Page 53

Verity

I n the dim nest, the air had grown stuffy and warm, almost oppressively so, reeking of sex. My skin itched, and every bit of me hurt from scalp to toes. I tried to roll out from under the arm over me so I could use the bathroom before my bladder exploded.

As soon as I moved, the arm tightened around me. Ugh. I rolled another way. It tightened again. Ugh.

Reaching for a pillow, I stuffed it under the arm so I could escape. The idea of actually leaving the nest and making it all the way to the bathroom seemed daunting.

The need to pee was greater.

Like it was an obstacle course, I scooted past the bodies, untangled myself from the blankets, and rolled over the pillows.

The lights separating the nest from the room were in sight, and I tried to slip off the edge of the platform. My legs buckled, and I landed on the floor with a soft thump.

A head appeared through the curtain of fairy lights along with a hand.

“Up?” Dean asked, concern on his face.

“I’m trying to get to the bathroom.” I shook my head. While part of me wanted to be embarrassed, I was just too tired. All of me hurt.

“Okay.” He crawled out of the nest, scooped me up, and carried me to the bathroom, nose wrinkling a bit.

My skin was crusty and I reeked.

Before I could protest that I could use the bathroom by myself, Dean turned the shower on and carefully deposited me under the warm spray, giving me a kiss.

He disappeared further into the bathroom.

It was gray outside, not giving much light. I wasn’t sure if it was early in the morning or if the sun was hiding. The only other light was a string of lights that went all the way around the bathroom ceiling.

The shower was large enough that we could all fit in it, and granite, with built-in seating. Water flowed from six wall jets, two overhead ones, and a handheld sprayer. Several bottles lined the small ledge.

The idea of getting out was too much. Welp, it wouldn’t be the first time I’d peed in the shower.

Standing was a chore, and the bench didn’t get enough spray. So after, I slumped down onto the floor, right under the overhead rain shower, letting the warm water soothe my itchy skin and tired muscles.

Ahh, that’s the stuff. It might be a problem for my bandaged shoulder but that was for future me to deal with.

Getting up off the shower floor was also a problem for future me.

Dean reappeared and offered me a toothbrush with toothpaste. I wasn’t sure whose it was. Did it matter, given how many dicks I’d had in my mouth the past few days?

“Thanks.” I gratefully took the toothbrush as he disappeared again. Yes, I was on the way to feeling much better.

He reappeared and took the toothbrush from me, and left.

I should soap myself down. I stretched a bit. Ow. Yeah, standing to get the soap was a no-go.

Having sex for days after being taken from the hospital after being shot would probably do that.

Though I appreciated that they’d brought me and not left me alone in the hospital.

Everything was a hazy mess of lips and limbs, of moans and kisses. But I remembered being dicked down repeatedly, mostly by Dean and Grif.

Maybe it was over now? I could use a nap.

Not to mention I should make sure Mercy was okay. See how many days had passed. Hopefully, someone had covered my classes.

One thing I recalled about our hazy fuck-fest was that I’d bonded with Dean, Jonas, and AJ. The entire pack was now mine. I hummed happily as I felt them right there in my heart.

Dean came back in, handed me two over-the-counter pain relievers, and left again. I swallowed them, using the water from the shower.

A moment later, he climbed into the shower with me, hanging up a towel on a hook. He took a bottle off the shelf and sat down with me under the spray.

He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close. Something about that simple act, that caring touch, made me melt, and I let him hold me under the warm water.

“Oh. Whoops.” Dean gingerly peeled the bandages off my shoulder.

Jonas had tended to it several times. He’d set his phone alarm to remind him to give me pain medicine. Though I couldn’t remember when that last was. Honestly, even though I ached and parts of me throbbed, it wasn’t that bad, all things considered.

Gently, Dean washed me, cleaning my shoulder and the rest of me with the three-in-one man wash–including my hair. Taking the handheld sprayer, he rinsed me off and kissed me.

“If you sit in front of me, I’ll wash you,” I offered.

Dean scrambled over me and sat between my legs. He hummed with pleasure as I worked the soap over his body and tried to get the cum out of his hair. Using the sprayer, I rinsed him off.

“Much better.” I kissed his jaw, which was full of stubble. My kisses moved down his neck and I licked the bite mark I’d left, tending to it. He made a happy noise.

Dean stood and got out, drying himself off with the towel, then putting it on the floor like a rug. He turned off the shower and scooped me up.

He carried me to the giant bathtub, which was nearly full, and put me in. The water was hot, blue-green, and deliciously scented with mint and lavender. He turned off the tap, then pressed a button, starting the water jets, then got in behind me.

“Thank you, this is nice.” I leaned into him, using his chest as a pillow.

“If I hurt, you absolutely ache.” He looked worn out.

“I don’t remember much,” I confessed, savoring the closeness of Dean and the warmth of the bath.

“Me neither. It felt more intense than usual.” His arms wrapped around me.

“I bonded with you. I hope that’s okay.” Anxiety twisted in my belly.

He snagged my lips with his and I got love through the bond. “Beyond okay. Is the water too hot?”

“It’s perfect. I love the way it smells.” I nuzzled into him. His chest made a nice pillow.

“I put multiple bath bombs in. I brought the cream. Maybe later I can make sure it gets in all the right places?” he offered.

“Mmmm, that sounds wonderful.” Okay, I didn’t want anything in my pussy or ass for a bit, but I loved the idea of that soothing cream being rubbed all over me.

Grif walked in and used the toilet, not noticing us. He washed his hands and brushed his teeth, possibly with the same toothbrush I’d used.

“Hey, Tiger.” I gave him a little wave.

“Kitten. Jellybean.” Grif gave us each a kiss. He went to join us in the tub.

Dean put a hand on his chest, stopping him, nose wrinkling. “Please rinse off.”

“Okay.” Grif disappeared into the shower and turned the water on.

A moment later, the water turned off. He got out and climbed into the tub with us.

“Ooh, that’s hot,” he hissed, seating himself behind Dean, water sloshing over the side of the tub.

“Is everyone okay?” I asked. Grif’s arms wrapped around Dean and me as we laid there snugly in the tub.

“I’m wiped out. But I don’t remember it being horrible like last time, thank fuck. It seemed like a big orgy,” Grif admitted.

Dean chuckled. “Gumdrop, heats are a big orgy. I liked that we were all together.”

“That was nice. Thanks for sharing your nest with me.” Grif leaned in and kissed Dean.

“Always.” Dean kissed him back.

Jonas came in. “Hey, you three.”

“Hey, sexy no-pants.” I gazed up at him. He looked exhausted.

“Anyone up for food?” he offered, giving Dean and me each a kiss on the forehead.

“Please,” Dean sighed. “I need a matcha latte.”

“Coffee and bacon,” Grif added.

“How many days have passed? Are we going back today?” The idea daunted me, given how tired I was, but we all had responsibilities.

“We’ve been here five days.” Jonas reached out and stroked Dean’s hair.

“Shit, my heats never last that long.” Dean leaned into his touch.

“It snowed a lot. Some roads are fucked, and won’t be dug out until at least tomorrow,” Jonas told us. “That’s not a bad thing. We need to make sure your heats are actually over. While we can’t stay too much longer, we could all use a rest after that.”

“I… I think I’m done?” Grif shrugged. “But yeah, Dean usually spikes right when we think it’s over.”

Dean kissed me. “Firstsies.”

My pussy protested, but if he had a spike, it wasn’t like I could deny him.

“I…I can’t believe I went into heat.” Grif twisted a little. “I’m so sorry. I’ll go back on the other suppressants.”

“It’s not the suppressants. It’s you watching your mate get shot. This is all perfectly normal, Grif.” Jonas shrugged, reaching out to stroke Grif’s hair.

“Yeah, but…” Grif grimaced, and anxiety shot through the bond. I squeezed his hand.

“I didn’t tell anyone you went into heat. All I said was that you had a fever, Dean got whatever you did, and I’d taken everyone, including Verity, to our cabin to recuperate,” Jonas reassured.

Relief coated Grif’s face. “Thank you.”

“Oh, I told Rusty so she could help watch after Mercy. Sorry,” Dean admitted.

“It’s okay. If anyone cares, we’ll tell them the fever turned out to be heat. Which is not a lie.” Jonas turned to Grif. “You still should go to the doctor or the Center clinic or something and get checked out. Verity, you’re going to need a follow-up. I had to fix your stitches twice. It’s probably going to scar.”

“I don’t really care. Thanks for that.” If one of my modeling clients did, well, that’s what makeup was for.

“Anytime, but don’t get shot again.” He said with a stern look on his face. “I’m going to hop in the shower downstairs. Then I’ll make food. Come down when you’re ready. Take your time. Maybe we should fill up the hot tub on the porch tonight. Light the fire pit and roast marshmallows.” Jonas gave us each a kiss and left.

“Hot tub? Fire pit? It’s snowing.” I made a face. Though if we were in the hot tub and roasting marshmallows, that could be nice?

Grif kissed me. “Your Southern is showing. Also, Jonas is Canadian.”

“I should get out and make sure Mercy is okay.” I didn’t want to. It was so nice and cozy here with them.

“She can wait a little longer, relax with us,” Grif insisted.

“Okay.” I rested my head back on Dean’s chest and enjoyed the moment with the two of them. Everything was fine.