Cil kisses him, brushing his cheek against Ollie’s. “Kitten…” he whispers softly. “My kitten,” he says, this time a little more loudly, before looking at us, all intense and deep andCillian. “The first time we did this, you thanked Ollie for loving me, and now it’s my turn.” He leans over us, pressing his forehead to Shai’s, holding the side of his head. “Thank you for loving him. I needed that, and it’s good to know we will always have it, the four of us.”
Love comes in so many forms—romantic, platonic, familial, friendship, brotherhood. With us, all those shades are there, vibrant and true.
“I…” Shai starts.
“You don’t have to say anything,” Cillian says. “I know how you feel, and I see how you love him. That’s the most important thing.” Cillian moves back to his side of the bed, the conversation over. No more words are needed.
“Do you ever wear panties?” I ask Ollie, and his mouth drops open.
“What! Oh my God. Do you?”
Shai chuckles. “After everything we did,that’swhat scandalizes you?”
“Yes, I mean no. I just didn’t know. What kind?” Ollie asks.
“All kinds. Lace is my favorite. It’s really hot. I’ll get you a pair, and you can wear them for Cillian.”
Ollie laughs, burying his face in my arm.
And then we just…talk, laugh, make jokes. After the last…who knows how many hours of high emotions, fear, and danger, I think we all need it. There’s no shyness, no embarrassment, no jealousy as we lie together, naked, sweat-slicked bodies, and enjoy each other’s company.
I don’t know what time of day it is, or how long we lie here, just fuckingbeingin this way together, before Ollie says, “I was so scared earlier…for all of you.”
“I know, Kitten, but we’re all here with you. Everyone is okay.” Cillian runs his fingers through Ollie’s hair.
“I’m tired,” Ollie says.
But no one moves. “Go to sleep,” Shai tells him, Ollie turning to look at Cillian.
“It’s always up to you,” Cil replies, and Ollie snuggles close, Cillian removing Ollie’s glasses.
We don’t even bother with the light. When Cil’s lids flutter, then close, I turn to Shai, the two of us folding into each other’s arms, and go to sleep.
When my eyes open again, what has to be hours later, Cillian and Ollie are gone, Shai still passed out beside me. I turn onto my side, focus on him while he sleeps, studying each curve of him, the way his lips are slightly parted, and just…take him in, count how many times he breathes in a minute, watch his pulse throb in his throat. I don’t take my gaze off him for hours, not until he wakes up, not looking surprised to see me staring at him.
“You should have woken me up.”
“Then I couldn’t watch you sleep.”
He smiles. “I love how obsessed you are with me. I’m just as obsessed with you.”
I kiss every bruise again, take his mouth, make sure he knows he will always belong to me. “Do we need to talk about what happened with Ollie and Cil?”
“No.” He shakes his head. “I know what it was, and we both know who we belong to.”
“Yes, we do.” I grin.
“Come on, Cherry. Let me wash you again, and then I’d like to go check on my mom if you don’t mind.”
“Anything,” I answer, and we both know I mean it.
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
Shai
After our shower,Rory gives me free rein of the fully stocked closet he has here. He has another at Rian’s house. “I don’t even know what that would be like,” I tell him. I’ve spent most of my life not having enough of anything I need.
“Well, now you will. We’re rich, pet. Now you can have anything you want.”
