We’ll have to figure out what further steps to take with these fuck nuggets. I want to make sure they understand that how they’re toying so viciously with Elliot is fucked-up. I have to admit, though—Archer did well. I’m gonna make him show me the footage from the basement eventually, but from the way he described it, I’d be surprised if there aren’t a few puddles of piss on the hardwood down there. I’m guessing if Archer snapped, it was brutal. His bark is pretty good; he’d definitely commanded respect out there at the pool. I’m fuckin’ impressed.
My eyes flick to the closed door across the hall. I hope they hurry the fuck up over there. I have a feeling Archer wanted to run something by Kingston before they brought that damn bag or phone or whatever the fuck it is in there to show Elliot. Or they’re fucking. Could be either. Or both.
“What do you think they’re doing in there?” She gives me a funny look, her brows pinching on her forehead.
I huff out a laugh at the idea that she and I are having similar thoughts and aim my gaze at the door across the hall, squinting while I listen. Unable to hear anything, I shrug, then turn my head, my lips curving into a sly smile, and wriggle my brows at her.
I find it intriguing the way things have rather quickly unfolded and changed between them, forging an even stronger bond. I’m into it. In my mind, love is love, and if they choose to express that physically with each other, I have no problem with it. There’s not enough fuckin’ love in this world.
Besides, it’s kinda hot to watch. And even participate in, to a certain degree. Because when all four of us are together, it’s kinda impossible to not come into contact with each other.
Now, if I assume it’s the phone they’re discussing, I think it’s time we let her know we have it in our possession. If we don’t, it’ll be ugly—she’ll be far more upset in the long run. Better for Archer to say, “Hey, I found something while I was in the process of protecting you because none of us can imagine life without you” and show it to her.
Not liking the thought of being separated from her inanyway, I pull her tightly to my side, and she immediately curls up, putting her legs sideways over one of mine, her cheek warm where she turns her face and buries it against my pec. Bringing my hand up, I cup her face, sliding my fingers back into her hair. I let out a ragged moan as I kiss the top of her head and inhale her sweet scent.
I wish I’d been the one in the shower with her. I wish I’d been the one she’d come to for help. But I get it and hadn’t been here, anyway. This week she’s needed Archer’s (usually) calm self and his caregiving ways. While I’d do anything to protect her, it’s surprisingly okay with me that she’s gravitated toward him right now. It makes sense. And I don’t think it means she feels any less for me. It simply means she needs him, too.
But there is one small thing I can give her right now. With my lips brushing her temple, I rasp, “E, it’s gonna be okay.”
She looks up at me, brows raised in surprise, though I could swear our girl is trying not to make a big deal out of me choosing to speak to her. “I don’t know what to do. I’ve kept something from you. It’s eating me up inside.” A shudder runs through her. “It’s significant. I’m worried how Kingston is going to handle it. All of you, really.”
I let out a sigh, my brow furrowing in thought. What the hell could be in that bag that’s so awful? That’s obviously what she’s referring to, right? She’s more than a little worried.
Wrapping her up in my arms, I tighten my hold on her as she clings to me, expelling one shuddering breath after another. In one swift move, I pull her up so she’s sitting on my thigh. Her eyes widen for a split second before I guide her face to mine and brush my lips over hers. I claim her with a bold swipe of my tongue into her mouth. I want her to understand I’m with her. She’s ours. I’m not letting go. No matter what comes through that door at us.
I run my hand up her smooth thigh, groaning my appreciation to Archer for the velvety softness of her skin. Her lips nip at mine, and she sucks my bottom lip into her mouth for a moment before releasing it with a wet pop. Fuck, she’s something else. I let my hand drift from her thigh, skimming over the boxer briefs she’s wearing to the hem of the T-shirt. All the clothing is Archer’s, and it’s totally hot seeing her in it. In fact, it makes me remember when I gave her my T-shirt to wear the very first night she was here. I groan at the thought of it and slip my hand under the fabric to find her stomach and let my fingertips whisper over her skin, trailing their way up to her breast. My palm grazes her nipple, which is already taut and waiting for my attention.
I yearn to take it into my mouth, so I peck her lips and ease back, tugging the shirt up to expose her tits.Fuuuck.I stare heatedly at her chest for several seconds before I look up into her eyes to find them burning for me.
“Put your mouth on me, Cannon. Distract me.”
There’s no stopping me at those words. A jolt of lust races through me, and my dick swells. Elliot arches her back as I duck my head and take her nipple into my mouth. Mercilessly, I flick my tongue over the sensitive bud before I swirl around it and suck hard. A growl sounds deep in my chest. I fuckin’ love the feel of her warm skin under my lips, the mouthwatering taste of her, and the needy sounds she makes when I draw her in deep. She whimpers as if she can’t possibly get enough and wants to be so much closer to me.
Archer’s door opens a few moments later with a small creak—fucking hell—and Elliot gasps but holds my head to her chest.
Kingston gives a soft chuckle striding slowly closer. “How long were we gone?”
Joining right in, Archer smirks a bit and nods with a wink. “When has Cannon ever not taken what he wants?” He wets his lips, coming closer, his eyes laser-focused on the scene they’ve walked in on.
With regret, I release Elliot’s nipple from my mouth, kiss it, then pull Archer’s shirt back down, straightening myself, but not letting Elliot move from my lap, even though her thigh is in direct contact with my erection.
She gives them what I’d call ayikes facebefore giving her explanation. “Sorry. I got nervous. He was doing his best to distract me while we waited.”
Archer huffs out a laugh, glancing at Kingston with a secret smile. “Seems that’s going around today.”
Kingston groans out a laugh as he laces his fingers on top of his head. His brow raises as he delivers a megawatt smiling smirk at Archer before he turns back to Elliot. “You definitely don’t have to explain yourself.”
Elliot’s head tips to the side as she watches the two of them, and a slow smile tugs at her lips.
That is, until Archer holds up the black pouch that’s in his hand. The second he does, Elliot goes completely stiff in my arms. “Peaches, I know it’s been a rough night. But I think we need to talk.”
Touching a few fingers to her chin, I tilt her face to mine. “Remember”—my voice scratches roughly up my throat—“it’ll be okay.”
I note the hard swallow working its way down the delicate column of her throat and the tremble that rolls through her body. Whatever the fuck this is, I think she must be right; this is definitely giving off vibes that a significant moment for the four of us is about to go down… it’s simply beyond my comprehension what that could be. I can’t help but think we’re about to be blindsided with something. Call it intuition, gut instinct, or a good fuckin’ guess, I don’t care.
Elliot has no reason to be nervous about bringing something to us. I can’t think of a single time where we haven’t backed her up or believed her—not since Kingston got his head screwed on straight, anyway, and we all admitted to ourselves that we liked her. Since that point, there’s been no going back. It’s been the four of us. Ride-or-die kind of shit.
At least that’s how it is in my head.
