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TWENTY-NINE

FARRON

NEW YEAR’S EVE

Day 502

“I’m not trying to be grumpy,” I protest, though my tone might say otherwise. Theo, unfazed, laces his fingers through mine and pulls me along, his smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. He woke me up this morning in a way that left me breathless—one moment lost in sleep, the next, his weight grounding me, his lips trailing over my skin as he slid into me with a rhythm that pulled me apart and stitched me back together. I’ve been wound tight ever since their supply run two days ago, the knot of worry refusing to loosen.

I’m not mad at Adrian anymore, even if I still feel frustrated with his reasoning, but Theo... Theo has a way of easing that tension without saying a word. As his body moved against mine, I thought of how much they mean to me—my reasons for breathing in a world that once felt suffocating.

“How can you be so grumpy after this morning?” He asks me, that damn smirk still on his face.

I roll my eyes. “I’m not grumpy. Why do I have to dress up? Can’t we just stay in and keep things simple?”

“You’ll see,” he replies before pulling me along. Apparently, the three of them have planned a surprise for New Year’s Eve, and judging by Theo’s excitement, it’s a big deal. I don’t share his enthusiasm. But the guys know I’d do just about anything for them, even if I grumble and put up a little bit of a fight.

When we reach the cottage, the twinkling lights strung along the porch reflect against the dark sky, reminding me that midnight isn’t far off. Theo opens the door for me, motioning for me to go inside alone. “ Go ,” he urges, his expression giving nothing away.

Suspicious.

With a narrowed gaze, I step inside. The only light comes from my bedroom. My curiosity grows as I glance back, but Theo waves me forward.

As I push open my bedroom door, my eyes immediately land on Kenji, seated on the edge of the bed, a selection of clothes spread out beside him. His stoic face reveals nothing, but the intensity in his eyes tells me this is more than just playing dress-up.

“Come here,” he says, his voice low and commanding.

But I’m feeling stubborn, like I need to push him a little bit, so I don’t listen. Instead, I cross my arms, leaning against the doorframe. “What’s all this?”

Kenji raises a brow, his arms folding in response. Even seated, his presence fills the room. “Are you going to cooperate, or are you going to be a brat?” His tone is gravelly, sending a shiver down my spine. He knows exactly what he’s doing. Damn him.

My defiance crumbles as I take the few steps separating us. Standing before him, I barely have time to steady myself before he grabs my waist, pulling me between his thighs. My hands fall to his thick thighs, holding onto them for support. His hand finds the back of my neck, the other grounding me in place. “Now,” he murmurs, stopping to lean up and brush his lips across my temple, “are you going to let me dress you like a good girl?”

The effect his words have on me is immediate. My breath catches, and my body feels hot like I’m going to combust. These last few months with Kenji have taught me that I may have a bit of a praise kink, and it’s a weapon he could easily use against me if he wanted to. I guess now’s the time. I nod in response to his question, swallowing hard.

He leans forward, pressing a gentle kiss on my collarbone, before adjusting me further back so he can stand. All the while, his hands never leave my body. “I was tasked with a very important assignment, and that was to make sure you are dressed and ready to dance,” he says with very little excitement in his tone.

“Adrian?” I ask.

“Adrian.”

I let out a little laugh and continue, “Okay, then. I’ll be good. Let’s get to it.”

Kenji turns his attention to the clothes laid out on the bed, and I follow suit, looking over his selection. My eyes quickly move past a pink dress he picked out, even as I wonder where the hell he managed to find that. They linger for a moment on a red one with off-the-shoulder sleeves. But as soon as my eyes land on the third option, I know what my decision will be. It’s a simple black dress with long sleeves that cuts off right around my calves. Just from looking at it, I can tell it’s going to hug all of my curves. “That one,” I tell him.

Kenji nods and adds the dress to the pile before turning his attention to me. I start to lift my shirt, but his hand captures my wrist before I get far. Surprised, I glance up at him. His dark eyes are intense, heat simmering behind his gaze. Slowly, he pulls my hands away and takes over, fingers brushing lightly against my skin as he grabs the hem of my shirt.

He lifts it deliberately, the movement unhurried, coaxing me to raise my arms. I do, and he slides the fabric off, letting it fall to the floor without a second thought. His hand finds the clasp of my bra next, but before unfastening it, he leans in and claims my mouth in a searing kiss. The moment his lips leave mine, he pulls the bra away, leaving me standing before him in nothing but my jeans.

Kenji doesn’t rush. His gaze sweeps over me, taking in every detail, every curve, while my skin prickles under his scrutiny. My nipples tighten, aching for his touch, but he doesn’t give in. If there’s one thing I know about Kenji, it’s the absolute control he exudes over himself. Instead, he sinks to his knees, his movements deliberate as he focuses on my belt buckle. He undoes it with ease, then tugs my zipper down slowly, teasingly, before sliding my jeans over my hips. He presses a kiss to one knee as he lifts my leg to remove the denim, then mirrors the action with the other leg.

My fingers weave into his hair, the soft strands slipping through my grasp as I murmur, “You look good down there.”

He smirks, mischief in his eyes, and hooks his thumbs under the band of my underwear. With a single, fluid motion, he peels them away, leaving me completely bare before him. The kiss he places at the apex of my thighs causes me to fucking quiver against him. My grip tightens in his hair as I start to guide him where I need him most—but then he stands.

A frustrated noise escapes me, but Kenji only smiles as he reaches for the dress. He slides it over my head, the fabric cascading over my body in a perfect fit. His hands move to my hair next, gathering the unruly curls and twisting them into a high bun. The ease with which he manages it leaves me blushing—pampered in a way I’ve never experienced. I’m always the one taking care of others, never the other way around, and this feels... special.

“What about a bra and underwear?” I ask, a flicker of self-consciousness slipping through.

His response is simple. “No.” Something in his tone leaves no room for argument. Curious, I turn to the full-length mirror, studying my reflection. I take in the way the dress clings to me, and even though my breasts aren’t sitting where I want them to, I begin to see what he sees. My cheeks are flushed, my dark circles faint, and my curls frame my face like a halo. There’s a boldness in the lack of any underwear tonight that feels thrilling.

When I turn around again I find Kenji kneeling before me, my red cowboy boots in his hands. He lifts the hem of my dress just enough to slide the boots on—even though I know he can see everything—his fingers brushing my bare skin. His nostrils flare, his jaw tightening as he pauses to compose himself before finishing. When he’s done, he smooths the dress back down and stands, pulling me gently into him.

We both turn toward the mirror, Kenji’s arm wrapping across my chest as though he’s anchoring me to him. My hands instinctively lift, fingers curling around his forearm. Leaning down, I brush a kiss against his skin. “Thank you,” I murmur.

For what? I’m not sure. But he seems to understand.

My eyes linger on our reflection, the intimacy between us that seems so clear, and my mind starts to take off, wondering when the time will finally come for the two of us to truly give all of ourselves. Before I can spiral, Kenji’s right hand rises into view, a Polaroid camera clasped in his grip. A surprised laugh bursts out of me. “Tell me that’s not the reason you guys had to go ‘have a look-see,’ please.”

Kenji chuckles, his smirk softening into something fond. “No, but I’m glad we found it.” He lifts the camera, angling it toward the mirror. With his arm still draped across me and my hands holding onto him, we smile just as the flash goes off.

The faint whir of the film dispensing breaks the momentary silence. When the image develops, I can’t help but smile at the picture in my hands. It’s the first photo I’ve taken with any of them. My chest tightens, full of warmth, and I can’t help but feel content like everything is falling into place.

Kenji takes the photo and props it against the stack of books on my nightstand. Then he wraps his arms around me from behind, resting his chin on my shoulder. We both stare at the picture for a moment, the room quiet except for the sound of our breathing.

“Let’s get going,” he murmurs, pressing a kiss to the side of my neck. “The night’s not over yet.”

Kenji bundles me into my coat before we step outside. Theo waits for us on his horse, holding Kenji’s reins as well. Before I can say anything, Kenji leans down, his hands gripping my waist, and suddenly, I’m hoisted into the air and settled onto Theo’s lap.

“You could’ve warned me,” I grumble, trying to sound annoyed, though the corners of my lips twitch. Theo pulls me close, his chest solid against my back. His lips brush my temple, and he mouths the word, hi. I lean into him, smiling. “Hi.” My response is a whisper before I turn and press a kiss to his lips.

The ride to the Alden barn is short, and by the time we arrive, my earlier grumpiness is long gone, replaced with buzzing anticipation. Kenji helps me down from Theo’s lap, and together, they each grab one of my hands, leading me to the side door.

“Aren’t you two coming?” I ask as they open it for me.

“No star, this is for you,” Theo replies with a shake of his head.

Hmm.

Their final goodbyes are warm and lingering before they retreat, leaving me to step further into the barn alone. Rounding the corner, the faint sound of New Year’s Eve by M? fills the air. When I enter the larger meeting space, my breath catches.

The room is dazzling. Gold and silver streamers crisscross the walls, and garlands of shimmering tinsel hang from the ceiling. At the center, a disco ball spins slowly, scattering fragments of light across every surface. Small reflective circles glimmer like stars scattered along the floor. I step into the center of the room, turning in awe, when footsteps sound behind me. Turning, my heart stops.

Adrian stands there, looking more handsome than I’ve ever seen him. He’s wearing a slightly too-small navy suit that hugs his broad shoulders and highlights the muscles beneath. His blue eyes shine under the disco ball's light, his curly hair is swept back, and the glint of his nose ring, reflecting from the disco ball, catches my attention. He takes me in, his gaze lingering on my boots before traveling upward.

“So, I thought this was for everyone?” I tease, twirling in place to show off everything in the room. When I stop, Adrian is suddenly in front of me, his arms sliding around my waist as he pulls me into him.

“We’ve only got it for thirty minutes before everyone else joins us,” he explains, his voice low and a little nervous. “I just wanted to have you to myself first.”

I blink up at him, surprised. “Wait...is this the ‘have a look-see’ stuff? The stuff you risked your lives for?”

Adrian’s grin is sheepish, and I can’t help the laugh that bubbles out of me. Of course, they’d risk everything for party supplies. Instead of chastising him, which I really want to do right now, I lean into his embrace and let him sway us to the music. We dance together, his hands firm but gentle, guiding me through spins and dips. Laughter spills from me with each playful move until I’m breathless, my cheeks aching from smiling so much.

“So, why aren’t the other two joining us?” I ask, though I think I already know the answer. This setup wasn’t meant for all of us, it was meant for me . Adrian did this all for me.

Adrian swallows hard, his throat bobbing as he takes a deep breath. “I wanted tonight to be special—for a lot of reasons.” His words are careful and deliberate, as though he’s weighing each one before speaking. My pulse quickens.

“It’s our first New Year’s Eve together,” he continues, his voice thick with emotion. “The first of many, I hope. But it’s also the first one without some of the people we love.” At the mention of his mother, his voice wavers, and my chest tightens with the ache of loss.

“This past year,” he says, “I spent every moment searching for my family. I dragged Theo and Kenji across hundreds of miles, only to end up here. And even though I didn’t find them...I found you. I found a new family.” His hands come up to cradle my face, his thumbs brushing away the tears that have started to fall.

“With you, Farron, I don’t feel like I’m too much. I don’t feel like a joke. You make me feel like I can be all of me, and that’s enough. You’re my sunshine, my rain, my hope. You’re why I get out of bed in the morning, why I keep fighting for a future. Because I can’t imagine one without you anymore.” His voice breaks on the last word, and before I can respond, he pulls me into a tight embrace. “I love you, Farron. I love you so much, it hurts, but it's a hurt that I never want to stop feeling.”

I cling to him, burying my face against his chest. When we part, I look up at him, my voice steady despite the emotions inside me threatening to burst through. “I love you too,” I whisper.

His face transforms immediately, the nervous look disappearing as he lights up and his eyes darken with hunger. He leans down, his lips capturing mine in a kiss that says everything words can’t. Adrian is light. He’s the sun breaking through the storm clouds, the steady hand pulling me out of the dark, even when I’m determined to hide. He’s everything.

I pull away before the kiss deepens further, a smirk tugging at my lips. “Let’s get out of here.”

For a moment, he looks like he might argue, but then he nods, determination lighting his eyes. He laces his fingers with mine, pulling me out of the barn with a sense of urgency. Adrian makes quick work of untying his horse, helping me into the saddle before climbing up behind me. His arm wraps securely around my waist, and as we ride through the cool night air, I’m acutely aware of his hand splayed low across my stomach. Heat pools deep within me, and I press back into him, unable to help myself.

His hand veers lower, onto my hip and towards the apex of my thighs. The wind is loud as we ride, so I feel rather than hear the groan that leaves him when his hand finally reaches its destination, only to find me completely bare for him. “Fuck,” he mutters right against my ear before pulling his hand away and tightening it around my stomach.

The ride to the cottage passes in a blur, and the moment we step inside, everything becomes frantic and uncoordinated in the best way. My fingers fumble with the buttons of his coat, desperate to shed the layers between us. Adrian stumbles into the bedroom, his jacket and shirt already gone, and I tug at his belt with impatient hands.

“Off,” I demand, stepping back to watch as he kicks off his boots and shucks his pants. His boxers slide down next, and his erection springs free, the tip glistening with precum that I want so badly to lick off.

I give him a small shove onto the bed, and he complies easily, scooting back to lean against the headboard, one of his legs slightly bent as he strokes himself, his eyes never leaving me. I toss him a condom from the nightstand, and he quickly rolls it on, waiting for my next move. My eyes greedily eat him up, lingering on his tattoos and the way they seem to highlight all the muscles in his arms. I remain fully clothed, savoring the way his eyes darken as they rake over me. Slowly, I gather the hem of my dress and lift it over my head, leaving nothing but my red cowboy boots.

Adrian swallows hard, his pupils blown wide as he takes me in. His eyes linger on the boots and my legs for just a moment too long, and I smirk internally. I had a feeling there was a reason Kenji picked these boots. “You’re incredible,” Adrian murmurs, voice rough with desire.

I crawl onto the bed, straddling his thighs and slowly grinding my pussy against his cock, teasing us both. He hisses at the contact, his hands gripping my hips to steady me. When I can’t wait any longer, I guide him to my entrance, sinking down inch by inch, his piercings rubbing at my walls in the most delicious way until I’m completely seated on him. A groan tears from both of our throats as I adjust to his size, bracing my hands on his shoulders before lifting myself and sliding back down. The rhythm is slow at first, every movement deliberately unhurried as I savor the stretch and fullness of him inside me.

Adrian leans forward, capturing one of my nipples in his mouth, and I gasp, tangling my fingers in his hair to hold him there. Heat coils low in my belly, the pleasure building with every movement as I tumble towards the edge, his cock hitting that sweet little spot inside of me that has my toes curling.

“Sunshine, I’m close,” he rasps, his voice strained. I quicken my pace, and he presses his thumb to my clit, circling the sensitive bundle of nerves with maddening precision. The climax hits me like a tidal wave, ripping through me with such force that I cry out his name, practically screaming. Adrian follows moments later, thrusting a few more times before stilling, his grip on my hips tightening as he spills into me, his lips moaning my name the entire time.

We collapse together, catching our breath as he shifts us onto our sides. My leg drapes over his, and he remains inside me, our bodies still joined. Neither of us makes a move to change positions. I savor the warmth of him, the intimacy of this connection, and the quiet that feels more profound than any words.

“I love you,” I murmur, my voice heavy with sleep as my eyelids flutter shut.

Adrian’s fingers gently grip my chin, tilting my face up toward his. “I love you too, Sunshine,” he whispers against my lips before pressing the faintest kiss there, warm and lingering. But just as I’m about to surrender completely to the blissful haze, he pulls back, his hands sliding to rest firmly at my sides.

“But,” he says, a mischievous lilt in his tone, “you’re not allowed to fall asleep just yet. They’re going to be expecting us at the party.”

I groan loudly. “Do we really have to?”

Instead of answering, his fingers tighten their grip, and a second later, he’s tickling me mercilessly. My legs kick out as peals of laughter escape me, my protests drowned out by the sound of my own voice.

“Okay, okay! Mercy!” I gasp, swatting at his hands as I squirm away. Finally, he relents, and I push myself upright, still catching my breath. “Fine, I’ll go clean up and get dressed,” I huff, glaring at him halfheartedly.

As I leave the bed and head for the bathroom, I glance back over my shoulder. There he is—stretched out like he owns the world, one arm propped behind his head and that damn irresistible smirk plastered across his face.