Page 7

7

Axel

S itting in Spencer’s kitchen drinking coffee, I look around her house. I’ve never been here before but I’m not surprised to see how minimalist it is. Everything is black, white, clean and crisp. Her dog, Gage, sits in a corner watching me.

“That’s really freaky, Tails?” She turns from her position at the counter, where she’s making everyone sandwiches, to see what I’m talking about. “Are you sure Gage isn’t a statue?”

“Kommen.” Spencer’s German shepherd reacts instantly and strides to her. She pets his head and whispers in his ear. Gage walks back across the room and lays down on a dog bed. “He’s on alert because of the new people in the house. I told him to relax.” She washes her hands before resuming sandwich making. A noise comes from down the hall and we both look.

“She’s asleep.” Lincoln looks just as exhausted as I feel. Spencer slides a cup of coffee across the counter at him as he takes a seat next to me. He looks up to thank her and I’m vibrating with anticipation…three… two… one.

There it is. His jaw drops as Spencer turns back to her task. When we met her earlier in the alley she was wearing tight jeans and an athletic shirt that was also snug fitting; a typical outfit for her. After Katy was cleaned up and we left her with Lincoln, Spencer went to her room and took a shower.

When she came out I’m sure I made the same face. She looks like every bad decision I’ve ever made wrapped in a huge bow. Dark green, skin tight leggings cover her to mid calf. On top she’s wearing a lighter green color sports bra that’s more like a crop top then a bra as it stops mid waist. There’s three inches of delicious pale skin on display to tempt every goddamn nerve in my body. I see faint freckles and I want to get closer and connect every one of them with my tongue.

I reach over and lift Lincoln’s jaw. I’m not surprised to see he’s just as affected by her and I am. Spencer is a mystery to every man in her life except Justin.

“You’re both juveniles.” Spencer turns with a plate full of gourmet looking sandwiches and places it between us. “I can feel you staring at me. I’m not a fan of clothes and would honestly prefer to be naked but that’s frowned upon with company.”

Air. I choke on nothing but the air in the room at the bluntness of her comment. Lincoln isn’t any better. His eyes are as wide as saucers and his jaw flaps like a fish, unable to form words. I somehow manage to compose myself before him and take the opportunity to make the room even more tense.

“I don’t think either of us would mind if you’d prefer to walk around au naturel, Tails. Don’t let us disrupt your routine.” Spencer knows the attraction I have for her, so my comment isn’t anything unusual, but Lincoln? It’s clear he isn’t impervious to her beauty.

“Would you prefer I be naked, Lincoln?”

His hand stops midair grabbing for a sandwich, completely stupefied by her question. The tips of his ears turn beat red as he stammers out an answer.

“I…um…” A scream rings out from down the hall and our heads whip in its direction. “Katy.”

Lincoln almost falls off the stool in his rush to get down the hall. Spencer and I follow and find Katy curled into a ball, crying. Lincoln picks her up and settles her into his lap. Katy curls into him, still asleep, but instantly settles. I don’t know why she’s taken to him the way she has but I’m glad she’s found a safe space.

Spencer walks over and places a hand on her wrist, checking her pulse rate.

“Tails, are we sure this is what’s best for her?” A darkness flashes over her face before I see her mask snap into place. What’s made her guarded?

“She’s the victim. She’s told us what she wants and doesn’t want. She has no real injuries so the law doesn’t require us to report the assault.”

“But look at her,” Lincoln whispers. “She’s traumatized. She’s just a child.” He pulls the blanket over her from earlier.

“I know what her life has been like. She’s stronger than either of you men could possibly understand. Her comment about her mother earlier wasn’t an exaggeration.”

“I knew of Katy at school but she’s a good kid so I haven’t had much interaction with her. I just want to do what’s best for her.”

“We all do, Linc.” A silence falls over the room.

? ? ? ? ?

“You don’t have to stay, Lincoln. We’re fine here.” Spencer and Lincoln have been arguing for the last hour about leaving Katy here alone with her. Spencer can’t seem to understand that neither of us are going to leave her or Katy tonight. I already got my shift covered and I’m not taking no for an answer unless Spencer physically forces me out.

“I have complete faith that you’ll be fine but I’m still not leaving.” Lincoln sits back on the couch and crosses his arms across his broad chest.

A gentle knock sounds on the door and Spencer freezes. Gage goes on high alert and stalks toward the foyer. Spencer pulls her phone out from the pocket of her skin tight pants and taps on the screen.

“Who did it?” There’s a slight edge to her voice and I try not to smile.

“Who did what?” Lincoln glances at me and it must be written on my face. “Who’s at the door Axel?” Another soft knock sounds and Gage lets out a gentle gruff. Spencer spins on her heels and opens the door.

“I was told there was going to be a sleepover?” Miller holds up a duffle bag in one hand and a case of beer in the other and I watch his eyes roam over Spencer’s body. I know they work out together at the firehouse so he shouldn’t be as affected by her outfit as we were but judging by the look on his face, he is.

“No,” she says. I cover my laugh behind my hand at Spencer’s abrupt answer. “The only people sleeping here have vaginas.”

Miller gives Spencer his award winning smirk. “I can tuck it in for you if that gets me an invite.” Lincoln almost loses it and Spencer shoots us a look that’s deadly.

“I’m going to bed. Don’t wake Katy. I don’t like any of you in my space.” She stalks to her door and walks in. Before she closes it, she calls for Gage and gives us one last glaring look. “I sleep with a gun.” With that little nugget of information she closes the door and the click of the lock is audible.

“Fuck she’s gorgeous.” I have no shame admitting that out loud to anyone, especially a room full of men that I already know admire her too. “Please tell me you brought me shorts or sweats because I can’t sleep in jeans and I’m commando under here.” I wiggle my hips around in the chair I’m sitting in. Lincoln throws a pillow at me and Miller tosses the duffle bag in my lap.

“There’s stuff in there for you too, Linc.” Miller’s eyes linger a little longer than necessary on Lincoln and it peaks my interest. “So, what do we know about what happened today?”

“I’m going to go change. You can fill him in.” I clasp Lincoln’s shoulder as I walk past him and nod at Miller. I hear their voices fade as I walk farther down the hall.

We left Katy’s door ajar to make sure we could hear her, so I peek in. She looks peaceful. Spencer gave her a T-shirt and shorts to change into earlier but she wouldn’t leave the room to shower and other than water we couldn’t get her to eat. Tomorrow will hopefully bring her a better day.

I walk into the bathroom and as soon as I see the shower I decide I need to use it. It’s been a long fucking day.

I strip and turn the water on. Cold showers build endurance but Spencer must have one of those fancy water heaters because the water is almost instantly hot. After staring at her tempting body for the last hour, I could have used the cold.

I quickly wash my hair and body and sigh when I look down at my semi-hard cock.

I’m naked in Spencer’s house. A few hours ago, a simple smile from her would make my day, and now I’m in her guest shower. And fuck, Spencer saw a picture of my dick.

So much for a semi. The thought of Spencer even glancing at my cock has me stiffening. I need to do something about this. I can’t go out there with my friends pitching a tent.

Fuck it.

I grab the base of my cock and tug, giving it a long stroke and watching the blood flow to the tip of my piercings. I bite my knuckles to not moan and give away what I’m doing. I stroke myself in long, hard movements because this is more about release than pleasure. There’s no time to savor the feeling. The end game is to come and it needs to happen quickly.

I squirt a bit of honey scented conditioner onto my hand to help with lubrication and it allows me to pump my cock faster.

I feel it building. The muscles in my abs starting to spasm, my balls tingling and drawing up. My pace falters as the first wave of pleasure releases. I hold my breath to keep in my noise and eventually let out a ragged exhale as the last pulses of my orgasm subside.

“Fuck.”

When I’m done I rummage through the duffle bag, realizing I took the entire thing with me, not leaving Lincoln or Miller anything to change into, and smile. Serves them right. I throw on a pair of sweatpants that are a bit smaller than I usually wear. Miller and I are about the same height but I’m broader than him.

As I exit the bathroom, I can hear muffled voices floating down the hall and see a flickering glow. They must have turned the TV on. Although, as I get closer to the room I don’t see either of them sitting on the couch or in the kitchen when I step into the open floor plan room.

A muffled noise comes from the living room followed by a shhh sound. Did one of them finally manage to pin Spencer down? As stealthy as I can manage, I creep over to the couch and see two lying bodies, locked in a passionate kiss. Only there’s no red braids or creamy white skin. There’s a head of dark shaggy hair with rough hands tugging at the strands.

Miller’s hips move over Lincoln’s body and another moan I think is Miller’s, floats through the room.

“I told you to be qui—wait. Do you? I don’t hear the shower.” I’m not sure Miller can hear much of anything with his head buried in Lincoln’s neck and I’m far enough back that he can’t see me over the top of the couch from his position.

“I’m sure he’s still in there jerking off. I could help you out with that.” Miller’s hand slides down Lincoln’s side and just as it disappears between them I clear my throat.

“Fuck.” Miller’s hand reappears and he lays his head on Lincoln’s chest. Lincoln’s eyes dart around the room in panic.

“Is there room for one more?”

Lincoln pushes on Miller’s chest but he isn’t budging. He’s laughing. “Get up.” His voice is a pleading whisper. Miller kisses his forehead and pushes up to sit at the end of the couch. Lincoln scrambles to the other end and pulls the blanket down off the back of the couch to cover his erection.

“So this is your mystery man, Linc? I’m impressed.”

“What? Fuck. What?” He’s adorable with his brain short circuiting. Lincoln casts his gaze to Miller who’s wearing a shit-eating grin and making no attempt to hide how hard he is. “Why is he impressed?” Lincoln’s confused look turns to me. “Why are you impressed?”

“Miller’s a fucking catch. Man or woman. You’ve got a good one.” I lean over and shove at Miller’s shoulder. “I’ve been fucking with this guy for years and he’s never turned a cheek in my direction.” I’m not sure the V between Lincoln’s eyes could get any deeper.

“Are you…into guys?”

I give him an honest shrug. “I’m not not into them. The right opportunity hasn’t risen yet. I could never give up pussy but I can appreciate the male form.” I look Miller up and down and linger on the bulge in his jeans. When I look back at Lincoln his eyes focus where mine just were. I bend down and slap Miller on the chest.

“What the fuck?” he protests.

“You saw my cock and freaked out. Now I’m upset. I deserved a better reaction than that.”

“I was in fucking shock.” A look passes between Miller and Linc. I open my mouth to question what it’s all about but I hear Lincoln’s name drift from the hallway, stealing our attention.