The fact that he meant it made my throat tighten.
“I don’t want to slow down,” I admitted before I could overthink it.
All three of them stilled.
Perry’s hand found mine first. Warm. Slightly sticky from strawberries. Completely sincere. “Okay,” he said softly. “Light speed here we come.”
That drew another smile from me as Master Lee brushed his knuckles along my knee, barely there, a whisper of touch that still made my breath hitch.
“Maybe not light speed, but we’ll keep to a pace that everyone is comfortable with,” he murmured.
Master Tyrell leaned in last, slow enough that I could move away if I wanted to.
I didn’t.
His kiss wasn’t rushed. It was steady and grounding and tasted faintly of coffee. The slow claiming steadily built and builtuntil it felt like my heart would jump right out of my chest. When he pulled back, his thumb stroked once along my jaw like he was memorizing me, and it took everything inside me not to lean forward and take his mouth again.
Before I could have a single coherent thought, Master Lee tipped my chin toward him. His kiss was different—deeper, slower, like he was testing how much I’d give. I felt myself lean into it without thinking, pressing my breasts against his chest, seeking some kind of... friction.
When he eased away, Perry was watching me like I was magic.
“Well,” he said, voice a little breathless. “Guess it’s my turn.”
He cupped my face carefully, checking my expression first. I nodded, because apparently I had lost all ability to speak.
His kiss was softer than the others. Sweet. A little playful at the edges. While the other two had dominated me in their own quiet ways, kissing Perry was like playing a game of tag. Our lips and tongues kept chasing each other. When he pulled back, he rested his forehead against mine and grinned.
“It’s been like a real long time since I’ve kissed a girl... but I think we did okay, don’t you?” he whispered.
I burst out laughing, the tension instantly dissolving.
Perry’s whole face lit up like he’d won a prize at a fair. “That’s a yes,” he declared, nodding very seriously. “We definitely did okay.”
“You’re ridiculous,” I told him, still smiling.
He gasped. “Excuse you. I am adorable, my Daddy says so all the time.”
“You are sticky,” I corrected, holding up my hand. Strawberry juice glistened on my fingers.
Perry beamed. “Still adorable.”
Master Tyrell shook his head fondly and passed me a napkin. “He’s a sneaky one, our Perry. He comes across allsweet and docile, until he’s pleased with himself. Then he’s just impossible.”
“I’m sorry, have you met me? There’s lots to be pleased about,” Perry said, scooting closer until our knees touched. “Especially when I kiss pretty girls until they’re all blushy and stuff.”
I tried to roll my eyes, but the warmth in my chest betrayed me. “You’re very full of yourself for someone who got himself all sticky playing with fruit.”
“Making strawberry hearts is an advanced art form,” he replied primly. “You wouldn’t understand unless you’ve spent years perfecting it.”
Master Lee leaned back on one elbow, watching us like he was enjoying a private show. “Careful, Hope. He’ll have you decorating cupcakes next.”
Perry perked up instantly. “Wecoulddecorate cupcakes.”
“Oh no,” I said, laughing. “Absolutely not. I already agreed to a picnic with three men. I am not agreeing to sprinkles.”
“But sprinkles make everything better,” Perry insisted, eyes wide and earnest. Then his voice softened just a little. “So does laughing. And… not thinking too hard.”
That quiet shift caught me off guard.
