by K. A Knight
Turning back to my burger, I’m just in time to catch Ben lean forward and take a bite of it. I grab it as fast as possible, but it’s too late.
I sit in shock with my mouth flapping open and shut as he chews.
“She’s right, it is good.” Taking a bite of his own burger, he carries on like nothing happened.
I feel eyes on me as I narrow mine at Ben.
“I think you broke her.” Alexander’s voice stops Ben from eating as he laughs at me.
“You okay, Sunshine?”
“You-you bit my burger!” My voice comes out high and whiny, but damn, it was my burger.
“Yes?” he drags out the word in question.
“I don’t share food,” I mutter.
He carries on smirking at me, and I decide then and there to get my revenge. With one eye on him for the rest of the meal, I plan my payback.
When Ezra finishes eating, he stretches back in his chair and places his large warm, hand on my thigh. I falter for a second before I carry on eating like nothing happened. He rubs circles on my jeans as I swallow my last bite.
“C’mon, Half-pint, we are gonna watch a movie.” He grabs my hand to leave, but I tug on it.
“I’ll help clean up first.”
He raises his eyebrow at me.
“It’s only fair, I insist. Pick a movie, and I’ll join you when I’m done.” He narrows his eyes at me as I smile sweetly at him, revenge still on my mind.
“What do you want to watch?” His careful voice says I’m not fooling him completely.
I pretend to consider it.
“Hmm, an old one maybe? Like Jurassic Park... oh, I know! Braveheart!” I wiggle in my seat excitedly. His face softens as he watches me and Ben snorts.
“Sure you’re a girl, Sunny?”
I ignore him and grin at Ezra. He leans towards me and kisses my cheek. Breathing into my ear, I shiver when he kisses my lobe.
“Oh, you’re definitely a girl alright.” He leans back and, with a wink, leaves the room with Jason on his heel. Well, fuckity and shit, I need to stop swearing all the time.
I look at Alexander and Ben as they stack plates.
“Ben, will you help me clean up?” Making my voice cutesy and smiling at him.
He blinks and stutters. “Uh... sure, yeah.”
Alexander covers his mouth, and I wink at him. Ben turns to the sink and starts running the water, muttering as he goes. He strips off his flannel shirt, leaving him in nothing but his T-shirt.
Alexander walks around the table and leans into me as he passes. “Evil little kitten.”
I don’t acknowledge his comment but jump up and rush over to Ben.
Lulling him into a false sense of security, I hum as I wash the dishes, and he dries. He chatters away to me, and I smile and nod when needed.
When the last pot is washed, I turn and watch as he puts a plate away. As he turns back to me, I grab the nozzle on the sink and squirt him straight in the face with freezing water. He stands there shocked as I laugh hysterically.
His arms flap at his sides as his white shirt turns see-through. His long eyelashes blink to get rid of the water, and his blond hair is soaked. He grins at me, and I smile back.
“Oh, it’s on, darling.” With that, he sprints at me. I squeal and run to the other side of the table. He stands there, then moves when I move until we chase each other around the table.
He stops and a slow sexy smile forms on his plump lips making me gulp.
“If you wanted me to strip, Sunny, all you had to do was ask.” He grabs the hem of his transparent shirt and pulls it up slowly. My eyes drop automatically as he reveals his lean, muscly body.
My mouth goes dry when I see his chiselled abs and pecs. He coughs, and I dart my eyes back to his. He’s the one grinning now, and it annoys me. I walk slowly towards him, putting a sway in my step. He watches me, and his eyes darken. When I’m close enough that we are chest to chest, I step on my tiptoes and put my hand on his chest to steady myself.
His heart races, making my smile stretch. I lean up until my lips graze his. He inhales. I keep my eyes on his as I dart my tongue out to moisten my lips. His breathing speeds up, and I try to hold in my smirk for what I’m about to do.
Closing the gap between us so it looks like I’m about to kiss him, I stop and whisper against his lips, “I’ve seen better.”
I step away and turn to go to the other guys. He groans behind me, and I snigger to myself. If he thought getting his abs out was going to drop my panties and turn me into a red-faced, meek little girl, then he doesn’t know me at all.
When I walk into the huge living room, I take a second to take in the house. It looks modern from the outside, with sleek white walls and black windows and matching door, but the inside is the total opposite.
The living room showcases exposed wooden beams and old, large, pin-cushioned sofas set out in a semi-circle. A huge fireplace sits back against the wall, and a dark wooden coffee table sits in the middle of the three sofas.
My feet sink into the thick white carpet, and I’m in love instantly. Ezra sprawls on the left sofa with his arms behind his head, his black shirt bunched up, uncovering tanned, hard muscle. Turning away before I jump him or something crazy, I find Jason and Alexander on the sofa with their backs to me, though a seat waits empty between them. I grin as I head their way. Jumping over the back of the sofa, I land in the middle seat. Jason turns in surprise, and Alexander smiles at me. Leaning back, I pull my legs underneath me and get comfy.
Alexander moves closer and leans his arm over the back of my cushion. I glance away and notice they waited for me before they started the movie.
“What did you do to him?” I startle at how close Alex is and turn to find him staring at me intently.
I smile sweetly at him. “Me? Do something to Ben?” I grab my chest in fake shock, and he shakes as he laughs.
Ezra leans his head back and watches me. Poor Jason’s brows pinch with confusion, and Alexander must notice it.
“Our kitten here had a vengeful expression in her eyes about Ben, so I thought I would leave them to it.”
Jason’s confusion deepens until Ben stomps in and jumps on the remaining sofa, wet hair and still shirtless.
“Your kitten has a mean streak,” Ben grumbles. He gives me puppy dog eyes and actually pouts, and it’s fucking adorable. I giggle at him and then stick my tongue out. Shaking his head, he looks away, but not before I catch his grin.
“I don’t get it, why and what did you do?” Poor Jason looks between us all in confusion.
Leaning back into Alexander’s warm side, I face Jason.
“He ate my food without asking so I sprayed him with water without asking.”
Ezra snorts, and Alex laughs at my side. Jason smiles at me, and my breath catches.
“Not so sweet, is she? I’m sure she just wanted me to take my shirt off. Our little Sunny is a pervert,” Ben moans as I turn and get comfy again.
Ezra leans over and presses the remote, and Braveheart starts on the TV.
About half way through, a shiver rocks me as night presses in, the cold getting to me. Ezra jumps up, but I dismiss him quickly, my attention firmly on the TV and Mel Gibson.
I jump when a blanket lands in my lap. Ezra doesn’t say anything but sprawls back out again. I grab it with a small smile and cuddle into it.
I get comfier, and soon enough, I have my head on Alex’s shoulder and my legs over Jason’s legs. Neither complains or moves, so I stay that way. Jason grabs my knees and massages them.
Alex plays with the ends of my hair, and for the first time in a long time, I’m content—no, I’m happy. I look around at the men that made it happen. Not just men, the very type of men I’m running from.
The boys argue about what to watch next when I excuse myself to go to the toilet. Heading upstairs in the direction Jason kindly pointed out, a closed, black wooden door is located to the left. Two other doors stand on this side of the hallway with
four others down the right side. Curious but not willing to be caught snooping, I quickly do my business. On the way back down the stairs, I glance at the pictures hanging in wooden frames along the wall. One in particular draws my eye.
Five little boys stand with their arms around each other, smiling in joy at the camera. A large house and trees show behind them. I take my time running through them. On the far left is a younger, more innocent version of Ben, I can tell by his hair and eyes. Next to him is a small, brown-skinned boy with the largest smile out of any of them. In the middle stands a smiling younger version of Alex. Next to him is a cute, red-haired Jason and then a smiling Ezra. Wow, even as a kid he was huge. Next to Ezra stands another kid.
His eyes are familiar, and his hair is a weird silver colour that sends a shiver down my spine. The smile stops me cold. The one that waits for me every night in my dreams. Admittedly it usually holds more pain in it, but I can’t stop the feeling that it’s the same boy. But that’s crazy, right?
Engrossed in the picture, I don’t realise anyone is there until strong arms wrap around my middle and a hard chest pushes against my back. Their breath moves the hair on my neck and sends a shiver down my spine.
“Who is that?” My voice comes out small and quiet.
He moves my hair to one side of my neck as he whispers against it, “That’s us.”
I try to ignore the heat he’s causing inside me and focus on our conversation.
“I mean the one on the right.” He stiffens behind me before gradually relaxing. He kisses my neck which causes a groan to slip out before I can stop it.
“That’s Mike.” I wait for him to continue, and he doesn’t disappoint. “We were all friends...” He hesitates before blowing out a breath on my neck. I try to ignore the clenching in my body and concentrate on his words relieved I was wrong about it being my dream hunk. “Are all friends.”
His quiet voice holds a sadness which calls to me. I manage to turn, and he drops his arms from my waist and steps closer, caging me in against the wall.
“Where is he?” I meet his amber eyes. His face blanks into an emotionless mask, making me realise how much emotion his expression showed me before now.
“I don’t know.” Alexander’s whisper has a broken quality to it, and I tremble from his nearness. He drops his head until his forehead rests on mine, and we stay like that for a while both lost in our thoughts. With a quick kiss on my head, he steps back.
“Come on, the others are waiting for you.” He turns and walks back to the living room. My heart pounds as I turn to glance at the boy I’m sure I know, but Alexander called him Mike so it can’t be.
Can it?
17
- AURORA -
Instead of concentrating on the movie they put on, questions run through my head about the boy and the picture I just saw. It can’t be a coincidence I meet them then see that guy in my dream. What did Alex mean he doesn’t know where he is? Maybe that’s why they are here?
A piece of popcorn flying at my head interrupts my questions, and my head snaps up. They all stare at me, and Ben has popcorn in his hand ready to throw another one.
“What the hell, Benny” I snatch the piece where it fell in my lap and pop it into my mouth.
“We were talking to you, but you were miles away.” He arches his eyebrow in question, and I hold his gaze.
Ezra’s, Alexander’s, and Jason’s questioning looks burn into me as well.
“Sorry, guess I’m a little tired,” I lie faking a yawn. “What did you say?”
Ben repeats his question, and I answer him as the others go back to the movie. Alexander’s eyes continue to burn a hole in the side of my head, and I hold in my squirm from the attention.
I spend the rest of the evening chatting away and watching movie after movie with them. Jason yawns next to me and stretches. I offer myself a mental high-five for not checking him out while he does it.
“I’m off to bed. Night, guys.” He turns and grins at me. “Night, Aurora.” The way he says my name makes my mouth dry. Bad Aurora, I’m taking the high-five back.
“Me too.” Ben groans and jumps up, rubbing his eyes. He walks over to me with a mischievous smile. He leans really close like I did to him but then swerves at the last minute and blows a raspberry on my cheek.
“Dude, gross.” I laugh, wiping my cheek.
His smirk stretches across his face as he stands.
“You’re mine now,” he declares and goes to fist-bump Jason, who rolls his eyes. Ben smirks at him then springs forward and blows a raspberry on his cheek.
Jason jumps back and glares at him. I laugh at his antics. Ben gets an evil glint in his eye and turns to Ezra.
“Don’t even think about it.” The guttural warning stops Ben in his tracks who appears like he’s considering it.
“I wouldn’t, remember what happened when you licked his cheek.” Alexander’s voice rumbles from next to me, and my eyebrows raise when I realise what he said.
Ben shrugs and then follows Jason from the room, waving and shouting goodnight. I smile and shake my head.
Not wanting to leave, I hesitate, then remember I didn’t drive here. I turn to Ezra who looks like he’s napping, his chin resting on his chest and his eyes closed. He looks peaceful so I turn to Alexander. He faces the TV with his head propped on his hand, resting on the couch arm. I poke his side. His lips twitch, but I get no response. I poke him again.
“Kitten, what are you doing?” Whether it’s Ben’s antics or how comfortable I am around them–I don’t know–but I feel bold, so I do it again. He turns to me, and I blink innocently at him. Waiting until he turns back around again, I try to tickle him. Before I can blink, he moves, and I’m laid out on the sofa on my back with him pinning my wrists to the cushion above me. He hovers over me with a wicked gleam in his eye.
“Shall we see if you’re ticklish?” he asks.
My eyes widen, and I wiggle to try to get away. “No, please.” I wiggle harder, and he drops more of his weight on me. He laughs, and I stop.
“What?” I say grumpily.
“Keep wiggling, it pushes your amazing curves tighter against me.” Trying to ignore that, I attempt to plan my next move, which is difficult with a hot guy on top of me. All his hard muscles are pressed against me, and I almost drool. When I wiggle again, he groans, and it’s the sexist sound I’ve ever heard.
He leans his hips into me, and I feel just how much he likes it when I wiggle.
“Told you,” he whispers.
Hands take hold of mine and pin them harder to the cushion. My shocked gaze lifts to a smirking Ezra who stands above me, having completely forgotten he was in the room I stare at him stupidly. His eyes darken, and they run over me like he wants to eat me. Holy shit, I wish he would. Alexander leans back on his heels now. He’s not holding my wrists, and I instantly miss the weight of his body pressed against mine.
Their attention makes my breathing speed up, and my nipples pebble beneath my shirt. I glance between them.
“What shall we do with the little witch now that we’ve caught her?” Alexander rubs his chin, and Ezra rumbles his response, “Keep her.”
I swallow hard and look back to Alexander as his eyes turn predatory, and I get even more turned on.
“Think we should punish her?” The question comes out innocent from his mouth, but his eyes don’t stray as he leans forward and uses just his fingertips to brush the strip of skin exposed from my T-shirt riding up. That small brush nearly makes me moan, so I bite my lip.
“I think she likes that idea.” Ezra’s voice comes from closer, and I glance up in time for his head to descend to mine. He leans closer and whispers in my ear, “Don’t you?”
I shiver automatically and wiggle to get closer or to get away; I can’t decide anymore.
Footsteps on the stairs interrupt us, but before anyone moves, Alexander leans forward and catches my eyes, his fingers still brushing against my stomach. “Don’t worry, Kitten, we’ll
continue this.” He leans away and slowly gets up, not even bothering to hide his tented trousers. I nearly drool at the size and decide that Ezra might be a safer option, but when I gaze up at my giant, he still stares at me hungrily.
“You don’t get away that easy, Half-pint.” He lets go of my wrists and steps back. I take a second to get my breathing under control, then sit up to face them both. They look pleased as hell, and I narrow my eyes.
“I should get going.” My voice is even, and I happy dance inside from that small victory.
Ezra quirks an eyebrow at Alexander. “You can stay here tonight, if you want.”
Imagining sharing a bed between these two hotties almost makes me say yes.
“It’s fine. I should get back and get Nev to bed.” Yes, I’ve resorted to using my dog as an excuse. I search around for him. Where the fuck is he?
Alexander laughs. “He went to bed with Jason, Kitten.”
Bloody traitor. I wish I had. Whoa, what? Okay, someone needs to sleep, have sex, or have sex then sleep. No... sleep, just sleep.
“Okay, I guess I could sleep on the sofa.”
“We have an empty room you can use.” Without waiting for a response, Alexander heads out of the room.
Ezra stretches his arm out to me and waits for me to decide. With a sigh, I grab his hand and let him lead me upstairs.
When he gets to the top, he turns left and enters the other closed door. I peer around, not even hiding my curiosity. One of the walls is black, and a huge bed is pushed up against it. Chrome bedside tables with modern lamps are on each side. The other three walls are exposed brick. There’s a small fireplace opposite the bed with a fur rug in front of it. The rest of the floor is dark wood. I love it instantly.
“Here?” I turn in confusion to Ezra, who I forgot was here during my inspection. He holds out a large shirt, and when I pay attention, I realise it’s the one he wore. For some reason it turns me on, but I hide it by grabbing the shirt and holding it to my chest like a shield. I keep my eyes on his not wanting to get caught checking out his chest for my own sanity.