Page 101 of Tears of Gold

“Skye!” I cry in embarrassment.

Harper chokes. Then his head bobs in amusement. “Touché!”

“Touché? What does that mean?”

I mumble the answer, “It means you scored a point.”

Skye’s happy chuckle rumbles through my back. “I like that.”

Suddenly, Harper sprawls across the bed as Erritt kicks his back. “I was blue for two weeks because of your stupid prank!”

Harper rolls with a laugh. “At least you could ice it!”

Skye laughs as Erritt tackles him, and they wrestle on the bed. When Erritt winces, Harper draws back, lifting his hands in surrender. He looks up at Skye. “So, what are we going to do now?”

Skye’s chuckle is pure wickedness. “I thought you’d never ask! It’s time to train.”

“Shit!” Harper hisses. “No way! We’re on vacation!”

“Well, your break is over!”

Harper rolls his eyes, then fixes me with a piercing look.

I shrug deeply and hold my hands out. “Sorry!”

He laughs. “No, I was just wondering if you were in pain?”

“Yeah, it’s a bit ouchy.”

“You go back to bed. I’ll make breakfast.”

I nod, feeling so cherished. “I’ll just change the sheet first.”

Harper holds out his hand to stop me, then pushes Erritt off the bed and strips off the sheet. “Skye, is there another?”

Skye shakes his head.

Harper puffs the pillows and waves his hand across the mattress. “Voila. Your bed is made!”

I snort with amusement and finish dressing. Erritt seeks me out and holds my hand as he kisses me gently. I nuzzle into his neck. “I think I’ll be fine. I’ll just be a bit slow for a few days.” Assuming my heart doesn’t spasm, but the fact it’s not crippling me yet is a good sign.

“Okay,” Erritt whispers back.

“Skye, water and washing—that’s your domain, right?” Harper teases from the back of the room, throwing the sheet at Skye.

Erritt and I chuckle together as Skye swears at him and chases him outside. My heart swells with happiness.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Skye

Once we’ve finished breakfast and cleaned up, I gently settle Ava back in bed and kiss her cheek. Her heart flutters in my awareness, despite the muted ache coursing through her body. I’ve never known her to be so happy. I smile, knowing we made the right move bringing Harper into the family.

Even I’ve been surprised at how easily he fits in with us, and I’m more sexually open-minded than most. There are times when I catch a deep whiff of him, especially when the sex pheromones are pumping, and I feel like devouring him in every way, but he’s not ready for anything like that. However, the chemistry that happens when we’re all over Ava together is something that’s new and eye opening, even for someone experienced in group sex. I’m glad I trusted my instinct about the rogue because he’s good for us, and he’s good for Ava.

The smell of her metallic bleeding mixes with the cinnamon spice of her body as I tuck the blanket around her. I can also smell the three of us on her skin, which makes me rumble with deep satisfaction. I drag my gaze from the delicate line of her jaw. It will be difficult reining myself in now, so I better stay active.

“Alright, lazy asses!” I declare. “Time to let our princess sleep and earn some stripes.”