I sigh as I relax into him, vowing never to take this feeling for granted, not when I know it can be ripped away so easily. This has been the hardestweek of my life, and as harrowing and painful as it’s been, I wouldn’t change anything that happened. Not when it deepened my relationship with Rhys and made me realise just how much these men mean to me.
Harlow huffs at my feet and gives me a baleful look, not pleased about being disturbed before settling back down again.
Theo scoots closer on my other side, careful of his injuries, and takes my other hand. “I still can’t believe you’re back here, safe.” He squeezes my hand before tucking it against his chest. “Both of you.” He directs that last comment to Rhys, who’s sitting in the armchair, looking half asleep thanks to the pain meds the doctor gave him earlier.
The medical centre was the first place we went to after we stepped through the gate and were attacked by a very enthusiastic Ketchup. Luckily, Theo hadn’t ripped out that many stitches, and so after stitching him back up, the doctor threw painkillers and antibiotics at him and Rhys and told them to rest.
“Happy to be here,” Rhys grunts as he gazes at us with half-open eyes. “Although I’m going to get some sleep. These pain meds have wiped me out. You guys should stay with Ollie tonight.” He pushes himself to his feet with a tired groan.
I frown. The idea of not sleeping next to him feels wrong, especially after spending the past week in close proximity to one another. But just the thought of being apart from Alex and Theo makes my stomach lurch. I need all of them tonight, not only to help chase away the nightmares I know will haunt me, but because I need to know they’re here safe with me.
Theo must see something on my face because he turns to Rhys. “You should join us,” he says, causing the other man to still. “Since I’m sure you two have cemented your relationship, right?” He flicks his gaze between us.
Alex’s eyebrows shoot upwards, and I tense, a part of me waiting for him to lose his shit just like he did with Theo. I know it’s stupid,especially since he helped push me towards Rhys with Theo, but my exhaustion has all my worst fears bubbling to the surface.
Thankfully, Alex doesn’t seem pissed. If anything, he looks pleased if the small smile on his lips is any indication. “Did you two finally get your shit together?” he asks, his smile growing wider.
Relief shudders through me and I blow out a breath.
Rhys still looks cautious as he glances between the three of us. “We did… sort of,” he says, sounding shockingly unsure considering how confident he usually is.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Theo asks with a frown.
I decide to put them out of their misery. “It means that while we’ve established a relationship, Rhys wants to talk about boundaries and limits with all of us before we make it official.”
“Exactly,” Rhys says, the approval in his voice causing a shiver of delight to dance down my spine. “There’s nothing worse than miscommunication.”
“Well, in that case, you’re not domming me,” Theo says, pointing at Rhys. “I’m perfectly happy for group play and don’t mind my dick touching you or yours touching me as long as Ollie is in the middle somewhere. No one goes near my ass, and toys are always welcome, as long as they’re for Ollie.”
I blink at him, both surprised and a little turned on by everything that just came out of his mouth. Even though he’s confirmed everything I already knew, it’s surprisingly hot to hear him say it.
Alex rolls his eyes. “Of course you’d go straight for the sexual limits.”
“Hey, I’m just making sure we’re all on the same page here; I’m only sexually attracted to Ollie.” He shoots me a playful wink, and I can’t help but smile at his antics.
“I’m pretty sure none of us were confused on that,” Rhys deadpans.
“But now you know for certain. See? Isn’t communication fun?”
Rhys lets out a long-suffering sigh and rubs his face. “I’m too damn exhausted for this shit,” he mumbles while shaking his head. “Alright, if we’re all sharing a bed, we’ll need to figure out whose bed we’re using.”
Alex and Theo share a look before blurting out, “Ollie’s!” at the same time.
My brow furrows. “Mine? But I only have a single bed up there.” It barely fits me, let alone three fully grown men. Hence why I’ve been bed-hopping between Theo's and Alex’s beds.
“Not anymore,” Theo says with a grin. “You have a wonderfully massive bed up there now.”
I do?“When did that happen?”
Alex rubs the back of his head sheepishly. “I needed something to do while you guys were missing. Mostly to keep me sane and from punching anyone who came close.”
My heart clenches at the reminder that these men suffered just as much as I did when Luke took us. Without thinking, I throw my arms around Alex’s shoulders and slam my lips against his, pouring my gratitude and love for him into the kiss. He groans into my mouth as he grabs the back of my head and deepens the kiss, sending sparks of pleasure straight to my clit.
Goddamn, does this man know how to kiss.
Rhys clears his throat. “As enjoyable as this is, with two out of the four of us injured and you being exhausted, Ollie, I don’t think sex is the best idea right now.”
Ugh, I hate that he’s right.
