Stay True

by C B Jean

  Luke is still snuggled up to me but one of my hands is on his trousers, no more than an inch away from touching his tent that’s propped up and my left hand on his head as if I was rubbing his blonde short hair. They are both shirtless and shall I say… incredibly sexy and fit. I see tattoos covering them both underneath their loose shirt. I have a sudden urge to run my hands down their defined chests and feel the hard muscle coil underneath.

  Oh flip what have I gotten myself into? I untangle myself from the men without waking them up and lurch away when im no longer trapped between man muscle. I watch as they snuggle closer together without my presence between them.

  Yep, they are definitely lovers.

  I hold back a giggle so don’t wake them and find my pack.

  Jackson is sitting by the ash fire tinkering with his Mage staff. He lifts an eyebrow at me in question and I go sit next to him on the dirt as I start brushing twigs out my long hair and run my fingers through it then find something edible to eat in my pack, trying to avoid the embarrassment on my face. I wish I had coffee, oh what I would give for a cup of that black goodness.

  “Soo.. Jackson. Um, thanks for last night, for not letting me sleep on the ground.” I say meekly. I slept so good on the cot with them, more than I would have on the dirt floor.

  He chuckles at me.

  “No problem honey.” I get one of his dazzling smiles and my heart flutters.

  “So are you guys always this close or…” I break off and point to the two sleeping beauties still wrapped around each other.

  That really makes him laugh and he shakes his head.

  “No way in hell I’m involved with those fuckers, they can keep their dicks to themselves. We are closer in the brotherly sense, we got each other’s backs and are there through the thick and thin.” He states and pats a tattoo on his left arm on his bicep that I noticed they all have, but never had a chance to examine. It shows a dagger speared through three skulls. The dagger is wrapped in ribbon with words on it. Something in Latin I can’t read. It’s a very beautiful piece and for a moment I’m jealous I don’t have one. I tried once but ended up passing out before the artist even got the needle on me. Ekk I hate needles and I shiver.

  “It says ‘For those I love, I will sacrifice.’” He tells me.

  “So you guys aren’t in a relationship thingy then? Just bros who keep their dicks to themselves?” I ask quietly.

  He bellows a great laugh with a wide grin and starts wiping tears from his eyes when he can’t catch his breath, he shakes his head. The beauties finally wake up from the commotion and look groggily towards us. Then they notice they are wrapped around in each other and they franticly jump back as if they were on fire.

  By then both me and Jackson are laughing so hard on the ground, crying tears and not breathing, while Luke and Kills glare at us while getting dressed for the day.

  “They might be though.” Jackson states pointing to them which only makes me laugh harder.

  “You lovers ready yet to hit the road?” I ask them through my giggles.

  They both glare at me which only makes me laugh harder.

  “Be glad I like you Baby Blue” Killian growls at me

  Heat swamps my face at the nickname I’ve come to enjoy, but I don’t stop laughing. I look towards Jackson and he shrugs.

  “Any luck on logging out of here yet?” I ask him hopeful.

  He shakes his head. “Not yet, just the usual, the admins are working as hard as they can to fix it. Some reports say it was intentional or a terrorist attack. It’s a worldwide issue, just not our server, thousands of players are affected. Some players have entered a stasis like coma after family members have physically removed the helmets during session, they advise that no more be taken off until they get it resolved.”

  My face goes white and I suddenly feel nauseous. Jackson comes to me and wraps me in a hug and kisses the top of my head. I baulk but let myself be held this once. I hardly know him, but I feel safe in the bubble of his arms.

  “We will figure it out Baby Doll, don’t you worry.”

  I am pleasantly surprised about the close contact and find myself stiff for a moment longer, then I relax into him and wrap my arms around him.

  Flip he is a great hugger.

  Gods he smells amazing.

  I wonder if he is a good kisser.

  I turn my head from his shoulder to look into his piercing black eyes. Then I find my eyes drift down to stare at his full, plump lips and I bite my own from want. A growl seems to resonate from his chest, and I feel my sex clench and turn wet. I like it when they do that.

  All of a sudden, I am wrenched out of his arms and into Killians.

  God these men are built like tanks. I hit his chest hard with a oomph.

  I open my mouth to protest and before I can chew his ass out for man handling me, he kisses me, merging his mouth with mine.

  I instantly relax against him and I am so loving how his mouth claims me.

  A primal need inside me awakens and I am kissing him back hard with as much force as I can. My hands run up to his hair and grip it tight begging him to never stop. I moan around him and press my breasts up against him. I feel like a dog in heat and I need him to claim me. His tongue slips in to meet mine. Once again, my liquid core is burning me from the inside and is throbbing, demanding I take what is mine. I take in his scent, filling me with rich honey and tobacco. I moan much louder now, as his tight bulge presses against my stomach. And just like that, we release each other gasping for air.

  Holy flip. His eyes catch mine and I instantly go red again and step back.

  I smack him on the chest then wrap my arms around my middle.

  “What the flip was that for?!” My voice is squeaky.

  He shrugs “I saw you first so it’s only far I get to kiss the maiden first.” He winks at me. My mouth opens wide, but I have no comeback after that mind-blowing kiss, so I shut it again.

  Jackson next to me just growls and glares at Killian, his hands in fists. He looks dangerously mad while Kills has a playful grin on his face.

  I take a couple steps back to reorient myself and back away before the testosterone gets out of hand.

  Luke is standing at the edge of our camp watching everything with interest with his arms crossed. Watching me.

  This is awkward as hell.

  I grab my pack and weapons from the ground and sling them as quietly as I can on as I walk to Luke, keeping my eyes glued to the ground.

  I hear a thump then a pained groan behind me and I smirk. Jackson must have gotten his payback on Killian.

  Luke watches me intently and nods at me with his pierced eyebrow raised as if to ask if I’m good. I nod back. A silent understanding. We turn and start heading to our destination, walking side by side. He reminds me of a gentle giant, a man of few words and I’m starting to like it now.

  Behind us Jackson and Killian are still arguing with each other, and over what I don’t even care. All I can think about is that amazing kiss and how I was practically going to climb him like a tree to get the job done.

  I have seriously got to get my mind out of the gutter and focus. That kiss was just a slip, uninvited attention. But I liked it. So much.

  I sigh to myself again and catch another glimpse from Luke next to me. His eyes are filled with lust from that kiss he saw, but also a hint of jealousy and protectiveness. I manage a small smile to him, and weirdly he gives me a soft smirk back. I just grin back bigger and look forward as we pass the forest by.

  Would it be so terrible of me to get involved with not only just one of them, but all three?

  Then I remember that conversation they were having last night when I left and my heart drops.

  I’m so confused. One-minute I’m thinking they are into me and my heart gets so giddy and warm but the next I get the feeling they are all in a relationship with each other than distance themselves and I feel alone again.

  I need to steel my heart to protect myself, that’s th
e only way I will get out of this without getting myself hurt in the process. I just don’t know how to do that.

  Chapter 9

  LUKE

  I watch Remi from the side as we trek through the forest. Her small face is etched with worry, but at times I find a hint of a smile break through from her thoughts. Oh, what I would give to know what she was thinking.

  Her long white hair is wispy in the warm morning breeze and I find myself watching her wrap it around her petite fingers thinking intently. She chose to walk by my side which surprised me. Women tend to flock to my brothers, never to me. I have a tendency to to be intimidating and scary before they to get close to me. This small woman next to me doesn’t seem to mind and my heart swells at the thought.

  A glint of silver catches my eye and I spy a silver banded ring on her right middle finger. She twists it around playing with it for comfort. Is a gift from her lover? A missed one perhaps?

  I think about the conversation last night with my brothers. She clearly has had some past trauma and I never miss when she draws into herself, trying to hide away. My heart shatters for this girl, this beautiful goddess next to me.

  Her breasts bounce with every step she takes, and it takes all my will power not to groan at the thought of me buried between them.

  Last night she molded herself to me and I felt how perfectly she fit into me. I watched as she slept peacefully, her mouth slightly open and those pink lips I wished to claim. Her chest rose with every breath she took as I traced her curves tenderly. Who dare lay their hands on her small frame, who seeked to break her body and mind?

  My hands curl into fists as I worried about it.

  I forced myself to release them with a shaky breath before I get to riled up.

  Who was I to have such strong feelings towards her, someone I didn’t know, but one I knew I wanted to protect with all my might? One I wanted to shield away from this cruel world and to give her anything her heart desired. I’m so god damn poetic it hurts.

  I huffed in my mind, I was not one to settle down with a woman, let alone to be with. I was too messed up to have anyone love me and I had accepted that long ago.

  My mind and heart seemed to be at odds with this female and I don’t know what to do about it.

  I felt her look up at me as we walk side by side as if she could feel my torment. Her icy blue eyes stared at me attentively and a smile appeared on her lips. God those fucking lips. She was going to be the death of me.

  My cock hardened and I adjusted my pace to hide my erection from her.

  She didn’t seem to notice, and a smirk crossed my face, so I winked at her to mess with her.

  Her mouth widened, then her face flushes, and she looks down again. I stiffened a laugh as to not show her I was amused or laughing at her expense.

  “What do your knuckle tattoos mean?” She asks me delicately, startling me out of my thoughts.

  I look down at my hands in confusion, then understand what she means.

  “It reads, ‘STAY TRUE.’ It’s a promise I made myself when I younger going through a tough time.”

  She looks at them with such an interest then nods as if that makes sense to her.

  “I like them, I actually like all your tattoos. I wish to get one for my mother one day, I’ll have to overcome my fear of needles, but one day I’ll get one for her.” She whispers quietly.

  Her mom? Did something happen to her? I realize she is waiting for a reply. I don’t dare ask about her mom, which I know would be a hard subject to broach, I instead pick something lighter.

  “You should, once you get ink they get quite addicting. You would look good with some, hell I’d even design it for you if you wish. I’ve drawn all my own pieces, and had it done in my open shop I opened in the city a while back. You should come by if your ever in the area and I’ll hook you up. Id be gentle with yours, you wouldn’t even feel it.”

  Damn it, I think that’s the longest sentence I’ve ever said in my entire life. What in gods name is this woman doing to me?

  Her face flusters but she jumps in glee clapping her hands together.

  “Really?! You would do that for me?! I actually live in the same area as you guys!”

  I nod showing my teeth to her in a smile I didn’t know was possible. What would be the odds?

  “I would love to Cub.”

  Her eyes go wide at the nickname and she clears her throat.

  Fuck its so cute watching her get flustered. She bumps her shoulder with mine and I do it back. I’ll get every chance to make her smile if I can help it. She’s addicting like being around sunshine and I never want her to leave.

  With a spring in her step she prances away ahead of us and I watch her curvy ass bounce. I groan in my throat and feel Jacksons hand clap my back.

  “Did I fucking fall off the side of the world and hear you right? You offered her a tattoo at your shop AND you want to draw it for her? Fuck, this is new for you dude.”

  “Fuck off.” I growl through my clenched teeth.

  “This girl is going to be the death of all of us I swear it.” He bobs his head.

  Killian comes to my other side and bumps me on my shoulder. “I think I’m in love.” He grasps his hands over his heart sarcastically and flutters his lashes and I push him away while he laughs.

  “Come men, our female awaits!”

  Me and Jackson watch as he joins Remi who was studying a group of fawns with their mothers nearby. Her face was a look of astonishment as she watched them. She was radiating and glowing in the sunlight as we watched her take in the world around her. She made everything around her exciting and beautiful, making me take a moment to ponder the world around us and the beauty it holds. A moment I have not thought was possible in a long time. But like every good story book, the beast never gets the princess.

  “Come brother, let’s not let those two get up to any trouble, I fear it may be impossible though.” He sighs and walks off leaving me behind to ponder the turmoil inside me.

  “Indeed, indeed.” I murmur to myself and my aching heart.

  Chapter 10

  REMI

  After a couple hours of walking with almost no interruptions, the four of us stop to take a break. Even though we are just in a video game, our bodies aren’t limitless with energy.

  The guys had been taking turns rotating positions while we walked, one in the front, one beside me and one behind which didn’t escape my notice. We had been laughing and talking the whole way, besides getting ambushed once by game generated thieves which we took care of easy peasy. The guys are determined to protect me from anything, including preventing me from fighting.

  I can take care of myself just fine and I would constantly remind them that.

  But along the way we were bonding and learning new things about each other. I was digging it. I was feeling like part of the gang.

  From time to time, the guys would brush their shoulders with me and pull me into sudden hugs along with them rubbing my head and messing up my hair which they knew I hated. It was very weird and close attention, which I liked and was getting used too.

  Then I realized they were treating me almost like a little sister. Great.

  I fall to the ground, weary and beam appreciably at Luke when he hands me a canteen to drink from. I pull out the map again and study where we are located.

  We are only twenty miles away from the first temple, we have been making good time. Still, it is a ways to go on foot.

  I rub my face in exasperation and twirl my white hair around my finger.

  There are no known guides to The Red Mosque, for every group of players it is always different.

  The only piece of information we have on it is a riddle that the game gives us.

  “Face your past for what haunts you is near,

  the power within one will defeat your fear.

  The power divine will set you free,

  your mind is your greatest enemy but also your key.”

  I have no flipping
idea what that means but we will cross that bridge when we get to it.

  Killian comes and sits behind to me and starts rubbing my back. I lean into his touch and relax letting him do all the work. I am so blissed out in the moment, I am shocked and freeze when his lips meet my neck, kissing my ear and then he starts sucking and licking my neckline.

  “Oh… wow” I whisper and he moans back. His hands slowly slide down from my shoulders and come to my waist, brushing the sides of my breasts with his hands and teasing me.

  His tricky fingers are torture and I can imagine them slipping inside my vest and corset, pinching my hard nipples and pulling them making them so damn sensitive. My head turns to meet his and our mouths mash against each other the second time that day. Heat pools between my legs and I want him to release the building tension inside me.

  Oh flip yes.

  Oh god NO! what am I doing.

  I shove him away with a gasp and stand up straightening myself.

  “We shouldn’t be doing this, I’m... I’m not that kind of girl...” I tell him and I look away from his face humiliated. Embarrassed at how right that felt.

  He stands up as well his hands in his pockets, his head hung low “I need to apologize Baby Blue, I don’t keep meaning to do that, I just can’t resist you. You smell like vanilla and citrus and I just wanted a taste. I really like you and I promise from now on to be a gentleman and only kiss you when you ask me.”

  I was so angry a few seconds ago and now I just wanted to go back into his arms for being so cute. But I wouldn’t.

  “Thank you,” I stutter, “I forgive you.” I giggle at him, all anger dissipated.

  I want nothing more than to jump his bones, but I have to be civil and take my time once I feel comfortable. I don’t want them to think I’m easy. No matter how bad I want it.

  I extend my hand out as a sign of friendship, he grabs it and pulls me into a giant hug. I hug him back without a care in the world, inhaling his scent.