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It did take a lot of convincing on my part to get the guys to let me come but I managed it. Okay, so Ezra needed no convincing whatsoever, but I rewarded him for his infallible support and back-up with anextremecuddle session that left me walking awkward for two days. Kai, who I know for a fact agreed right away, pretended to be unsure until I got on my knees for him, where his protests were swallowed as surely as his dick was.
Nic…well, Nic needed a bit more convincing. He is still the most stubborn and overprotective asshole that has ever graced the earth. But he did fall eventually. Though, that one took an entire screaming match over the course of like, five hours, and then another few hours full of hate-fueled fuckery and oaths of his eternal ownership over me and my body. Which, by the way, I give as willingly as I give him my attitude and insults.
My feminism takes a jolly hike when it comes to a dominant man in the sack. Slap me on the ass and call me a good girl and I’ll say or do anything you want me to. But try it outside of the bedroom and you’re liable to lose a limb.
I know without a shadow of a doubt that I’m not the only one. I see you thirsty bitches, I know your secrets. Don’t lie to me.
Good girl.
“Anyways, I was just about to go grab a drink. Ezra, darling, wanna help me out?” I smile sweetly up at my giant brick wall, my heart flipping when he grunts softly and starts leading me away from whatever mess Nic and Kai will be left to handle with Alan. “That was a beautiful ceremony by the way, Bass. Thanks for having us!”
“Of course, Wicked. Ava was so excited that you could make it, she absolutely adores you and your raccoons!”
“Sorry I couldn’t bring them. I think your wedding planner had a full-blown aneurysm when I even brought up the idea of it!” I shout as I wave at him behind me, his laughter trailing away as he leaves the guys and goes back to enjoying his reception. Good. He doesn’t need to deal with any of the added drama on his big day.
Ezra’s touch is soft, yet firm and unyielding as he guides me through the throng of party-goers to reach the bar area before ordering me a drink. I pay no attention to whatever he got me. Instead, I simply enjoy the feel of his large, calloused hands on my bare skin as I try my best to keep my gift locked down to avoid the influx of so many auras and vibrations.
I hate crowds because of the absolute chaos that assaults my mind, but when one of the guys is touching me…somehow, it all goes just a little bit quieter. It becomes a little bit easier to rein it in.
Ezra is actually the best at it too, but it’s probably because he’s already so naturally quiet and calm, his aura never wavering or offering its own additive to my already swamped mind. He’s the impenetrable brick wall that surrounds me, holding me steady, keeping me calm, and giving me the most precious gift of all.
The feeling of safety.
After the barkeep hands us our glasses, I take a sip and revel in the surprisingly strong fruity drink as it burns a trail to my stomach. An open bar is definitely a must at any wedding, and I make a mental note to thank Bass and Ava for their superb decision skills in that regard.
With the small buzz coursing through my veins and the still unfamiliar feeling of trust and safety that Ezra erects within me, I open my gift up and allow myself to feel the room. It’s not that I have as good of a grasp at holding back as Nana does, but lately my control over it has gotten surprisingly stronger, so I’m actually able to hold most of it off.
And what’s even more shocking, is that when I open it fully and let everything in at once, my usual panic and unease is completely absent. Strong waves of joy and exhilaration flood me, but there’s no overwhelming weight or suffocating chaos ready and waiting to drag me under. Flashes of dancing, laughter, and even a few bathroom hook-ups are all at the forefront. It’s just pure, happy celebration that swirls around me and it is…beautiful.
I bask in the glow of the light and carefree room, switching my focus from the elderly couple dancing in a tight and loving embrace, to the crowd of kids spilling and falling over each other in giggly silliness, to…
What was that?
My brow furrows as my focus lasers in on one lone shadow amidst the merriment. The incredibly strong anger and pain is like a pitch black stroke of paint on a bright, colorful canvas. The aura is familiar in a way and my heart ratchets up in my chest, pounding painfully against my ribs as I try to place it among the now distracting frenzy of the partygoers. It swirls violently, whipping out with ill intent and pure…madness. So much so that I am unable to hone in on it. My gift keeps getting shoved back, warded by the unhinged nature of it.
“Ez-” I try to point out the person and get some answers about who it is when a crash sounds to our left, cutting loudly through the music and voices in the room. Ezra pulls me roughly behind him, shielding me from the direction it came from, and I lose focus as the room is instantly on high alert, every single person in the vicinity on edge and scrambling to figure out what’s going on.
Suddenly, Ezra’s form softens and laughter builds up as those closest to us find the source of the commotion. He turns to me, brushing off my dress and stroking my hair out of my face. His way of making sure I’m alright, I suppose.
“Sorry ladies and gents! It…uh…seems I might have had one too many, eh?” A very slurred voice picks up from behind Ezra and the rest of the room returns to what it’s doing as they realize that everything is alright.
“Just the father of the bride. Drunk. Crashed into a waiter with glasses in his hands. You’re okay.” Ezra's deep, gravelly tone softly answers my unspoken question as his hand lingers on my cheek. It’s at that moment that I realize just how tense my entire body is. Forcing myself to relax, it takes my heart a bit longer to follow the rest of my muscles, but I do manage to stop it from pumping adrenaline through my system at the fear I didn’t even know had encompassed me.
“Thanks, Brick.” I lean into his touch before turning my head back towards the room, my focus scanning the area to find the person who had my attention before the interruption, but no one is there. It’s just brightness and residual laughter at the father of the bride’s expense. Not one speck of darkness.
“What are you looking for, Wick?” A voice surfaces in my ear and I squeak out in surprise, my arm instantly winding up and going for a punch. Before my fist makes contact, a strong grip halts its momentum and I am spun away from Ezra and pulled flush against a hard, athletic body. “Woah there, Rocky! Didn’t we talk about tryingnotto punch the people we love anymore?”
My mouth involuntarily hikes up in a grin and I press further against him. “Who said anything about love, Kai? I’m just barely learning to tolerate you at this point.”
“Ah ah, Wicked, your mouth is way too pretty to spew such filth.” His rough timber tone is playful, his aura flashing with promise and lust, and my body heats at the thoughts running through his head. “You don’t have to lie to me. It’s okay. I won’t tell daddy if you fall in love with me first. Your secrets are always safe with me.”
“You have to stop calling me that.” Nic’s accent is thicker and strained, his aura frazzled with frustration and irritation. Kai ignores his interruption, nuzzling into the crook of my neck and nipping at the sensitive skin in that oh so delicious way that has me almost panting right there in a room full of people.
And just like that, I’msoready to go home.
“Izabella?” Nic interjects once more and I turn my face towards his, conveniently allowing Kai more access to somewhat inappropriately continue his ministrations on my neck. I moan slightly and lust thickens the air around me from multiple sources before Nic clears his throat irately and continues. “Could I have this dance, please?”
I freeze in place, the blood in my extremities quickly abandoning its job and rising to my cheeks. Even Kai stops biting and kissing at me, his head snapping up towards Nic as well. I choke out a chuckle, not sure I heard him correctly, but when he doesn’t say anything more, the sound fades and dies a pitifully awkward death in the back of my throat.
