“While its open?” I can’t imagine the appeal of that. It was a perfect night, with that skylight above. During the day? It wouldn’t be anything special.
“She’s a teenager. Sneaking around is kind of all she has.”
Right, yeah. She lives with her mother. Kind of forgot about that.
I slip the heels on once we’re down the front stairs of the library onto the sidewalk. The concrete is warm and rough. The heels pinch in the toes but thankfully home isn’t too far away.
“What do you think you’ll do today?” He asks with a hint of a smirk on his face.
“Well, Nick made me promise not to make other plans today. He told me he and Eli have a surprise for me.” As soon as Asher’s at work, he’d said. I wonder if Nick will really be able to wait that long.
“I should have guessed that,” he says with a smile. “I can guess how pissed he must have been yesterday when you told him.”
“You know how he is,” I say, shrugging.
“How did Eli take it?” He sounds curious.
“He was great,” I say, remembering how protective Eli had been. I get warm and fuzzy just thinking about it.
“Great?”
“Totally understanding.”
“Good.” He clears his throat. “Whatever we work out, anytime I come out to see you I’m going to want a day to have you all to myself like that. Just a day. If I’m not going to see you for weeks at a time, I need to be a little selfish with your time when I’m around.”
“I get that,” I tell him, knowing this was never going to be a one-time thing.
“I assume Nick is going to be with you the whole tour?”
I realise I don’t know, not for sure. “Maybe. If he’s not needed at one of his clubs.”
“I know you’ll need to work something out with Eli too. Just let me know when you have your tour schedule so we can figure it out.”
My tour schedule. I haven’t even looked at where I’m touring, never mind think about when I’ll see my men. I nod slowly. I’ll get the dates and cities from Amy today. It’s time to stop worrying over everything and dive in feet first. I wince as the new shoes cut in to my skin. I know this is going to be painful, but it’s also going to be amazing.
Chapter Seventeen
Logan
I wake up with the last image of my nightmare flashing through my brain. I’m covered in blood. There’s so much of it, and I don’t understand what happened. Then, she laughs. Diana. My dark Goddess with the smoky, cherry taste to her lips.
“Look at the mess you’ve made, Logan.”
Her words stay with me as I haul off the covers and tell myself it was just a dream. As far as dreams go, it felt as real as they come. Vivid. I felt the sticky wetness of the blood coating my clothes and making them heavy. I could taste Diana as if I was breathing her in. The colours were sharp, her expression clear. Her words rang through my head, echoing, as if there was some meaning she was passing along that I couldn’t quite grasp.
“Just a dream,” I mumble out loud, as if it’ll kill the memory.
I already know it’s not going to. I don’t usually remember dreams, but the ones I do haunt me. They never let go. The dreams I’ve had of Eden were all the same. Always rescues. Always ending before I can so much as kiss her soft lips.
Because they were never meant to be mine. That’s the meaning I’ve gleaned from those. Maybe it took a while. Doesn’t matter. That’s the lesson, and I know it now.
“Logan,” Skyler calls out.
I frown at the alarm. It’s early for her to be up. It’s late for me, but I’m blaming the nightmare for sleeping through my alarm.
“What?” I call back, throwing a T-shirt on just as the door creaks open.
“I feel like muffins for breakfast,” she tells me, looking me over with a frown.
“Fine, I’ll take a walk down the street.” I know the closest place to get what she wants. The job of a bodyguard is more than just protection. Particularly this job. Skyler doesn’t really need me. So she’ll use me for whatever. Better get used to being her lackey.
I try to shake the dream from my head, but it’s too potent. Reminds me too much of those men Diana’s mother had me kill. She used me so easily.
Then Eden took me as hers, and she couldn’t use me anymore.
I’m safe now, I guess. I can’t be controlled by Goddesses.
I wonder how long that’s going to last. As long as I belong to Eden? My stomach begins to turn as I think it over. Am I still even hers if I’m not with her? Has she done something to cut our connection now that she turned Catherine mortal? Truth is, I don’t know. And I’m not going to know until a Goddess tries to use me again, or until I speak to Eden.
Neither option sounds like much fun. So I do nothing.
Being Skyler’s bodyguard, I’m likely to run into Eden at some point. By then, maybe I’ll know what to say.
Chapter Eighteen
Eden
I take my time in the bathroom, getting ready while Eli and Nick wait for me downstairs. Nick’s being incredibly patient and it’s making me a little suspicious. What surprise can they possibly have for me that doesn’t make him follow me out the room the moment I say I’m taking a shower?
I debate costumes and decide to go downstairs naked after a few minutes of deliberation. They might be feeling patient, but I’m really not. I stop at the bottom of the stairs and stare at the odd black straps that are hanging from a bar that runs the length of the room above our heads. I asked the real estate agent about the bar when I bought the place and he’d said the previous owner used it to hang huge velour works of art. I’d never really even thought about it again, until now.
“Um, what’s this?” I glide a hand down a soft leather strap and find a loop with some kind of metal adjuster on it. There are four straps in total, two lower hanging with larger loops.
Nick moves over and pulls me to him, his arm closing around my stomach. “It’s a sex swing. And it’s going to make taking both of our cocks at once a little more interesting.”
A sex swing? I had no idea that was something that even existed. I hold Eli’s gaze as he moves in close. “How does it work?”
“We strap you into these,” Nick says, pulling one of the loops toward us. “And then we get into position.”
My heart starts to race. “I’ll be strapped in?”
“The leg straps are the important ones. Once the height is right, we can secure your arms.”
“Secure them?” I feel my breath come out in a rush. My body is beginning to tingle with nervous energy. This is new, and it’s exciting and I can’t wait to try it.
“Trust us,” Eli says, his gaze intense.
Nick leads me into place and lifts me up. I straighten my legs and Eli guides them into the loops. The material tightens on my thighs and Nick places my hands on the higher up loops with one hand while he holds me with the other. I can feel his erection pushing at my hot core and I bite back a gasp as he pushes forward to fill me in one swift movement. Eli’s gaze moves to my open legs and his stare is intense when he comes in closer to kiss me.
Nick moans as he thrusts. “Fuck,” he says. “You feel so damn good, Eden.”
“Too damn good to wait,” Eli deduces, leaning in to press his lips to my swaying breasts. It feels so strange to be suspended like this while I’m being fucked. I can feel every muscle in my body working overtime, but it’s not enough to distract from the intensity of the moment. Nick rocks slowly inside, his hands on my sides. Eli sucks my nipples into his mouth, hardening them into sensitive points, one by one, before he begins stroking my pussy. I gasp as his touches work me into a frenzy. Then he takes everything up a level, kneeling and slicking his tongue over my clit. I hold on tight as he works on me while Nick fills my clenching pussy. Holy hell. I feel it when Eli’s tongue strokes over Nick’s shaft as he licks at my stretched lips on the way to circle my clit and back. Nick’s groans tell me he feels it too. I come hard betwee
n my men, moaning and gasping as my body arches.
Eli moves back, licking at his lips just as Nick thrusts harder, pulling me down tighter onto him. I feel shaky as Nick pulls his dick out of me.
“Totally not complaining, but didn’t someone say this was so I could take two dicks at once?”
Eli smiles, coming in close. “Oh that’s coming. Don’t worry.”
His lips lock over mine and he works my mouth open to take his probing tongue. My moans are stifled as his cock pushes into my drenched pussy. I wrap my legs around him and find out it’s a little easier to ride a guy like this when I have some kind of leverage to work with. It feels good. So good, my pussy starts to milk his cock in the throes of anther climax building quickly.
Then I feel Nick’s fingers at my ass, rubbing cold lube around, and I come hard when he slips them inside, anticipating what’s going to happen next.
“I want you both,” I gasp out, not even sure if I can handle having both of them right now. I feel like my heart could burst. My body’s strained to breaking point and I’m just so goddamned desperate to be filled in every way possible all at once.
“Hold on,” Nick whispers in my ear. “You’re about to get your wish.”
I tense up as his lubricated dick pushes at that hole. A groan escapes my lips. He feels impossibly big, the pressure as he pushes making me tremble. It’s tighter still with Eli’s cock already filling my pussy. But Eli keeps me still, holds me steady, as Nick works his way slowly inside, making me gasp and shudder and moan with each careful movement.
Once Nick’s fully sheathed inside me, I tighten my grip on the high loops and use them to help me stay in control. I start slow, and enjoy the euphoric stare Eli gives me as he strokes my hips and watches my breasts bounce. Nick’s hands are just above his, stroking the skin of my waist. The feeling of control being in this position gives me is just incredible. I can only keep it for so long, though, partly because every muscle in my body is singing out for rest, and partly because I can tell my men are desperate to thrust just a little harder. I lift up almost dangerously high, moaning at the loss of their lengths, but anticipating the return eagerly. Then I loosen my hold to slide back down and they push fully back inside at the same time, hard and fast, and begin thrusting tightly. I gasp as I come between them, every last part of me alive in ecstasy. They hold me close after they spill inside me, moments after I’ve climaxed and I’m still shaking from the intensity of it. The pulsing between my legs begins to slow only once they withdraw.
My arms start to shake before my legs this time. “Okay, that was awesome, but I need to be down from here. Like now.”
They move quickly to free me and I stumble when my feet hit the ground, almost collapsing. Nick catches me and holds me tight, before lifting me into his arms.
“You look like you could use a bed.”
“I think I could.” I nod. My head feels hazy now. I want to sleep between my men, safe in their arms.
Nick starts to move and I close my eyes.
Chapter Nineteen
Asher
“She’s still sleeping?” I ask, looking from Eli to Nick and back again. “What did you do to her?”
Nick smiles, glances at the ceiling and shakes his head. “We just rocked her world. That’s all.”
“She’s worried over the tour, and everything else,” Eli offers a more constructive answer. “We just helped relax her. I’m sure she’ll wake up soon.”
“I’m going to check on her.” I leave them watching TV with takeaway boxes strewn around the living room. The place goes from smelling like a Chinese restaurant to a faint musky just-had-sex smell in the kitchen. I should have guessed they wouldn’t confine things to the bedroom.
I move up the stairs, trying not to make too much noise. If Eden’s really out of it she must need the rest. I know she has a lot on her mind. I stop outside the bedroom door for a moment, listening for her breathing. It’s quiet but steady, telling me she’s likely asleep.
If I thought the kitchen smelled like sex, the scent in Eden’s room almost makes it feel like a brothel. It’s funny how that makes the blood rush to my groin. It’s not a turn off to know that she’s been screwing two other men all day, it’s entirely the opposite.
I move toward the bed and stop, cringing at a creaking floorboard. She’s still sound asleep, and doesn’t stir, even when I sit down carefully on the edge of the bed. I didn’t intend to come here and wake her up, but I start to worry that she’s been sleeping too long, that she’s more than just a little worn out.
“Eden,” I murmur softly, stroking her hair back from her face.
The more I think about, the less I like the thought of her sleeping all day and night. That’s something a sick person does. My guts begin to churn with worry.
“Eden, it’s me,” I say quietly, continuing to stroke her cheek.
My thumb grazes her lips and her body shivers suddenly. She grumbles a little before blinking awake. After she rubs at her eyes and yawns, she seems surprised. “Asher! Did you get home from work early?”
“No, you just slept most of the day, Eden. Are you okay?”
She sits up, yawns some more and nods. “Just tired, I guess.”
“We should get some food into you. The guys ordered takeaway while you were sleeping.”
“What kind? I’m actually kind of starving now that you mention it.”
I smile. “I’m not surprised. You skipped lunch.”
“Breakfast too, actually.” She gives me a shrug when I frown at her. “I got distracted.”
“You need to eat,” I tell her, helping her up.
She’s naked under the covers, no surprise. I look around and find a bathrobe in her walk-in. I pass her it and she slips it on, yawning some more. “Ugh. I could just go straight back to sleep.”
“You have no energy because you haven’t eaten.” I start to wonder what will happen when she’s touring and no-one’s waking her when she’s like this. Nick seems oblivious to anything requiring more than a basic level of responsibility.
“I’m okay, Asher,” she tells me, touching my hand. Her light flows into me, calming my worries. “I just have a lot on my mind.”
I know she does, but that doesn’t make me worry any less. I need to speak to Nick before they leave for L.A. in the morning. It’s going to be bad enough being stuck in Rapture without her for weeks without having to stress over how well she’s being looked after.
“I told them I needed to sleep,” she says, as if she can hear what I’m thinking.
Wait. Maybe she can.
“You haven’t eaten and you slept all day.”
“Eli offered to make lunch. I told him I needed to sleep. I just... Everything’s been crazy, and I needed to let it all go. I feel better now. I honestly, I just needed to sleep all day,” she says, shrugging. “Now, let’s go eat everything that’s in fridge.”
She leads the way, pulling on my hand. I follow and we head straight to the fridge.
Nick comes over. “There are noodles and orange chicken in the oven. I was keeping them warm for you two.”
I’m really more partial to rice but I know Eden loves noodles in all their forms. Her excited squeal as she checks the oven makes me smile.
“I love you, Nick,” she calls back to him.
He grins at me. “See that? She loves me.”
I roll my eyes at him. “She’s just hungry.”
“And you’re just jealous.”
Eden puts on an oven mitt and pulls out a plate, putting it on the counter. “Watch out, it’s hot.”
She heads back and puts a second plate down before taking the mitt off and grabbing forks.
The food is already dished out onto the plates and it does smell pretty good now that it’s in front of us. Eden doesn’t waste any time winding a bundle of noodles around her fork. She moans as she takes her first bite.
I cut into my chicken and quickly realise I’m hungry. I skipped breakfast too, truth be told
. Lunch ended up being half a donut and a large coffee from the cafe across the street. I ended up too busy to really eat, my mind too full to really notice. I guess I’m a hypocrite.
Nick was looking after her. He had something ready for her when she woke up. He was only doing what she asked him to do, letting her sleep. He’ll look after her when she’s touring, I know he will.
“This is amazing,” Eden says, making quick work of the noodles before moving on to her chicken.
I eat mine slowly, enjoying every second in her company. I’m trying not to think of tonight as the last time I’ll see her for who knows how long. It doesn’t matter that we haven’t worked it out yet. It’s all going to be okay.
Chapter Twenty
Eden
My last night in Rapture was a chilled out one. Eating good food and half-watching terrible TV shows while joking around with my men. My heart felt full. I was happy enough to burst. This morning? Ugh. This morning I know I have to leave Asher behind to go start all the crap that comes along with being a rock star about to go on tour. It doesn’t matter that I’ll be back in Rapture for a day or two before the tour begins. I have almost two whole weeks of promo bullshit to get through, and I’m not going to have all of my men with me for most of it.
“Call me if Nick isn’t looking after you properly,” Asher starts, as he stands in front of me in the kitchen, his hands cupping my face. “Or if you’re bored, or you have a spare a minute, or...”
“I’ll call you, Asher,” I tell him, reaching up to run my fingers over the knot of his tie. The suit is a deep dark blue today. It matches his eyes almost perfectly. I can’t believe I’m not going to see him again wearing this tonight. I’d love to strip him out of it. “And it’ll be because I miss the sound of your voice.”
He kisses me and I melt into his touch. I wrap my arms around his neck and I don’t want to let go. In the end, he’s the one who breaks the kiss. My lips are wet and swollen and there’s a lump rising in my throat. My eyes start to burn with unshed tears.
Bad Blood (Rock Goddess Reverse Harem Book 5) Page 5