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Zayden gives me a heated once-over. “You want to keep sharing a bed with all of us?”

I ignore the suggestion in his tone, hoping that Yale doesn’t pick up on it. “I don’t care. And it means Yale can work without freezing to death in the largest murder house in North America.” I gesture around us. “Because people definitely died here.”

“Only a few.” Yale grins and stands. “I’m working from the bedroom, then. I want to be the first to remind Xavier of his antics when he wakes up.”

He closes his laptop and leaves me alone with my husband.

Zayden runs his hand down his face, stubble bristling against his palm, and I go to him and straddle his lap. He rests his head against my chest, and as I run my fingers through his hair, I feel his body relax somewhat.

“You’re stressed.”

He hums quietly. “Understatement.”

Worry unfurls in my stomach, because he takes so much of this on alone. Even I ask too much of him. “You need to delegate more.”

“I can handle it.”

“And when you can’t?” I kiss his temple. “Yale and Xavier are more than capable, Zayden. You can’t do this forever.”

“Except I always have. And even if I wanted to, now is not the time to put more on their shoulders.” I sit up and he runs his fingertips over my necklace, the blue swallow pendant in midflight resting against my chest. “Should we talk about this morning?”

“You want to discuss our sex life now?”

“Yep.” He smiles, then searches my eyes. “What does it mean? How it makes us feel to …”

“I don’t know.” I swallow hard, my heart warring between terror at losing them and excitement at bringing this to life. “What if it ruins everything?”

“What if it makes it even better?”

My exhale is shaky. “Do you want this? With them?”

“All I know is, ever since we started exploring this side of ourselves, I’ve struggled with who it should be. If it’s a stranger, we can walk away, never see them again … but that also might put your comfort into question. First time with a total stranger is never going to hit the mark.”

I huff in agreement. “Too true.”

“But with people you trust? People I trust? All I want is to see you get everything you need. Our bond is strong enough if we decide after that it isn’t for us.” This is wild. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever considered in my life. It felt like a huge step to even look at another person, but this … “What’s your gut feeling, Q? Go with that, and I’ll follow.”

I bite my lip then meet his eye. “Excitement.”

He smiles. “Same.”

“Oh my God, are we doing this?”

“If they agree.”

I blanch. It hadn’t even occurred that Xavier and Yale might say no. Especially Xavier. He might have offered to bone me earlier, but he was also very, very high.

“I still think testing the waters could be a good idea,” he says. “Especially with Yale.”

“Really?” I blink. “I thought more with Xavier.”

“Please, the undercurrent of your dislike for each other will probably help.” Another huff of agreement from me. Hate sex can sometimes be the best. “But Yale is your best friend. That might be weirder.”

God, that’s true. What if it feels like kissing my brother? If we all agree to this and mid-action I get sibling vibes …

“You’re right.” I grimace. “But how?”

“I guess just … talk to him. See what feels natural. I trust you, baby.”