Page 90 of Give Me Peace

As we follow behind Krew, I decide to put my lack of core strength to the test. I slip my leg around Roan, starting a slow scoot around his side. Like a baby bear trying to climb a tree. If it were weak and lacking basic bear skills. When I finally align with his front, I’m a sweaty mess. My noodle arms shake from the strain and my hair has mostly fallen from the knot it was in. I brush a few strands from my face, finding Roan’s bright green eyes watching me with interest.

“You good now?” His lip quirks to the side, making his dimples pop out.

“Yep.” I sigh when he takes my weight. “Needed a change of scenery. I like this view better.”

“That so?” Roan questions softly, trailing his hand up my spine before gripping the back of neck. I groan as he works the knots out, dropping my head back to stare at the darkening sky. His steps slow, but he continues massaging my tense muscles.

“You’re fucking exquisite. You know that?” He presses his face to my throat and inhales deeply. “I love the way you smell. Like coconut and honey.” He licks me, tasting the salt of my sweat above any lingering bodywash. I pull back, letting our breaths mix as we look at one another. His hair is down today, so I take the opportunity to run my fingers through the soft, ash-colored strands. Roan sighs, sweetly nudging my nose with his. Unable to wait another second, I lift my chin and kiss him. His tongue strokes mine, tangling us together in a heady mix of bliss and agony.

Thunder cracks through the quiet, causing us both to jump. We laugh it off, but I glance at the ominous looking clouds rolling in over the ocean. The waves have picked up, churning the calm water into choppy swells. It’s summertime in Florida—also known as the rainy season. Showers tend to be sporadic, sometimes lasting only a few minutes, and then the sun will reappear and scorch everything in its wake. This looks more like a storm.

“Let’s get inside, baby girl.” Roan tucks me close and quickens his pace. Poor Mr. Shit for Luck. I’m thinking he’s going to be waterlogged by the time Kash is able to proceed with his funeral. We slip inside just as the rain hits, coming down in sheets so thick it’s hard to make out anything past the deck area. Roan sets me on my feet, holding me by the elbow until my stiff legs decide to cooperate. I head to the kitchen to help Lochlan, who’s busy plating a stack of BLT’s while trying to toe open the pantry door at the same time. I brush him aside and grab the bag of chips he was going for.

“I’ll never be able to look at a fucking seagull without hate,” Havok growls, stomping through the garage door. He’s soaked from head to toe, looking seconds from committing a mass murdering of innocent birds. Kash saunters in behind him, shaking his body like a wet dog. A pleased grin splits his face, which only enrages Havok more. “You’re love drunk, and it’s turned you into a sentimental pain in the ass. My ass, to be specific.”

“Sorry, bro.” Kash pats his cheeks lovingly. “I’m not into guys. The only ass I plan to bring any pain to is our girl’s.” I snort and choke at the same time—at a loss for words—but shock fails to make an appearance. Kash’s lack of filter no longer fazes me. Havok’s icy blue eyes connect with mine, glinting with devilry. A sinful grin quirks his mouth as he takes deliberate steps in my direction. He’s barely a foot away when I realize his plan.

“Havok.” I throw my hand out in a poor attempt to ward him off.

“Say Baby,” he calls out seductively. “Come here and let me hold you.” Havok swoops in before I can map out an escape, wrapping his tattooed arms around my body. My scream breaks into a laugh as he spins us around, nuzzling his wet hair all over me. He croons a love song against my ear—horribly—as we sway to a beat only he can here. “I love you, pretty girl.”

“I love you, too.” I press my lips to his, keeping it short and sweet, conscious of the audience we have.

Since we’re supposed to have some sketchy weather for the next day or two, we decide to puppy pile in the living room for the night. While the guys pull out extra blankets and pillows, Havok and I head to change. I’m in the closet, searching for a pair of panties when he walks in like he owns the place. His heated eyes devour my naked flesh, staring at me hungrily.

Before I can protest, he drops to his knees and throws my leg over his shoulder. Havok doesn’t tease me or work his way up to hot and heavy. He buries his face between my thighs, licking and sucking my clit with such intensity I think I might black out from the onslaught. I come so quickly it catches me off guard. Slapping my hand out, I grip the doorframe and bite the inside of my arm. My muffled scream still punctures the silence. As he eases my leg back down and I slump against the dresser, I absently wonder if Roan will be pissed if he heard me. Sight and sound are two very different things.

“Fucking delicious,” Havok groans, slamming his mouth over mine. I taste myself, but it doesn’t bother me. “Dinner’s waiting, Say.” He walks out, leaving me to sort myself before joining the others. My legs are jello, but I manage to finish dressing and head back to the living room looking somewhat put together. I breathe a sigh of relief when no one comments on our disappearing act, plopping down next to Krew on the massive pallet they made. The remainder of our night goes by without a hitch as we eat and binge MasterChef.

“Anyone want cookies?” Kash hops up, planning to make some regardless of how we answer. It’s a resounding yes from all of us, so I pause the show while he starts the oven. Well, everyone but Havok it seems.

“Nah,” he comments lazily. “I’ve already had dessert.” He winks at me, sending a furious blush over my entire body.

They damn sure know what we were doing now.

Chapter Forty-Three

Saylor

I woke to being bookended by two eerily identical men. Snug between Kash and Krew, I decided to ignore the obvious erection poking me in the ass. I was too comfortable to move, and the rain battering against the slider lulled me right back to sleep. There was a moment, while we stretched and groaned, when our positions became a bit more obvious. The two of them shared a look I couldn’t quite decipher, but my imagination is doing a decent job of filling in the blanks.

After folding up our mess of blankets, I head to my room for a quick shower. It’s gloomy out, so I opt for a sweatshirt, leggings, and my favorite pair of fuzzy socks to lounge around in. The guys are already waiting at the dining table, so I take my seat and smile gratefully at the plate of pancakes Havok hands me. It’s almost noon, so our breakfast is more of a brunch, but I love our morning ritual of eating together. Sometimes it’s chaos, and others, like today, we’re too tired to talk and the silent company is enough. Stuffed and unable to force down another bite, I give my unfinished food to Kash and rest my head on his shoulder.

“I’m bored,” he mumbles, shoving the last of my leftovers in his mouth.

“You’ve been awake for half an hour.” Lochlan stares at his phone, refusing to entertain Kash’s whining. “Would you like to inventory the arms room? I’m sure we’re due for a resupply of ammo.”

“Hard pass.” Kash slashes a hand through the air, completely dismissing the idea. The man is way too much of a busybody to sit still for very long. Menial tasks like that would drive him crazy in a matter of minutes. If it’s not a movie or game he’s invested in, Kash drifts, quickly moving to the next thing that tickles his fancy. Makes me wonder how he spent hours behind his computer, searching for me and probing the darkest corners of the internet for victims of human trafficking. Kash has spent so little time working since I’ve been here. I just hope that’s by choice and not because he thinks I need to be entertained twenty-four-seven.

I’m about to suggest a movie or boardgame when the lights flicker. A loud boom of thunder makes me jump, followed shortly by a streak of lightning cracking across the sky. The power goes out, blanketing us in darkness. My hackles rise immediately. I’ve come pretty far with most things, but the dark has not been one of them. Instinctively, I grapple for Lochlan’s hand, my brain reverting back to that moment in the hospital when he so easily offered his touch to keep me grounded to the here and now.

He picks up on my slight distress without me needing to say a word. Using his foot, Lochlan snags the leg of my chair and tugs me closer. Secure on his lap and tucked against his chest, I take a few calming breaths and let the anxiety fade away. It’s not even that dark now that my eyes have adjusted. The tint is off on the slider, allowing the grey-tinged sky to shed some light on the situation. My fear isn’t nearly as debilitating as it was, but I hate that it’s there at all.

“I’ve got it!” Kash snaps his fingers excitedly. “How about strip poker?” Roan’s glare makes me smile. He struggles to take a joke, while Kash doesn’t know when to not make one. The combination typically results in someone getting smacked upside the head. Kash is the someone.

“Kidding,” he placates. “I actually have a legit idea to help us pass the time. But I need you to trust me, sweetness. Can you do that?” His shift in tone makes me sit up straighter. Anytime Kash grows serious, I make it a point to give him my full attention.

“The last time you asked me that, you carted me off—kicking and screaming, I might add—into shark infested waters. Which clearly have more Jaws types than Bruno, who thinks fish are friends, not food. Mr. Shit for Luck, God rest his soul, is testament to the savagery living in those inky blue depths.”