Page 112 of Gilded Locks

“Have you slept?”

They each shook their head.

“We’re wired,” Ash said.

“Need to burn off some adrenaline before we crash.” Stone stripped and crawled under the covers.

Hunter prowled closer, but kept his motions under tight control. “Any regrets?”

She hid a smile as he stepped closer to the bed, nothing but stark intensity and dark intention in his eyes. “No.”

“Good.” Hunter pulled off his shirt and tossed it to the chair.

The fur blanket pulled away and her nipples tightened in the cold air. “What do we have here,” Ash teased, bending to capture a tight bud in his mouth.

“And here.” Stone scooted lower, crouching between her thighs as he pressed a slow, devastating kiss on her sex.

Marigold’s breath hitched as her eyes closed. The soft press of Hunter’s mouth to hers was the delicate welcome home she needed. Their combined touch heated her into a fury of desire, limbs twisting and passion building as little gasps and moans escaped. Her body was overwhelmed by the three of them, a docile treasure they all wanted to cherish.

“I need you,” she rasped, then moaned as Stone’s fingers delved inside of her. “All of you.”

“Ours,” Hunter said, dragging his lips down her shoulder to capture her breast.

Ash’s ice-blue eyes darkened with understanding. “Does this mean that your finally ready?”

“I’m ready. This is where I want to be,” she confessed, arching against the bed as they broke her apart bit by bit. “Please,” she breathed, gasping as Stone devoured her slowly.

They exchanged looks, silent communication that spoke of years of shared understanding.

“We’ll always take care of you,” Hunter promised. “Ona Moya. Ours.”

The trials of the day, the week, the months she’d struggled to find a safe place to rest felt so distant now. Her body was thrumming with leftover adrenaline, with relief so intense it felt like intoxication. She needed grounding. Needed this feeling of safety, so cherished and protected, consensually powerless. Theirs.

When she was with her three bears, surrendering her choice, and trusting them to take care of her, she was truly free.

“Kiss me,” Ash commanded, smile soft with affection and eyes dark with promise. “We’ll take care of the rest, printessa.” He took possession of her mouth, driving her passion higher. When he pulled away, she was breathless and her heart fluttered as he whispered against her lips, “We’ll never hurt you.”

He kissed her with infinite patience as hands roamed her body with reverent exploration, finding every sensitive spot and lavishing attention where she needed it most. This wasn’t the singular desperate claiming she’d experienced with Hunter or the unique driving pressure to submit that she’d felt when alone with Stone. Nor was it the gentle comfort she and Ash shared.

This was something more profound. Trust as tangible as flesh, power exchanged freely. Four unique souls tied into one.

“I saw your curiosity,” Ash murmured against her throat. “In the observation room, when you saw me with Stone. Were you curious?”

Heat flooded her cheeks, but she didn’t deny it. “Yes.”

“We’ll show you everything you desire, printsessa. Every fantasy you’ve ever dreamed, we will bring it to life for you.”

The control they had over her body and mind left her in a drug-like haze. The way they moved together, coordinated everything, the trust it took to let them make all the decisions, it should have been terrifying, but it only felt heavenly. She was floating on a cloud of pleasure, as soft caresses and teasing licks and kisses drove her higher and higher.

“Look how beautiful she is,” Stone said, glancing up from between her thighs. “Such trust in us.” His soft breath teased over her damp flesh. “Tonight, you’re going to let go of everything that came before and embrace your future.”

These men wanted control. Their brutal past demanded it. But they would never take without permission. When she looked at them, truly watched them, she saw strength offered in service, dominance that existed to protect and pleasure rather than harm.

“I trust you,” she whispered.

“Good girl.” The praise came from all three men and sent heat spiraling through her core.

“Relax, and let us take care of everything.” Stone’s mouth returned to her sex, and she arched against the bedding, hips tipped toward his talented tongue as Ash and Hunter caressed and suckled her breasts.