Page 95 of A Ryan Recollection

Pulling back the covers, I go to climb out of bed too.

“Not you, sweetheart,” Shane orders. “Stay right where you are.”

“But I should help,” I insist as uncertainty settles into the pit of my stomach. Shane looks super pissed while Conor is so quiet and can barely look at me.

“Yeah. You didn’t get much sleep, Red,” Mikey says with a yawn. “I felt you tossing and turning all night.”

“Okay,” I whisper as I lie back against the pillow and watch Shane and Conor pulling off the last of their clothes.

My heart races. Are they going to punish me? Together? I mean usually that’s hot, bur right now I feel too fragile. Besides, it’s not like I asked to be manhandled into a room with those creeps.

Mikey and Liam walk out of the room, closing the door behind them and my pulse quickens further. When they are naked, Shane and Conor climb into bed, one either side of me.

“I’m sorry,” I almost cry.

“Don’t, Jessie,” Shane snaps, taking hold of my chin in his strong hand, he turns my face so he can look into my eyes. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. We all fucked up. Not you.”

“W-what?” I stammer, aware of Conor’s hand sliding onto my stomach.

“We never take our eyes off you, angel,” he says before he kisses my shoulder softly. “That’s the rule.”

“But you can’t always-"

“You should never have been in a position where any of those fucks could lay a finger on you, sweetheart. I’m sorry that they did.”

“That’s not your fault,” I whisper as emotion balls in my chest. I thought they were mad at me, but they were mad at themselves.

“It will never happen again,” Conor murmurs against my skin.

“Did you…” I don’t finish the question.

“They’re taken care of,” Shane says before he slides his hand to my waist. “Turn on your side.”

I shift onto my side until I’m facing him. Conor splays his hand on my stomach, pulling me against him so his chest is at my back as Shane presses a soft kiss on my lips.

“Can you forgive us, angel?” Conor asks as he nuzzles my neck.

“There’s nothing to forgive.”

“Thank you, sweetheart,” Shane mumbles as his eyes close. “I’m so fucking tired.”

“Me too,” Conor yawns.

“What time do we have to be up for the Christmas Eve activities?” Shane asks and I smile.

Before I came into their lives they never really celebrated Christmas and I love how they are embracing my holiday spirit.

“Midday would be good,” I suggest.

“That gives us five solid hours,” Shane groans.

“Sounds like fucking heaven,” Conor agrees.

“I should go help the twins with the twins.”

“No,” they say in unison.

“You’re staying right here. Because I never sleep as well as when I have your gorgeous fucking body against mine,” Shane adds.

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