"Will you stay?" I asked, my voice barely more than a whisper. I couldn't seem to hold back the vulnerability seeping into my tone. "Just until I fall asleep?"
"Of course, I promise," he replied, sliding into bed beside me. His warmth enveloped me as we fell into easy conversation, our words mingling with quiet laughter and shared secrets.
His gentle touch traced patterns on my skin, lulling me into a state of relaxation. The scent of him, earthy and inviting, filled my senses and brought calm to my racing thoughts.
"Grayson," I murmured, half-asleep, "I'm glad you're here with me."
"Me too, Parker," he whispered back, his breath tickling my ear. "Sweet dreams."
As sleep finally claimed me, I felt Grayson's presence, a soothing balm to my frayed nerves. And for the first time in days, I surrendered to the darkness with a sense of safety and peace, knowing that Grayson would be there, watching over me until the morning light.
I awoke, my body pressed tightly against a warm, firm form beside me. A feeling of calm washed over me as I realized that, for once, I'd managed to sleep without any panic or disaster. Grayson's scent filled my nostrils, and I knew he must have left and come back at some point during the night. He was now in his boxers, tucked securely under the blankets with me. I buried my face in his chest hair; the coarse strands tickled my skin and caused a contented sigh to escape my lips. Grayson stirred, making sleepy noises that sent shivers down my spine.
As I shifted slightly, I became aware of something else… My fingers were intertwined with someone else's. Curiosity piqued, I lifted my head and followed the trail of entwined fingers up an arm that belonged to Kearan. He was sleeping against Grayson's back, his muscular body barely covered by thin pajama pants. Kearan's shirtless form was a sight to behold, and I took a moment to admire him. Even in sleep, he seemed guarded, his brow furrowed ever so slightly. Faint burn scars marred his otherwise flawless skin, leaving me wondering what he'd endured in his life. As my gaze traveled upward, I met Kearan's eyes. He was awake, watching me with an unreadable expression.
"Enjoying the view?" Kearan murmured, his voice soft and low. My cheeks burned as I realized he'd been awake, watching me look him over. I stumbled over my words, trying to find a response.
CHAPTER 11
ARE YOU SURE YOU'RE OKAY WITH... THIS?
"Didn't mean to stare." As soon as the words tumbled from my lips, I felt my face redden even more. "You're just... really hot."
His lips quirked with a small smile. "Thank you, Parker." His voice was barely above a whisper. "You're beautiful too."
"Thanks," I smiled back, unsure of what else to say. It wasn't every day that I woke up with two gorgeous men… Though it had happened a few times, that had been with Trux and Rhiot.
Kearan leaned up on his elbow, peering over Grayson's shoulder with a hint of uncertainty in his eyes. "I hope I didn't intrude on your time together," he said quietly, glancing down at our fingers still intertwined.
"Of course not," I reassured him with a small smile. "You're always welcome to sleep... or do anything else with us." The words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken possibilities and desires.
His eyes held mine for a moment, searching for any hint of insincerity. Seemingly satisfied with my response, he squeezed my hand gently.
"Anything?" Kearan asked, his voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and hesitation.
"Anything," I repeated, trying to convey my sincerity without pushing him too far out of his comfort zone.
"See?" Grayson's voice was a low rumble. He reached up, grabbing Kearan by the back of the head and giving him a deep, passionate kiss right in front of me. My chest tightened at the sight, arousal growing inside of me as I watched their intimacy. Kearan seemed to freeze up at first, but Grayson persisted, deepening the kiss and pulling him down further until Kearan's arms were wrapped around him.
When they finally broke apart, Kearan looked up at me, his eyes wide and searching as if trying to gauge my reaction.
"Wow," I whispered. My cheeks flushed, and I could feel my heart racing in my chest. "That was... intense."
Kearan's gaze darted between Grayson and me, uncertainty flickering in his eyes. "Are you sure you're okay with... this?"
"Absolutely," I replied without hesitation. "Seeing the two of you together makes me happy. We're all in this together, right?"
"Right," Grayson agreed, his hand sliding up Kearan's arm in a comforting gesture.
Kearan stared at us for a moment longer, as if weighing our words. His eyes held a mixture of gratitude and something deeper, more vulnerable. It was clear that trust was hard-earned for him, and seeing him open up even just a little was like witnessing a miracle.
A wicked grin spread across my face as I locked eyes with Kearan. "You know, I told Seph and Ryker the same thing… Seeing you and Grayson together makes me happy. I fell into all of your lives quite unexpectedly, and it wouldn't be fair to expect you not to share with each other when I have so many mates."
Kearan's tense muscles seemed to relax slightly at my words, but before he could respond, Grayson pulled him into another searing kiss. Their lips met with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine; their desire for one another was almost tangible. Grayson whispered against Kearan's lips, "See? You can kiss me in front of Parker."
With a disapproving noise, Kearan pulled away from Grayson, his gaze flickering between us. I reached out and squeezed his hand, trying to reassure him. "Please stay," I pleaded softly.
"Grayson and you need to bond," Kearan insisted, his voice strained. "You and Ryker weren't able to finish mating, and—" He stopped mid-sentence, a horrified expression crossing his face as if the mere thought was too much for him to bear.
