I shake my head. “No, I put these on.”
The three brothers study Theo’s movements with sharp precision. But it’s Nash’s dark gaze that unnerves me as Theo pries the restrictive garment from my body. It falls to the fall with a smack against the rug. Theo’s fingers trail between my breasts, and I arch my spine, begging for his attention. He huffsa laugh as he fiddles with the laces on the shorts, freeing me of them in less than a tempo. His fingers tuck into the side of the leather, and he tugs them down my legs, over the boots, and onto the floor.
“Leave the boots,” Nash instructs with a tilt of his head.
Malachi licks his lips and takes a step forward, then another, crowding me against Theo’s back, so I am once again the filling in a knight sandwich. But it’s not fear that has me immobile; it’s something dark, brutal, wild. I stare into Malachi’s crystal-green eyes and arch a brow as a dare.
“Now what are you going to do?” I whisper.
He smirks, and then his lips are on mine. Soft, seeking, soul-destroying. I could drown in his kisses and leave the realm with a smile on my face as I met my demise. My body moves restlessly against him, caught in a carnal dance we are born with as I seek friction. I need something deeper. Malachi holds my head hostage, tilting it to gain entry to my mouth the exact way he wants it.
Theo’s hands paint a maddening pattern on my stomach and ribs, occasionally grazing the underside of my breasts, pulling whimpers of need from my throat, which Malachi gladly swallows.
My eyes flick open to find Hart with his arms folded and his jaw ticcing, and Nash with a faint look of amusement, but the promise of fire in his eyes. I can’t handle any more heat; I’m likely to combust as it is.
Nash’s eyebrows dip as Theo’s hand spans my stomach. He flattens me against him so I can feel how I am affecting him. Oh, Holy Idol ovaries. My core clenches in protest as heat gathers low. Malachi’s lips leave mine as he paints a hot path across my jaw, up to my ear, and down my neck to my collarbone, making me shiver.
“Again, pretty mouse,” Theo drawls. “What deals have you made?”
Nash narrows his gaze as he awaits my answer. It occurs to me they are trying to distract me into revealing the truth. But they already have all my truths.
My breathing stutters as Malachi tugs the shirt open, and his lips caress the swell of my breast.
“Tell us, Calamity,” Hart snaps. “Before we have to get involved.”
My lips tip up. “Is that meant to be a threat?”
“Are you willing to find out?” he asks with a tilt of his head.
There’s something wrong with me. I should run away screaming down the castle’s corridors, but I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather be than in a closed room with these four knights as they use my body to extract secrets that don’t exist.
“I made no deals other than the one I explained with the crocodile,” I breathe as I get a little lightheaded from the chaos Malachi and Theo create inside of me. This might be the true meaning of chaos—a beautifully brutal price paid in the flesh.
“I believe her,” Nash decides.
My shoulders sag. I can’t take much more teasing. I’m ready for what follows.
Nash steps forward and places a hand on Malachi’s shoulder. He lifts his head, his heated gaze burrowing into my soul as he takes a step back. Wait, what? Where is he going? I was a good girl and made no stupid deals. Surely I get rewards in kisses, orgasms, and whatever else he wants to extract from my body?
Nash snatches my hand in his and pulls me away from Theo, who groans in protest.I feel ya, buddy.
“What are you doing?” I ask as he tugs me toward one of the bedrooms.
He pauses and glances over his shoulder. “Taking you somewhere private to punish you. Unless you prefer witnesses?”
“Why am I being punished at all?” I ignore the witnesses comment.
He turns to face me, and his free hand wraps around my chin, holding me hostage so he can stare into my eyes. “Have you forgotten you were meant to remain safe here in our chambers? Have you so quickly dismissed your role in becoming a vital part of our narrative, and then sacrificing yourself to the whim of the Idols for a damn sword?”
My eyes narrow. “I will always come for those I love. Asking me to remain behind was a miscalculation on your behalf. If anything, you should punish yourself.”
He shakes his head. “Falling for you is all the punishment I need.” My heart twists, and my shoulders drop. He believes me a punishment?
He punctuates his declaration with a hard kiss before pulling away. “Now, I’ll ask again. Witnesses or private?”
“I vote for witnesses,” Hart drawls.
I cock a brow at Nash. “Private. Do your worst, Nash Stirling.”
