Page 61 of My Ex-Best Men (Ex Marks the Spot #4)

***Claire***

I laughed at the relief that seemed to make each of my men weak.

They slumped back on their couches and I even saw Zane wipe sweat from his forehead.

Maybe it was mean to joke at such a serious moment but I needed them to focus on something besides what they considered their failures.

Listening to them list out things as some sort of proof that they weren’t good men was painful.

I wanted to prove to them that they were good and decent and everything I needed.

I was the lucky one. I had three men who loved me and wanted to spend their lives with me.

“That wasn’t very nice, Claire.” Anthony slowly stood up and put his hands on his hips. “It’s been a very long couple of days and I think that little tease is going to cost you. First, I need to hear you say it again.”

I shivered with need for them. It’d been hardly any time since we were last together but it felt like a lifetime had passed. “What do you need me to say?”

Will stood up and slowly moved towards me. “How you feel about us.”

“I-” A knock on the front door interrupted me.

Zane growled and proved that he could be just as moody as Anthony as he stormed over to the door and yanked it open. “What?”

I heard Jordan’s voice, of all people’s, and winced. What the hell did he want? I walked over and saw him standing on the other side of the doorway with his suitcase. “What are you doing here?”

He looked relieved when he saw me. “Claire! Thank god. I was supposed to stay with Madeline for a few more days but that didn’t work out, obviously. I already checked out of the hotel and they’re saying they’re booked up. My flight doesn’t leave for another few days.”

Zane laughed. It wasn’t a small laugh, either.

It was a deep, deep belly laugh that rang out through the house and sent Jordan stepping back a foot or two.

I found myself smiling at the sound, unable to resist the pure joy in it.

When he finally got himself under control he had to wipe tears from his eyes.

“Please tell me that you’re not asking to stay here. ”

“I don’t have anywhere else to go.” Jordan made a face at me that I supposed was meant to convince me. “Come on, Claire. Maybe we can work it out so we get the same flight back home. I won’t get in the way.”

Will growled from behind me. “You’re already getting in the way.”

I leaned into his chest and shook my head at Jordan.

“This is my home now. Well, not this house, but the island. I’m not going back to London.

I already quit. And considering you helped Madeline manipulate Will, the thought of you staying here with us is laughable.

As Zane made clear. Call a ride to take you to Miami.

There are plenty of hotels around the airport you can stay at. You’re not welcome here.”

“Claire! Come on!”

Zane waved as he slammed the door shut. “Good riddance.”

Will spun me in his arms and held my hips. “Now tell me.”

I cupped his face. “I love you, Will.”

He shuddered. “Again.”

“I love you.” I gasped when he spun me around to face Zane. “I love you, Zane. And I love you, Anthony. I love each of you so much. I love you each individually and I love you together.”

“Not sexually together, though.” Zane scowled and then slowly let his face shift into a grin. “I love you, Claire.”

Will spoke against my neck. “I love you, Claire.”

Anthony pulled me away from Will and into his arms. “And I love you the most.”

I laughed and then squealed when he threw me over his shoulder and took off at a sprint for the stairs. “Anthony?! What are you doing?”

“I’m claiming you first!” He sounded almost as carefree as his younger self. “You’re mine, sweetheart. Now and forever.”

I lifted my head and saw Will and Zane chasing after us, hungry grins on their faces.

I suddenly felt very much like a helpless bunny caught between three big, bad wolves.

When Anthony cleared the bedroom doorway and tossed me on the bed, the image shifted, though, because I didn’t think there was a bunny alive who was as excited as I was about being eaten.

Before I could even fully settle on the bed Anthony was on me.

He kissed me like he’d been away at war and was starving for me.

I moaned as he stroked his tongue past my lips and deepened the kiss until I was breathless.

I gripped his sides, wishing he was naked, and lifted my legs to wrap them around his waist.

He sat back on his haunches and stared down at me, his eyes roaming over my body moments before his hands traced the same lines. Running his hands up my arms, he lifted them both over my head and held me there. “I do have a meeting with the board tomorrow. One I can’t miss.”

Why was he talking about meetings? I lifted my hips to rub against the hard bulge in his pants and reached up to kiss his throat. “That’s cool.”

He let out a quiet laugh that turned into a groan. “I’m retiring. I couldn’t imagine being gone for work when you’re here, so soft and warm and eager .”

It took a moment for his words to register. When they did, I dropped my head and stared up at him. “What?”

“Don’t worry. I have plenty of money for you to mooch off of, if that’s what you decide to do.

I can support our weird little family for a few lifetimes.

I don’t want to miss even a day with you, though.

” He nuzzled his nose into my neck and groaned.

“I want to wake up like this every day for the rest of my life.”

Zane sat on the bed next to us. “I already found a potential studio space on the island. I like it here.”

Will let out a dramatic sigh while kneeling next to us. “I’m happy to keep doing the same job for the next twenty years or so. I love my job. And I love this island.”

I hadn’t fully thought everything through but what they were saying meant we’d be staying on the island. Near Uncle Sal. Near Sophia and Jake.

Will saw the wonder in my eyes and smiled. “Sophia’s going to lose her shit. She’s always talked about you moving into a house next door to hers so you can raise your kids together.”

Anthony groaned and dipped his hips. “Kids?”

I held my breath as I looked up at him. “Do you…want them?”

“Only a dozen or so. Only with you.” He sat up again and yanked his shirt over his head and tossed it away. Looking at Will and then Zane, he questioned them. “Kids? Kids?”

Will nodded. Zane just grinned. “Twelve might be a lot but I guess there’s four of us to share the load.”

I was on cloud nine. I was getting everything I’d never known I wanted and more. I was ready to get back to the kissing, though. “That’s decided, then. Twelve kids, a house next to Soph, and we’re all retired or something. Now touch me.”