She picks up the chocolate then, and it’s too much for Gideon’s curiosity, so he has to ask, “The candy? What Affinity does that help focus?”
Her laugh fills the space as she opens it, popping a piece in her mouth. “It supports my affinity for sweets, Gideon. It’s food for my soul.”
4
Forged in the Crucible of Care (Leo)
Leo is fucking tired.
Yes, he sees the irony of saying that while lying in the nest, with his mates curled up around him in the relatively small space of their newest fortress of solitude. It’s 5:00 AM, and he should still be sleeping, but his mind won’t let him rest. The what-ifs won’t stop wearing at his determination to do what he said he would do: put his faith in Gideon and Jay’s plan.
Fucking ridiculous plan.
Yes, he also knows he’s already had his say. He also knows that they’re not entirely wrong. Has Leo put his mind to all the possibilities here? Yes. Has he spent hours extrapolating all the ways any of his alternate plans won’t work—or might even make the situation worse? Fuck yes. Does he like not having plans B through Z? No, he does not. Especially when the consequences are potentially life…altering.
It’s all those consequences that have him up so early, counting the cracks in the plaster ceiling.
“Leo?” Grayson asks from his spot beside Leo, his cheek on Leo’s chest and his long fingers tucked up under Leo’s armpit on the opposite side. He pulls them out to rub up and over Leo’s pec, absently rubbing his hardening nipple. “I could hear your heartbeat pick up. Bad dream?”
Not a bad dream so much as a concerning reality.
“Nah. Just can’t get my brain to relax,” he whispers back.
After Nimue had left, they’d eaten a very late lunch of delicious Thai food and watched some movies. Leo couldn’t even remember what they’d watched; he’d been so distracted. But Luca and Rowan had tried to infuse some life into their evening with comedic commentary, even going as far as acting out some parts. Leo had been there in body, but not in mind. He remembers laughing, and Jay had pulled him in close, as if he’d known Leo had been struggling.
He had been—and still is.
Leo runs his hand down his mate’s smooth spine, enjoying the extra-warm skin. He feels him nod against his side and rub his pointy nose against Leo’s nipple.
“I could maybe help you turn your brain off?”
A jolt of desire skitters down his spine. “By turning me on?”
“Exactly,” he says with a wink.
“Well, only if you must.” Leo sighs and runs his hand back up Grayson’s back and into his long hair, pulling him up and into a gentle kiss. Grayson’s lips are like a dream—full and soft—and his desire bursts into a need to have his alpha fill him up. Cinnamon scent blooming with the thought, Leo groans, tongue licking into his mouth and luring Grayson’s tongue into his own.
“It’ll be a hardship, but I’ll persevere,” Grayson whispers between kisses, and he slides over Leo until he can knee Leo’s knees apart.
“This okay?”
“Better than. Fuck me?” Leo moans. His alpha’s cock is hard on Leo’s belly, and he bucks up to try and get it where he needs it.
“If you insist.”
Grayson leans over toward the side of the nest, where Nix had carefully lined up three bottles of lube. He pulls Leo’s favorite warming one off the table but drops it on the mattress beside them when he’s distracted by Leo’s pecs again.
Using both hands to squeeze and press the muscles together, he licks Leo’s nipples one after the other.
“Fucking love your tits.” It’s one reason Leo pays extra care to build them in the gym, three times a week.
Jay rolls over beside them, going to his elbow, his other hand running up over Grayson’s thigh and ass.
“Morning, my loves. What are you up to, this early?”
“Well, I was going to blow Leo’s…mind…you want to help?”
Jay’s warm pine scent turns smoky, like he is unsure of his welcome.
