Page 7

Chapter seven

Life At Sea

Kylie

M y stomach clawed against my ribs and woke me. Blinking sleep out of my eyes, I glanced at the nightstand clock and blew out a breath. No wonder I was famished. Most of the day passed while I slept. The last time I ate anything was dinner last night. My body ached from the attack. I winced as I sat, thankful none of the guys were here to witness me struggle or they would keep me confined to the bed.

This morning had been amazing. With Chase and Mateo double teaming me, and then later, with Gideon screwing me until my body achieved lift off. And I wanted to do it all again. Mateo and Chase could fuck me together anytime they wanted. Just like my night sandwiched between Axel and Gideon, it had been the hottest sex of my life.

Rising, I waddled into the bathroom, wincing the entire way. Those guys really worked my body over. My movements were slow between the slight rocking sway of the yacht and my tender muscles. In the bathroom, I switched on the shower and cranked the temperature as hot as I dared. Once it was warm enough, I stepped beneath the water and let the heat soothe my aching body.

I stayed in the shower until the water ran cool. When I stepped out, I faced the mirror. Wiping a towel over the condensation, I studied the bruises coloring my throat. It was the first time I had examined them. Dark, purplish fingerprints marred my ivory skin. The spots were tender to the touch but would fade.

Although the imprint they left on my soul would remain. Pressing my fingers lightly against my bruised skin, it could have been so much worse had they not reached me in time. But they had reached me just in time.

In a weird and twisted way, the attack gave me the courage to voice my deepest, darkest fantasy. My face flamed with embarrassment while I dried off. I couldn’t believe I admitted it though.

Gideon promised they would make it a reality. He was a man of his word. If he said they would give me my fantasy, then they would.

Flames ignited in my belly. Not knowing where or when it would happen, added extra fuel to the fire. The thought of experiencing my fantasy left me in a state of aching need. I imagined what it would feel like, having them take me together and shivered at the tendrils of heat inundating me.

My stomach growled with a hey, remember me . Sighing, I didn’t want to get my hopes up. Mainly because I wasn’t sure what food we had on hand. With my belly rumbling, I figured even if all we had were protein bars and water, it was better than nothing.

With a towel wrapped around my body, I went into the bedroom and grabbed clean clothes from the duffel bag. Donning leggings and a baggy sweatshirt, I did little more than toss my hair up in a messy topknot to dry. Dressed, my stomach growling, I left the sanctuary of the bedroom and went into the kitchen.

The guys had stocked the yacht with supplies. But I didn’t know how that translated into food. During the attack, we didn’t have time to grab the fruits and veggies in the kitchen, nor the milk or coffee creamer.

I grimaced at the thought of black coffee. It could be worse though, I could be dead.

Over the next thirty minutes, I catalogued the foodstuffs on hand. Luckily, they stocked up on meat and frozen veggies. In the fridge, there was butter and cheese, but no milk or creamer. I also found a decent supply of dry goods. We had boxes of potatoes, rice, and pasta for days.

The galley kitchen was stocked with spices I could use to liven up meals. Carlos used to employ and travel with a Michelin star chef. Victor had been an excellent cook. I removed two pounds of bacon from the freezer. In the morning I’d fry up some bacon and make pancakes. There was coffee. Although the creamer was the powdered variety.

For a few days, I could survive on it.

But eventually, we needed to stop on land and get more supplies. Especially if we’re going to stay on the ship for much longer.

And for dinner tonight?

I located all the fixings to make sloppy joes with cheesy rotini, steamed broccoli, and potatoes au gratin. Granted, the potatoes and cheesy rotini came out of a box, but it would do until I could acquire fresh supplies. At least I could be useful on our voyage. I couldn’t sail a ship or handle a firearm, but I could cook. So, I made myself the unappointed chef for our journey.

Chase, Axel, and Mateo waltzed into the kitchen as I removed the potatoes from the oven, infusing the kitchen with an overabundance of testosterone, looking rugged and sexy as hell, even with the sleepless night.

“See, I told you I smelled food.” Mateo nudged Chase’s side.

“We really need to start trusting his nose more.” Axel sighed and studied me.

“Speak for yourself. I’d have bet this was where we could find our girl. How are you feeling?” Chase wiggled his brows. Then his gaze slid to my neck and his face hardened for a moment before he covered it up with a congenial smirk.

“Good after my nap. Are you guys hungry? It might not be what you’re used to, but I figured we needed a hearty meal. And this is what I could come up with on short notice without things like real milk or fruits and veggies that aren’t frozen or from a can.”

Chase approached and slung his arm around my shoulders, sniffing the food on the stove like a bloodhound. “Gorgeous, it looks better than all the meals we had in the Marines.”

“Well, help yourself. What about Gideon?”

“He’s manning the boat.” Chase pressed a kiss against my forehead before releasing me.

“I should make a plate and take it up to him.” I stepped away from the stove to give them room to fill a plate.

“I can take it up once I’m done. Don’t worry. We’ll make sure he eats,” Mateo said, grabbing one of the plates I’d set on the table.

“But we’re going to make sure you eat, too. Come on, Angel, grab a plate and eat with us.” Axel jerked his chin toward the food.

“I will. I’m starving.” He really was too good to me. Axel always ensured he took care of me. It made me feel special. Once they had their plates, I made mine with a little of everything and snagged a sports drink.

We sat together, chowing down. It might not be a five-star meal, but we were famished and thrilled to fill our bellies.

“Man, you can make fleeing for our lives damn tasty,” Chase stated, and shoveled another massive bite into his mouth.

“I’m glad you approve. Although, if we’re going to be at sea for a long time, we’ll need more food supplies. Like fresh fruits and veggies. I could do with some milk and creamer. Do you know how long before we return to the house?”

“Angel,” Axel sighed solemnly, shaking his head.

Trepidation filled me. I glanced around the table at their pained expressions. “What are you not telling me?”

They looked at each other and had a wordless conversation. Then Axel cast a tentative glance in my direction. “We won’t be returning to the house.”

My anxiety increased. Why weren’t we heading back to the house? Had Luka Santos moved in and taken over the mansion? I licked my dry lips, trying to dispel my anxiety. “Why not?”

“Because it’s not there anymore. We’re so sorry, Angel.”

My home was gone. Was he serious? Another glance around the table confirmed it for me with their solemn gazes full of concern. The house had been destroyed. “How?”

“It caught fire and burned to the ground. By the time the fire department reached it, everything was a total loss,” Axel explained with a concerned frown.

“Huh.” I dropped my gaze. But I wasn’t sad or angry. Relief settled over me. It wasn’t until recently that I started enjoying that house and putting my stamp on it. But there wasn’t anything I was attached to there. I’d retrieved all the account stuff out of the safe.

And I didn’t care about the jewelry from my husband. I was glad that crap had been destroyed. It had only been a grim reminder of the torture I endured at his hands.

“Are you okay?” Chase asked, squeezing my thigh gently.

My shoulders relaxed, and I finally looked at them. “Yeah. I’m glad it’s gone. I hadn’t realized how much I hated that place. And I don’t know why I hadn’t gotten rid of it. I guess after Carlos died, I just figured I could make it my home. But it never really felt like it was mine. I always expected him to walk out of his office with that grim expression because I’d done something he didn’t like. It’s good that it’s gone.”

“Will you rebuild?” Mateo asked before taking a bite of sloppy joes.

Did I want to continue living on that property? I had the funds to rebuild if I wanted. But when I considered all the terrible memories, living there was the last thing I wanted. “Um. No. I think I’m going to sell the property.”

“Where will you live then with the house gone?” Axel frowned with concern. He studied me like he expected me to lose it any minute. And while I might need to shed a few cleansing tears over everything that happened in the past twenty-four hours—hell, the past four years—I knew I would be okay.

Mainly because when Carlos died, I inherited his estate. It made me an extremely wealthy woman. I could live anywhere. I might move out of California. Or I would travel the world and find the place I wanted to call home. Nothing was off limits. I could go anywhere I wanted once Luka Santos was no longer a threat. The house had been the last thing anchoring me to my past, and I was finally free. The shackles slid off with relative ease. I felt lighter than I had for an age.

“Well, for now, I guess the yacht is my home. After that, I’ll figure it out.” I shrugged and rose, carrying my plate over to the sink.

“Once we take care of Santos and you’re free, what will you do then? Where will you go?” Axel asked while I made a plate for Gideon.

“To be honest, I don’t have a clue, but will figure it out. I mean, I inherited my husband’s estate. I have the account numbers for all the holdings I inherited upon his death. And I had the foresight to grab the account information from the safe before the attack began. Money won’t be a problem.”

“But?” Chase quirked a brow with a pensive look in his eyes.

These guys knew me effortlessly. Instead of being creepy, it was nice. They got me. There was something to be said about being around people who saw the real you and accepted you as you are instead of how they want you to be.

“I don’t know where I want to live. If I survive Santos, I will figure it out. Maybe I’ll travel for a bit until I find the place meant for me.” But I was realistic enough to understand that Luka Santos was coming after me with both barrels. My odds of surviving, even with their impressive skills, were fifty-fifty.

Why plan for something that might never happen?

All it would do was disappoint me. And I had more than enough disappointment for one lifetime. What I wanted most was to enjoy my time with these guys, for however long it might last, and for as long as they wanted to keep me.

“You’ll figure it out,” Chase said, leaning back in his seat.

“We have full faith in you,” Mateo said and brought his plate to the sink. “If that plate is ready for Gideon, I’ll take it up with me.”

“Um, let me grab him a fork.” I fished one out of the drawer and handed it over.

Mateo kissed my cheek. “Thanks for dinner, princess. It was delicious.”

Chase moved in behind him. After setting his plate in the sink, he pulled me into his arms and kissed me briefly. “As always, gorgeous, it can’t go without saying you are a goddess in the kitchen.”

He released me and headed for the stairs, leaving me alone with Axel. It felt like ages since it had just been us, but it had only been yesterday when he held me on the couch. I missed sleeping in the shelter of his arms. I enjoyed all the guys. But Axel and I had a special bond. And he was the best cuddler.

Axel cupped my face. “Tell me how you’re doing. Really.”

Only Axel saw through my deflections and fake smiles. It’s part of what made him so special. Because he saw through all my bullshit. And what he saw didn’t make him run. “A little shaky. This whole situation feels surreal, like it’s not really happening or I’m dreaming about it. Or it could be I’m still tired.”

“It’s understandable. You’ve had a series of shocks in a short time period. Anyone would be struggling. Don’t beat yourself up over it.”

He tugged me into his arms. I sighed and laid my head against his firm chest. Being in Axel’s arms always made me feel safe and cherished. He shifted, and I thought he was about to let me go. But I hugged him tighter. “Don’t let go yet. I need another minute before you have to go back to work.”

“My work is done. Now my only job the rest of the night is being with you.” He murmured against my forehead.

Pleasure flooded me. He didn’t have to leave me. I could be greedy and stay within the warm shelter of his arms as long as I wanted.

“Really? Are you sure they won’t need you?” I glanced at his face. And I prayed it was true that I got to have him the rest of the night.

His eyes crinkled when he smiled. “Really. I promise. I was gonna help you clean up dinner before I take you into the bedroom.”

A night in Axel’s arms was just the ticket. I released him because the sooner we got the kitchen in order, the sooner I could be back in his arms where I didn’t plan to leave until dawn. “Well, why didn’t you say so before? I can have this cleaned up pretty fast.”

He chuckled darkly. “Someone’s a little eager.”

Dropping my shields, I met his gaze, needing him to see what I wasn’t ready to admit out loud. “I can’t help it if I love being with you, Axel. When I’m with you, even if all we do is snuggle, I’m at peace and you make me feel safe.” Being in his arms was the best medicine.

His gaze deepened, swirling with unspoken emotions. “Me too. Come on. If you’re good, there might be an orgasm or two in your future.” He wiggled his dark brows, lightening the mood considerably.

My pussy throbbed in exquisite anticipation, and I rubbed my hands together.

“Oh boy!” I teased, like it wasn’t a big deal. When I couldn’t wait. Excitement hummed in my veins. A night in Axel’s arms would make me feel right as rain.

We stored the leftovers, and started the dishwasher in less than fifteen minutes.

It looked like I wasn’t the only one eager for our night together.