Haley

“Perfect. Stay right there,” I called to Theo.

He smiled at me from across the courtyard of the Carmel Mission—an ancient stone structure framed by beautiful gardens. With his hands tucked in his pockets and the mission at his back, he looked ready for the cover of a magazine.

I cradled the digital SLR in my hands, peering through the viewfinder before taking a few shots. A peek at the screen told me that photographing in manual was going to be more difficult than I imagined. I was quickly coming to appreciate how much time and talent it had taken Theo to capture the stunning shots that hung throughout the loft.

When I scowled at the screen, he jogged to my side and flipped through the images before giving me a few pointers. “See how it's grainy and washed out?” I nodded. “Try dialing down the ISO, or the camera's sensitivity to light,” he said as he walked me through the controls. “Then, slow the shutter speed. That will allow more light to come in with less noise. Make sense?”

“Yes, or at least it does when you're standing here showing me.”

He chuckled. “You'll get the hang of it, snickerdoodle, of that I have no doubt.”

After a kiss, I waved him back into place. I took a few more shots, loving the way the late afternoon sun bounced off of his russet hair, his wooden Wayfarer sunglasses shielding his eyes as he smiled brilliantly at me. When I scrolled through the images this time, I was almost pleased with the results.

“Wait,” I said before he could move and ruin the shot. “Will you take off your sunglasses?”

“Anything else you'd like me to remove?” he asked with a smirk as he slipped them in his pocket.

I hid my blush behind the camera. The guys had been out of town for the past few days on a last-minute assignment, and to say that I'd missed them would be an understatement, especially since they were away over New Year’s. When Theo was the first to return, I'd nearly mauled him in my enthusiasm.

Returning my attention to our photography lesson, I lined up my subject in the right third of the screen and zoomed in on his head and shoulders. I snapped picture after picture, watching the subtle change of his expressions, noticing the way the light affected the color of his hazel eyes. Finally, I let the camera strap rest around my neck, confident I'd gotten the perfect shot.

Theo held my hand as we walked down the breezeway, tugging me into a recessed doorway, where he backed me against the wall. He took one last glance down the walkway before covering my mouth with his. Our tongues sparred while his hands roamed my hips and rib cage, leaving me breathless. I was so lost to the world around us, it wasn't until he withdrew with a satisfied grin that I heard footsteps echoing on the tile.

“Come on, let's check out the inside.”

Following him into the basilica, I hoped I didn't look as flustered as I felt. Theo, on the other hand, appeared unfazed. “When you're shooting indoors, or in other lower light situations, you'll want to slow the shutter speed and increase the ISO.”

“I thought a higher ISO made it grainy?”

“It can, but when you have less light to work with, you have to use every available resource.”

“What about the flash?”

“I only rely on it as a last resort.” He came to stand behind me, wrapping his hands around mine so we were holding the camera together. “I'd suggest something like this,” he said, but my body focused on the way he was pressed against me instead of what his hands were doing with the camera.

It was only when he stepped back that I realized I’d completely missed his instructions. I took a few photos of the curved ceiling and the ornate altar, telling myself to get it together. We were in a church, for crying out loud.

We left the quiet peacefulness of the basilica for the interior courtyard. Steeped in history, the grounds were a beautiful sanctuary of fountains, native plants, and statues. As always, my personal tour guide gave me the highlights, detailing the mission's history, from its construction by Franciscan missionaries in the late eighteenth century to its eventual restoration. I snapped pictures along the way but mostly soaked in the scenery.

“Your turn.” He held out his hand, waiting for me to relinquish the camera. Instead, I slapped his palm.

“Haley.” He glared, but I turned my back to him, consumed with the need to capture some nearby flowers. “Are you ignoring me?”

“Not ignoring, per se. Rather, I'm refusing to accede to your request.”

“Oh my . . . gardens,” he finished in a hushed voice, glancing around as if he was going to be struck by lightning for nearly cursing on sacred ground. “You did not just say that.”

“What?” I shrugged.

“You've been hanging out with Knox so much that you're beginning to sound like him.”

Attempting to imitate Knox, I lowered my voice and spoke in as gruff a tone as I could manage. “Theo, are you ready yet?” I barely made it to the end of my question before we started laughing, drawing the stares of several people walking nearby.

“Shh.” I placed a finger over my lips, still trying to quell my own laughter.

“You started it,” he whispered back. “Now, hand over the camera or else.”

“Ohh, I'm shaking in my riding boots.”

“You should be.” He leaned closer, invading my space and weakening my resolve. “If you don't hand over the camera in the next five seconds, I'm going to start belting out Journey's greatest hits. I'm pretty sure you don't want that.”

“I'm pretty sure neither of us wants that.”

“Don't say I didn't warn you.” He drew a deep breath and started singing the lyrics to “Don't Stop Believin'” before I clamped my hand over his mouth and glared at him. He had the audacity to lick me, and I immediately pulled away and wiped my palm on my jeans.

“Ready to hand over the camera now?”

When I hesitated, he opened his mouth, poised to start singing again, and I hastily lifted the strap over my head.

“Is my singing really that atrocious?”

“I happen to love your voice. But I'd rather not get kicked out, if that's all right with you.”

“Fair enough. Now,” he said, steering me by the shoulders, “please stand here.”

With a gentle touch, he brushed my hair away from my face only to pause briefly in his movements. His eyes swept over me, his expression full of adoration. “Perfect.”

Before I could protest, he stepped back and snapped a handful of shots. He peered down at the screen and switched off the camera, apparently pleased with the result.

“Moving on.” He linked our hands and led me to his Outback.

“You're already done torturing me?”

“I can take more if you want. This is the perfect time of day for portraits.” He removed the lens cap. “Or we can grab the tripod and watch the sunset. Your choice.”

“I vote for the second option.”

I grabbed my jacket from the car, wrapping it around me before throwing a beanie on for good measure. The day had been warm, at least for January, but I had a feeling my leggings and knit tunic paired with a chunky scarf wouldn't be enough once the sun set.

We strolled through the grounds until we found the perfect spot, even if it was a bit windy. I tightened my jacket around my neck to ward off the chill.

“Are you warm enough?” His brows pinched with concern.

“I'll be fine.”

“Here,” he said, handing me the camera. “Why don’t you decide what settings to use while I assemble the tripod? Then, I’ll keep you warm.”

I toggled through the options, contemplating the best mix of aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. Finally, when I was relatively confident about my selection, I returned the camera to him. I studied his face as he attached it to the tripod then took a few shots. It was moments like this, when Theo was lost in concentration, that he looked most like Knox. It still baffled me, my love for two brothers who were so different, and yet, the same.

“What do you think?”

“I think it's going to be a beautiful sunset,” I said, surveying the scene before me.

The sky was awash with colors, the wispy winter clouds providing a thin layer of dimension in a darkening sky. Orange and yellow backlit the silhouette of the Mission, highlighting the bell tower and roofline of the ancient building.

Theo made a few adjustments before sitting on a nearby stone wall, camera remote in hand. He pulled me onto his lap and wrapped his arms around me, making me warmer already.

“I want a New Year’s redo. Let’s pretend it’s December thirty-first.”

“At midnight?”

He nodded. “Ten, nine, eight,” Theo counted down until he reached one. “Happy New Year.”

“Happy New Year.” I smiled back at him.

He placed a hand on my cheek and pressed his lips to mine briefly. “Sorry I had to miss New Year's Eve.”

“It's okay. I understand.” I shivered, hoping the wind would die down.

“It's not okay, but thanks for being so cool about it. Did you make any resolutions?”

“Maybe.”

“That's a yes.” He pinched my side, and I shifted on his lap.

“I resolve to cherish every moment. What about you?”

“Good one! I resolve to kiss you more.” He kissed my forehead, my cheek, my lips. “And I resolve to learn how to cook.”

“Without burning down the house?” I asked, garnering a scowl from Theo.

“You owe me cooking lessons, remember?”

“I do?” I feigned ignorance.

“If I showed you how to use my camera, you would teach me how to cook. I'm holding you to that.”

“Fine,” I huffed, joking. “It's a date.”

He squeezed me tighter. “Sweet! Now, I have guaranteed quality time with you. The guys flee the moment I step foot in the kitchen.”

I laughed, but behind his teasing, I sensed a larger issue. “I know I haven't been home as much lately. If you want to hang out, all you have to do is ask.”

Juggling five guys was a challenge, and I'd been trying to be more aware of how I spent my time. Apart from keeping some sort of hours log, it would never be equal. But I could do my best to ensure each of them had my undivided attention when we were together.

“I know, sweet pea.”

We fell silent, watching as the sun dipped below the horizon. It set off a chain reaction of colors that were even more vivid, the sky darkening to a deep orange. Surrounded by such magnificent beauty, all my cares faded away. At least, until a cold gust whipped past, almost toppling the tripod.

“Let's get out of here,” Theo said.

I jumped up and he followed, stowing the gear before leading me back to the car.

With the heat on full blast and the radio playing softly in the background, the drive back to Santa Cruz flew by. More than once, I caught Theo staring at me from across the gearshift, his eyes dark, hungry. I knew how he felt. We'd taunted each other all afternoon with stolen kisses, lingering glances, and subtle touches. It had whetted my appetite, and I was ravenous for more.

With the rest of the guys still out of town, the house was quiet, almost eerily so. We hunkered down on the basement couch, and Theo started an episode of The Flash. It was our latest TV obsession, at least when Knox wasn’t around, since he preferred Arrow.

We snuggled beneath a large blanket, and for the first time all day, I felt warm. Theo lay behind me, cradling his head in his hand. The other roamed my body, inching its way beneath the soft material of my tunic to caress my stomach and ribs.

Electricity pinged through me with every touch, and when he skimmed my breasts over my lacy bra, I could no longer resist the urge to kiss him. I turned my head and our mouths fused together, our tongues clashing. Needing to feel his hands on my bare skin, I tore off my tunic and tossed it aside while he shed his sweater and undershirt. Without missing a beat, our lips locked, his tongue plundering my mouth.

“Wait, stop,” he said suddenly, his breathing heavy. “I can't do this.” My heart stopped as he pushed his, now disheveled, hair back from his face. “I can't go another day, another moment, without telling you that I love you.”

I met his eyes and the sincerity of his words rang true, echoing in my heart. Theo had captivated me from the moment I'd spied him dancing around the loft without a care. Our connection was immediate and strong. He was my best friend, my partner in crime, and he made me laugh when no one else could.

Over time, our friendship developed into something more. But I'd denied my feelings, not even admitting them to myself until his confession in Portland. Although I couldn't pinpoint the precise moment it happened, I'd gone from caring about Theo as a friend to falling in love with him.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him down to me, burying my head in his chest. “I thought you were going to say you changed your mind, that you didn’t want me.”

“What?” He pushed himself up so he was leaning over me, an incredulous look on his face. “You're everything to me. You're under my skin, literally. Look.”

He rolled onto his back, pushing the blanket aside and unzipping his jeans, prompting me to raise an eyebrow. While one hand held his boxer briefs in place at the waistline, he used the other to slowly peel back the material to display his right hip. His mystery tattoo was revealed at last—a phoenix outlined in dark blue ink with orange at the edges of its wings and tail.

I sucked in a breath as the significance of his choice sank in. Phoenix was the code name the guys had resorted to using for me after discovering Brian Taylor had a daughter.

I met Theo's eyes and found him assessing me. “Do you like it?”

“Like wasn't quite the word I had in mind.” I traced a finger over his inked skin, admiring the detailed illustration, the way the colors created a sense of movement. “It's sexy.”

He shifted, the bulge in his boxers pronounced even in the low light from the TV. My own desire kicked up another notch, but there was still something I wanted to know. “When?”

“Just after you left for Portland. I wanted to brand my skin, mark it as yours, even though you didn't know it at the time. I needed a daily reminder of the friendship we shared and the future I hoped for.”

I fell silent, letting the full weight of his confession settle. He'd gotten a tattoo to symbolize me and our relationship after I ran away? It wasn't something I took lightly. I crouched down and kissed the image of the phoenix, wanting to convey how much it meant to me. “I love it, and I love you.”

“Haley,” he growled. “You can't kiss me like that and not expect me to do something about it.”

“What are you waiting for?”

He pulled me roughly to him, our lips crashing against each other as our tongues battled for dominance. All the times we'd kissed, it had never felt this powerful, this consuming. It was like a barrier had been removed, and I knew Theo felt it too as we poured our emotions, our longing into the kiss.

I arched my back, grinding against him. I wanted more. When he drew back, the heated look in his eyes told me he did too.

“I need to taste you.” His voice was ragged, hoarse.

I nodded, trying not to let my intimidation override my desire, but that didn’t stop my legs from trembling at the idea. Theo kicked off his jeans before he kissed his way down my stomach, nuzzling my center through the thin material of my leggings. Slowly, with his eyes on mine, he peeled off my clothing, leaving me bared to him apart from my bra.

He leaned back on his heels, rubbing his hand over his chin as his eyes grazed me. “You are so fucking gorgeous.”

I laughed despite my blush. “I believe you owe the swear jar some money.”

“That's what you're thinking about right now?”

“No,” I whispered. “I was actually trying not to focus on how nervous I am.”

“Do you trust me?” He trailed his fingers down my neck and over my exposed skin, leaving a line of fire in their wake.

“Of course.” I reached out to touch him, eager to feel grounded by the smooth skin of his chest.

“Then, let go.” He kissed me softly. “I promise to make you feel good.”

He massaged my feet briefly then ran his hands over the muscles of my legs while applying gentle pressure. My head fell back on the couch, my tension melting away under his sensual caresses. He took his time, lavishing me with attention as he kissed his way up my legs, inching closer to my core.

When his tongue swirled inside, pleasure bloomed within me, growing with every swipe. He gripped my hips, stilling me so that he could devour me like a starving man.

Using a finger, he toyed with my entrance while continuing his mind-numbing assault, driving me higher and higher. Unabashedly, I dug my fingers into his hair while pushing my hips closer to his mouth. I felt sexy, wanton, wanted as I writhed on the couch.

Finally, he plunged a finger inside, applying pressure to the spot that made me moan with pleasure. I clutched the blanket, and when his eyes met mine, filled with passion and love, I couldn’t hold back any longer. If I was the phoenix, he was the flame, and I was going to combust.

I convulsed around him as I called his name. I was flying, my body exploding into a thousand tiny pieces of pleasure.

* * *

Jackson

I leaned against the headboard and closed my eyes. This was our first out-of-town assignment since Dallas, and I was more than ready to be home. More than ready to see a certain brunette temptress.

An alert for Uncle’s home security system chimed on my laptop, and I jerked to attention. The loft, Liam’s penthouse, my bungalow, and Uncle’s house were under surveillance twenty-four seven, and it was easy to access the secure site Chase created specifically for us. With cameras posted at the main entrances, as well as the public spaces, I had a pretty comprehensive overview.

I scanned the grid of video feed from Uncle’s home, looking for anything out of the ordinary, before finally concluding that wildlife must have tripped the alert. For my own peace of mind, I toggled between the three other properties to ensure everything was in order. When I came to the loft, I paused as movement caught my attention. I maximized the window, hoping for a glimpse of Haley. And, boy, did I get an eyeful—one that made my dick stand up and take notice.

Haley was sprawled on the couch, her hair flowing over the headrest, her face the picture of exquisite satisfaction. Wearing only a bra, Theo’s head was between her thighs, her long legs draped over his shoulders. I pressed my hand against my hard-on, tortured in the best possible way by the scene I’d unwittingly stumbled upon.

When her body went limp, Theo kissed his way up her stomach, effectively blocking my view. He pulled her to his chest, wrapping one arm around her as he covered them with a blanket.

After a quick knock on the door, Knox peeked his head inside my room. I slammed the laptop shut, and I was positive my face looked guilty as hell.

“What is the rule about watching porn? You lock the door, man.”

“I wasn’t watching porn. Well, I’m not sure it qualifies as such.” He gave me a quizzical look, waiting for me to continue digging my own grave. “Does it count as porn if you’re watching your girlfriend with her boyfriend?”

His back straightened. “Haley and Theo?” Even Knox, master poker player, couldn’t hide the surprise from his voice. “Were you spying on them?”

“I was checking on an alert. How was I supposed to know he’d be going down on her on the basement couch?” Shit. I hadn’t meant to tell him that much.

He glared at me. “That’s a blatant violation of their privacy, and I can only imagine how Haley would feel if she knew you were watching them.”

“Can you really tell me you’d have the strength to look away?”

“I’d like to think so.”

“Because he’s your brother?” It was something I’d often wondered—if Knox and Theo would be able to handle sharing the same woman.

“No,” he answered immediately.

“Because you’ve experienced her orgasm firsthand,” I stated without question.

He crossed his arms over his chest and stared at me while we conducted an unspoken battle of wills. I hadn’t gotten to be a team lead without honing my observational skills. I knew my guys better than anyone, maybe even better than they knew themselves.

“Was sex with her as good as I imagine?”

A brief flicker of emotion passed behind those green eyes, confirming my suspicions that he’d slept with her. In Dallas, if my spidey sense was on target.

Reluctantly, he shook his head. “Better.” He took a menacing step toward me. “If you tell anyone I slept with Haley, I’ll cut off your dick and feed it to a shark.”

“Okay, okay.” I held up my hands. “No need for violence.”

We were both silent for a moment, perhaps processing our latest revelations, before I said, “Do you know what Haley is?”

“The best thing that ever happened to us.”

“Our greatest strength and our biggest weakness. If anyone ever discovers that, we’re fucked.”

He nodded.