Page 107

“That sounds amazing,” I admit. I haven’t had access to a proper soaking tub in years before coming here, and the idea of jets and all the other luxuries sounds like bliss.

“I’ll go ask her right now,” Ford says, already getting up and reaching for some clothes.

I climb out of bed and pull on a robe, wincing a little as I walk. Now that I’m moving around, I can really feel just how thoroughly they fucked me last night, but I wouldn’t trade this soreness for anything. Last night was one of the best of my life, and I want to repeat it again as soon as humanly possible.

I share this sentiment with Hayden and Gabriel, and they both look like they’re physically restraining themselves from pulling me right back into bed this instant. The hungry way they’re looking at me sends an electric thrill through my entire system.

Ford returns a few minutes later, poking just his head through the door. “She says, no problem.”

I slip out into the hallway and immediately see why he was being so careful—Lydia is standing there in adorable pajamas covered in tiny snowflakes, her hair still messy from sleep.

“Hey there,” she says with a warm smile. “Ford mentioned you slipped on some ice last night?”

“Yeah, it was pretty embarrassing, actually,” I lie smoothly, the deception coming easier than I expected. “I even tore my dress, which is part of why I ended up wearing Gabriel’s jacket. That’s what I get for trying to look so dressed up in snowy weather.”

She waves a hand. “That’s ridiculous. You looked stunning. Come on, let me get you all set up.”

Ford presses a soft kiss to the top of my head as I pass him in the doorway. I’m sure it’s just for show since his sister is watching, or at least that’s what I would have told myself yesterday. Now? Honestly, I’m not so certain about his motivations. He looks genuinely worried about my wellbeing as I head off with Lydia, as though, despite my reassurances that I’m perfectly fine, he’s still concerned that they might have pushed me too hard.

Lydia leads me to her bathroom, which is decorated in rich, deep blues while her bedroom features lighter, airier blues. “I always wanted to feel like I was floating in the sky or swimming in the ocean,” she explains as she starts running the water.

“It’s beautiful,” I say, a bit of awe in my tone.

Once the water reaches the perfect level, I step in gingerly, hissing slightly from the tenderness between my thighs, then sighing in relief as I sink into the blissfully hot water.

“Is the temperature okay?” she asks, her hands hovering over the controls. “Not too hot or too cold?”

“No, it’s perfect. Thank you so much for this.”

She nods and then settles herself on the edge of the tub, studying me with curious eyes. “I would have expected to see some bruising if you really took a hard fall on the ice.”

“Um, I guess I just got lucky that way,” I say evasively. “It probably wasn’t as bad of a fall as I thought at first.”

Lydia makes a thoughtful humming sound, pursing her lips to one side as she fixes me with that same assessing look. “So…” She draws out the word slowly. “What’s it like to have three gorgeous men worship you?”

I nearly splash water all over the bathroom floor as I sit up abruptly in shock. “What did you just say?”

Lydia gives me a knowing, mischievous smile. “Oh, come on. You honestly think I wouldn’t notice what’s happening? The chemistry between you four is insane.”

“I—nothing’s happening,” I blurt out frantically. “I would never cheat on Ford. Never.”

“Who said anything about cheating?” She frowns, looking genuinely confused. “I know Hayden and Gabriel would never go behind Ford’s back like that. They’re closer than most actual brothers.”

I bite my lip, weighing my options. I could keep trying to maintain this charade, but Lydia clearly knows her brother and his friends better than almost anyone. She’s wearing a determined expression that suggests she’s not going to let this go easily. And honestly, I don’t want to insult her intelligence by continuing to lie when she’s already figured it out.

“There… might be something happening,” I admit reluctantly, sinking back down into the warm water. “But it’s just physical. Casual hookups, you know? I definitely wouldn’t call it worshipping.”

Lydia actually giggles at that. “Okay, now I know you’re lying to yourself.” She stares at me for a moment, then her expression shifts to something like concern. “Oh my god, you really don’t see it, do you?”

“See what?”

“How gone they all are for you. I haven’t seen Ford act like this about anyone ever, and I haven’t seen Hayden or Gabriel like this either. Hayden just… doesn’t let people into his inner circle, period. And Gabriel only does surface-level hookups with no emotional attachment. This is different.”

My stomach does a complicated little flip at her words. I wish I could believe her, but Lydia is still young and idealistic. She’s still in college, still sees the world through rose-colored glasses. And she knows these men as her beloved big brother and his best friends, not as the complex, guarded businessmen I’ve worked with for two years.

“You won’t tell anyone about this, will you?” I ask, changing the subject. “It’s a pretty unconventional arrangement, and the CEO of the company we’re trying to partner with is very… traditional in his values.”

She makes a disgusted face. “I can definitely imagine that type. But don’t worry, I won’t say anything to anyone. It’s your personal business, and as long as you’re all happy, I don’t think it matters what anyone else thinks.”