Rowan choked on his rum.
Lake turned his face away, but I heard the rough sound leave his throat. His unique laugh. He sat sideways on the other side of Callum, one leg dangling off the bed and the other bent in front of him. Silver hair dusted his bare chest, and a thin trail dipped beneath the waistband of his trousers—the only thing he’d kept on.
“The most precious toad in all the realms.” Maddox lowered his mouth to my jaw. Affection was thick in his voice. “One who has an unbreakable hold on my heart.”
I wrapped my arms around his neck and met him for a slow kiss. Despite his playful dominance and slightly sadistic nature—at least when in bed—his true emotion showed. A tender vulnerability he only let me see. It said he’d move mountains for me.
I’d move them for him too. For all five of them.
Briar rose up and kissed Maddox’s temple, then down his cheek and jaw. Our sexy captain broke from my lips to kiss him before recapturing mine. Callum joined in, scattering featherlight kisses to my throat and shoulder.
Amidst the kissing and groping, Briar grabbed the vial of oil Callum had tossed aside earlier and slicked Maddox’s cock.
“Mm.” Maddox hung his head and gently rocked his hips, seeking more of Briar’s hand.
“Does this please you? Me stroking you this way?” Briar nuzzled the side of our captain’s head and continued the glide of his hand. Maddox made a small sound in response. “I know what you’ll like even more.”
Briar guided him into place. I shuddered as Maddox’s thick cockhead nudged my entrance. He eased into me, passing the tight ring of muscle.
“Shit,” I panted. He was bigger than Callum, and there was a sting despite me having already been drilled that night. I worked on my breathing, trying to relax.
A golden glow then radiated from Briar’s palm, taking that sting away. He was using his magic to make me more comfortable. Just one of his many gifts. He sometimes infused the lube with that magic too.
“Are you all right, sweetheart?” Maddox cupped my cheek, stilling his movements.
“Never been better.” I placed my hand over his and stared up at him. I’d never get used to how devastating he was in his beauty. Long, dark lashes surrounded his ocean blue eyes. Aheavy brow and straight nose paired with cupid bow lips and a strong jaw.
“You stare,” he whispered. “Why?”
“I just missed you.” My heart lifted into my throat. “I’m happy to finally be home again.”
Because home wasn’t a place. It was wherever they were.
Emotion flickered across his face, revealing all those vulnerable things he tried so hard to hide. He lowered his lips to mine and kissed the seam of my mouth, once, twice, and then kissed me deeper. I surrendered myself to him, letting him take full control. He pushed his tongue into my mouth, mirroring the action of his hips as he eased them forward.
Waves of pleasure rippled through me. No pain or aches. Just the mind-numbing sensation of being filled so completely by a man I loved more than words could ever convey.
“I adore that sound,” he murmured, rocking into me slowly. “Your moans. I want more of them.”
He certainly got his wish. With each thrust, he gradually dove deeper, hitting me in all the places that drove me crazy. Our lips met again and again, the kisses sloppy and broken from uneven breaths and the occasional whimper.
Maddox was a soldier. A warrior who had faced down countless foes. The hand resting so lightly on my cheek had wielded a sword and taken lives. The strong body pumping into me had been battered, bruised, and mauled by demons and men alike. He’d known so much pain in his life and tried so hard to hide it.
But in that bed, he didn’t have to be a battle-hardened soldier. He could lower his defenses and show a softer side of himself. One who cracked playful smiles and held me so damn gently you’d think I was made of glass.
“More,” I begged, arching into him. I wanted more of everything: all he had to offer. “Please.”
“You heard him, Captain.” Briar brushed a kiss to Maddox’s shoulder. He had one hand between his legs, stroking himself as he watched us. My sexy voyeur. “Give our male more. Fuck him until he forgets his own name.”
Holy shit. Briar’s words alone amped my arousal up another level. My body was on fire in the best way. All-consuming love and intense lust blended as one, burning through my bloodstream. Each snap of Maddox’s hips fanned those flames higher.
“Gods, Ev.” Callum kissed down my chest and licked between my ribs, leaving a wet trail that gave me chills as the air hit it. “You’re so beautiful like this.”
“Needy and desperate to come?” I asked.
He chuckled under his breath.
Maddox grabbed me by the jaw and forced my face back to his. “Eyes on me, sweetheart. I want you to watch as I fuck you.”
