I let out a hum, nuzzling closer to him.
“Good thing Zane and Koa are asleep,” I mumbled drowsily. “Zane would probably demand a kiss, too—”
“Damn right I would,” grumbled a voice from behind me. “I’m also waiting for the nickname you still haven’t given me yet!”
With wide eyes, I turned to see Zane propped up on one elbow, his hair sticking up in all directions as usual and a smirk playing on his lips.
“And there goes the moment,” Casimir groaned, rolling onto his back and dragging me with him to sprawl across his chest.
“Since someone’s handing out first kisses.” Zane tugged on the hem of my nightie. “I’d like mine, too, please.”
Heat flooded my cheeks, and I hid them in the curve of Casimir’s neck, only for his growl to shake through me.
“Ibrought her here, and now you’re hijacking the moment. Not cool, Z.”
“Did I wake you?” I whispered, mortified.
“Beautiful, weallwoke up the second we heard you tossing and turning and calling out in your sleep, but these jokers talked me into waiting to see if you’d ask for help instead of letting me go over and comfort you.”
“Oh.” I blinked.
“If you sleep in here with us at night, you won’t have to wake up alone after a nightmare ever again. Just food for thought,” Zane went on. “Now, since I alone remain nickname-less, a kiss only seems fair compensation.”
Another voice joined in from Zane’s other side.
“Even though Ihavea nickname, I still feel entitled to a kiss from our wife,” Koa murmured.
“They’rebothawake?” I whispered.
“Do youwantto kiss them?” Casimir’s low voice skimmed the top of my head.
Did I? It wasn’t what I’d come in here for. I’d only thought to curl up at the foot of their bed to be close to them, to hope their presence would keep Claudio out of my dreams, but the mate and beloved bonds drew me to them in more ways than emotionally.
My heart hammering, I nodded, but I kept my face shyly hidden in his throat.
“Well, then,” Casimir drawled with more playfulness than I was used to from him, “let me assist you.”
Next thing I knew, his strong arms scooped me up and wedged me between Zane’s smirking mouth and Koa’s watchful gaze, muttering at them to be careful of my arm and ankle.
“Right here, pretty girl.” Zane tapped his mouth. “I already know what your lips feel like on my skin, but now I’d really like to taste them.”
“I— What does that mean?” I asked in squeak.
His breath caught, a tiny fracture in his armor of jokes.
“Let me show you, sweetheart.”
Nervously, I leaned in, pressing my lips to his softly, the way Casimir had with me. Before I could pull away, Zane’s tongue flicked out, tracing the seam of my mouth with a gentle lick. I pulled back with wide eyes, my heart thumping in my chest. He waggled his eyebrows at me, clearly enjoying my reaction.
“You just went all innocent on me,” he teased, laughter dancing in his voice. “Didn’t know one kiss would turn you into a blushing mess.”
“What wasthat?” I whispered as a flurry of wings filled my belly.
“An appetizer.” His grin turned wicked. “To whet your hunger for more.”
My cheeks blazed hotter than ever, and I opened my mouth to ask questions when Koa’s hand gently cupped the side of my face, turning me toward him. His eyes, usually so gentle and soft for me, shimmered with something intense, something deeper.
“Remember what I said earlier, baby?” he whispered, leaning in close. “Time for me to prove it.”
