Page 8 of Ashes

Mack rubs his neat beard, then stoops in front of me and kneels on the floor.

A smile tweaks my lips. “Role reversal?” I ask, nudging his naked knee with my bare foot.

Behind Mack, Kole’s forehead twitches as he tries to work out what I’m talking about. To my surprise, Mack smiles and strokes the side of my foot.

“Are you blushing, Daddy?” I move my toes toward what I’m almost certain is a bulge in his black underwear.

He bites the inside of his cheek, then releases a sound that’s half-laughter, half-groan. “Nova, now’s really not the time…”

“Sorry.” I shake my head, trying not to smile. “I’m sorry. It’s just that you look really delicious down there on the floor.”

“Then I better stand up.” Mack swiftly rises to his feet.

His crotch is now at eye level. I raise my eyebrows. “Not helping.”

“I’m trying to tell you something,” he says sternly.

“Sorry.”

Mack reaches out and traces a long line from my shoulder to my elbow, skimming over the scar on my arm. “I’m trying to tell you that Nico was right. This situation—the video—it’s dangerous. More dangerous than the last one. We might have to leave The Hollow. Go back to the cabin.”

“The reinforcement spells? They won’t protect us?” I ask, trying to picture what would happen if Bureau agents turned up and tried to break through.

Mack shakes his head. “No, they won’t. If the Bureau wants you, they’ll take you. So, pack your bags. Be ready. I’ll try the Bureau again, but I’m not holding out much hope.”

As Tanner hugs my waist, Mack brushes his thumb over the tattoo on my chest. His white bedsheet is still wrapped around me, exposing the tops of my breasts and the pattern that Kole inked over Johnny’s A.M.A insignia. “Get some rest. Don’t look at the news. I’ll call Luther too. Get him back here.”

“And Nico?” I ask. “Can you guys play nicely?” I turn to Tanner and give him my meanest stare.

After a long pause, Tanner sighs and says, “I’ll go talk to him.” He kisses my temple. Before standing up, he whispers, “Don’t think I missed the part where you called us your boyfriends, by the way. Super-hot, little star. Super-hot.” He nibbles my ear playfully. The steeliness that laced his muscles a little while ago seems to have dissolved. He’s Tanner again.MyTanner.

I twitch my nose at him and, as he kisses me goodbye, I allow myself to run my fingers over his upper arms. “Thank you.”

“I’ll bring Nico up,” he says. “So we can talk.Nicely.”

I smile as Tanner and Mack pull on some clothes then walk away.

They’ll make it right with Nico. He said things he shouldn’t have, but the guys have been on his case since he got here. Everyone just needs to—

“Nova…” Kole’s voice interrupts my thoughts. “You’re thinking out loud,” he says, tapping the side of his head.

I blink at him. He smiles and looks down at his hands. They’re pressed against his knees, as if he’s still breathing through some level of pain. His boxers are black; most of what he wears is black. I’m tracing the hair on his chest, following it down his stomach to the waistband of his underwear when he looks up and says, “Nova…” As he speaks my name, a sigh that’s almost a growl parts his lips. “Would you come here?”

“You’re asking nicely?” I go to him and slot myself between his knees. “That’s not like you.”

Kole presses his palms to my back and draws me closer. To my surprise, he rests his head on my chest. He breathes in deeply, his beard scratching my skin.

I stroke his hair. It’s tied back. I pull the elastic free and push my fingers through it as it falls around his face.

I missed you. Kole’s voice vibrates inside me.

“I’m right here.” I tilt his face up and toy with his beard. “I didn’t go anywhere.”

It’s been too long since I was close to you.His hands are moving up my back. When they reach the sheet, tucked under my arms to hold it in place, they pause. “Let me see you,” he says.

“You’ve seen me before.” I lean closer.

“Not in daylight.” Kole raises his hand and flicks it toward the plant on the windowsill. The small vine, which I thought he was going to use to throttle Nico, grows larger. It winds around the inner edge of the shutter and pulls it open.

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