Soon, I wasn’t the only one.
“Evan.” Briar shuddered, his cock swelling. “I… I’m…gods.”
“Let go.” I brought him in for a kiss. The waves of my release started to recede while his built higher.
Briar’s hips jerked as he came, shaft pulsing and moans vibrating against my neck. I kissed his temple, his cheek, then his jaw. Hoping he could feel the deep love I had for him in each one, because although my emotions were ocean deep, I didn’t always have the right words to express them.
Afterward, I slumped against his damp chest, trying to catch my breath.
Briar cradled the back of my head. “I’m not strong like Maddox or Lake,” he quietly said. “They’re fierce in their protection of you, and that same intensity is reflected in how they show you their love. Maddox is like a burning inferno, whereas Lake is more like a river after heavy rainfall. Both are strong but in different ways.”
I listened to him, unsure where he was going with it. But the frailness of his voice told me it was something he’d been keeping inside for a while.
His fingers slid through my hair. Slow and featherlight. “Which is why I’ve worked so hard over the past several months on that protection charm. That’smystrength. Not with swords or muscle, but with my magic. It’s my way of keeping you safe.”
I pulled back to meet his gaze, noting the different colors swirling around his pupils; green, brown, and specks of dark orange. I touched the edge of his brow and traced down to his jaw. “I love you, you know.”
His eyes glistened. “I know you do.”
“Really?” I asked. “Because I do. More than you probably realize.”
“I don’t doubt you, love.” Briar pressed my hand to his cheek. “Your heart is big enough to love all three of us.”
“And you know I don’t have a favorite, right? It’s like dessert.”
“Dessert?” Albeit small, humor touched his glistening eyes. He was sensitive and honest in his affection, wearing his emotions on his sleeve.
“Yeah,” I said. “Cupcakes, cookies, muffins, and pies. I love them all. Pies for their buttery and flaky crust. Cupcakes for being sweet and pillowy, especially with the right frosting. Biting into a decadent chocolate chip cookie hits the spot too, depending on the intensity of my sweet tooth. I love them for different reasons but wouldn’t call any of them my favorite. The same goes for the three of you.”
“What do you love about me, then?” Briar asked, his voice softer than before. “My frosting, buttery crust, or pillowy texture?”
“Your compassion.” I played with the hair at his nape; twirled a strand around my finger. “Your gentle nature. How deeply you care about people. I feel so relaxed around you, Briar. No one makes me feel more at peace than you do. You’re also, like, super fucking hot. I have a thing for the scholarly types.”
“And the muscled, grouchy types like a certain captain?” he asked with a smile.
“Yep. Both are equally delicious. Like dessert.” I slid off his lap and cuddled beside him. “I guess Lake would be the strong and silent type. I have such eclectic tastes.”
“That you do.” Briar pulled the blanket up and tucked me in before kissing my temple—his favorite spot. “Sleep now, love.”
“Only if you sleep too.”
“I’m staying right here beside you. I promise.”
“Good.” I yawned and closed my eyes.
My muscles got heavy, and I drifted off to sleep within minutes. Sometime during the night, Maddox came to bed. I stirred as he slid in beside me but didn’t open my eyes.
“Thank you,” Briar whispered.
“No need to thank me,” Maddox responded, just as softly. “We’re in love with the same man and all deserve time alone with him every once in a while.”
“Is Lake still alive?”
“Unfortunately.”
Briar’s body slightly shook, but he refrained from laughing out loud.
“We actually had an interesting chat,” Maddox said. “I refuse to say we bonded. We are nothing like you and I are. But I believe we understand each other better now. He truly loves Evan, just as we do.”
