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Jax let out a soft whine behind me. “Uh, sorry about that.” He sounded embarrassed, like his wolf had come out on his own.
I finally drew away from Aaron and turned to look at Jax, then back and forth between them. “Thanks for being so supportive and sweet through all of this. Both of you.” I squeezed each of their arms. “The two of you have been amazing. I’m the luckiest girl.”
Aaron kissed my forehead, his cheeks reddening, body heat rising. “Anything for you,” he said, his voice hoarse. Then a cheeky grin broke out across his square-jawed face. “And I won’t forget what your mom said about the spring rolls.”
Laughing, I turned and kissed him again. It was rougher this time, his scruff scraping more, and his tongue delving, his mouth stretching mine wider. My head was tingling, the joyous feeling spreading across my limbs, down into my stomach, making something deep within me pulse. Before it could turn into something more, I forced myself to stop. This wasn’t the right time or place. And we had an audience.
Jax I was okay with, but Osric?
I took a deep breath and faced Jax. “You’ve been there for me since this all started. I won’t ever forget.”
“I’m so glad your mom is okay.” Jax brushed a lock of hair away from my face and reached out for a hug.
Still on a high from the moment with Aaron and needing my wolf too, I plunged myself into his arms, feeling the hard muscle of his pecs press tight against my chest.
“Hell of a hug,” he murmured against my shoulder.
“You’re getting a kiss too,” I teased.
We shifted enough for our mouths to join. Jax’s tongue met mine so tenderly. He worked my lips with such gentle care. In the final seconds though, there was an animal edge to it all, rougher nips of my lips, a strengthening growl reverberating in his chest. Before we could get carried away—and risk his arms shifting again—I reminded myself about this not being the right time and pulled away. His eyes shone with the yellow of his wolf, but he gave me a gentle look of understanding.
“That was a hell of a thank you.” Jax leaned in and rubbed his nose against mine.
“You deserve it and more.”
But I couldn’t forget about Osric. I owed him a lot too. He hadn’t made a sound or moved a muscle since turning off the TV. I guessed he must’ve been watching this whole time…
Taking a deep breath, trying to compose myself, I stood. My cheeks were flushed and my body humming from my good news and celebrating with my guys.
I still couldn’t believe I could call Aaron and Jax both mine, but they were. Of course, our kisses had just made that pretty obvious. But they’d made their intentions clear to me earlier today too and they couldn’t have been getting along better. If this was whatsharingmeant, it was more than fine by me. Just like I’d told myself since first meeting them, I wouldn’t push away something special or second guess myself.
Smiling broadly at Osric, I opened my arms. “You’ve done so much to help too. May I hug you?”
He still didn’t move an inch. And his usual cool confidence vanished. His eyes darted between my open arms then Jax and Aaron. “Uh, yes?”
“Go on,” Aaron encouraged. “You’ve earned a thank you. She wants to give it.” It was like he was coaching his friend, but I wasn’t sure why that was needed. What was going on with Osric?
Osric slowly opened his arms to me. But I had to do all the work, pressing against him, and wrapping my arms around his waist. His torso was just as firm as my two guys, but leaner, not nearly as large. He finally closed his embrace around my shoulders. But he hugged me so gently, and his arms rested so lightly on me, there was a hesitancy to it, making me wonder if he’d reverted back to being wary of humans.
I felt too shy to give him a kiss on the cheek, so I just rested my head on the cool, neatly pressed cotton of his shirt. He nestled his nose into my hair, sighing, breathing contentedly, inhaling deeply. Making me rethink the hesitancy he’d just had.
“I think you really like my shampoo.” I joked.
He jerked free, clearing his throat quickly, straightening his shirt collar, and leaning back against the kitchen counter.
“I was only teasing.” I blushed.
His tone turned cool, almost business-like. “Well, no thanks needed.”
“I really appreciated all the help. It was a lot more than you needed to do, as Aaron’s friend.”
“I’m very glad your mother seems well. It must be quite a relief.”
Osric and I had suddenly seemed to take several steps backwards in our relationship. Gathering myself, stuttering slightly, I replied, “Yeah—yes, you have no idea. I—”
“I’ll still be spending my nights here with you though, if that’s okay?” Aaron spoke up from the couch, seeming to understand I was floundering. “A killer on the loose, your mom not here. I’m not happy about you being alone.” He flipped open the last pizza box, revealing an untouched pie. “Jax, I already know you’re staying. Osric, you’re welcome too. If that works for Ceci.” He gave his best friend a knowing look I couldn’t decipher.
Osric shifted his stance in an almost nervous fashion. “You know I’ll be around…”
