I can hardly breathe as Chaseâs lips crash against mine, his hands roaming my body with urgent need. My head spins, overwhelmed by the sensations.
Suddenly, Coleâs deep voice cuts through the haze. âUndress her, Chase. Slowly.â
Chase obeys without hesitation, his fingers skimming along my skin as he peels away my clothes. He only breaks our kiss to lift my shirt over my head, then dives right back in. His hands frame my face tenderly, a contrast to the heat of his mouth on mine.
âGod, youâre beautiful,â Chase murmurs against my lips.
I want to respond, but words fail me. My body is on fire, every nerve ending alive and tingling.
Without warning, Cole is there beside us, his presence commanding even before he touches me. His large hand grips my inner thigh firmly, sending a jolt through me.
âChase,â Cole orders, his voice low and controlled. âGo down on her. But donât let her come until she understands how wrong it was to leave without a word.â
Chaseâs eyes meet mine, a mix of desire and apology in their depths. As his head dips between my legs, I canât help the moan that escapes me.
My mind races, torn between the pleasure building and the guilt gnawing at me. I didnât mean to hurt them. But the unknown, the severance, the fearâ¦
Coleâs fingers dig into my thigh, grounding me in the moment. âYou donât get to run away from us, spitfire,â he says sternly. âNot without consequences.â
I open my mouth to protest, to explain, but Cole silences me with a searing kiss. His lips are demanding, stealing my breath and any coherent thoughts I might have had. When he finally pulls away, Iâm left gasping.
âYou donât get to speak yet,â Cole murmurs, his voice a low rumble that sends shivers down my spine. âNot until youâve learned your lesson.â
He starts a trail of kisses along my jaw, each one igniting a new spark of desire. His lips brush against my shoulder, then move to my collarbone, leaving a tingling path in their wake. I canât help but arch into his touch, craving more.
A movement in my peripheral vision catches my attention. I turn my head slightly, my eyes widening as I spot Grayson standing there, watching us intently. The heat in his blue eyes is unmistakable, but he makes no move to join.
Why would he? The thought flits through my mind, bitter and sharp. He doesnât want me. Not really.
As if sensing my gaze, Graysonâs eyes lock with mine. Something flickers in their depthsâdesire, uncertainty, maybe even a hint of vulnerability. He takes a hesitant step forward, and I feel my heart skip a beat.
âGrayson,â I whisper, my voice barely audible over the sound of my own ragged breathing.
Cole nips at my earlobe, drawing my attention back to him. âEyes on me, sweetheart,â he commands softly. âYouâre not done with us yet.â
I nod, unable to form words as Chase continues his ministrations and Cole resumes his exploration of my body. But even as pleasure courses through me, I canât shake the weight of Graysonâs gaze, watching us from a distance.
I shake my head, trying to clear my thoughts. The movement catches Graysonâs attention, and his face falls, looking for all the world like a kicked puppy. My heart clenches at the sight.
âI didnâtââ Grayson starts, his voice rough. âI donât want you to go. I was going to ask you to stay. Juniper was drawing up a long-term contract for me to give you.â
A laugh bubbles up in my throat, but itâs cut short by a moan as Chase sucks my clit and Cole pinches my nipple simultaneously. The sensation is overwhelming, and I struggle to focus on Graysonâs words.
âA contract?â I manage to gasp out, my hands gripping Coleâs shoulders for support. âYou were going to offer me a job?â
Coleâs fingers trace lazy circles on my skin. âSeems our girl is in high demand,â he murmurs against my neck.
Iâm teetering on the edge, pleasure building to a crescendo. Just as Iâm about to come, Cole suddenly pulls Chaseâs head back.
âNot yet,â Cole says, his voice low and commanding. âI think she needs to show up sheâs sorry first.â
Before I can protest, Coleâs strong hands are on me, turning me around. My knees press into the couch cushions, my chest against the back. I gulp, suddenly feeling exposed and vulnerable.
âCole, what are youââ I start to ask, but my words trail off as his hand slides down my spine.
âShh,â he soothes. âTrust me, Tessa. Let go.â
I close my eyes, torn between desire and the urge to run. But as Coleâs touch sends shivers through me, I realize that for once, I want to stay right where I am.
I hear the subtle shift of fabric as Cole positions himself behind me. His hand rests warm and heavy on the small of my back, a stark contrast to the cool air hitting my exposed skin.
But he doesnât do what Iâm expecting.
Suddenly, his palm connects with my backside in a sharp, stinging slap. I gasp, more from surprise than pain.
âThatâs for trying to leave us,â Cole says, his voice a low rumble.
Another smack lands, and I bite my lip, a mix of pleasure and pain coursing through me.
âAnd thatâs for making us worry,â he adds.
Chase settles beside me on the couch, his breath slightly ragged. His hand traces gentle patterns on my back, a soothing counterpoint to Coleâs firm strikes.
âYou okay, kitten?â Chase asks softly, his fingers ghosting over my breast.
I nod, not trusting my voice. The dual sensations of Coleâs spanking and Chaseâs tender touches are driving me wild.
âGood girl,â Cole murmurs, his hand caressing where he just spanked. âWeâre not done yet, though. Are we, Chase?â
I glance over to see Chaseâs hand moving rhythmically, his eyes dark with desire. âNot even close,â he agrees with a crooked grin.
My breath catches. Despite everything, I canât help but feel wanted, cherished even. Itâs overwhelming, but in the best possible way.