I don’t have to articulate the need. Heath seems to understand. He lifts his head up, piercing me with a lust-drenched look as he rolls on a condom and lines his cock up at my entrance.
“I’ve got you, baby,” he says, slowly inching into me. I spread my legs wider, sucking in a breath as I feel him slide inside me. A wanton moan escapes my lips as he pushes in farther, filling me like I’ve never been filled before.
“Heath!”
He leans down, kissing me with more restraint than I expected. “It’s incredible to be like this with you. I never thought I’d get to experience this.” He’s still slowly pushing inside, patiently waiting for my body to adjust to his wide girth.
“I wanted this back in Kentsville, but I wasn’t brave enough to ask for it,” I admit, staring into his beautiful blue eyes.
“You’ve changed,” he says, pushing that last bit in. He holds himself still while I absorb the sensation of him inside me. I feel him everywhere, and the tip of his cock is angled perfectly, shoving me into a heavenly realm.
“We’ve all changed,” I moan, flexing my hips and wrapping my legs around his waist. “Move, baby. I need you to move.”
He starts thrusting, slowly and precisely, and his tender care brings tears to my eyes. “I won’t break, Heath. Go faster.” He picks up the pace and black spots mar my vision. Holy fuck. He’s pressing all the right parts of me, and I’m already close to the edge. I dig my feet into his solid ass cheeks, urging him to go even faster, and he bucks his hips up, grabbing onto the headboard with one hand as he starts fucking me hard and fast. I scream the place down as my climax thunders through me. Sweat dots my brow as I clench around him. The headboard bangs against the wall, over and over, and then he roars out his own release, shuddering inside me in powerful waves that seem to last forever.
He collapses on the bed beside me, and a fit of giggles attacks me from nowhere. Soon, he’s joining me and we’re both crying tears of laughter. “I guess it’s good I have a massive ego,” he says a few minutes later, wiping tears from his eyes. “Or I might get offended that you started laughing right after we had sex for the first time.”
I prop up on one elbow, tracing swirling motions on his chest with the tip of my finger. “It’s only because I’m deliriously happy. You’re all back in my life. I’m crazy about each one of you and so unbelievably happy right now. I never thought I could ever have that.”
Tears of joy prick my eyes, and he pulls me down for a lingering kiss. “You deserve all that and more, and we are going to ensure you are loved and adored every day for the rest of your life.”
“I love the sound of that,” I say, resting my head on his chest. His heart thumps steadily under my ear as he circles his arm around my waist, drawing me in closer.
“How are you feeling about everything you heard yesterday?”
“I’m not sure. I’m still processing. The thought that someone was taping the whole time makes me feel ill.” A shiver runs up my spine. “I don’t even want to think about who they might’ve shown it to or what they did with it. I didn’t think anything else about that night could disgust me anymore, but I was wrong.”
“I want to kill those bastards all over again. I’m glad they’re rotting in the ground. I know how you feel, but I’m glad your brother killed them. They were animals, and they fucking deserved to die.”
I don’t agree with him, even if I’m sickened all over again, but I don’t argue the point. I don’t want to fight after we’ve made such huge moves forward in our relationship.
“I’m going to talk it through with my therapist. She’ll help me unravel my feelings. Until then, I’m compartmentalizing.”
“About that.” Heath’s heartrate kicks up underneath my ear. “I did some online research, and I found a guy I think I’d like to talk to. Will you still come with?”
I lift my head up. “Try keeping me away. Make the appointment, and I’ll come with you.” Of course, I won’t be able to go in with him, but I’ll be there for moral support.
We make love again, more lazily this time, and then we spend the rest of the day in bed, watching movies, chatting about everything and anything, and eating takeout pizza. Skeet and Ax keep their distance, giving us much-needed privacy, and I respect them so much for that. When nighttime falls, we make love again before drifting to sleep soon after.
Sometime later, another warm body wraps around me on my other side. “Go back to sleep,” Ax whispers in my ear, placing his hand over my naked belly. I’m only semi-conscious, so I fall back into a deep sleep with a huge smile on my face.
When I wake the next morning, I’m so hot it’s as if I slept in the fiery pits of Hell. Tendrils of sweat have plastered strands of my hair to my forehead, and I feel icky all over. I try to stretch out my legs and meet resistance. “What the hell?” I murmur, just about managing to crane my neck. Heath and Ax are both still curled around me, on either side, and they are like furnaces. My gaze locks on Skeet, lying underneath the covers at the end of the bed, winking at me with a cheeky glint in his eye. I blink excessively, thinking I must be imagining it or dreaming. But nope. Skeet’s trademark chuckle wafts to my ears, and his hand moves up my thigh.
I manage to wriggle out of Ax’s and Heath’s embraces and crawl under the covers, shimmying down the bed until I’ve landed on top of Skeet with our faces lined up. “What are you guys doing?” I whisper, not wanting to wake the two sleeping beauties at the top of the bed.
“I hope it’s okay, but after Saturday, both Ax and I just wanted to stay close to you too. To make sure you were all right.”
My heart swells with love. “Of course, that’s okay. I have no issue with sleeping in the same bed as all of you. It’s just the group sex thing I don’t think I can handle.”
“There was also something else,” he says, looking uncertain.
“What?” I press a kiss to his chest, not wanting to inflict my morning breath on his mouth.
“I don’t want to say it like this. Can we head downstairs, and I’ll tell you over breakfast?”
I nod, and he helps me crawl out of the bed without waking the others. We are like two thieves in the night, stealing away from a house we’ve just pilfered. I grab my undies off the floor and hurriedly pull them on. Skeet is only in his boxers. He stops at the door, turning me around, and I have to smother my laughter. Ax and Heath have moved closer on the bed, and they have their arms wrapped around one another. Clearly, they think they’re hugging me. “This is too good. I can’t not capture this tender, loving moment,” Skeet whispers, struggling to contain his mirth. “Stay there for a second and don’t wake them.”
It only takes a second for me to follow him to his bedroom. “I don’t think you should,” I say, stopping at the doorway to his room. “I know it’s harmless, but after everything we’ve learned about—”
“You’re right.” He stalks toward me. “I wasn’t thinking clearly. No incriminating photos.” He pecks my lips briefly. “But that doesn’t mean I’m not going to milk this for-everr.” His eyes shimmer mischievously.
The serious expression slips off my face, replaced by a wide smile. “Oh my God, I know. That was hilarious but also extremely cute.”
He’s still smirking when he hands me one of his shirts. I slip it on, still grinning at the visual playing on a loop in my mind. Pulling on sweats, he pads out of the room in his bare feet with his naked chest on proud display, looking unbelievably H.O.T. So hot it takes all my willpower not to jump his bones. Reluctantly, I leave him to fix breakfast while I take a necessary trip to the bathroom, taking a pee, combing my wayward hair, and brushing my teeth.
The first thing I do when I arrive in the kitchen is kiss him long and hard. We have our arms wrapped around one another as we kiss, and it’s both sweet and sexy in an innocent yet not-so-innocent way.
“I could get used to this,” he murmurs, slidi
ng his lips to my ear while continuing to hold me close. I love how velvety-soft he feels under my touch, especially the light smattering of hair covering his chest.
“We’re all together again,” I happily admit. “And everything feels right with the world.”
“Except for one thing.” I frown, and he kisses me softly. “Move in with us.”
My eyes widen. “What?” I splutter before adding. “I can’t.”
“Why the hell not?”
“What about what other people would think? I mean, I don’t care.” And I don’t. I’ve had enough time to think about it. I’m stronger now, and if I’m in a relationship with all three of my guys, then I’m not going to hide that fact. If people have issues with it, that’s their own problem. Except there’s one big obstacle. “But Heath has his football career to think about. I’d hate for our relationship to impact him.”
“Hmm.” Skeet rubs his prickly jawline. “That’s a valid point and something we need to discuss. Let’s just ask the guys later, and we can talk it through then.”
“Sure. Now spill.” I slip out of his arms and hop up on the stool, gratefully accepting the steaming mug of coffee he hands to me.
He sits down across from me, blowing on his own hot cup of coffee. “I can’t find any trace of that video on Ethan’s equipment. I think it’s fair to assume the police found the recording and permanently wiped it.”
“I’ve come to the same conclusion,” I agree. “And it only reinforces what I think. They knew, as well as we do, that there was no point sharing that video.”
“They had no right to bury it, Blaire. I grew up with lawyers, and hiding or destroying evidence is a crime.”
“It doesn’t matter now. And maybe it’s for the best. I’m not sure I ever want to see that tape.”
He nods, holding my hand across the table. “You’re probably right. But that wasn’t really what I had to tell you.” He pauses for a minute. “I was able to trace the emails you received. I know who sent you those threatening messages.”
I stop breathing for a split second, and an anxious feeling invades my chest. He pauses again, and the anticipation is killing me. “Skeet.”
“I think this might change things. Call it a sixth sense, but I think there’s even more to the story.”
“Who is it, Skeet? Who hates me so much they told me to kill myself?”
“It was your brother’s crush. The girl he couldn’t have. The only one not killed that day.”
I instantly know who he means, and I feel like smacking myself in the forehead for not realizing sooner.
“It was Todd DeLaurentis’s girlfriend, Lucinda Jamison,” he confirms.
Chapter Forty-Four
“I need to confront her,” I immediately say.
“No. We need to confront her,” Skeet says, waggling his finger between us. “We’re a team now. All four of us.”
I nod. “Which university is she attending?”
“None.” Skeet props his elbows on the counter. “She never left Amber Springs.”
Ice replaces the blood flowing through my veins at the thought of returning there, but this isn’t the kind of conversation you have over the phone. I want to look her in the eye and find out why she hates me so much she wanted me to die. “That is extremely weird. Everyone, and I mean everyone, from the Academy goes on to university, most out of state. It makes no sense that she’s still there.”
Skeet shrugs. “Maybe the loss of her boyfriend sent her spiraling.”
I purse my lips as I consider his assumption. I shake my head. “No, I think you’re right. There is more we don’t know. Her emails were not about Todd.” My eyes pop wide. “They were about Ethan and how I should have died not him.”
“You think Ethan wasn’t the only one harboring a crush?”
I rub a tense spot between my brows. “I don’t know what to think, and there’s no point trying to second-guess it. We’ll just have to wait until we hear what she has to say.”
Heath and Ax join us a half hour later, arguing as they step foot in the kitchen. Skeet delights in teasing them about their cozy cuddling in the bed, and Heath looks fit to rip Skeet’s tongue out of his mouth to stop him from talking while Ax is just taking it in his stride.
We all decide to skip classes, taking the day to just enjoy being together, back as a unit again. After lounging around in our pajamas watching back to back sci-fi movies, we get dressed and head out to a local diner for dinner. Skeet and I fill them in on the Lucinda connection as we walk. Neither of us had brought it up at the house because we didn’t want to ruin our lazy Monday. We have a plan agreed by the time we’re seated in an end booth in the diner. We’re going to fly to Arizona next weekend to confront Lucinda.
“Done.” Heath repockets his cell, resting his hands on the Formica tabletop.
“What’s done?” I ask, taking a slurp of my soda as I look over at him. Ax and I are seated together with Skeet and Heath across from us.
“I just booked our flights and hired a car. I figure it’s best we drive ourselves in case you want to make a quick exit after you speak to the bitch.”
“You have to stop doing that.” I shake my head at him.
“Doing what?” he looks genuinely confused.
“Paying for everything.”
He sighs. “Don’t even start with that. I have more money than I know what to do with.”
“Let him pay if he wants to,” Skeet says. “It’s only money.”
“Spoken like a guy who’s never known what it’s like to go without,” Ax cuts in.
Skeet puts his drink down, leaning across the table. “You’re right. I’ve been extremely fortunate, and I’m never flippant about that. And I know things were tough for you. I don’t mean to dismiss it, but it’s all the more reason why we shouldn’t expend any energy arguing over money now.”
“Once we have enough to look after ourselves, it doesn’t matter whose pocket it’s coming out of,” Heath supplies.
I don’t agree, and I’m definitely more on Ax’s wavelength when it comes to this topic, but I don’t want to get dragged into this conversation now. Not when we’ve other more important stuff to discuss. “Can we talk about our relationship,” I cut in bluntly.
“What about it?” Heath asks.
“How do we want to do this in public?”
“Last time, you weren’t so keen on people being all up in our business,” Ax says, sliding his arm around my shoulder. “If we’re going for one boyfriend in public again, then I’m calling dibs this time.”
Skeet rolls his eyes. “Much to learn, you still have.”
Ax flips him the bird. “You do not want to get into a Star Wars war of words with me, my young apprentice.”
“Guys. Can we focus. Please.”
“Sorry, babe.” Ax kisses my cheek, pulling me closer. “What do you want to do?”
“I don’t want to hide this time. I’m not ashamed of what we have, and if other people have issues with that, then I don’t care.” I glance over at Heath. “But I’m thinking it might not be a good setup for you. If you think it’ll jeopardize your position on the team or your future NFL career, then we can do the whole one boyfriend thing again.”
“Or we can do a two-boyfriend thing,” Skeet says, pointing between himself and Ax. “And just leave Gilchrist out of the equation.”
The waitress arrives then, placing our food down. She doesn’t even attempt to disguise her blatant ogling of Heath. “I’ve been to all your games,” she tells him, batting her eyelashes as she starts up a conversation.
“That’s great.” Heath gives her a tight smile.
“You’re easily the best player on the team.”
Skeet is grinning as he gets ready to tuck into his burger.
“That’s kind of you to say,” Heath says, giving her the brie
fest of attention, but she’s not to be deterred.
“I’d love to hang out with you sometime.” She grabs a napkin and scribbles her digits down. “Call me anytime.” She thrusts the napkin in his face. Wow. Talk about pushy. My claws are threatening to come out.
“This happens all the time,” Ax whispers in my ear. “You better get used to it.”
Heath glares at Ax, and either Ax spoke louder than I thought or Heath has supersonic hearing. Heath pushes the napkin away. “Thanks, but I don’t think my girlfriend would like that.”
Her face drops. “You have a girlfriend? Since when?” Now she looks annoyed, as if she has some claim to him.
“Since now.” Heath slides his hand across the table, circling his fingers around my wrist. Ax still has his arm around my shoulder, and I’m pressed up close to him. “This is my girlfriend, Blaire.”
“Hey.” I give her the biggest smile, and yes, I’m smugly gloating.
She frowns, her gaze darting from Heath’s hand to Ax’s arm. Her shoulders stiffen, and her eyes narrow. “Can I get you anything else?” she snaps in a prissy tone, finally remembering she’s got a job to do.
“No,” I jump in before any of the guys can respond. “I’ve got everything I need right here.” I give her my best sugary smile while I’m mentally flipping her the bird.
She storms off without another word, and Skeet cracks up laughing. “I guess that’s agreed now.”
The rest of the week crawls by in excruciatingly slow fashion. It’s always the way when you’re anticipating something. Whether it’s something you’re really looking forward to or something you’re dreading like I am. However, by the time Saturday morning rolls around, I’m more than ready to do this. This feels like the last piece of the puzzle, and I just want to get it over and done with.
“By the way,” I say, when we’re on the interstate heading in the direction of Amber Springs. “My mom has invited you all to join us at my grandparents’ house for Thanksgiving unless you were planning on going home for the break?”
Surviving Amber Springs: A Stand-Alone Contemporary Romance Page 33