Evie couldn’t help it; she threw her head back and laughed. It was like a freezing cold snow boulder had been lifted from her shoulders, and somehow, everything did indeed seem right.
Chapter
Eighteen
EVIE
Evie's heart thundered in her chest as she stood surrounded by the three men. Their warmth enveloped her, their scents mingling in an intoxicating blend that made her head spin. She closed her eyes, trying to process the enormity of what they were proposing.
"We... we can't," she whispered, even as her body thrummed with desire. “Can we?”
She had to ask, because as taboo as it seemed, she wanted to. Sweet sugared donuts, how she wanted to!
“How would it even work?" she asked, her voice barely audible, her subconscious asking the questions her brain didn’t even want to acknowledge.
Asher's fingers traced lazy circles on her lower back. "We'll figure it out, sugarplum. One day at a time."
His playful tone coaxed a small smile from her. Evie leaned back, feeling the solid warmth of Shepherd behind her. His beard tickled her ear as he murmured, "Let yourself have this, Evie. Let us take care of you."
Spicy cinnamon rolls, that would be nice. Someone - three someone’s - to take care of her, give her pleasure, put her first. Had anyone ever done that? Not since she’d become an adult. Instead, she’d spent the past eight years looking after other people. Adrian hadn’t, and son of a biscuit, she really needed to bleach that man from her mind. He had no place in this little cocoon Gabe, Shepherd, and Asher had woven around the four of them.
"But what will people say?"
Gabe's thumb stroked her cheek. "Does it matter what they say, if this feels right?"
Evie shook her head. “I have a son to think about…” But maybe she could just have tonight…
Evie's breath caught as she considered Gabe's words. Did it matter what people said, if this felt right? The warmth of the three men surrounding her, their gentle touches and heated gazes - it all felt more right than anything had in a long time, and she wanted it - them - so very much.
She bit her lip, wrestling with her conflicting desires. The responsible part of her knew she should step away, should think this through rationally. But another part, a part that had been neglected for far too long, yearned to give in.
"Maybe..." she whispered, her voice trembling. "Maybe just for tonight?"
The three men looked at each other and had another of those silent conversations. Sugar! How did they do that?
“If that’s all you can give us, then that’s what we’ll take,” Gabe mumbled, searching her face.
“But never doubt we want more,” Asher added, trailing his fingers up her arm.
“And we’ll push you to change your mind,” Shepherd warned, pressing his erection into the small of her back.
His frank words made Evie’s heart pound. Her resolve was already weak, but propriety kept poking its nose into her perfect bubble.
She looked at them, really looked at them. Their eyes were dark with desire, their gazes intense. Every single one of them was focused on her, and it was a heady feeling. One that threatened her good sense. She swallowed hard, her mouth suddenly dry. She couldn’t deny she wanted them. Her panties were soaked, and she was pretty sure the scent of her arousal was obvious. All she could do was acknowledge their sentiments.
"Okay," she whispered, barely audible.
An electric current seemed to run through her as Gabe's hands cupped her face. He leaned in slowly, giving her time to change her mind. But Evie didn't want to change her mind. She met him halfway, her lips parting as they came together in a searing kiss.
Asher's fingers skimmed along her sides, leaving trails of heat in their wake. His lips found the sensitive spot just below her ear, making her gasp into Gabe's mouth. Behind her, Shepherd's strong arms wrapped around her waist, anchoring her as her knees went weak.
It was overwhelming in the best possible way - hands roaming, lips exploring, bodies pressing close. Evie's head spun as sensations flooded her. She broke away from Gabe's kiss, panting.
"Bedroom," she managed to get out between ragged breaths. "Upstairs."
The three men guided Evie up the stairs, their hands never leaving her body. She shivered as Asher's fingers trailed along her spine, while Shepherd's palm pressed against the small of her back. Gabe led the way, his expression so intense it made her pulse quicken in anticipation with each step.
As they entered her bedroom, Evie's stomach fluttered with nervous excitement. The soft glow from her bedside lamp cast intimate shadows across the room. She suddenly felt self-conscious, acutely aware of her mismatched sheets and the clutter on her dresser.
