by Janie Marie
She nodded, holding his hands in place as Ryder’s face came into view. This time, he was her Ryder. He was so beautiful, and he was showing her there was still beauty in death—still life. To be careful with it but to also live and love each moment to the fullest.
Tercero kissed her once more, but he let go just as the heat returned to his touch. “David had hoped to let you experience the sweetness you gift us with.” He chuckled, holding out a giant red gummy bear candy.
Jane chuckled, inspecting the bear. “So, you gift me with candy?”
“Raspberries, cara.” His thumb slid over her lip. “Our Sweet Jane.”
Her body heated, and she swayed toward him, grinning when he held her by the neck.
“He sent this as well.” Tercero withdrew a leather photo album.
She teared up, touching the words on the first page: David and his Jane. It was filled with so many pictures of the two of them together from childhood until now.
He’d written little notes on a few with just her—pictures he’d taken in secret. Your hair is red in the sun. Like you’re blushing for it, just like you do for me.
Another was of her vacuuming the living area: You bite your pretty lips whenever you’re cleaning or cooking, and I want to kiss you until you’re gasping my name.
Jane chuckled, taking in one of her asleep on the sofa. She was smiling in her sleep. So beautiful, my love.
The last picture was her dad, and he was pointing at David, Ryder, Tercero, and Luc while wearing a stern look on his face. The boys were dirty and scuffed up. He told us not to fight over you. We tried to argue that we weren’t, but your dad knew what we were up to when he caught us yelling and wrestling. We were fighting over who got to be your best friend after you told me I was your bestest. You had no idea I’d been fighting to be your bestest already. But your dad knew. He pulled me aside and said, “The bestest doesn’t think of himself, and he makes sure her loves are considered before his own happiness—that his girl is always protected, even if she doesn’t know it.” I will always try to honor you both by being my bestest for you. I love you, baby.
Happy Eighteenth birthday, my beautiful girl, my kitten, my hazel-eyed goddess. My Jane.
Your David, beyond forever.
She sniffed, touching David’s words and then her dad’s face.
Tercero caressed her cheek, warming her skin. “He has so much to show you of his bestest. You’re the reason he wants to be the best. It’s always been for you.” When she nodded, holding the album to her chest, he added, “I have a gift for you as well.”
“You didn’t have to get me anything.” She was curious as hell what he’d get, though. She loved Ryder kept things simple and beautiful, and he’d even given her the gift of being herself without him. Which was so strange because she felt so connected to Ryder, like they were one. And she knew David liked to be sweet and dirty. A cute gummy bear to show her how she tastes and a photo album showing her how much he’d loved her through the years. It was the perfect gift.
Tercero let her go and pulled something out of his pocket. Jane gasped as he held out a silver locket in the shape of the moon, half dark gray, the other glowing as brightly as it could. “My brother’s beloved moon,” he murmured, opening the locket to reveal a tiny but beautiful sketched image of her dancing in front of her father, two stars twinkling behind him. “Glowing in darkness like treasure—dancing for all, but she always has a special twirl for the second star to the right.”
Her eyes stung as she tried to absorb the details of the drawing. “Neverland.”
“As Ryder says, there he waits in the stars. They all wait. So dance for them—live—for it is their favorite sight.”
She sobbed, throwing her arms around his neck. He hoisted her up, and somehow the bag, before carrying her into the house.
He cooed words in Italian as he sat with her. She didn’t ask what he was saying because it seemed more touching to not know, only that he and her boys had made sure they gave her the very thing she’d wanted without even asking; her father and them at her side.
Tercero rocked her as tingles kissed her cheeks, following the paths of her tears. And heat, so much heat, and comfort blanketed her.
Jane didn’t hold anything back. She let Tercero watch her fall apart, and yet, he only held her—waiting for her to rise on her own.
Lifting her head from his shoulder, she sniffed. “Thank you, Tercero.”
“You’re welcome.” He studied her face, smiling faintly at her as he lifted the necklace his locket was attached to. It was long, and it hung between her breasts. “A reminder for the dark days when you forget he is already in your heart.”
She waited for him to clasp it, then she grabbed his face, kissing him with all the passion she had for him. He’d been so patient with her, and she wanted to give herself to him.
He kissed her back, and it only made her hungrier for more. But as she clawed at his shirt and pants, he restrained her. “Not today.”
Jane stilled, looking up at him. “You don’t want me?”
“Of course I do.” His smile came and went as he pressed his palm against her stomach, right over his name. “I want us to know each other more, though. I want you to remember so many smiles and kisses between us when I do take you. I want it to be completely different from my previous experiences. And, as David said, some things are better when dragged out.” He kissed her once more. “My brother and David may devour you, and Luc may dazzle you with things we cannot, but I see us more of a long-awaited dessert.”
“You just made me so hungry,” she said.
“Then I shall feed you before the big game. I would fail as boyfriend number three if I let you become one of the ravenous.” He untangled the thread from her flowers and tied the angel wings pendant around her neck. It was much shorter. “His angel.” He touched the album. “His Jane.” He ran a finger of the bracelet on her wrist. “His queen.” Now he smiled at her. “And my tesoro.”
Twenty-Nine
Jane jumped on the bleachers she had been sitting on, screaming at the top of her lungs, “That’s my baby,” as David spiked the football in the endzone. He and Ryder made a killer team. She’d nearly broken her neck as she jumped up and down like a madwoman after Ryder brutally tackled the opposing team’s quarterback, causing a fumble that David recovered. Her beautiful blue-eyed boy then ran the ball, knocking those trying to tackle him to the ground.
“Woo,” she cheered as David and Ryder bumped helmets. “Spank his ass, babe!”
Tercero chuckled, holding her steady so she wouldn’t fall. It was hard to keep her balance whenever Ryder looked her way, which was her current situation.
Her lips tingled now and every time she spied him smiling at her. That gorgeous smile appeared and then his hand flew toward David’s beautiful ass.
Jane cupped her mouth, hollering, “I love you!”
David and Ryder jogged to the sidelines with their team, and Jane felt her face flame as much of the stadium crowd darted their gazes between Jane and the two sexy football stars who waved at her.
“Jane,” Tercero said, tugging her down, “perhaps we should head down to the field before the game ends.”
She bit her lip, nervous about being separated from him.
Tercero leaned down, kissing her sweetly. “I will be with you.”
“Okay.” She smiled, still nervous.
He chuckled, grabbing her hand. “I’m not the only one watching you, cara.”
It was then she realized Principal Prince stood at the top of the stairs, his aqua-colored eyes trained on her. He didn’t hide his smile when she caught him. “He’s watching me?”
Tercero pressed a hand on her back, guiding her away from her former principal. “Ryder might’ve made it clear that, should anything happen to you, the world just might end for us all.”
She gave Tercero a coy smile. “And here I thought you were spending the evening with me because you liked my ass.”
T
hat sexy smile of his appeared. “I like more than your lovely ass, Jane. My brother is not why I desire to spend as much time as possible with you.”
Her face heated, and she realized she and Tercero hadn’t really discovered the depth of their feelings for each other. Having him say he liked her had her feeling like a silly girl.
“You should know—it’s quite a bit more than like,” he murmured, and her damn heart stuttered.
The game was over and won, and because she and Tercero weren’t the only ones who’d planned to rush the field once the game was over—as it seemed the entire school had been excited as hell to have Ryder on the team again—Jane had opted to watch from the gate as her boys were celebrated at the center of a mob of screaming teenagers.
Ryder and David welcomed the celebration, but they had shoved through the bodies, scanning the stadium until they locked eyes with her. They would blow everyone off to come over to her, but they were the stars tonight. They deserved to bask in their victory, and if they came to her, it would turn into them celebrating her for being born. Or, as far as the school was concerned, it would become fuel for the rumors about their relationship.
So, to keep the celebration centered on their victory, she’d motioned for them to stay and made it appear she couldn’t hold going to the restroom.
Well, the restroom is where she tried to go hide, suddenly emotional her boys weren’t just hers to have. She had to share them with their team, with their school. Maybe Ryder didn’t care, but she wanted him to be included as much as David was. He belonged with his teammates just as much.
It might’ve been a little easier to say to hell with it, but she couldn’t. Not when she’d abandoned her boys to become her own person. She’d have to suck up her emotions and return the gesture by letting them be themselves without her.
That didn’t mean it didn’t hurt or that she could fully hide her sadness.
But then Tercero was there. He’d followed her into the bathroom when she began to cry, and he’d given her what she needed—a kiss that reminded her of each of them.
Now, he was giving her just himself—sexy looks, a sweet caress just as she felt alone, and kisses that left her hungry yet satisfied.
“Don’t hesitate around them,” he murmured, kissing her temple as players began emerging from the locker room. “They want their Jane . . . all the time. No matter who is watching. You don’t have to worry about what others think, and you most definitely don’t have to share us with anyone else.”
She sighed, leaning against him. “I do, though. I left.”
“You left because you belong to more than us.” He squeezed her side gently. “We share, tesoro. Not you. We are yours to keep, and we insist you be selfish—even David.”
Before she could reply to his perfect declaration, a freshly showered David Leodegrance walked out of the locker room. His hair was still wet as he ran a hand through it, slicking it back as he licked his lips. Hot damn.
Tercero kissed her head. “I’ll see you later.”
“You don’t have to go,” she said, darting her eyes between him and David.
He stepped backward, that sexy, faint smile in place. “I promise I’ll see you again tonight.” He gave David a small nod then walked away.
For a few seconds, she stared after him, but as always, David’s presence called to her, and she wanted nothing more than to have his arms wrapped around her. So, she turned, grinning at him before rushing forward.
“There’s my baby,” he said, lifting her up as soon as she reached him. He didn’t hesitate to press a long kiss to her lips, and he didn’t hold back when several teammates passed them, howling and cheering for him. “Happy birthday, Jane,” he said, chuckling as she gave him a stupid, dreamy grin.
“Hi.”
He laughed again before giving her a shorter kiss and a squeeze on her ass. “Hope you realize this pretty ass is going to be painted pink by this night’s ends.”
“You guys are not spanking me.” She laughed when a separate pair of hands grabbed her waist and a tingling kiss was pressed against the side of her neck.
“Babe, don’t lie to yourself—you’ve been fantasizing about our hands on your gorgeous ass all day.” Ryder kissed her neck again as David slipped in another kiss. “Stop stealing my kisses,” he growled, pulling her away.
David let her go with a smile. “Child.”
“Jane doesn’t think I’m a child.” Ryder smirked down at her as she became completely ensnared by his beauty. “Look at you,” he mused, “all dazed just from looking at me.”
“She’s still stunned by me,” David quipped, patting her ass. “I’m going to grab our stuff. Meet you outside.”
Ryder never took his eyes off her as he smacked David’s hand off her ass. “Leave, bitch. It’s Jane and Ryder naughty time.”
She couldn’t help but giggle at him as he lifted her up. He didn’t attack her lips, and she beamed even more when David passed, giving her a wink.
“You like your presents, angel?” Ryder situated his hold on her, his forearm under her ass as his free hand came up to cradle the back of her neck.
“I loved them.” Jane suddenly screeched as a lightning-hot smack shot through her ass.
“Happy birthday, gorgeous,” Archer yelled as Ryder quickly tossed her to one of the other players and took off after his brother who thought he was hysterical.
“Well, hey there, baby doll.” The player holding her gave her a little squeeze.
Jane gasped, staring up at a dark pair of brown eyes. He wasn’t as tall as Ryder or David, but he had that same undercurrent of danger all her boys possessed. “Oh, um . . .” She didn’t know what to say as he watched her, his strong arms flexing as he rearranged his hold since Ryder had literally tossed her, and his hands were cupping her ass. “I, uh—” she stammered, trying to think of his name. He was the new player, she knew, but she’d never spoken to him before.
With a smirk, he said, “I’m Jason.”
“Jane,” she whispered, unable to look away from his gaze.
His grin turned wicked as he looked behind her. “I hear ‘happy birthday’ is in order.” He gave a swift jerk of his head, moving the dark hair covering his eyes. “Happy birthday.”
“Thank you.” She kept staring; he seemed so familiar. In a good way.
“You’re welcome.” He gave her a sinful smile. “I was wondering if I could have your nu—”
“Jason,” David interrupted, his tone threatening, just like it had been when she started seeing Ryder.
She finally tore her gaze from Jason’s.
“David,” Jason said in the same dark tone.
Her blue-eyed boy’s gaze fell on her. “You okay?”
Nodding, Jane patted Jason’s firm chest—oh—as a gesture to lower her. “He caught me.” She glanced over as Ryder came into view, carrying Archer over his shoulder. His head lolled roughly, and it appeared he was knocked out.
“What the fuck, Winters?” Ryder hollered, dropping Archer onto the floor. “Did I say you could hold my girl?”
Jane rolled her eyes as Jason righted her. “Don’t yell at him—you threw me to him like a sack of potatoes.”
David shot a glare at Ryder. “Please stop tempting fuckers that make her all dreamy-eyed.”
Jane smacked his chest as he chuckled, hugging her and walking her toward the exit. “I did not get dreamy-eyed.” She peeked over at Jason as Ryder kept glaring. “Thank you, Jason . . . for catching me.”
He winked. “Anytime, Janie.”
Ryder shoved his chest, though it wasn’t entirely mean. “It’s Jane, dumb fuck. And none of this ‘anytime’ bullshit. Not ever, is more like it.”
“Did you say forever?” Jason teased.
Again, Ryder shoved him—harder this time. “Keep it up, fucker.”
Jason held his hands up in surrender. “Hey, I was just taking care of her for you.”
“Oh, I know you’re just dying to ‘take care’ of my girl.�
�� Ryder’s muscles tensed as he crowded Jason.
David kept his grip on Jane when she started to turn around—she didn’t want Ryder fighting with a guy just for catching her so she didn’t bust her ass. “Relax, baby.” David checked things out though.
“But Jason did nothing wrong,” she said with a pout. “It’s not like he was hitting on me.”
David shook his head, a teasing smile on his perfect lips. “Oh, my love, you really don’t see things clearly, do you?”
Archer stumbled forward, rubbing his jaw as he practically fell into Savaş’ arms. “She’s blind,” he mumbled. “Brother, carry me.”
Savaş sighed, lifting his brother over his shoulder as he held the door open for David and Jane. The big guy grinned at her. “It did take you years to realize Ryder was in love with you.”
“And David,” Archer mumbled. “And Tercero and Luc.”
“Okay.” She always felt embarrassed when they brought it up. “What has that got to do with the new guy?”
“He was trying to get your number, and it wasn’t going to be for emergency purposes.” David kissed her head. “Sometimes my baby is so innocent.”
“Jason wants to fu—” Archer clamped his mouth shut when Ryder stomped over.
“Motherfucker,” Ryder grumbled, snatching her hand though he let David keep her under his arm. “Told you he was gonna make a move. ‘A thing for blondes’, my ass.”
Jane’s heart hammered. “He didn’t make a move. He caught me so I wouldn’t fall.”
David chuckled at Ryder. “Maybe he just hasn’t found the right blonde.”
Ryder grunted as the boys laughed. “Shut the fuck up, all of you.”
“You shouldn’t have declared her ‘forbidden fruit’,” came Gareth, jogging forward. “Happy birthday, darling.”
Gawain was next to join them as they headed toward the parking lot where students were still celebrating, waiting to find out where the parties were gonna be. He seemed more disgusted than the others, his face softening, almost brotherly as he wished her happy birthday too.