Page 37 of Finding Embers and Stars (Twin Flames Duet #1)
Chapter thirty-seven
H oly shit.
You could hear a pin drop in the room after Piper asks if today works for our bonding. I don’t think any of my brothers will object, but there are things I need to get off my chest before I move forward with my mates.
“Guys, can you give me a minute to talk to the girls?”
They all nod, gathering the empty dishes on their way out of the room and closing the door behind them.
There is no point in beating around the bush, I might as well show all my cards. “I know I’m a giant dick and I’m not going to rush you guys into bonding with me.”
Piper crawls across the bed to me while Sage turns in my arms, cupping my cheek. “Wyatt, I’ve forgiven you. What you went through as a child was horrific and it makes sense that you would be upset. What you said was a gut reaction in the heat of the moment and we’ve moved past it. Now it’s time for you to forgive yourself for fucking up.”
I shake my head. It feels like they are making this too easy. “I don’t feel like I’ve groveled enough.”
Sage snorts. “Groveling doesn’t mean shit to me. It’s going over the top in an attempt to make up for something. Groveling doesn’t fix anything. Communication, understanding, and an honest attempt to do better so this situation doesn’t get repeated is what matters. Don’t fly off the handle and let your mouth run away from your brain. That’s all we expect from you.”
Piper grins at me, “While I agree wholeheartedly with everything Sage just outlined, if you do feel the need to grovel, we accept massages, orgasms, and breakfast in bed. Any time, for any reason.”
Her wicked humor breaks the tension, and I finally let myself relax as the three of us laugh together.
We hear a soft knock on the door before Liam opens it and pokes his head in. “We heard laughing. Is it safe?”
I nod and everyone climbs back up on the bed with us. Sage leans back against my chest, eyeing my brothers. “Okay boys, we need to talk logistics. As much as I love her, I have no interest in seeing Piper’s O face.”
Piper shakes her head as she leans back into Milo’s chest. “Like I want to see yours? You probably look like a rabid raccoon.”
The shocked look on Sage’s face is hilarious but considering she’s sitting on my cock I manage to choke back my laughter. “Where the fuck did that come from, Pip?”
Piper grins at her, looking quite pleased with herself. “Well, you’re all spitty and growly before your morning cup of dirt-water, so I figured you’re the same when you’re getting railed. Based on the sounds I’ve heard coming from your room lately, I don’t need a visual to go with it.”
I watch in amusement as my brothers follow the verbal sparring between our mates. They look like they are watching a tennis match with the way they keep looking from one to the other and back again.
I shake my head at everyone. “Okay, let’s get back on track. We were talking logistics.”
Mav sits up. “Why can’t we just split up? Since Atlas and Sage are already bonded, we all should become bonded once we’ve done the deed.”
Sage leans forward out of my lap to grab her cell phone off the nightstand. I can’t resist the perfect view in front of me and sink my teeth into her plump butt cheek. Surprising a yelp out of her as she falls flat on her belly across the bed.
She glares at me, then crawls into Maverick’s lap, sending me a smirk as she gets settled. Holding up her phone, she says, “I have an idea. I’m going to call Rhoda. She will have the answers we seek.”
Piper shakes her head. “You know she hates it when you talk like a palm reader from the carnival.”
The phone starts ringing before Sage can respond and she switches it to speaker so we can all hear.
“Hello, my darling girls.” The voice is clearly amused, feminine, but powerful.
“Hello, our beautiful and all-knowing Amma.” Sage’s words bring on a round of laughter from Piper and Rhoda. I need to remember to ask her what the heck Amma means.
“We need your help. The group of us are talking about our bonding and we would rather pull this off without Piper and I seeing each other’s O faces. How can we bond as a group, but separately?”
More laughter comes over the speaker and as strange a thought as it is, I’m thrilled that my mates have someone like Rhoda in their lives. She clearly cares about them and has a good sense of humor, which I think is a requirement for anyone that wants to stay in their orbit for long.
“Okay girls, I’m going to get personal. In order to bond at the same time, you guys need to split off with whomever you haven’t knocked boots with yet.”
The girls break out in hysterical giggles at the looks on our faces. I don’t think any of us expected the conversation to go like this.
Sage regains her composure first, at least enough to say goodbye. “Thank you, Rhoda! We love you!”
Rhoda’s continued amusement is clear when she responds, “I love you, too. Just remember to be dressed as fast as you can. The Moon Goddess has seen enough naughty bits to last her several lifetimes.”
“Well, maybe the Moon Goddess should let the newly bonded enjoy their afterglow for a few minutes before she crashes the party?” Piper snarks as she hangs up the phone.
Sage clears her throat, a pink blush covering her cheeks. “Okay, so how are we doing this? We need to be separate, but close enough to come together when the Goddess shows up.”
Sage trails off and looks a bit lost and Piper is playing with the hem of her shirt, looking nervous.
I decide I might as well take the initiative since no one else seems to want to. “The cabana is still on the beach. One group could go there, and the others could go to the pool house, since it has a bed. Or we can use the girls’ rooms if that is more comfortable. Whatever will put you both at ease.”
Piper jumps up and rubs her hands together. “Since Sage was a greedy bitch and already got a piece of Milo, Walker, and Wyatt in her bed, I guess it’s my turn. I call dibs on the beach tent.” She spins and struts out of the room, leaving us all to scramble off the bed to follow her.