Corbin straddled Rowan and placed his cock against Rowan’s lips. He winced a little as Rowan took it in his mouth, but his hesitation turned to groans as Rowan took him deep.
We moved together, pounding and pulsing, thrusting and slamming and drowning in each other. Time stopped, giving us this night that went on forever, an endless loop of pleasure and healing and love. When I came for the last time, the entire earth wobbled on its axis.
We collapsed in a heap, breathing hard, unable to move and not wanting to be the first to break our bond. More than sex had happened tonight.
I only just closed my eyes when my phone rang and jolted me awake. Rowan didn’t stir. Corbin moaned and threw a pillow at the phone, which was vibrating its way across the bedside table.
Arthur’s face grinned at me from the screen, his beard sticking out at all angles. I’d snapped the picture during one of our sword-fighting lessons. His eyes shone with mischief, mainly because he’d just slapped me on the ass with the flat of his blade. I grabbed the phone and pressed it to my ear. “Mmmmmph?”
“Where the hellareyou?” Arthur demanded. “I woke up and you and Corbin and Rowan were gone. What the fuck, Maeve? Way to give us a bloody heart attack.”
“Relax. I’m fine. We’re all fine. We just had an…errand to run.”
“Well, get back here before I have to explain to Kelly why my girlfriend has run off with two of my best friends. Flynn booked us all appointments for STI checks at a clinic down the road in an hour. Where have you been all night, anyway? Rowan didn’t drag you to some all-night bakery?”
“Where have I been?” I blinked. “To the stars and back.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
MAEVE
Corbin insisted the two of us go up to Oxford to meet his dad alone. I disagreed. He was already nervous. Having the others around with their jocularity might help to distract him. And since my word now overruled his, he didn’t get to argue. Plus, I didn’t think I could convince Kelly to stay behind in London while I jaunted across the English countryside.
Watching him wringing his hands and staring straight ahead as our train rolled through the beautiful Cotswolds countryside, I wondered if I’d made the right decision by insisting the others came with us. Flynn was, of course, completely oblivious to Corbin’s anxiety, pulling funny faces for Connor and causing Kelly and Jane to burst into fits of laughter.
Flynn’s eyes caught mine and I looked away. We hadn’t spoken since the Banksy incident, since I’d told him I loved him and he’d collapsed in on himself. I’d deliberately taken the last appointment at the clinic this morning so I could avoid talking to him. Every time I saw that smirk on his face I wondered if he was laughing at me.
On the seat opposite us, Rowan glanced up from the medieval cookery book I had given him. On our walk back to the apartment, we discovered a tiny bookshop tucked behind the corner kebab joint, and I bought the cookbook for Rowan and a set of illuminated manuscript prints for Corbin – gifts to remember our perfect night.
Rowan’s eyes shone brighter than I’d seen them since the first time I kissed him. He hadn’t done the STI check, and he’d told the rest of the guys why, and they were cool. He reached across and squeezed Corbin’s leg.
“You’re strong,” he whispered.
Corbin nodded. He looked as though he didn’t believe it.
The train rolled into the Oxford station. We all got up and grabbed our bags and jackets. All of us except Corbin, who remained in his seat, staring straight ahead into nothingness.
“Corbin.” I jabbed him in the ribs.
He grunted and didn’t move. I grabbed his backpack from under his legs and shoved it into his arms. “Come on.”
No response.
A uniformed attendant was making her way down the carriage with an unamused expression. “Corbin,please.”
He squeezed his eyes shut. “Fine,” he sighed, and stood up. He looked like he was going to the gallows instead of visiting one of the most beautiful medieval cities in the world.
I didn’t breathe easy until Corbin was off the train and it had shunted away. I didn’t want him jumping back on at the last moment.
We stepped out of the train station – a sweeping expanse of modern glass and a roof Arthur described as an ‘upturned Viking ship’ – and headed straight into the heart of the city. I kept stopping in my tracks, awed by the splendour and romance of the place. Towering spires pierced the heavens, and around every corner was another grand medieval building, secret cobbled alley, or quaint bookshop.
“Check this out, Flynn.” Arthur pointed to a brochure in a souvenir shop crowded with tourists. “There’s a haunted pub tour of Oxford.”
Flynn grabbed up the brochure. “I know what we’re doing this afternoon.”
“That one doesn’t start until this evening.” Rowan flicked through the other leaflets on the display. “There are lots of other walking tours.”
“Corbin and I have our appointment at two,” I said. “But I’d be down for a walking tour first. The city is so beautiful. I’d love to see more of it and learn about the university.”
