Byron must have been thinking of how I appreciated the gorgeous scenery in the woods. It isn’t a bad choice at all.
Even Salvatore seems to get into the art film, letting out a low whistle at a particularly spectacular rush of imagery that comes with a swell of the music.
Asher slides his arm around mine, his gloved fingers clasping my hand. His thumb glides over my knuckles with the rhythm of the melody.
I’m not sure he even notices when his other hand drifts over to stroke my forearm. His fingertips tease up and down over the fabric of my sweatshirt, stirring a deeper heat that brings a flush rising to my face.
They skim a little higher past the sensitive skin of my inner elbow, and my next breath comes with a hint of a gasp.
Asher freezes with a twitch of his hand away. “Oh—sorry, I didn’t mean?—”
“No,” I say quickly. My blush burns my cheeks. “I, um… It feels good.”
Asher pauses for a moment, his bright green eyes so intent on me I can’t look away. He trails his fingers up my arm again, and I give his other hand an encouraging squeeze.
The guy who was my best friend in another world keeps watching me rather than the screen, as if he can’t tear himself away, even after I turn my gaze back to the TV. I’m vaguely aware that Cole has stepped aside to give us more space, that Byron and Salvatore have glanced over, but nearly all my awareness has narrowed to the delicious tendrils of sensation spreading over my skin.
The first time Asher’s knuckles brush the side of my breast, I think it might be an accident. But the flare of desire the simple contact provokes has me biting my lip, and I know he sees my reaction.
He repeats the gesture more purposefully, caressing thecurve of my chest. Crossing lines we never dared in my old reality.
We didn’t know we were matches there. We had so many reasons for caution.
Here… it’s nothing but right.
When he strokes his thumb right over the peak of my breast, pebbling the nipple through the two layers of fabric, I can’t hold in another gasp.
Salvatore shifts by my feet with an approving hum. “That’s what our match needs from us.”
He teases his own fingers over my calf, lifting the cuff of the sweatpants to caress me skin to skin. Byron watches with a smolder in his dark gaze before lowering his head to press his lips to the crook of my neck.
My whole body floods with an intoxicating heat that sweeps every other thought away. My eyelids dip low as I float in the pleasure of it, ignoring the knot of need forming between my legs.
There’s no need to rush anything. I want to savor every moment with these men.
Asher fully cups my breast, and I arch instinctively into his touch. He exhales raggedly.
Then he yanks himself away.
He balls his hands on his lap, his eyes ablaze and his voice thick. “I don’t think I should keep going, not when we don’t want to wake up my glim unprepared. It’ll be too easy to get carried away.”
My body pangs at the loss of contact, but the conflict in his admission overwhelms any regret.
I smile at him. “We’ll have lots of time.”
And we really will, in this new reality I was dragged into.
Cole comes around the side of the sofa with a clearing of his throat. He taps Asher’s shoulder. “I think it might be best if we head home now. Give the rest of our union some space for the rest of the night.”
My face flares even hotter at his insinuation, but there’s no judgment in the words. I can’t imagine how hard it would be for him to hold himself back if he had to keep watching the other men with me.
“You don’t have to—we can go back to just enjoying the movie,” I feel the need to say.
Cole’s smile is wry. “I think you need this too, from the matches who can offer it. No hard feelings. Make the most of the suite. Just ensure you’re out before check-out time tomorrow morning.”
They slip out, leaving me with the two men who are already my lovers.
Salvatore chuckles and kisses my knee. “I like the professor more already. We do need to take care ofallour match’s needs.”
