A quiet grunt sounds from behind me, finally telling me it’s Marcus. Although, now that I know, the size of the arm around me should’ve told me everything I needed to know. Speaking of, his arm tightens around my waist and with a quick motion, he has us flipping around so he’s between Alex and I.
Rolling over, I face the both of them to see Alex peering over Marcus’ shoulder with his bottom lip sticking out in a pout. “Hey! Not fair. I was spending time with my boo thang.” He makes a move to try and grab me from around Marcus, but without even opening his eyes, Marcus blocks the advance with a hand to the face, pushing Alex away.
My eyes crinkle as I try to hide the giggle bubbling up inside me. “Stop trying to ruin the best night of sleep I’ve ever had,” rumbles Marcus. His voice is deep and raspy as he tries to hold on to the sleep he just mentioned. He pulls me close to his chest again, my doubts and fears get shoved to the back of my mind as I breathe in his fresh peppermint scent. I still hate myself for wanting to forgive him, although all of our past seems muddy now after he shared his memories with me. Letting him back in is like a weight has been lifted from my soul. I can’t help but love him.
My lulling thoughts are disrupted by Alex. “You can get back to your sleep as soon as you give me back my girlfriend!” Marcus’ arms tighten around me, like he knows Alex is fixing to make another grab for me. A sigh escapes when he threads his hand through my hair at the back of my head. I still adore it when he does that, it’s been way too long.
Marcus whispers in my ear, not quite low enough for Alex not to hear, “He never could learn to share his toys. Such a child.”
“I heard that, dick!” Alex punctuates his words with a punch to Marcus’ shoulder and the responding laughter immediately vibrates in his chest.
“He’s such a little devil, isn’t he?” I play along with Marcus.
“Yes, Angel! A play on the nickname I gave you! Such an adorable couple thing to do. Just proving how much we’re meant to be together. Now get your sweet ass back in my arms so I can show you just how wicked your Devil can be.” He gives me his trademark eyebrow wiggle, as if it would actually entice me away from my peppermint patty and the warm snuggles with hair pets.
“Good morning, Precious,”sounds in my mind, in Derrick’s voice. Holy hell... how is he able to speak directly into my head? I was there in soul form when the guys all figured out their connection and ability to speak to each other like this, but I had no idea I was included in it as well. What a trippy sensation! His words felt like a caress against my mind.
I concentrate on wanting to speak to him. “HOW DID YOU KNOW WE COULD DO THIS?”
“Damn, Cecily. No need to shout at me.”Oops... at least his tone sounds amused.
“Sorry! Come over here. I want a morning kiss.”This time when I speak into his mind, I try to keep an even tone. Seconds later, he’s bending over me, placing a kiss on my forehead before he backs off quickly.“Hey! I wanted to give you one, not just a kiss on the forehead.”
His laughter reaches my ears at the same time as his words.“I don’t want to risk disturbing grumpy pants and his best night sleep ever. It’s saying a lot for him. He has nightmares just about every night.”
“Derrick, get your ass back here for my kiss! You too, Klaus.” Not only do I want a morning kiss from them both, but the bond wants it as well. There’s an odd feeling attached to both of their strings with me, like it’s been too long since it’s been nurtured. Which is kind of stupid since all I do is spend time with them.
“Damn it. I’m not getting more alone time with you this morning, am I, Angel?” Aw, Alex sounds so pouty. Before thinking about it, I try to lean up to give him a kiss, but Marcus holds on tighter to me.
“Baby, please, let’s stay in our little bubble and sleep the day away, just the two of us.” He nuzzles into me leaving soft kisses behind my ear. Okay... sleepy Marcus is now my favorite version of him. Not going to lie, he has me tempted, but there’s so much to do before we can take a lazy day. I press a lingering kiss to his neck, and get a soft groan in response.
My kiss must be distracting, because Marcus’ hold on me loosens and the moment it does, Alex has me scooped up in his arms. He must’ve been watching me like a hawk to find the exact moment he could snatch me up. “Don’t I get a good morning kiss?” Alex walks a few feet away from Marcus to make sure he can’t retaliate.
“Nope!” I make sure to pop the p in a teasing way. “Good morning kisses are reserved for those who’ve given me a first kiss.”
“Ouch, the punches keep coming! I don’t think you deserve any kisses right now after the way you’ve been treating me, Angel. These lips are closed for business.” The teasing glint in his gaze causes my own grin to grow.
“Well, in that case, you better put me down so I can kiss the others good morning. You snooze, you lose!” Yep, teasing Alex is becoming a fast favorite as well.
My feet touch the ground, and I spin on my toes to turn toward the shirtless Klaus and Derrick. I’d complain about these guys never wearing clothes, but the view makes my mouth water, and I rather enjoy it. Before I can take a step, Alex’s hands grip my waist and pull my back flush against his chest. His nose brushes up my neck, causing a shiver to run through my body until he reaches my ear. “Nope!” He says it the same way I had just a moment ago. “You can stay right here while you get those kisses…”
It suddenly gets really hot, who turned up the heat in here? I try to swallow... the way he said it sounds like he wants my good morning kisses to be anything but chaste. Derrick and Klaus clearly heard what he said, and they both share a glance, before Klaus gives a shrug and walks over.
Pinching my chin in his grip, Klaus tilts my head up toward him. His lips are soft against mine, and his tongue instantly seeks entrance to deepen the kiss. Yep, not going to be an innocent kiss. I’m surprised Klaus is the one who made the first move to play Alex’s game. Because surely that’s what this is... We only had one kiss like this so far, certainly something I need to remedy.
I melt into Klaus’ body as Alex holds me up. My body feels like it’s going into overload with all the sensations it’s experiencing. Having gone from minimal touching, to five hundred years of nothing, to four hands on me at once... okay, yeah, a girl could get used to this.
As Klaus devours me, Alex slides his hands around my hips again, finding the space between my shirt and the sleep shorts I put on before bed. His fingers trace small circles, leaving a teasing touch along the exposed hemlines. “That’s it, Angel. Hopefully after your time with Derrick the other night, you can imagine what those kisses would feel like somewhere else…”
Fuck, Alex plays dirty. An embarrassingly loud moan escapes as I imagine what Alex just suggested. How it gets out I’m not quite sure, with how thoroughly Klaus is kissing me. Hearing his words, Klaus begins to suck on the tip of my tongue. My knees go weak and Alex has to tighten his hold on me.
If I thought my body was on fire just being sandwiched earlier, now with Alex touching me, I’m an inferno. A volcano ready to erupt. By the time Klaus pulls away, my nipples are hard enough to cut glass, and I haven’t decided if I want Alex’s hands to travel up or down. I just know I want more... Right. Fucking. Now.
Derrick steps up as soon as Klaus backs away wearing a smug grin. As if my heart needed to skip any beats right now, Derrick gives me a smile full of—dare I say it—love, causing my heart to stop. Gently holding both sides of my face, Derrick starts off giving me soft kisses all over my cheeks, nose, and forehead. While he peppers my face, Alex trails his touch down my arms until he reaches my hands. Grabbing my wrists, Alex places my palms on Derrick’s toned abs.
“Now let’s try this again, no need to keep your hands to yourself, Angel. You can touch, too.” Shit. I’ve been so distracted by all the touching, I’ve forgotten to do anything but breathe. My hands shake with all the desire coursing through my body. Alex’s hands stay on mine as they travel up Derrick’s chest.
When he’s sure I’m not going to stay complacent again, Alex’s hands travel up my arms again, continuing to travel down to my waist where his hands were originally. I swear if he keeps them there, I may just remind him to move them like he did for me. Derrick still hasn’t kissed my lips, which is what I asked him to do originally... the inspiration for all of this.
