Hidden in Smoke (Phoenix Rising Book 2)

by Harper Wylde

  “Whatever the case, her heightened hormones are probably lending to her increased sex drive,” Ryder explained and ran a hand through his hair, looking pained as his eyes dropped to my lips once more.

  “Is this really a problem?” I wanted their hands back on my body. I felt them all pulling away, and I wanted to cry.

  “We’re not rejecting you, sweetheart. Don’t be upset.” Damien came forward and pulled me into his chest.

  “It’s just that your hormones—this so-called heat—could be clouding your judgment.” Theo sighed and slowly withdrew his fingers from my skirt. “The most important thing is that you don’t regret anything we’ve done when you wake up in the morning.”

  “I’ll regret not doing things!” I wailed. Why were they always stopping me? Didn’t they want me the way I wanted them?

  “Holy fuck; of course, we do!” Killian cursed and started pacing.

  Walking up to me, Hiro grabbed my hand and brought it to his waistline, giving me ample time to pull away as he slowly slid my hand down to feel how hard he was. “That is all for you.” He guided my hand over him a few times before he closed his eyes, swallowed hard, and stepped away, releasing me as he went.

  “Don’t you dare think we don’t want you.” This was from Ryder. He stalked up to me and cupped my cupped my face while Damien still held me tight. “I’ve been planning our first kiss since the moment I saw you. I want to kiss you more than anything, but when we look back on our life together, I want our first kiss to mean something special.” I teared up as he explained his hesitation. Ryder could be incredibly sweet, and this was one of those times. Nodding, I let him pull me into his arms and hug me, kissing the top of my head, then my eyes and cheeks. I sighed and tried to reign in my raging hormones.

  “Come on, Nix.” Damien pulled me toward the stairs.

  “I can’t believe none of you are going to ravish me.” I knew I sounded pathetic, but I couldn’t help myself.

  “Oh, our night’s not over,” he promised as he dragged me up the stairs and the guys followed.

  “It’s not?” I was confused. If they weren’t going to touch me… then what else was there?

  “No, Nix. Go get ready for bed.” Raising an eyebrow at him, I crossed my arms in front of my chest.

  “I’d do what he says, woman.” Killian smirked at me and crossed his arms as well, leaning against the wall at the top of the stairs.

  Giving up, I marched into my room to follow their orders, disappointed about the turn the evening had taken.

  Thirty-Two

  Damien

  When I heard her door click shut, I let out a sigh of relief. We were barely hanging on by a thread, and if she had looked at me with those pleading eyes one more time and asked me to touch her, I’m not sure I would have been able to hold back. Her pheromones were swirling through the air, surrounding my brothers and me, and the need in the house was at an all time high. Whatever was going on with Nix was driving us all crazy. I could feel everyone’s desire for Nix flooding my mind, fueling my own into a raging fire.

  I could see the same resolution in my brothers’ faces. We had left our girl worked up and turned on, and none of us had wanted to send her to bed alone. Earning her trust and not pushing her, especially when she’s had a little bit to drink and her hormones were at an all-time high, was worth walking away from, though. None of us would ever compromise her faith in us. Our first kiss tonight had been more than perfect, and the fact that my friends were there to watch had only increased the pressure my hard-on was putting against the zipper of my jeans. I liked to watch as much as I enjoyed being watched, and I nearly groaned aloud as I replayed our kiss in my mind.

  Each of us had headed off into our rooms, and I kicked my shoes off, reaching behind my back and pulling my shirt over my head, tossing it into a pile on the floor. I could feel Nix’s sexual craving through our connection as I tuned in to her. I could almost picture her climbing into bed and writhing under her sheets. Her need was almost suffocating, and I let out a hiss as I pulled my zipper down, giving my body more room to expand. She wasn’t writhing yet, but she would be soon. I fully intended to make sure she was sated before the evening was over. Four distinct murmurs sounded in my head as we each lost ourselves to the scent of her seeping under our doors.

  Damien? She reached out tentatively through our link.

  I’m here, sweetheart. I finished undressing down to my tight boxers and climbed onto my queen sized bed. I wished with every fiber of my being that Nix was next to me. I sent her an image of my hand snaking below the waistband of my boxers and heard her gasp. It was like a soft echo in my head, hearing her gasp through our connection but also hearing the small intake of breath faintly through the wooden barriers of our bedroom doors. My room was across the hall, on a slight diagonal from what I now considered Nix’s bedroom.

  Touch yourself for us, Nix. I widened the telepathic link as much as I could and let the guys communicate mentally with our girl as freely as the could.

  Killian groaned. Yes, baby.

  The idea of Nix’s fingers sliding underneath the thin cotton of her underwear surged through me, and I heard the resounding appreciation of such an image from the other men in the house.

  If we couldn’t touch her ourselves, this was the next best thing.

  Do you have any idea what we want to do to you? Hiro’s deep, low voice simmered to Nix. What we’ve been fantasizing about for weeks?

  Tell me. The breathy reply made my blood hot as our girl pushed images of what she was doing to herself through our connection, making us crazy. Her fingers were sliding through her slick folds, teasing herself the way she wished we would touch her. When her finger brushed over her clit, she threw her head back from the overwhelming sensation on a silent cry.

  The emotions and lust of the other four men in the house battered me, and my body thrummed with sexual frustration. Gripping my steely length, I squeezed to contain myself before I exploded prematurely. Funneling all these feelings made sex unbelievably intoxicating. Fisting my hand over myself, I leaned my head back into my pillows and let the images the guys were sending wash over me as I acted as the conduit to Nix.

  An image of her sandwiched between Ryder and Hiro blasted through me on its way to Nix, and I had to bite my lip to contain a cry. It was sexy as fuck to see what played through Hiro’s mind. Ryder’s arms tied to the bed with Nix straddling his hips, taking him deep inside of her pussy while Hiro buried himself in her ass. Her hands were tied just above Ryder’s, causing her back to arch heavily. Her breasts were positioned right above Ryder’s eager mouth, leaving Hiro in control of the punishing thrusts as Nix cried out from the dual penetration of the two cocks rubbing against each other through her thin, sensitive walls and Ryder’s eager tongue on her nipples. A beautiful, feminine cry echoed through the walls.

  That’s it baby, slide your fingers into your pussy. Imagine us buried inside of you, pistoning in and out, making you wild. Let us hear how good you’re making yourself feel. Hiro demanded of Nix, and I matched pace with her slow movements as she guided her fingers through her wet heat, pulsing as she moaned for him—for us.

  An image of Killian and Nix appeared next, his hands pushing gently on her shoulders as she fell to her knees in front of him. Her small hand wrapped around his large cock, stroking slowly as she glanced up at him through her lashes. He imagined her taking him into her mouth slowly, suctioning her lips around his wide girth as her warm, wet tongue teased him to distraction. I lost myself in the image of her head sliding up and down my brother’s cock as I stroked my own in time with the mental movie.

  Think about how powerful you’ll feel, controlling our pleasure like that. Hiro groaned. To feel Killian shake with his sheer need for you.

  Killian switched the movie, showing her legs thrown over his shoulders as he canted his hips into hers on the couch where they shared their first kiss. I want you any way I can have you, Annie girl. I just want to slide deep into that t
ight, sexy body of yours and feel you squeezing around me.

  Oh fuck, yes! She shouted through the line as her fingers picked up the pace, sliding her other hand over her stomach as she ratcheted up her own pleasure. I need you. Please! Her begging almost undid me. Killian lost it as he roared his release.

  Theo was next. The first chance I get I’m going to bury my head between those gorgeous thighs and lick you until you come all over my face. My tongue is going to fuck that beautiful pussy before I capture your clit between my teeth and tease it, each hand gripping your ass as I hold you against me. Oh fuck, Nix! I want to feel your legs shake. He careened over the edge, crying out sharply. Nix writhed on the bed, spiraling higher as she gushed at Theo’s dirty words.

  Ryder’s pleasure slipped through the line as he lost his concentration to hold his fantasy away from Nix. I could feel his deep anxiety as it reached her, but it quickly dissolved. Her moan rocked him as she spread her legs, latching onto his desires as she pictured him slamming into her g-spot while Hiro slammed into him from behind, controlling the pace and torturing both his lovers. Nix keened at the same time that Hiro gave a resounding, animalistic growl.

  I need one of you inside of me. At least your fingers! She tried to entice us to come to her.

  On your knees, Nix. I demanded, the need to drive her over the edge riding me.

  She whimpered but obeyed.

  Good girl. Hiro purred.

  Now lower your shoulders toward the bed until your breasts just brush the sheets, teasing those tight nipples. She groaned but did as she was asked. Spread your knees, Nix. I teased my cock as I pictured what she must look like. I wanted to be in that room with her, letting my eyes roam over every inch of her.

  Her ragged breathing told me she enjoyed taking direction.

  Slide your fingers back inside of yourself, sweetheart, and imagine it’s me claiming you from behind. Sliding into you slowly at first as you work to take my length inside of your sweet body, then faster as you stretch to take all of me, letting me brand you from the inside out. Curl your fingers into that sweet spot and picture four sets of eyes watching the radiance on your face as we mate, Nix. All their want, all their pleasure centered on you. The intense mixing of our magic as our creatures stained to join in our lovemaking would spark along your skin. She cried out as she set a punishing rhythm, rocking her hips into her hand and teasing her clit against her wrist as she spasmed around her seeking fingers when they hit just the right spot inside her inner walls. I knew she was right on the cusp of flying, and I wanted to see her soar.

  Let those tits bounce as you rock, baby. Feel the way the fabric teases them, just like we would do as Damien fucked you. One of us on each side, touching you and making you delirious. The rough voice of Killian drove her higher and added to her imagination, and she gave him a broken cry.

  One of us would slide underneath you, licking and sucking your clit, flicking it with our tongue and teeth while he pounded into you from behind. Theo’s words had Nix groaning a wanton, desperate sound that edged towards a whimper.

  That’s it, mikro poulaki. Let go. Ryder prompted. Drench those fingers.

  Shattering, she came apart on a scream that shuddered through my body. Losing control I savagely worked my cock and came on a hoarse cry, the intensity of the moment rocketing through my body. The heady scent of her spent arousal floated through my door, and I breathed her in.

  I could feel how spent she was and I wanted to go to her, clean her up gently, and tuck her into bed.

  Sated, for now, she settled in and reached out to us. Best. Sex. Ever. I don’t know if I should be impressed by your skills since none of you were actually in the room or mad at your damn self-control. She yawned as aftershocks shot through her body, making her shiver. Does that count as sex? Probably not, but it was so sexy and so hot. Another yawn. I want you all.

  Sleep now, Nix, before you get us all riled up again. I chuckled at her but listened to her mind as she fell asleep slowly. I wanted to be next to her, sharing her bed and holding her all night long. What happened tonight had changed things for me. I was ready to publicly claim her, the Council be damned. My Gargoyle bared his teeth at the thought of their irritating involvement in our love life. For the first time in my life, I started questioning their methods because anything that wanted to keep Nix apart from the guys and me was unquestionably wrong.

  Thirty-Three

  Nix

  Once again waking up in the bedroom that was mine, I stretched, loving the bone-deep satisfaction of having, at least in some ways, claimed the guys as mine last night. The memories flooded my mind as I thought back over the evening, and a smile etched itself on my face.

  I took stock of my arousal, feeling the steady hum of need still coursing through my veins, but I felt steadier than I had the previous night. The guys were right; there was something off with my overwhelming need to mate last night. I’d felt like I was spiraling out of control, but even though I logically knew all of that, I couldn’t help but wonder about the what ifs. I had been so ready to take that leap into sex with any of them the night before, and I couldn’t help but wonder. With the heightened arousal and my slight buzz coupled with the fact that I was falling for each of the guys, would I have been able to actually participate in the act without having any triggers? Even now, I desperately wanted to find out.

  Checking the clock on my phone, I realized it was already after ten in the morning, and I rushed to grab a shower. Throwing on my favorite pair of jeans, comfy socks, and a soft, long sleeve vee-neck shirt, I dashed down the stairs, enjoying the tenor of morning conversation that reached my ears.

  Reaching the first floor, I blushed as five sets of eyes found mine from various places around the room. Their expressions ranged from happy and content, to heated—replaying my performance from the night before.

  “How are you feeling?” Damien asked cautiously, and I felt his magic flow over me, wanting to get a read on my thoughts. Smirking, I let him in, and he gasped as I replayed the image of him sliding into me from behind.

  “I’m quite well,” I teased, swinging my hips as I walked into the kitchen and stuck my head into the fridge, letting the chill cool my heated cheeks while I searched for the orange juice. Pulling it out, I poured myself a glass and caught Damien’s broad smile.

  “No regrets,” he announced, and a collective exhale whooshed through the room.

  “Of course I do.” I furrowed my brow, causing him to hold his breath and narrow his eyes as he searched my head again. Before he caught onto me, I continued.

  “I absolutely regret that not one of you had your way with me last night.” I smirked. “My ‘jets’ may have cooled, but I still want you.” I used my free hand to make quotations. “I think I always will.” I said those next words so quietly, mostly to myself, but I was surrounded by male shifters who had super hearing. I hid behind my glass as I drank the juice and set the glass on the counter as they studied me.

  “We’re always going to want you too.” Ryder moved closer, and the serious look in his eyes took my breath away. He was already committed, and I couldn’t help but feel the same way. Being paraded around last night had only solidified my connection to my guys. None of the other men who had sought my attention could come close to stacking up to even one of my males. It might be soon to want to claim them as my own, but the connection to them was bone-deep, ingrained in my soul. My Phoenix rose in jubilation.

  “So what you were thinking last night is true. You want to claim us?” The hope in Killian’s voice made my heart squeeze in my chest. He hopped up from the couch where he had lounged and rounded on me, locking eyes with mine. I wanted him to know how wanted he was. I was angry at the damn upper echelon of shifter society making people feel like they were less because they weren’t rare enough, or powerful enough. The whole idea that just because you shifted into a normal animal versus some form of mythological being put you into the dregs of society was stupid. Killian was enough. He alway
s would be, no matter what he shifted into or how powerful or consistent his psychic visions were.

  The powerful sound that escaped his lips as he rushed at me made me flinch as he scooped me up, but I quickly got my heart rate under control. “What the hell did I do to deserve you?” He spun me around the room, and I threw my head back and laughed, thanking Damien for letting Killian feel my conviction about the matter. Never, in my entire life, had I been more happy, than in this moment. The other guys all beamed at us.

  “To answer your question, yeah, I think I’ll keep you.” I looked around. “All of you.”

  The eyes all around me shifted, pushing the unnatural glow of their creatures into their irises as primal sounds rumbled through the room. The alpha vibes from their reaction to my claim prickled over my skin, and I felt the magic around us grow to unbearable levels. My Phoenix spread her wings, the surge of her power and strength pushing against my skin as my eyes glowed with golden fire. It wasn’t official; I’m sure their world had plenty of pomp and ceremony over matings. After Ahmya had marched her bitchy ass into our house and spewed her venom, I’d been plagued with worry about whether the Council would even let us mate should we choose to. However, I tried to push those concerns away. That was a hurdle for another day. This moment was more important than any of that, and I wouldn’t give the Council the power to taint it. This was me, standing in front of my group of guys, claiming them as mine. I wanted them to know that I was all in.

  Killian set me on my feet and proceeded to kiss me softly, cradling my face between his calloused hands. Each of the guys came in for a kiss, and I was thoroughly dizzy by the end of their attention, careening toward wanting a repeat of last night.