“What’re you thinking?” Calix’s leg bounced uncontrollably, and his fist was tightened on his knee.
“Um… I’ve only really known you guys a couple of days, and before I met you three, I hadn’t thought of being with someone else after the mess that happened with Jay. I had practically given up on the idea of finding anyone else, especially the way the world is. But even when I was with Jay, I didn’t feel the same desire I feel about you three. Sure, sexually, but more than that. I actually really enjoy being around you. Maybe it’s because it’s new and exciting, but I think it’s something more. What I really need to know is what you three expect of this now.”
Calix’s eyes lit up, and even though his mouth was covered with a mask, I could tell he was smiling. “I want to be with you. Like in a relationship.”
“All three of you do?” I moved my gaze toward Micah, who nodded.
“Yes. I want to date you.”
Nathan chuckled as I turned to him. “Of course we want to date you, killer. All three of us.”
“Exclusively?” I nibbled on my lip, and their faces darkened.
“Yes,” Calix said. “Just the four of us.”
“And you three are okay with, um, me and you three?”
“Yes, darlin’. We are more than okay with sharing you between the three of us exclusively.” Micah’s large hand landed on my thigh.
“We do want to make it clear now though.” Nathan’s hand curled around my other thigh. “It’s just us. No one else. No other men or women would ever be added to this relationship. It’sunconventional, but we would still be committed to just you, and you would be committed only to the three of us.”
“And all three of you are truly okay with that?” I glanced at Calix, clutching the mug tightly with sweaty palms.
He had been the one I hadn’t had much time with. The one who I knew had an issue with touch. The fact he’d been included in this had been both surprising and exciting, and I was excited to learn even more about it.
“Yes,” he confirmed. “Are you okay with being committed to us only?”
“Of course.” My heart pounded loudly, and I took a sip of the coffee. “Dating in the apocalypse is unconventional anyway, right?”
“Absolutely.” Nathan chuckled.
I settled back against the sofa with the coffee held up to my nose as I basked in the warmth of the cup. “How long do you think we’ll be stuck up here?”
“I don’t know,” Micah groaned, getting to his feet and walking across the wooden floor that creaked with every other step as he went toward the window. It had become a charm of the treehouse that I found comfort in.
I got up and followed him, finding amusement in the creaks of the boards as I made my way toward him to look out the window.
The fear that hung over my head was muted as I stared down at the shambling rotten horde below the trees. I knew it should’ve been terrifying. We were essentially stuck up here, but being with these three men in this room... I didn’t feel the fear I knew I should.
Instead, my mind buzzed, blocking out everything except the low, pleasant hum of excitement for the future and the relationship I was developing with them.
“Seems like they’re thinning out a bit.” Micah crossed his arms as he stared down at them surging forward on a mission, all of them.
A shiver tore through me, and I wrapped my arms around my middle. “Does that mean it’s almost over?”
Strong arms wrapped around me from behind as Nathan pressed a kiss to my neck and held me close. “Almost, killer.”
I glanced up at the window and froze as I noticed Jay standing in the window of their treehouse, gaze locked on me.
“I’d say a couple more days at least.” Micah leaned forward, taking my attention from Jay, and kissed my forehead. “Don’t worry, darlin’. Riding this out won’t be so bad now that you’re here.”
“I’m glad I met you.” My skin tingled with their touch, and I didn’t bother glancing at Jay as we left the window and went back to sit on the sofa.
“What about me?” Nathan teased, grabbing my hand and flipping it over to rest on his leg as he traced invisible lines up and down my forearm. “Are you glad you met me?”
“I’m happy that I met all of you, obviously.” My cheeks burned as I grinned and leaned against Micah. “What happens after the horde passes?”
“We have to check our land and belongings. The shed, supplies, and the other survivors,” Micah explained. “We keep supplies in the two utility sheds under the large trees just a few meters away from the shower shed. The horses were put in the large reinforced one, so we will check on them as well.”
