Chapter 70
Mason
Damn it.
Why am I such a coward! From the way Niko was looking at me last night, it was like he was silently urging me to take King’s offer, but I just couldn’t do it. I don’t know why. I’m already helplessly attached to Alyssa; I want her more than my next fucking breath, but the thought of sharing her with my brothers stirs something uneasy in my gut. Maybe it’s because, even if I go through with this, she’ll never really be mine. King will always be her first, and I’d have to make peace with that
I follow Alyssa to the room so she can put Zuri down for the night. The ceremony’s starting soon, and I volunteered to watch Zuri, which gives me an excuse to avoid the celebration. Too many people, too much damn noise. I’d rather be here in this quiet room, cracking open a book and enjoying the solitude.
Leaning against the doorframe, I watch Alyssa in silence. She’s reading Zuri three different bedtime stories her favorite ones, from what I can tell Zuri seems to listen closely, her wide eyes slowly growing heavier until they flutter closed, like delicate butterfly wings finally resting. Alyssa lays her down in her crib, patting her back gently until she’s completely out.
“Isn’t it crazy to think that soon she’ll probably never go to sleep this easily again?” Alyssa asks, her voice low, as she brushes Zuri’s curly hair away from her forehead
“We should definitely enjoy it while it lasts. I heard easy babies
es become toddlers from hell,” I reply, a wry smile tugging at the corner of my mouth
She laughs quietly. “Sounds about right. My mom said I was the same way.”
I recall Nina saying something similar about her
A comfortable silence fills the room until she glances over at me. “About last night… she begins, her voice hesitant, “I completely understand if you’re not ready, but I just want to know what you’re unsure about. You know, i[you’re comfortable talking to me about it.”
I swallow, searching for the right words. “I don’t know, it’s just. I don’t know where I’d fit in. You, King, and Niko already have this thing together. and I’m not into men. I guess I’m not sure how it would work. If it could ever,” I admit, hating how vulnerable I sound right now,
She hums, nodding slowly. Tve wondered about that too, but King and Niko have been your brothers since you were teenagers. I’m sure they already know what you like and don’t like, so maybe we can all just sit down and discuss it together. I mean, if you’d be open to that?”
“What if we can’t come to an agreement?”
Her smile is sure, determined. Then we’ll keep talking until we figure it out”
Something tugs at my heart, and I can’t help but smile at the breathtaking woman in front of me. She’s willing to do this, even if it’s a challenge for
wall
“You seem very optimistic that my brothers are reasonable,” I say with a low chuckle.
She shrugs. “After King’s offer last night, I am. I think he genuinely wants all of us to be happy”
Or perhaps he has some other agenda none of us know about.
Alyssa’s eyes soften as she gazes at me. “You know, I’m glad he brought it up because I didn’t know how to ask you”
“You wanted to ask me?”
She takes a shaky breath. “Yeah. I realized a while ago that I have feelings for you. I know it sounds bad, like I’ma greedy whore or something, but I can’t help the way I feel. I want you to be mine too“.
Her words hit me with a force I had expected. She wants met “I’ve felt the same way for a long time,” Ladmit, “but I didn’t want to have to compete with them”
She bites her lip, speaking with comiction. “What if there was no competition? What if I want to spend the rest of my life with all three of you!”
I take a step
step closer to her, my heart pounding. Then, I’d give you whatever you wanted, little warrior. I just want you to be safe and happy.”
Right then and there I decide that I’m done standing on the sidelines. No matter what it takes, I need her to be mine. Even if I have to play by King’s rules. Or watch her get fucked by both of them
“Can I kiss you?” I ask her, my voice clipped with the need to finally taste her lips for the first time.
1/3
21 AM
Chapter 70
She nods, and I close the distance between us, gently cupping her check. Her lips are like soft pillows, gentle yet confident. It’s been forever since Ive kissed someone, but she guides un, taking what she wants from me.
I groan sofily, wrapping my arms around her perfect frame. Fuck. This is everything I ever thought it could be. I’m kissing the woman who has been plaguing my mind for years. There’s no going back now. She has my heart, and I’m never getting it back.
Suddenly, the door creaks open and I reluctantly pull away from her, her warmth and the taste of her lips sull lingering.
Niko stands there, looking between us, a smirk spreading across his face. “Am I interrupting something!
Alyssa smiles. I think it’s safe to say he’s on board with the idea of us”
Niko’s gaze flickers to me. “Oh shit. Really?”
I nod, trying to hide the flash spreading across my face. “I am.”
Niko’s grin widens “King’s gonna love to hear that”
“Is everything ready for the ceremony?” Alyssa asks, shifting the topic.
“Yeah, everyone’s here. King asked me to bring you down.” He hands her a cloth bag filled with clothes “After you put this on.”
Her brows pinch together as she glances inside the bag. “Um, what’s all this?”
ker gear. For your safety. There’s no way his ol‘ lady is riding without full gear on
Alysa seems aroused by the idea, her eyes darkening slightly. “Okay, I get dressed. Both of you, our
Niko snorts. “Why? Eve seen you naked a million times, and Mason will soon enough”
She blushes at that, but crosses her arms, shooing us away. “Out, boys. Now,”
Niko and I step out of the room, waiting on the other side of the door as she gets ready. I’m still reeling from our kiss, but I steel my expression Niko doesn’t need to know what happened, just that I’m in.
But when I look over at him, he’s grinning at me like an idiot. “So.. did you finally kiss her he drawls, his eyes dancing with amusement.
I guess there’s really no point in denying it
I nod slowly.
“She’s an amazing kiver, huh?”
Another nod
“Just imagine what her pussy tastes l
like.”
“I have. Trust me,” I say quickly, my cheeks heating even more. The thought of what lies ahead, being with Alyssa in a way that I never imagined possible, is enough to set my body aflame.
I’ve never wanted someone this badly before. I’ve tried using sex tondmb the pain, to erase the scars my father left, but it never felt the way people said it would. I think things will definitely be different with Alyssa. With her, I feel like I can be whole again.
When she steps out a few minutes later, geared up from head to soe, my jaw nearly drops. She looks fierce, sexy, like she’s ready to rise on the
world.
My te warmor.
“Wow” The single word slips from my mouth before I can stop it
She smiles, her cheeks turning rosy pink. “Thanks, Mace,” she says, kissing me quickly in a way that makes my heart stutter all over again. “And thanks for watching Zun”
Niko links arms with her, casting a knowing look in my direction as he guides her down the hall. “Welcome to the dark side, brother. You’re gonna love it here”
