Page 17 of Starborn Husbands

Zhang’s watching them with hope and wonder in his eyes. I lean against the counter and nudge him with my elbow. “Here. One sandwich for every life-saving service you’ve ever provided me.” Seems fair. “Thank you,” I force myself to add.

The last thing I want is to owe him something. Dammit, though. We’re going to be family. Co-workers and family? Not a healthy work-life balance.

He bites into the sandwich and when his dark expression brightens, I know I did well. Warmth fills my chest. I scowl for good measure to make that feeling vanish. If I want to get my praise kink on, it will be with someone other than Zhang.

I return to the table. Being near Zhang when I’m not trying to kill or maim him is too much. That I’m willing to sit near where my brother makes out with his soon-to-be husband says something.

“This place have champagne? We should celebrate,” I say, kicking my feet up on the table.

“No alcohol for you, effective immediately,” Zhang says.

“So far, being your husband, not a fan.”

“Oh, yeah. Our family doesn’t drink, but you know that,” Gem says to Atlanta. “You going to be okay with that?”

Sure,hegets asked if “it’s okay”. I’m simply banned.

Atlanta nods, nuzzling into Gem’s neck. Wow. What happened to my caveman brother?

Guess he’ll have to be okay with a lot, marrying into a royal star family. Thank the Gods it’s not me.

“Stars shouldn’t drink, Treyu,” Zhang says.

“You’ve lectured me about it many times.”

“Maybe we wouldn’t be in this mess if you’d listen to me once in a while.”

“You said so yourself, this situation is at least half your fault. Maybe you should listen to me, huh?”

He growls and leaves again, slamming the door. I assume he needs more air. “Preview to our wedded life of bliss, folks,” I say when Gem flinches. No laughs for that one? Fine. “What do we do now?”

“Father will contact us tonight. Zhang will sort it out with him and then you’ll be free to go, Treyu.”

“Good.” I make another sandwich for me and another for Zhang for getting air instead of dropping me off a cliff.

CHAPTERFIVE

Atlanta

After one night—just one—of experiencing the idea of life without Gemini, I know it’s more painful than life with him.

“I won’t be easy to live with,” I say, moving strawberry hair from his brow. He’s sitting on the kitchen counter, and I’m between his legs. Fuck, I want to spread him open and spear him with my cock. Bet he’s super wet for me.

“You’ve never been easy, Atlanta.”

I slide my hand up his shirt and squeeze his nipples. One of his heels digs into my ass, pulling my hips toward him. I need him. Need to own him.

“Can he go somewhere else?” I whisper into his ear, referring to my brother. Then I lick, and a shuddery shiver goes through him.

He shakes his head. “Zhang will lose his mind.”

“But I need to be in you.” I kiss the nipple I tweaked and suck it into my mouth.

He kisses the fuzz atop my head. “I want you in me. Maybe Zhang will take him for a ride.”

“I’m right here, you two, and I’m no longer a youngling starlet,” Treyu says.

“Little brothers are annoying as fuck,” I say, and lean in for another kiss. That does it. Boots stomp across linoleum. The door slams.