Page 83

Is that what they all are becoming?

I’m so comfortable with Wolf, having known him since I was little, yet Eiden and Seven feel right, too, like I’ve known them for far longer than I have.

Eiden helps me out of the water. We both dry off in a fluffy towel. And then he leaves me to get dressed, which is when Blue nudges his head around the door and makes a beeline for me. He accepts a pet, his tail beating from side to side so fast that his whole body wriggles.

“Are you hungry?”

Woof!

“Don’t fall for his dramatics,” Eiden says, standing in the doorway with a grin. “He has been eating the finest steak. The cook has also discovered he has a fondness for carrots and crunches them with relish. Come on, Blue. Let’s leave our doe mistress to finish dressing.”

Blue, his tail still wagging, slinks over to Eiden.

I wash my hands and slip on my shoes. When I enter the main room, there is a breakfast spread on the patio table. Eiden sits on the side of the table nearest to me. Seven and Wolf are talking amiably on the other side.

But it is none of them that I linger on, and a familiar quickening in my lower belly is for Nox, who turns to glance back at me.

Goodness, nothing should be able to stir me after all the pleasure I had yesterday and this morning.

“Come and sit here,” Eiden says brightly, indicating the chair between him and Nox.

I glance at Wolf. He only smiles and goes back to his discussion with Seven.

Unexpectedly nervous in the face of this amiable domesticity, I slip into the chair between them with Nox on my left and Eiden on my right.

Blue has found a sunny spot on the balcony and is lying down. His ears are pricked up as if anticipating another treat.

“He has settled in well. We do not keep pets here. Everyone who meets him is curious and then instantly smitten,” Eiden says. “Persa has already mentioned getting one for her children. Where she might have to venture to find one is another matter… You must be hungry. What would you like to eat?” Eiden busies himself pouring me tea before drawing the platter closer so I can pick something I like.

His sweet scent lingers, wrapping around me like a warm, comforting caress.

I select a golden croissant that makes my mouth water just by picking it up—and bite down with a groan… then jerk when I feel Nox’s hand against my thigh.

I cut a glance at the brooding male.

He continues eating.

And begins to lift my gown.

Eiden chooses to capture my free hand and begins to brush his thumb over the back.

“Is your croissant tasty, little doe?” Nox says, eating his breakfast with his left hand as if nothing untoward is going on.

I think about stopping him. I should stop him. But my heart is pounding out of my chest and stopping him requires either dropping my croissant or snatching my hand from Eiden, who has now settled our joined hands against the table. My eyes dart to Wolf. He does not appear to be paying any attention and is still talking to Seven.

My skirt comes higher still. I feel Nox’s calloused fingers against my upper thigh.

“What are you doing,” I whisper-hiss, refusing to make eye contact with Nox again. The table is wide. If I keep my voice low, Seven and Wolf won’t hear.

Eiden frowns. He glances down and swallows audibly when he sees what Nox is up to.

“Open your legs for me, little doe,” Nox says in a low, even tone that nevertheless carries command.

Eiden moans lowly.

“I had a rule,” I mumble, trying not to think about his fingertips drawing circles ever closer to the apex of my thighs.

“Technically, this is not breaking the rule,” Eiden says.