Jace’s hand comes up to cradle my other cheek, his fingers brushing through my hair. “Then we’ll make room.” His tone is firm, unwavering. “This time, we let you lead. We listen. We don’t control.”
“And the next time someone tries to touch me, challenge me?” I argue. “It’s been six years, and Silas stabbed a man today.”
“Because he deserved it,” Silas says without hesitation.
“There’s a difference,” Jace adds, his voice measured, “between protecting you from actual threats and controlling your choices. McCoy was a threat. Ryan Matthews asking you to coffee isn’t.”
“Though we fucking hated it,” Cal mutters.
Despite everything, a laugh bubbles out of me—sharp and slightly hysterical. “So what? You’ll just...let me date other people? Go to coffee with men who want me?”
“No,” all three say in unison.
“We’re endgame for you, Princess,” Jace continues. “Stop running from the fact that you want this too.”
The truth hits me like a physical force. My pulse pounds in my ears. “I’m scared,” I admit.
“Good,” Silas says with that rough honesty I love. “Means it matters.”
Jace’s gaze drops to my mouth. “Those boys were raised by a strong woman, but they need their fathers.Youneed us. You don’t have to carry this alone.”
Tears blur my vision. “I don’t know how not to be alone.”
“Then let us teach you,” Cal says, voice tender. “Let us show you what it means to be loved by three men who would burn the world down for you…and them.”
Fear coils in my gut, but beneath it, something else settles—an ember glowing steadily.
“Okay,” I breathe, the single word a promise.
“Okay?” Silas’s tone is a question wrapped in hope.
“Okay.” Stronger now. “I don’t know how this looks. I don’t know how we do it. But I’m done running.”
“Then don’t,” Jace says simply. “Don’t let the fear win.”
Silas’s mouth is on mine in an instant, the kiss a fierce rush of whiskey warmth and need, his hands pulling me flush against him. I give a soft sound of surrender, every year of longing pouring into that moment.
When we break apart, breath mingling, Cal’s arms sweep around me and spin me toward him. His kiss is playful, teasing, fingertips tracing gentle arcs along my spine, eliciting a gasp.
Before I can catch my breath, Jace closes in, one hand cupping the back of my neck, guiding my lips to his. His kiss is deliberate, possessive—a promise etched in the press of his mouth.
He draws back, and I’m trembling, surrounded by their heat, their hunger, their love.
With my heart hammering, hoping it doesn’t break, I let myself jump.
29
PARKER
Jace sweeps me into his arms, and I let out a breathless laugh, wrapping my arms around his neck as he carries me out of the garage. The night air is cool on my flushed skin as he strides purposefully toward the guest house, Cal and Silas following close behind.
My heart is pounding, desire and nerves warring inside me as Jace takes the stairs two at a time. He shoulders open his bedroom door and tosses me playfully onto the big bed. I bounce with a giddy laugh, hair flying around my face.
Jace stands at the foot of the bed, his blue eyes never leaving mine as he unbuttons his shirt with deliberate slowness. The fabric parts to reveal the sculpted planes of his chest, more defined than I remember, a new tattoo curling around his ribs that wasn’t there six years ago. My mouth goes dry.
Cal pulls his henley over his head in one fluid motion, his golden skin catching the dim light. The muscles in his shoulders bunch and flex as he tosses the shirt aside, and I can’t help but stare at the dusting of dark hair that narrows down his abdomen. My fingers twitch with the need to trace that path.
Silas, always the most impatient, practically tears his shirt off, revealing the lean, corded strength I’ve dreamed about for six years. The scar on his collarbone is new—a jagged line I want to trace with my tongue. My nipples tighten painfully against my blouse as they all reach for their belts in unison.
