Page 82 of Protect Me

Chapter20

Sway

Iwake in Duncan’s bed to a hand gently stroking my cheek. Smiling, I curl into the touch, enjoying every minute of the tender caress. Not to mention how every inhale smells like the three men whose apartment I’m currently staying in. It feels like a dream—or it would if my body didn’t ache with the physical proof that last night with Duncan was indeed a reality.

I open my eyes and look up into Bracken’s bright gaze. “Hey,” I greet sleepily. Unrolling from the fetal position I’d been curled in, I stretch.

When I’ve sat up completely, I see Killian and Duncan are both in the room, too, standing on the opposite side of the bed.

And I’m completely naked.

Shouldn’t I be uncomfortable?

But, I’m not. In fact, I don’t know that I’ve ever felt more at ease with my nakedness than I do right now. “Morning,” I say as I smile at all of them.

“We wanted to bring you breakfast.” Bracken reaches to his right and lifts a wooden tray with fresh fruit, a steaming cup of coffee, and a stack of pancakes slathered in maple syrup from the nightstand.

“And there’s a change of clothes for you in the bathroom,” Killian adds.

“This is wonderful.” I raise my arms and let him set the tray on my lap. Then, I pop a grape into my mouth and groan as delicious, sweet liquid fills my mouth.

“Fuck, woman, you trying to kill us?” Killian questions with a wicked grin.

“Definitely not,” I reply. “I’m nowhere near done with any of you.”

Duncan smiles, one of the first real ones I’ve seen from him—and it’s so damned breathtaking. Bracken reaches out and takes a grape from the tray then slips it into my mouth. I close my lips around his fingers, sucking the grape from them as I hold his gaze.

These men make me feel bold. Strong. As though there isn’t a single thing in this world I couldn’t conquer. Maybe it’s because, before I met them, I wasn’t even sure I was strong enough to survive the night.

Bracken groans, and Killian plops down on the bed beside me, his hands stroking over the bare flesh of my back. “Damn, love, you bring out the animal in us.” He leans over and presses his lips to the side of my throat. I release Bracken’s finger, and he trails his hand down to cup my breast.

Duncan watches, and I hold his gaze, remembering all the ways he touched me last night.

Someone knocks on the door.

Killian groans as he goes to answer it. “Talk about poor fucking timing.” Bracken tugs the sheets back up to cover me. “It’s Liv,” Killian calls out. “For you, Sway.”

“Tell her I’ll be out in a second.” I jump out of bed, and Bracken smacks me on the ass. Duncan chuckles, and I slip into the bathroom before either man can make a move toward me. Because, to be honest? I’d been seconds away from askingallof them to join me in bed.

Liv may have interrupted the inevitable, but at least, this way I’ll have some more time to fully process what a request like that will bring me. Pleasure? Definitely. But I can’t help the feeling that it’ll be so much more than that.

After stepping into some shorts and pulling on a tank top, I make my way out to find all three men sprawled out on the couch, laughing at something Liv said. Her hand rests on her swollen belly, her expression one of pure joy.

I stop for a second, enjoying the way they watch her. The genuine joy they seem to bring her. How am I so lucky that fate gifted me to land on the doorstep of three such amazing and powerful men?

If only I could stay here forever.The dark thought creeps into the back of my mind, and I try to shove it down. I always knew it would be three months. Ninety days of security before I’m forced to leave this haven I’ve found.

“Hey, love, looking gorgeous.”

My gaze meets Killian’s, and he winks at me, so I force a smile. “Sorry to keep you waiting,” I tell Liv.

“No apology necessary. I rather enjoy being around these brutes.”

“Brutes?” Killian presses a hand to his heart. “And here I thought you loved us like brothers.”

“I do love you like brothers,” she replies with a laugh. “Three annoying, loving, and sometimes thickheaded older brothers.”

“Killian’s thickheaded,” Duncan retorts. “Bracken and I are just stubborn.”