“No?” He smiles, his tone light and teasing once again. “Then why, Little Bird?”
“Because I love you, Baz Redgrave. It’s as simple and as complicated as that.”
He pulls me in for another kiss, picking me up off the couch and carrying me into the bedroom just as Kirin’s stepping out of the bathroom. He’s wearing nothing but a towel, his muscles hard and slick.
A soft whimper escapes my lips.
Baz laughs, tightening his hold on me. “So, are we drawing straws tonight?”
Kirin takes one look at me and Baz, then at the bed, then back to me and Baz. “I’ll… I’ll take the guest room. Let you guys catch up. Or whatever.”
“Oh no you don’t,” I say, wriggling until Baz sets me down.
“Okay, so I’m taking the guest room?” Baz asks, his disappointment washing over me in waves.
“I have a better idea.” I look from one to the other, my heart rate kicking up, my mind churning with possibilities, everything in me hoping like hell they’re on board with this. “Why don’t you both stay with me tonight.”
“All together?” Kirin asks. “In the same bed.”
I nod. “I don’t want to be more than six inches away from either of you.”
“That might be a problem,” Baz teases, “considering I’ve got at leastnineinches of—”
“And Kirin’s got ten,” I say brightly, flashing a big grin. “But who wants to do math in the bedroom? Am I right?”
Without another word, I strip out of my clothes and climb into the bed, my body trembling with anticipation. Nerves. Giddiness.
“Did she really just do that?” Baz asks Kirin.
“You mean strip naked and get into bed? Yes, I believe she did.” He drops his towel and beelines for the bed. Not one to be left behind, Baz tears his clothes off so fast he practically shreds them.
Warmth rushes over me as my men surround me, the three of shifting around under the blankets to find the best position. Lying naked between them, I feel safe and warm and protected in a way I haven’t since… Well, since ever.
The brotherhood oath has never meant more to me than it does now. But this thing between us… It’s so much more than loyalty and protectiveness. I’m in love with them. And I want to be with them tonight. Not just naked cuddling, as sexy as this is, butreallybe with them.
Together.
In this bed.
At the same time.
I take a deep breath, shore up my courage.
Truths and lies have this in common—both are easier in the dark.
“Guys?” I whisper. “Are you still awake?”
“Yes,” comes the unanimous reply. Their breathing is rough and shallow, and I know that if I pressed my hands to their chests, I’d feel the same wild rhythm that’s currently banging in mine.
“I need to tell you something.”
The silence is so heavy, I swear I can hear those wild hearts beating.
“The Arcana bond may have brought us together,” I say. “But the feelings I have for you are… something else. I’m… I’m in love with you. Both of you. And I want to be with you tonight. Like… the three off us…” I trail off, not entirely sure how to put my desires into words.
“You know how I feel about you,” Kirin whispers into my hair.
“Me too,” Baz says.
