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eighteen

. . .

Mia

I grin at Kane as I close the car door and walk up the drive. It’s hard to believe I was once afraid of him. Today, we went into the city for my doctor’s appointment to remove the wrap from my wrist after our hot encounter at the picnic.

At the doctor’s office, I was anxious that the doctor would sense the intimacy I shared with Kane, but he didn’t seem to notice.

“Excited to tell the others about your clean bill of health?” Kane asks, twirling his keys around his index finger.

“I’m just glad I can shower again without worrying about the wrap,” I say, and he touches my face with adoration.

Kane slips his key into the lock and swings the front door open. I follow him into the house, already planning my phone call to Alice about getting back on the schedule.

However, all my plans fade from my mind when I see what awaits me in the entryway.

A large cloth banner hangs in front of the stairs, with the sign ‘Congrats!’ My favorite album is playing from the stereo, and a bouquet of roses rests on the table by the door. Finn and Jace greet me with warm, giant hugs, enveloping me in their scents.

“Umm, what’s this for?” I ask nervously as I step into the house.

“I told them about your healed wrist,” Kane says with a wink.

“Oh my goodness, it’s not a big deal,” I giggle, turning to Jace and Finn. “Thank you.”

A surprise party. For me.

My heart swells with gratitude, but I can’t find the words to express it. I can’t remember the last time someone celebrated me like this if anyone ever has. And this party is for the littlest reason ever.

It hits me then that this chapter of my life is coming to a close. Starting tonight, I’ll be going back to my old life—shifts at the café, rent worries, and all. Alice had even agreed to let me be a roommate at her place if I needed to.

I’m just not sure how to tell them that I’ll be leaving. We’ve all grown so close during my time here, and I’ve kissed all three of them, including my time with Kane earlier. The memory of Kane eating me out on top of a hill makes my face turn hot.

“I thought a nice appreciation party for you is quite needed,” Finn says, handing me a glass of wine. His steady gaze lingers on me as his fingers brush against mine, sending sparks from my arm down to my core.

“Thank you. This... It’s great. All of it,” I stammer, suddenly wondering if they can smell it off between Kane and me, and the fact that he had eaten me out and given me one of the best mind-blowing orgasms of my life.

“You are the best thing that ever happened to us,” Kane growls, accepting a glass from Jace while keeping his gaze on me .

Tears sting my eyes, and I find myself searching for words that don’t come. This feels unreal.

“Alright, let’s get this party started! To Mia!" Jace says, holding up his glass as they all toast to me. I blush as I tip my glass upward before taking a sip. The riesling is light and sweet on my tongue.

After taking a sip, I look at the spread of food they’ve set up so nicely on the island. Everything from street tacos to sushi is laid out on the table in a spectacular display.

“Oh wow,” I say, my mouth watering. “I can’t believe you guys did all this!”

“We haven’t fed you properly today,” Jace says darkly as he moves toward me, pressing a light kiss to my lips. The kiss is wonderful, and I can feel the sexual energy radiating off of him.

“I’m so hungry,” I say, pulling back from him and breaking the kiss. He looks at me, puzzled, probably wondering why I seem uneasy.

“Alright, alright,” Jace says, putting his hands up. “We catered in a few of your favorite foods because we’re hopeless in the kitchen, especially Finn here.”

“I do just fine in the kitchen,” Finn protests, making me laugh. For some reason, laughter comes so much easier around them. But I really can’t get attached to them because I eventually have to go back to my normal life, and I have to tell them.

Jace goes to make me a plate as I continue to sip my wine. I can already feel the buzz of the alcohol lowering my inhibitions, and I know I have to tell them.

It’s the right thing to do.

“I have to tell you all something,” I say, my voice slightly raised above the music. They all stop piling their plates with food to look over at me. “You’ve all been nothing but kind to me, but I really can’t stay here forever.”

“What do you mean?” asks Kane, his eyes darkening and his jaw tensing, which makes me gulp. Did he freaking think I’m going to stay here forever?

“I have to get back to work, to my life,” I say, and no one speaks for a moment. The only sound is the music softly playing in the background. My news seems to shock them because Finn and Jace have equally intense expressions on their faces, making my stomach flip.

“Let’s not worry about that now,” Kane finally says. “How about you stay one more night, and we can help you get packed in the morning?”

“I guess,” I say, feeling uneasy but nodding. There’s something about him that sets off alarm bells within me, but I don’t want to ruin the party.

I can manage one more night away from the threat of Justin and worrying about bills.

“Here’s your plate,” says Jace, holding a plate loaded with food. But then he gives me a look that makes my pussy clench. “Would you like someone to feed it to you?”

“No!” I cry out, remembering the last time he fed me.

“Okay, don’t freak out now,” Jace says, his mouth curling into a smile as he hands me the plate. Not wanting to think about them anymore, I pop a piece of sushi into my mouth and groan as the sharp flavors hit my tongue.

“So freaking good,” I say, standing there while the guys chuckle.

We all take our food to the living room, where we kick up our feet and enjoy each other’s company. It’s easy to fall into the same rhythm we’ve been following for a while now.

“You look beautiful tonight, Mia, even without the wrist bandage,” Finn quips, leaning closer to me, his hot breath in my ear.

“Aw, thank you,” I say, giggling as I eat as elegantly as I can under the gazes of the three men .

Maybe it’s just the wine or my imagination, but all the guys seem particularly flirtatious tonight.

Jace is the most forward with his compliments and suggestive comments, while Finn keeps sending me quiet, intense looks that make me blush. Even Kane moves closer, his eyes roaming over me possessively.

Jace leans over and turns up the stereo. One of my favorite songs starts playing, the lively beat blasting through the speakers.

“Dance with me, beautiful,” Jace says, pulling me to my feet after I’m done eating. I let the music take over as he holds me in his arms. The proximity of his body to mine makes my entire body flush with warmth.

He twirls me again, but this time, instead of dipping me afterward, he draws me in close, pressing his body against mine.

“What are you doing?” I whisper.

“I want your body close to mine,” Jace says, his hard planes resting against my soft curves. “You are the most fascinating woman I’ve ever met.”

But before I can respond, Finn is behind me, resting his hands on my shoulders. They ground me, and I feel warmth spreading through me from more than just the wine.

Kane makes his way to my side, wrapping his arm firmly around my waist and resting his hand on my hip. The way he touches me isn’t as cautious as it was at first. No, this is something else entirely.

My heart races at the firmness of his grip.

All three men surround me, and my stomach is somersaulting like crazy.

Their hands are all over me, and I can’t say that I hate it.

The sexual tension is thick in the air, and my heart pounds in my chest. Every brush of their hands, every whisper sends my senses into overdrive.

I have never been this hyperaware of my body’s sensations before, and I like it.

To be touched by all three men at once is something I’ve never experienced before.

Jace leans in a little, his hands trailing down my back. He gazes into my eyes for a moment before bringing his lips to mine. It’s the gentlest kiss, barely a brush of his lips before he moves to my cheek.

“Your lips taste like cherries,” Jace whispers.

“It’s my lip gloss,” I say shyly.

Meanwhile, Finn brushes his fingertips feather-light along my arms as he presses a kiss to my temple.

Kane’s eyes darken with intensity, and his grip around my waist grows firmer. It momentarily takes my breath away.

My heart thunders in my chest. The warmth of the wine blends with the pull of their attention, leaving me lightheaded. I take a few breaths, trying to clear the dizziness, but it only worsens.

That’s when it hits me. This isn’t just being drunk on wine and attention.

My legs wobble, and I stumble slightly as I suddenly find myself unsteady. My vision begins to blur and darken, and a shock of panic goes through me. I’m losing consciousness.

I stumble back, pressing a hand to my forehead. But it’s too late.

Did they drug me? The thought is terrifying. I have grown to trust these men, even care for them. What had I been thinking?

“Relax, Mia,” Jace says, but his voice sounds far away as I panic.

My vision goes completely black as I tumble toward the hardwood floor. The last thing I am aware of is being caught in strong, steady arms right before I hit the ground.