Finding Nova

by Belle Harper

  When we all got arranged into seats, it was a little uncomfortable as there was so much stuff packed in. But Noah had it worse. He was all cramped up because he was just so much taller.

  “I think we need a bigger seat back here. Maybe I should go in the front?” Noah asked Colt, who shook his head.

  Nova sat between us but saw how uncomfortable Noah was, so she offered him her seat and plopped herself into his lap as he lounged back and ate up all the attention. I wasn’t jealous, as I knew I would be the one cuddling up to her tonight. I didn’t think she has realized that yet—that we have been taking turns every night to be the one cuddling her.

  The silence in the car stretched for a long time, the sound of the engine soothing, lulling me to sleep but I forced myself to keep my eyes open. I couldn’t help but be alert when Nova was right next to me. Noah had nestled Nova so she was sprawled out on his chest and was stroking her hair. The small soft sounds that came from her told me she was sleeping. He smiled to me and closed his eyes. Not before long he was also making sounds, but they were nowhere near as cute as the ones Nova made.

  “So, where we want to go? I can take us to Jasper? Or Williamstown? Oh, probably best to avoid those places with Nova, but they do know me there, so if we kept her hidden, we could go in and get supplies and leave without anyone even knowing.”

  I tensed up. What was this guy’s angle?

  30

  Colton

  The guy, Ryker. There was something about him. I had my pistol in my pocket, waiting for the guy to turn on us. The way he kept looking in his rear-view mirror made me even more uneasy. It was not like he could see out the back of the car with all the stuff piled back there. No, he was watching and looking at Nova. My Nova. Our Nova. I tried to keep my cool, but I wanted to push him out the Jeep and leave him in the desert.

  I could tell he irked Ezra something bad. He was on alert and I was glad for it. But if we had to be with him to get where we were going, then I was going to take everything he was willing to give. When things looked like they were going down, I would take us all and bail on the guy.

  “Head north. We need to go north.” That’s all I really knew of where Eden was.

  He nodded. “Jasper is north, but not straight up. Did you want to go there and get more supplies? Or just head north?” he asked. This was the second time he wanted to go get supplies. It made me uneasy.

  “No, just go north.”

  He pulled a map out from the console and flipped it open. Holy shit, I hadn’t seen one of these in like forever. GPS had taken people everywhere—no need to use a paper map.

  “It’s old but it helps. We are roughly here.” He pointed to the state of Utah.

  I nodded. Okay so we were in Utah.

  “So, there are all different places up there that I have never been to. But most major towns are still functioning. So, you will need to help me out and figure out where you want to go, and where you want to avoid.”

  Fuck I never even thought about that. We hadn’t really been out of the area we were living in. I studied the map for a while and told him to keep going and to avoid Jasper. We were not going there.

  When the sun started going down, the Jeep started to crawl even slower.

  “Shit, the battery must have run out and been just running straight off the sun. It needs to recharge. We can crawl for a bit, though. Do you want to camp or find a place?” he asked.

  “House, please.” Nova talked for the first time all day. I didn’t know how she was even going to sleep tonight, but I was wrecked, and I was sure Ez was too. Noah was taking first shift on night watch after his full-day nap.

  “House it is,” Ryker said as we continued down the highway. There was nothing but small scrubs and dirt. I could see a town coming up ahead, but it wasn’t fenced or walled so I assume it was abandoned. It wasn’t too small. It had a gas station and I could see some houses. As we crawled into town, there were a few cars blocking our way, and it looked like the town had seen better days.

  “Look there is a motel. I wonder if we could get some rooms,” Ezra said. It looked so much worse than the rest of the town. Ryker stopped. Ez followed me out of the Jeep and over to the motel. It wasn’t as bad inside as it was outside, but there wasn’t much for security with the doors all being smashed in. You couldn’t close them. I shook my head and headed back into the Jeep.

  “You think you have enough juice to get us to a house?” I asked Ryker.

  He shrugged. “Only one way to find out. I will go down that side street and hopefully there is something decent down there.”

  Nova decided she was getting out now. “I need to stretch my legs,” she said as she slipped past me out, jumped over the console, and out the front door of the car. That woman infuriated me, and fuck if I didn’t love her for it. Noah jumped out again with Ezra right up behind her. Ryker slowly followed them down the street into the first house. And parked.

  The first placed had been cleaned out, not even a mattress. So, we quickly moved to the next place. It was a bit better, with a couch and one queen-sized bed. The kitchen didn’t have much, just some useless utensils that we couldn’t use.

  “Let’s have something to eat. I’m starving.” Nova popped up behind me. And I jumped.

  “Hey, don’t do that,” I teased her. I wasn’t really scared. I knew she was behind me, just wasn’t expecting her to be so close. I wrapped my arm around her shoulder and she laid her head against my chest.

  “Mmm…you smell like… you,” she said and then pushed off from me and bounced off to Ezra, who was dragging some broken furniture out of the hallway so the bedrooms had better escape routes.

  “So, I have brought out a few things I have for eating. Mostly can goods. And with that it’s mostly a surprise. So, take your pick.” Ryker handed the cans over to me. I looked at them and used the can opener he held out.

  “These cans are from the government when everything went to shit, so they aren’t too old. But I’m pretty sure they aren’t cans of peaches. Which I don’t recommend eating if you find one that looks like peaches… it never is so just throw it away.” And his face scrunched up and he shook his head in disgust as he held his stomach.

  Noah laughed behind him. I noticed he had one eye on Nova and one on Ryker.

  “That reminds me of when we found that Twinkie, and you told me not to touch it. And I didn’t listen.” I rolled my eyes at Noah and laughed. That was not pretty.

  “You ate a Twinkie? Seriously?” Ryker turned to look at Noah, who nodded with the stupidest grin on his face.

  “Yeah man, if you get told not to eat it, trust them and don’t eat it. I thought I was going to die.”

  Once I got the lid off the first can, I noticed it was a meal, like veggies and meat of some kind; the second one looked the same. So, I opened a third can and placed them all down on the kitchen counter. Being careful not to disturb the dust. Last thing I want to eat is dust covered canned food.

  “Nova,” I called out. She popped her head around the corner and saw the cans and bounced over to them. She was very perky tonight. She wasn’t usually this bouncy. Maybe being in the car for so long had helped her energy levels. Plus I’m pretty sure she slept most the ride here.

  Ryker held out a spoon for her and she took it, thanking him and started to dig in. Noah came up next and Nova gave him the spoon. Between the two of them, they finished the first can. I took a few spoonful’s and passed the spoon over to Ryker, who was just standing back watching us. He took it and had two bites and then gave the spoon to Ezra, who had just finished moving all the crap out of the way.

  “Not too bad,” Ez said as he took a third serving and handed the spoon back to Nova.

  “Eat,” I said when she hesitated to look at us. She was always worried she was having too much, but really, she never had enough. I wanted to be able to provide for her better, and if this was all we had, then I would rather her have a larger serve than any of us. I looked to see how Ryker was taki
ng that in, and he just leaned against the wall, his arms crossed against his chest and watched her with amusement.

  When he caught me looking at him, he gave a small nod of his head. She tried to hand the spoon to Noah and then Ryker, who both shook their heads. At least he was in agreement with me.

  “You have to eat too. You’re bigger than me.” She gave Ezra that look. I knew the way his face was crumbling, and when he started inching toward her. I knew he was going to take that spoon.

  “Three more servings, then you’re finished, sweetheart,” I told her.

  She turned to me with narrowing eyes and crossed her arms across her chest. I wanted to laugh at the way she looked. But I held my gaze to hers and quirked my brow in challenge. When I didn’t break like Ezra almost had, she took her three servings. Glaring at me the whole time before passing the spoon back to Noah.

  31

  Nova

  Mr. Bossy Boots Colton. I didn’t need to eat that much, but he made me eat more. Even when I wasn’t hungry anymore. My stomach had never felt full until I met the guys. And especially since Colton worries and forces me to eat more than I want. I was grateful to him, though, and to Ryker for getting us here.

  Although, I was not too sure about Ryker. What was his thoughts on me? On the four of us?

  He’d helped us when he could have sold me to the wolves. And he was still here, sharing his food now. And decent food at that. I gave him a smile to show how much I appreciated what he had done. Colton told me not to talk to him. That I was in a bit of trouble for already talking to him so much. I just rolled my eyes at that, and he threatened a spanking if I did it again. Which I did, just to see if he would. He just laughed, which was much better.

  I loved when Colton smiled and laughed. Mr. Serious is his other name I call him. But God, I didn’t know where we would be without him. He was a born leader. And holy fucking hell he was hot as fuck—that long, shaggy, dark-blond hair, and those eyes. Plus, he knew his way around my body more than I did.

  “All right, bed time,” Colton announced as he took me by the arm and led me to the room with the only bed. The one bonus of having three boyfriends was you always got the bed. He placed the flashlight on the floor, giving the room a real dreamy feel to it. I really wanted to get out of my clothes and sleep naked. And after such a long, boring day in the Jeep, I wanted nothing better than to snuggle up and have some fun sexy time with my guys.

  “Ezra,” I called as he strolled in the room and placed a kiss on my forehead, I bounced past him and peered around the door for Noah. He was sitting on a chair near the front door of the house.

  “He is taking first watch tonight,” Colton stated from behind me. I turned to see him almost naked in front of me. Ezra was still taking his clothes off and gave me a cheeky grin. I knew that smile, and I couldn’t wait to kiss it off his face.

  I followed the guys lead and took my top off, the next thing I saw was Colton giving me a stern look as he stomped past me and closed the door. Loudly.

  “Don’t leave the door open. He might see you.” He approached me and held my chin with his thumb and finger. I winked at him, and it broke his little dominance. He couldn’t help but crack a smile as he leaned down and kissed me. I felt Ezra come up from behind and undo my pants for me. They dropped to the floor and he squeezed my ass. I rubbed myself into Colt, needing him close to me.

  “Get on the bed,” Colton ordered. Colton liked being in charge all the time. I was not complaining, because it made me hot as hell. As Ezra found out. “You’re so wet already.” He breathed into my neck as he stroked my clit. I moaned at the feeling, throwing my head back he kissed along my collarbone.

  This was the first time without Noah, without the four of us. It was not bad, just different.

  “Now someone was bad. And I told that someone they would get a spanking if they didn’t stop…and what did they do?” Colton stalked up my body, a wicked gleam in his eye.

  “I talked to Ryker.” I giggled as his big hand landed on my breast, and he kissed and licked my lips as Ezra slowly fucked my body with his fingers. I moaned into Colton’s mouth. I didn’t want Noah hearing us and feeling left out. But Colton had other ideas.

  It was like he and Ezra had planned out what they were going to do with me. One minute I was on my back getting finger-fucked by Ezra; the next I was on my stomach, Colton behind me rubbing circles on my ass cheeks.

  Slap.

  I gasped at tingles his hand had left and turned in time to see Colton slap my other ass cheek. My whole body flushed from the feeling.

  “You like that, don’t you?” he asked. I just smiled and winked at him. That was my answer because surprisingly I did like it. I wiggled my ass, and Colton slapped it again, slipping his fingers between my legs and into my needy body. Hhe bent down and playfully bit my shoulder.

  “I think that’s a yes, Nova. You want some more?” he murmured into my hair.

  I arched my back, giving him more room to play with me. I reached out for Ezra, who was stroking his cock to what he saw. I reached for his cock, and he let go. Letting me take over and keeping the same pace. I pulled him closer to me and licked the head. He moaned as I put the tip into my mouth and sucked. Hard. He jerked forward, his hand going to my head. A need to hold onto something as I sucked him deep, as far as I could take him into my throat. The sounds he made spurred me to continue.

  “I see Noah has been giving lessons.” I pulled away, with a smile I watched Colton pull his boxers down, his cock bouncing as he freed it. Lifting myself so I was on all fours, I got better access to Ezra, and Colton came up to me from behind. He swiftly entered me until he bottomed out. The feeling thrummed through my body.

  He grabbed my hair firmly, not painfully but enough to tell me he was in charge. He pulled my head back so I was now looking at Ezra’s face

  “Fuck her little mouth, Ezra. Teach her that if she doesn’t listen, she gets gagged.”

  Shit, Colton was so fucking dirty tonight. Ezra did as Colton said, except he gave me full control. I might have had a talking with Noah about sucking cock, but I was still no deep-throat professional like he was. The room was filled with the moans and slaps of my ass. I was getting close to coming, and Colton sensed that as he reached below me and stroked my clit as he fucked me harder. I shuddered at the touch; it was so sensitive. His other hand slapped my ass, his thumb moving toward my other hole. I could feel him pushing against me, wanting entrance to my untouched place. I wasn’t sure if I was ready for that and tensed up a bit.

  “Sweetheart, I will make sure you like it. I’m going to slowly ease you into it. I’m not going to fuck your ass until you’re ready.” At that I relaxed again, and Ezra held my head as I sucked harder and deeper.

  As I felt the coil tighten inside me, I knew I was going to come. I pulled my head back just as my body started to go over the blissful edge. I felt Colton’s thumb as it entered my ass. The feeling was unreal; it felt foreign but so right at the same time. I shuddered and gasped for air as it intensified the orgasm. Colton chased his right after me.

  “Open your mouth.” Ezra’s voice was deep and gruff. I opened and took him as deep as I could before he pulled back.

  “Shit,” he said as he spilled into my mouth. One last shuddering breath and he pulled away from me. Cupping my cheek, he said, “You can spit it. I won’t be offended.” I didn’t really like to swallow, not like Noah did. So, Ezra usually pulled out and came on my chest or his hand.

  I poked my tongue out to show him I’d swallowed.

  His smile was worth it. “Fuck, that is hot. You’re so fucking hot, and smart and beautiful, Nova.” He kissed me. Not caring that I tasted like him. Colton came over from a table and had a wet cloth.

  “Gonna clean you up, sweetheart.” He was back to regular Colton. Not the bossy sex god Colton.

  I opened my eyes. I couldn’t believe I’d slept last night but the guys wore me out. I rolled over and stretched. I looked beside me to a sleeping Noa
h.

  “Go back to sleep,” he grumbled. I giggled and licked the tip of his nose. His eyes flew open. “Did you seriously lick me?” He grabbed my arms and pinned them beside me, and I cracked up laughing. He started to tickle my sides, and by the time we were finished, I was lying on top of him, kissing him.

  “God, Nova, I love you.”

  My stomach filled with butterflies. It was the best morning. So far only Ezra had told me he loved me after I told them all I loved them. I had hoped and wished that Noah and Colton would tell me that. And now Noah had.

  “You don’t have to say it back,” he quickly added, glancing away.

  “I love you, Noah. With all my heart,” I told him as I kissed him and laid my head down on his chest. I loved to listen to his heartbeat. It soothed me. He ran his fingers through my hair, getting caught on many knots I needed to brush. But in this moment, I was truly happy the world had gone to shit, because if it never had I wouldn’t have my guys. Noah, my big puppy, always making everyone smile. Colton, bossy but sweet. And Ezra, so protective and caring.

  And I love them all.

  Screw a normal relationship. I couldn’t pick just one. I could never choose one over the others; they were all mine. And I loved them all, and nothing was going to change that.

  I heard the door squeak open. I looked over to see Ezra standing there, the smile he gave me touching his eyes.

  “Love birds, we are going to get going now that you’re awake. You can sleep in the car, Noah,” he added once the groan started up in Noah’s chest. I laughed and slapped his arm to stop.

  32

  Ryker

  Last night when Nova went to bed, I didn’t expect to hear the three of them together. Even thinking about it now has me adjusting myself. I thought she was just with Colton. That was why I told him to ride up front with me so I didn’t have to see them together looking like lovers. But then she had lain down on that other man’s chest and had fallen asleep. And Colton didn’t bat an eyelid I was very confused.