Page 35 of Covert (Ruthless Love #2)

Chapter thirty-two

Nikki

W e've started doing these small parties at the shop every week.

It's just a way for us to blow off steam after a long work week.

The boys will draw passion projects that don't always translate to tattoos or that customers haven't asked for yet.

It recharges their creative juices that tatting the same Tweety Bird or tribal just doesn't.

I've started drinking, although not as much as that first night.

I enjoy the warm buzz of just enough Champagne.

And I feel safe with the guys. And God, it's such a new and wonderful feeling.

I hadn't realized how much I needed this, feeling safe.

I don't think I've ever really felt safe. Not even before I ran away.

Leana and I are the only girls tonight, and I love how calm and relaxed Beckett looks. He's watching us from the wall, leaning against it, a small smile playing on his thick lips.

A wicked grin spreads across my face.

I dance over to him, rolling my hips seductively, giving him attention that he's not used to getting from a woman. He's come so far in his healing journey, and I'm so proud of him it makes my chest ache.

"What are you doing, trouble?" he asks, bringing a hand to my hip.

I turn in my flats, my ankle bracelet jingling, before I dance against him. I rub my ass against him shamelessly. He lost his virginity a week ago; it's like a dam exploded. It's all we can do to keep our hands off of each other long enough to make dinner and give some attention to the other guys .

They're great at sharing me, but we're all a little greedy, if I'm being honest. I can't get enough of them, and they can't get enough of me.

It's longing and belonging like I've never experienced before. It's even better than the smutty books I read. I can read all about love, and great sex, and happily-ever-afters, but to experience it is something different; something new. And I'm falling in love with my new life—and my new roommates.

Axel is as sweet as he is sexy. As tender as he is crass. As haunted as he is vulnerable. Maddox is demanding, commandeering, controlling, and so utterly careful with me, it's mindblowing. And Beckett is a prince in shining armor. He just needed someone to believe in him.

My grin widens as I feel him hardening against my ass. I lean my back into his chest as his big hand clasps around my hip.

"I'm asking you again. What are you doing trouble? You trying to get bent over this couch too?" he growls lowly in my ear. I snake one hand up his neck and through his long hair. The memory of the first night with all of them causing heat to rise to my chest.

"I'm sorry. What the fuck is going on right now?" Leana asks, her voice tinged with surprise and excitement.

My blush deepens, even as the alcohol loosens my inhibitions.

"We've been practicing," I say sheepishly. I want to brag about how far he's come and how proud I am of him, while at the same time wanting to keep our practices just to ourselves. Leana simply stares at me, dumbfounded, her mouth hanging slightly open.

"And you're..." ...fucking. She doesn't finish the sentence, but she doesn't have to.

Heat floods my face, and I can feel my hairline start to sweat.

I'm not embarrassed by sleeping with them.

I'm over the moon sleeping with them. They've given me a life I never thought possible.

They've made me feel more in the few months we've been together than I've felt in the ten years prior.

I've gotten so comfortable with what we've got going on. Our time together in the shop, our time together at home. I feel protected in our comfortable little bubble, and having someone shine a light directly at it makes me shy.

But this is me. I love sex. And the book club has been nagging me nonstop about finally sleeping with the guys. I just hadn't told them yet.

So, I bring my eyes to Leana's and let her see just how much we are...fucking.

Her eyes and smile widen, and she throws a fist in the air before coming back down. "All of them?" She's enjoying this way too much.

"Yes. All of them. Including Diesel."

Just then, the back door creaks open and Diesel himself presses through. He marches towards me, a grin tugging at his lips, before wrapping an arm around my lower back and pressing a kiss to my lips.

My knees go weak, but before I can react, he pulls away again, giving Beckett a nod and a "hey man" before plopping onto the couch next to Axel, who hands him an open beer bottle.

Maddox taps his bottle against Diesel's in greeting, and offers to deal him into the poker game that he and Axel are playing.

"Nah, man. My favorite show is on," Diesel says with a smile, tilting his head towards me.

They must have texted him. Is this really my life right now?

Four sexy, gorgeous men, whose favorite thing in this world is me?

My chest swells with pride. I've never felt proud before. It's new and addictive .

"You've got your own little harem, missy," Leana teases, interrupting my internal thoughts. She leans forward and says in a quieter, more serious tone. "I'm really happy for you. You deserve this."

I blush at her kind words. I don't know if I deserve this life - these men and this job. But I am grateful to be a part of it.