? But good overwhelming! Like when you get exactly what you wanted for Christmas, but you’re still somehow surprised even though you literally wrote it on your list, except I didn’t write ‘three gorgeous men who want to live with me’ on any list because who even does that? Although maybe I should have, because apparently the universe was listening pretty hard when I got dumped on Christmas. Like a cosmic upgrade program where instead of one asshole ex-fiancé, I get three incredibly sweet men who apparently want to go house hunting with me, which is simultaneously the most romantic and terrifying thing I’ve ever heard, and now I’m talking too much, but I can’t seem to stop because if I stop talking, I might start crying, and not sad crying, but the ugly happy crying where your mascara runs and you look like a raccoon that watched The Notebook, and oh God, I’m still talking, aren’t I?”

“Breathe, Tess.” Evan’s hand found my back, rubbing gentle circles that gradually helped me calm down. “We’re not trying to pressure you. Your tiny apartment is adorable, and if you want to stay there forever, that’s fine too.” He said it like he meant it, which somehow made everything both better and more overwhelming.

“You guys are really serious about this? About finding a place with... with room for me?” I fiddled with my champagne glass, watching the bubbles rise like my rising hopes.

“We want you involved in the decision.” Archer’s usual confidence was tinged with vulnerability. “It would be your home too, eventually, if you wanted.”

My emotions felt too big for my body, like they might spill out and flood the whole terrace. It was fast—probably certifiably insane fast—but somehow it also felt perfectly right, like the lastpuzzle piece clicking into place. “I’d like that. Even if I’m not ready to move in right away.”

“Yeah?” Evan’s whole face lit up.

“Yeah.” I reached for another chocolate, trying to channel casual even though my insides were a mess. “But I have conditions.”

“Of course you do.” Archer was trying not to smile and failing miserably.

“The kitchen has to be amazing. Like, Food Network worthy.” I waved my chocolate for emphasis, accidentally flinging a few chocolate sprinkles across the table.

“That’s a given.” Liam plucked the chocolate from my fingers and brought it to my mouth. “What else?”

I took a bite, my lips brushing against his fingers. “A big enough bed for all of us.”

“Another given.” Liam took my champagne glass and set it to the side. “Anything else?”

I shook my head, and the playful mood shifted as Liam fed me the rest of the chocolate, his fingers lingering on my lips. I sucked the last bit of sweetness from his fingertips, watching as his eyes darkened with desire.

Archer picked up a chocolate-covered strawberry, the red fruit glistening. He held it to my mouth, and I bit into it, the juices mingling with the rich chocolate, the taste exploding on my tongue. His gaze was locked onto my lips as I licked away a stray drop of juice.

Evan leaned in, his mouth finding the corner of mine, licking away the remnants of chocolate and strawberry. He traced the seam of my lips with his tongue, coaxing them open. I melted into the kiss, the taste of him mixing with the sweetness in my mouth.

Liam’s hands slid down my sides before lifting my shirt over my head. Archer’s fingers deftly unhooked my bra, his palmsreplacing the fabric, his thumbs circling my nipples until they hardened into peaks.

Evan’s mouth moved from my lips to my neck, his teeth grazing the sensitive skin, drawing out a keening sound from deep within me. I could feel his smile against my skin. “You taste so fucking good, Tessa.”

My head fell back, granting him better access. Liam unbuttoned my pants, and slid them down, taking my panties with them. Archer’s mouth replaced his hands, his tongue swirling around one nipple while his fingers rolled the other. I arched into him, my body craving more contact.

Evan’s mouth captured mine again, swallowing my moans as Liam pushed my thighs apart and slid a finger inside me. I rocked against his hand, needing everything they could give me. Archer’s teeth scraped against my nipple, the sharp sensation sending a jolt of pleasure straight to my core.

Liam added another finger, his thumb finding my clit and circling it with the perfect amount of pressure. I whimpered into Evan’s mouth, my body already starting to tense.

Archer pulled away from my breasts, his mouth trailing downward. He joined Liam between my thighs, his tongue replacing Liam’s thumb on my clit. The sensation of both of them working together was almost too much.

Evan broke away from our kiss. He watched Archer and Liam, his eyes filled with heat. “Fuck, that’s hot.”

I was a writhing mess as Liam’s fingers thrust into me with a steady rhythm. Archer’s mouth was relentless, licking and sucking and driving me wild. Evan’s lips met mine again, his kiss hungry and desperate.

Archer’s mouth moved lower, his tongue replacing Liam’s fingers. He fucked me with his tongue, and Liam took over circling my clit with firm, steady strokes.

Evan pulled back. “You’re so fucking beautiful. Watching you like this... getting you off… it’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.”

I was so close, so fucking close.

Liam moved up my body, his mouth finding mine as his fingers continued to stroke my clit. His kiss swallowed my cries as I came hard, my body shaking and trembling as they wrung every last drop of ecstasy out of me.

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