"Yes," I agree happily. So, maybe I don't need my men to make me feel better. I have my bestie, alcohol, murder mysteries, and an entire day off. Sometimes a girl just needs to bum.
"Alright, so..." Cassidy murmurs, looking shifty as heck. "Don't be mad."
Narrowing my eyes at her, I cradle my almost empty second glass to my chest. "What did you do in the bathroom?"
She rolls her eyes and jumps onto my bed. "Nothing. Don't be gross. But I may have let someone into the apartment."
"Cass—"
"Three someones," she blurts, cheeks flaming red.
Grumbling, I kick my covers off and down the last of my yummy drink. I texted the chat and told them I wanted to stay home today, then offered to reschedule our decorating day for the room. Apparently, they took that as an invitation to come over?!
Trying to keep my stomps to a minimum, I make my way to the main living area. There, on my couch, are Jamie and Ellis, looking completely and annoyingly attractive. Jamie's turned toward Ellis with his arm on the back of the couch and his legs spread wide.
Ellis' cheeks are a little pink, and I swear I see him sway toward Jamie. Nate, on the other hand, is pacing the length of the living room, looking worried.
"Good morning," I greet, trying to keep the accusatory tone out of my voice.
Nate whirls around and rushes to me with my name on his lips. "Violet," he breathes. "Are you okay?"
Unintentionally, I block him by wrapping my arms around my waist. I just about stop myself from stepping back because these men are like a dog with a bone. Their eyes are already narrowed on my posture.
"I'm having a tough morning," I admit and bite the inside of my cheek.
Jamie leans forward but doesn't say anything. Why isn't he saying anything? My throat closes over and I realize how badly I need a freaking hug.Why is it hard to ask for one? Why won't they just hug me?
I'm being ridiculously unfair and emotional, but I can't help it. I was feeling better with Cassidy and our cozy morning in bed.
"What's feeling tough, baby?" Nate asks, towering over me and making me feel smaller than I already felt. "Did we do something?"
"Not everything has to be about us, Nate," Ellis comments, sounding thoughtful without taking his eyes off me. "What's hard today, Bubbles?"
Blowing out a shaky breath, I waver between sharing and just asking them to leave. Then I look at Jamie and my resolve to be alone fades away. He's looking at me with such openness and understanding, all I feel is encouraged to lean on them.
"I-I'm stuck in my head. Thinking about what happened and all the feelings are coming back up. I—This part is embarrassing," I mutter, scuffing my toe in the carpet.
"I doubt it's as embarrassing as Nate slipping on a patch of ice out front and face planting into a dead bush," Jamie drawls, swinging his leg at Nate who, now that I'm looking closer, I see has a tiny twig in his beard.
"Oh my god, really?" A giggle and a huge smile brighten my mood, which has me releasing my waist. "You're joking."
"Nope," Ellis denies with a loud laugh. "Fucking epic."
"You're gonna have a really hard time sitting tomorrow, El," Nate growls at his partner.
Ellis lifts his chin in cheeky defiance. "Don't threaten me with a good time, babe."
Nate's eyebrows lift, and he takes a step forward. "You little?—"
"As excited as I am for Ellis to get spanked later, I'd like to hear what Violet was trying to tell us," Jamie interrupts, once again kicking his leg out. This time to block Nate from getting to Ellis.
My hand raises to muffle my laughter which only becomes harder when I notice that Nate looks a little damp. "I wish I could have seen that."
"You want a toasty tushy too, baby?" Nate rounds on me, sexy fire in his eyes and rippling muscles. "We could line you two up, bend you over my bed, and take turns teaching you a lesson."
"Maybe instead of the spanking they seem to want, we should edge them. Oh, then we could fuck each other while they aren't even allowed to touch themselves," Jamie suggests like that isn't the worst possible idea.
"Absolutely not!" I huff and Ellis shouts his indignation at the same time.
