Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 71444 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 357(@200wpm)___ 286(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71444 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 357(@200wpm)___ 286(@250wpm)___ 238(@300wpm)
The house is full now, the way it’s supposed to. And as I look at the men who’ve become my world, I realize that, for the first time in forever, we’re not trapped. We’re not running. We’re not waiting. We’re just... home.
26
CONNOR
WAKING UP
It’s hard to explain what it’s like now that we’re all back together. The relief is like a long exhalation of breath. Like standing on the top of a building with your arms outstretched... like floating in the ocean with the sun licking your skin from above.
Lory helps me take the food outside while Rock and James talk and laugh. The tamales turned out okay. They're a little rustic-looking, but food is about the taste, not about the appearance. Anyway, Lory taught me that a sprinkle of cilantro and a slice of lime elevates almost any Mexican dish.
“I can’t believe he’s here,” she says, returning for a bowl of rice.
“Does he seem bigger to you?”
She laughs brightly, her entire face lighting up. “I think he worked out all his sexual tension pushing weights in the yard.”
“The guy is going to freak out our neighbors.”
“If people weren’t wary of us before, they’re gonna be now!”
We eat, and Rock fills us in on the gossip from Blackstone. We don’t linger on it for long because he’ll want to focus on other things rather than carry the specter of where he’s come from into our new life.
“So, what have you guys been doing?”
“I have a job,” James says proudly. “Apprentice baker.”
“Well.” Rock rubs his stubbly face, smiling. “That’s amazing. What about you?”
His dark eyes settle on me, and he tips his head to one side. He knows that every time I leave the house, there’s a risk I might be spotted and apprehended. I’ve taken to bleaching my hair white-blond, and I’ve slowly been having my tattoos removed to make me less identifiable. I don’t go anywhere without sunglasses, which is fine in Mexico. The sun here provides a constant glare. Before I answer, Lory pipes up.
“I’ve started a business—Cakealicious—and Connor helps with the finances and promotions.”
“Plus, he’s our house husband.” James grins, and I scowl, not because I mind doing more of the chores but because his smugness riles me.
“I’ll put you on toilet duty if you don’t shut the fuck up.”
He pretends to zip his lips, and I nod my approval.
“What do you think you’ll do?” Lory asks. We’re not short of money, but men need something to keep them occupied, and the quicker Rock gets a job, the quicker he’ll be at home here.
“Construction.” He lifts his arms up and flexes his biceps. “Gotta give these guns some action to justify the work I’ve put in.”
“I really appreciate the work you’ve put in,” Lory says, hungrily eyeing all of Rock’s bulging muscles.
“If you were wondering about Lory’s sexual appetite now that she’s pregnant, it’s off the charts.” James stretches to hold his hand as high as it reaches, and Lory snorts.
“Like you guys give me a moment’s peace.”
“The more of you there is, the more of you I want.” My lips twitch as Lory’s lids lower with arousal. She’s been a little insecure about her body changing, but she has no reason to be. Her curves are spectacular, and the way her body has adapted to create a life has me in a constant state of awe.
“How do you…” Rock’s cheeks heat like a friggin’ virgin.
James chews on a mouthful of rice, grinning as Lory also turns into a tomato. “From behind mostly, or Lory on top. She gets tired, though, so it’s mostly us moving her around.”
“You’re making me sound like a lazy lover,” she snorts. “You try fucking with a watermelon attached to your belly.”
“And two grapefruits attached to my chest.” James lewdly makes big breast shapes over his shirt, and Lory tosses her napkin at his head. If Rock hadn’t noticed her bigger tits, he notices them now. When he sees her nipples for the first time, all big and dark, he’s going to lose his fucking mind.
“What?” He looks between Lory and Rock. “You guys are being weird.”
“We’ve been apart for a lot of months,” Rock says, nodding at Lory like he wants her to know he understands any awkwardness.
“You guys should head upstairs once we’ve finished eating.”
James told me he promised Rock a week of no sharing. Our big friend deserves some time alone with Lory for sure, particularly as there’s a deadline on the sex. She’ll need time to recover after the birth.
“I think we all should.”
I sit up straighter in my chair, pausing with a tamale in front of my mouth. “You sure?”
He nods. “It’s been a while, and it’d be good to watch how you are together before I wade in and do everything wrong.”
“You could never do it wrong.” Lory touches his arm. “You were always gentle.”