by J. J. Dean
The smile he sends me would make a weaker woman weep, but I hold onto my tears, sending him a sleepy smile in return. In a move that I wouldn't have expected from Noah, the shyest of the four, he leans over and presses a kiss to my head. It's something he's done before, but I'm rather enjoying how often it's becoming a thing.
He moves away with a blush tinting his cheeks and says, "I'll have a hot coffee ready for you by the time you come down."
"My hero," I sweetly reply, bunching up the blanket enough for me to cuddle while I wait for him to leave the room. I'm not at all modest, comfortable enough in my own body to walk around naked. That being said, I don't think Noah would handle it particularly well if I jumped out of bed and revealed all when he's only just starting to grow more comfortable around me.
He sends me another shy smile before heading out of the bedroom, and as soon as the door shuts, I fling the blanket over my body and crawl out of bed, dragging my feet to the bathroom.
Once inside, I go about freshening myself up, showering and combing through my annoying silver locks before drying and braiding twin Dutch braids on either side of my head. I skip the makeup, seeing as though we'll be spending ten hours on a plane anyway.
Wrapped in a towel, I walk out of the bathroom and come to a halt when I almost crash into my red-headed angel who ditched me this morning. Eli's sporting a dimpled grin, looking bright eyed and bushy-tailed, dressed in a black shirt, jeans, and a leather jacket. He looks pretty much how he did when I first met him. That feels like forever ago.
"Morning, Flower. How are we on this bright and sunny day?" he asks, sounding way too chipper for five in the fucking morning.
"Eat shit, asshole. Don't think I don't know what you three did," I retort, sidestepping him instead of shoving by him since I know his back will still be hurting.
I catch him mocking outrage before I head to my closet, shutting the door in his face before he can sneak in with me. Through the door, he says, "I have no idea what you mean, Flower. I've been busy making you cookies."
Wait, what? Did he say cookies?
I pause, gripping my towel. I didn't see cookies. Though I wasn't looking for them. Could he have been holding a plate of cookies, and I was simply blinded by my annoyance? Damn him.
Stomping back to the door, I open it a fraction, peeking an eye through the gap I make between the door and the door frame.
"What cookies?" I ask, playing it cool, though I know it's a lost cause. I've already made the mistake of revealing my weakness to this shameless man.
"Double choc chip," he replies, smirking at me between the gap. And I'll be damned again if I don't smell the delicious goodness seeping through the small space with it. Oh, he really did make me cookies. Why do I feel like swooning right now?
Eyeing him briefly and stealthily seeking out the plate, I chew on my bottom lip. He knows what I'm doing and holds the plate up for me to see. They're giant cookies. Sweet baby hippos.
"Okay, you're forgiven," I tell him, swinging the door open, grabbing him by his shirt, and dragging him and my cookies into the closet with me.
Eli laughs, stumbling into the room with me. It's cut short when he sees I'm in nothing but a towel. "I've never been more grateful for cookies and forgiveness until right now. Tell me you have nothing on under there."
My eyes are on the cookies, so I miss the way he's looking at me. It barely registers what he says, so I mutter, "Yup. Naked. Zero clothes under here. Can I have one now, please?"
Instead, he places the cookies on a dresser before backing me to a wall that isn't covered with clothes and shoes. His hands go up beside my head even though he winces when the move pulls at his wounds. He pays it no attention; instead, his deep chocolate-colored eyes bore into mine with an intensity I'm used to seeing from Asher.
"I meant what I said last night," he says, leaning into me until I'm forced to tilt my head back to keep eye contact with him.
With his close proximity, the reminder of what happened last night, and the cookies I can smell, my head is nothing but a jumbled mess, so I can only ask, "Meant what?"
He pushes his body into mine, and his hands rise to cup my face gently. "That I'm fucking you into the mattress when I'm not incapacitated."
Well, that was an excellent way to gather every bit of my attention. My eyes widen in surprise before a naughty grin spreads over my face. "I'll be bitterly disappointed if you don't keep your word."
The dimples come out with the mirroring smile he gives me. "I'll keep it. Trust me."
Before I can do anything, his mouth is on me. His soft lips push into mine, serving more reminders of what that mouth can do. My hands snake up his chest before wrapping around his neck, my hand playing with the hair at the nape of his neck while I kiss him back.
The towel decides now is a great time to unravel, falling to the floor in a white fluffy heap at my feet. Eli pushes me harder against the wall, taking advantage of my naked self. His right hand moves away from my face and trails over my freshly showered skin, skimming over my breasts and heading south until he teases his thumb over my hip bone.
"Think we have enough time for me to get you to really forgive me?" he asks, sounding like sex on a damn stick. I wouldn't care if I didn't have time to get dressed and had to leave butt naked at this point. I would be a stupid woman to turn down such an offer.
"Mhmm," I answer, drawing his mouth back to mine just as his hand slips lower and sinks between my slit and then pushing a finger into my opening. Eli brings his lips back to mine, pumping his hand while I do nothing but hold on to him and return the kiss.
"Fuck, I love how wet you are," he whispers against my lips before attacking me like a man starved, his kisses becoming more addictive and bruising. A second finger joins the first, filling me enough to get me racing toward the edge I'm dying to fall over. My leg rises over his hip, giving him a better angle, and I damn near fall apart in his arms when his fingers brush against a spot inside me that almost makes me cross-eyed.
Eli's kisses swallow my moans and cries of pleasure as he strokes me to orgasm. It only takes three more pumps before I'm coming around his fingers while he kisses me silent, drawing out the pleasure until I struggle to stand by myself. He steadies me while taking the smallest step back ever, pulling his fingers away before he pushes them into his mouth, sucking them clean and sending me a cheeky grin.
"You still have time to get dressed," he tells me with a wink. Of all the things I was expecting him to say, that wasn't it. My head falls back, thudding against the wall while I laugh. I grip his shirt once more and tug him back against me, rising on my tippy toes to give him a long, deep kiss. Just before I start to get all frisky again, I break the kiss and push him away.
"Take the plate of cookies with you, but leave one. I'll only end up eating the lot and feeling like a chubby rhino if I eat them all before I get dressed," I tell him, picking up the towel to clean myself and throwing it in the laundry basket near the door.
"You got it, Flower," he responds, dropping one more kiss on my lips before heading towards the door, snatching up the cookies with him. He leaves two on the dresser, and I'm pretty sure I fall in love with him there and then.
With that startling realization that might very well be truer than I could have anticipated, my eyes widen, and I watch Eli's back as he opens the door and steps out of my closet. Before he leaves me to dress, he pauses, and I school my features before he turns around. He eyes me carefully, a twinkle in his eyes that I'm rather enjoying, and says, "You know what this means, right?"
I roll my eyes, but I can't stop the smile from blooming across my face. "That I'm stuck with you. I know, I'm already aware. I’ve made peace with it."
He sends me a Cheshire cat-like grin and says, "You're mine now, Flower. If you thought it was permanent before, just you wait."
Those cryptic words hang in the air, sending unexpected warm and fuzzies soaring through every limb attached to my body, he leaves and shuts the door after hi
mself. With my mind a muddled mess thanks to my redhead, I go about dressing, throwing on the comfiest clothes I own. I slip on a black camisole and leggings, a dark gray oversized cardigan and a black beanie hat.
As soon as I'm presentable and as ready for the hours-long flight as one can be, I snatch up my cookies and leave my closet and bedroom, dragging ass since I really don't like being awake so early. I mean, seven is the earliest and latest I wake up. This shit is just straight up whack.
I find my bag beside the door, a small note letting me know it's mostly packed even though Noah already made me aware. Shoving as much of the first cookie as I can in my mouth, I kneel down to check my bag, seeing Noah's gentlemanly ways know no bounds. There are new pajamas, shirts, and leggings. No panties, but several pairs of socks still with the tags on them. Hygiene products have been packed neatly in separate bags, a brand new hairbrush and toothbrush in separate compartments in the duffle bag I've just realized I've never seen before. Did... Did Noah get me all brand new things? But why? And why does it make me tear up and cause my heart to ache in my chest?
Sniffling, I check the bag once more, seeing there is definitely no underwear. It makes me snort since it's so Noah. His personality shows in just the way he's packed my bag. If I didn't find it so funny, I'd probably be a little mortified that I've just clocked Noah's personality from a packed duffle.
Standing and walking towards my dresser, I shake my head and ram the second half of the cookie in my mouth. Gathering several pairs of panties, I bundle them in my arm and head back to the bag, dropping them all at the top before zipping the bag entirely.
Packed and ready to go, I open my bedroom door and make my way down the stairs, hooking the duffle over my shoulder with one hand and using the other to bring the second cookie to my mouth.
"All packed, Peaches?" Asher asks, standing near the coffee pot when I make my way to the kitchen.
"Mhmm," I mumble, chewing quickly on my cookie before elaborating. "Noah was sweet enough to pack my entire bag for me save for one particular essential."
Asher turns his head towards me and raises his eyebrow. "Oh, yeah? What was that?"
"Underwear," I deadpan. "Guess I'm going commando."
Heat flares in his eyes, and just as he reaches for me, his coffee mug forgotten, I sidestep and dance out of the way, heading to the living room and dropping my bag near the door when I walk past it. Over my shoulder, I tease, "Your brother beat you to it. Next time, don't be a dick and send the cutie to wake me."
"Fuck’s sake," he grumbles, turning back to his coffee while I grin like an asshole all the way to the couch.
Noah is already sitting on one end, so I sit right next to him, my body brushing close against his. He turns to look at me, his honey-colored eyes widened in surprise. Leaning in close, I kiss him on the cheek and tell him, "Thank you for packing my new bag with clothes and stuff. You didn't have to do that, but I'm thankful nonetheless."
I can feel my cheeks burning, the need to look away as strong as the gooey feelings I'm experiencing for the man who was thoughtful enough to do something so nice for me.
He offers me a sweet smile and says, "You're welcome, Luna."
I give him a quick smile before feeling the embarrassment grow too much, and I look away, leaning back onto the couch.
"I made you breakfast," Noah tells me, his soft, soothing voice floating through the air like the scent that wafts from delicious baked goods in animated movies. He leans over and grabs a plate from the coffee table, almost as though he was expecting me to sit where I am. It's then that my eyes move from Noah and catch Devon walking to the unoccupied couch with his own plate. What is with everyone today? Why is everyone being so sweet to me today? More so, Devon the Dick. It's a weird morning, and I've not had nearly enough coffee to deal with this weird shit.
I take the plate from Noah and settle against the back of the couch before facing Devon. Eyeing him studiously, I say, "Thank you, Dev."
He shoots me a quick look, nodding before digging into his breakfast. I follow his lead, delving into the yummy goodness that's piled on the plate before me, delaying the dread of what's to come as soon as we get on the plane.
Chapter 21
Luna
I finish up breakfast quickly, taking my plate to the sink and washing it briskly before turning around and leaning back against the counter. I sigh, dropping my head back in both exhaustion and the worry that's decided to start sneaking up on me.
As if the furry horse can understand me, Brutus moves away from his new bed and trots towards me. Sitting at my feet, the dog rests his chin on my stomach, his abnormally large belly resting against mine. Brutus’ massive head presses against me, and his sweet puppy dog eyes staring up at me with the same worry swimming in their depths. He whines as he tries to draw closer, and I drop my hands to fuss over him, scratching behind his ears and rubbing his head, feeling his soft fur brushing through my fingers.
Brutus whines again, and I cup his face in my hands and tell him, "I know, buddy. I miss her too. We'll find the old broad, don't you worry, okay?"
He whines quietly but nuzzles his face in my hands before shoving his fat head into my stomach again. Clearly the big softie needs the comfort, and I'm more than willing to offer it to him. Maybe I need the comfort too, and since Brutus is the closest thing I have of Ms. Frenchie's, it's made me cling to him a little more than I have before.
Hugging the dog to me, I whisper, "We'll get our girl back, bud."
Brutus huffs and pulls away, heading to the door and sitting down like my very own guard dog. I let my arms drop to my sides, sighing once more with growing anxiety over what the future has in store for us all. Nowhere is safe for me as it is, what with Hellspawn attacks and kidnappings. Now we're going to fly to where Lucifer seems to spend a lot of his time. To rescue my best friend who's been harboring a Cerberus without her knowledge. All while God sends his minions to offer us information. What happened to the good old days when my day consisted of bothering Francis at work, reading, and drinking my body weight in coffee?
"Alright, we all ready to go?" Asher asks, coming down the stairs with his and Eli's bag. I didn't even notice he'd gone upstairs. And since when did their things find their way into my room? I'm surprised I don't feel more alarmed over that little development. Why don't I feel more alarmed?
Shaking my head, I raise my hands and rub at my tired eyes, doing my best to withhold the yawn that's desperate to escape. Through my fingers, I grumble, "Yeah, I'm ready. Pretty sure everyone was ready before me, but whatever."
I hear the door to the bathroom open and close before Eli comes around the corner with a smirk I can see through my parted fingers. With salacious intent, he chirps, "You really shouldn't be grumpy right now."
My nostrils flare with the effort it takes me not to laugh, my hands scrubbing harder over my face until I'm forced to drop them. "I can feel your judgment from here. It's the ass crack of dawn. I have every right to be a grump."
He strolls towards me the same time Asher makes a move in my direction, both of them coming to stand on either side of me. Eli cups my face in his hands while Asher's come up to wrap around my waist, hugging my body to his. With a cheeky smirk, Eli tells me, "We'd be happy to make it up to you on the plane. We have plenty of time."
"As fun as that would be, you're still in pain, and I could probably sleep the whole way there," I tell him, sliding one hand up to rest over his while the other hooks around Asher's waist. I could seriously get used to this.
Eli's grin grows bigger, and he whispers, "I'll convince you."
Laughing, he presses a kiss to my lips once, then twice, before moving away and giving room to Asher to steal all of my attention. He hooks his arm tighter around my waist and swings me around until I'm resting against his body while he leans against the counter instead.
He hugs me to his body in a move that would surprise me had I not needed his embrace as much as I do. I can't shake the worry that's taken
up residence in the deep pits of my stomach. Something doesn't feel right, and I can't help but think of the worst possible scenarios.
"I can hear the gears turning, Peaches. Talk to me," Asher says, the rumble of his voice deep and oddly comforting in my ear as my head rests under his chin. I find myself sighing harder and pressing closer to Asher, his arms tightening around me.
"Something feels wrong," I whisper, hugging him tightly before letting him go and staring up at him. "I have a horrible feeling something bad is going to happen. It started as soon as I woke up, and now I can't shift the feeling."
Asher's deep blues watch me carefully, his hands tightening on my hips before he confides, "I get it. I've had the same thing."
I blink and ask, "You have?"
He nods, lifting his hand to scratch his stubbled chin. "It's nothing big, but there's something not quite right. We won't know until we get there."
He has a point. I just don't like the feeling that's rolling through me. Nothing good ever comes from a bad gut feeling, and that's exactly what I'm experiencing right now. Instead of voicing my tumbling thoughts, I dampen them and tell him, "You're right. We'll figure it out when we get to the hotel."
Reaching on my tiptoes, I offer him a brief kiss before untangling myself from him and heading to the door, scratching Brutus' head before picking up my bag and slinging it back over my shoulder. "Alright, assholes. Ready?"
I receive a snicker and a round of confirmations, and before I know it, we're leaving my apartment behind and journeying to the other side of the world.
***
It took no time to board the plane, having flown through all we needed to do before we lifted off and started sailing through the air. It's been an experience for the first hour of our journey. Not only have I discovered that Asher isn't fazed by anything, but Eli is terrible at hiding his pain unless he's horny, and Noah is the fastest sleeper I've ever met. Minutes after boarding and settling into our seats, he passed out, leaning his head on my shoulder. With those discoveries, I've also found out that Devon isn't a grand flier. The irony isn't lost on me. Not one bit.