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"Easy for you to say, ninja boy," I shoot back. "You move so quietly, the paintballs probably thought you were one of their own."
“Wait, guys! Hold up.” Kat’s voice turns serious and we all spin in her direction. "We never decided on a victory meal."
“Ooh. Good idea! I'm thinking barbecue to keep with the theme—hot, messy, and oh-so-satisfying.” I rub circles on my stomach, licking my lips and instantly regretting it by the sharp taste of paint I get a mouthful of.
"Only you would equate food with paintball strategy," Wyatt says, shaking his head but smiling nonetheless.
"Or pizza," Kat chimes in, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "This place does a mean meat-lovers with extra cheese."
"Extra cheese? After all this?" Emrys raises an eyebrow, feigning concern. "Our arteries might not forgive us."
"Speak for yourself, shadow man," I retort. "My arteries are adventurous souls."
"Let's do it. Pizza it is!" Kat declares, her authority unquestionable even post battle.
"Come on, then," I say, slinging an arm around Kat's shoulders, while Wyatt and Emrys flank her other side. "To the victors go the spoils!"
"Which in this case, is a mountain of carbs," Wyatt adds with a satisfied nod.
"Ah, the sweet taste of victory," Emrys agrees, his voice low and smooth.
"Sweet, cheesy, saucy victory," Kat corrects, and we all erupt into laughter, the sound mingling with the fading echoes of the day's battle cries.
We walk off the field together, a unit bound by more than just the game. The camaraderie between us is tangible, an electric current that zips and zings with each shared glance and touch. We're victorious warriors one moment, teasing friends the next, and something more there after...
Something simmers just beneath the surface, simply waiting for its moment to burst forth.
It’s weird. But then why does it feel so right?
Chapter 38
The early morning sunlight filtering through the curtains stirs me reluctantly from sleep. As awareness returns, so do the memories of yesterday–the fun, the camaraderie shared between us all. We didn’t do anything together last night after the paintball tournament, just cuddled and talked. But it was almost more intimate than if we had.
I shift beneath the silken sheets, breath catching as I feel soft curves pressed against me. Kathryn. Her long dark hair spills over the pillowcases like ink, lips slightly parted as she sleeps nestled against my chest. She looks positively angelic in repose, the usual sharpness of her features softened.
My arms tighten around her instinctively and she stirs, turquoise eyes blinking open sleepily. Before either of us can speak, her phone alarm chirps loudly. Kathryn fumbles to silence it, dismay crossing her delicate features.
"I have to go, maid of honor stuff," she explains apologetically. Her fingertips trail featherlight over the stubble on my jaw and I have to resist capturing those full lips once more.
She somehow gracefully slides around me and rises from the bed, casting a shy smile over her shoulder as she disappears into the opulent bathroom. The sound of running water follows soon after.
I take the opportunity to glance around the rumpled sheets in search of my other new…
Well, I'm unsure what to label them.
Wilder is sprawled on his back nearby, hair mussed, one arm dangling over the edge of the mattress. His usual cocky facade is absent, replaced by a boyish innocence in sleep.
On my other side, Emrys is curled on his side facing away from me, his broad tattooed back rising and falling evenly with his deep breaths. The ferocious intensity that marks his posture usually is smoothed away, leaving only tranquility behind in its place.
Seeing them both so unguarded, so peaceful, unfurls some of the unease in me. Whatever this fragile bond growing between us may be, perhaps it is not meant to be a battle after all.
I think back on the night that we all shared Kat together, how readily they both submitted to my direction, surrendering control. I’ve always demanded a position of authority in the bedroom. I just never expected it to be with more than one person. To have it so willingly almost gives me a sort of hope.
There was satisfaction in being obeyed, in orchestrating their attentions to give Kathryn maximum pleasure. I cannot deny I enjoy that particular dynamic.
And thinking about it now, I can admit there is an unexpected delight in watching them both worship Kathryn in ways I could not achieve alone. Wilder brought out her playfulness while Emrys awakened a primal wildness. Together, we explored pleasure beyond imagining.
Perhaps this unusual situation is not so impossible after all, if we approach it with open minds and hearts. For all our differences, it seems we three awaken something in Kathryn none can manage alone.
