Haley

With my eyes still closed, I reached for Jackson out of instinct, disappointed to discover he wasn’t there. Burying my nose in the sheets, I inhaled his clean scent and smiled. Knowing him, he’d snuck out just past daybreak, intent on catching the best waves of the day.

When I heard a noise downstairs, I forced myself out of bed and grabbed his dress shirt from the floor, pulling it over my head. Penny had stayed at the loft last night after Theo insisted he needed her company. We all adored that dog as much as Jackson; she was completely spoiled and entirely deserving.

Descending the stairs, I noted that the kitchen was immaculate, and Jackson was nowhere to be seen. I gazed out the back windows, surfers dotting the water below.

A pair of strong arms wrapped around me from behind. “Happy birthday, gorgeous.”

“Liam,” I said, both surprised and delighted to discover he was there.

“Please tell me you’re not wearing anything under that shirt.” His husky voice reached into my depths, filling me with want, and I shivered.

“I guess you’ll have to find out.”

He growled and pressed himself against me, his hardness digging into my back. With one hand wrapped possessively around my waist, he skimmed his palm up my thigh, Jackson’s shirt riding higher with every passing second. Between the feel of the starched fabric and his warm touch, my skin tingled with anticipation.

Jackson chose that moment to walk in; fresh from the outdoor shower, water dripped down his bare chest and into the towel slung low on his waist. He spotted us almost instantly, and the atmosphere shifted once more. Charged with electricity, I held my breath, waiting for his next move.

“Starting the party without me?” He arched an eyebrow as his gaze drank us in. “May I join you?”

“That depends on the birthday girl.” Liam continued to touch me, tease me.

I let out a long, slow breath and studied Jackson closely before tipping my head to look up at Liam. Instead of the wicked gleam I expected, his eyes were soft with reassurance. This wasn’t the first time they’d toyed with the idea of sharing me—it started that day on the sailboat, continued in the hot tub, and they had taunted me on numerous occasions since. Yet, somehow, they always held back, unwilling to push too far.

Was today the exception?

I’d long anticipated such a moment with a mixture of enthusiasm and apprehension. Realizing my current butterflies were undoubtedly of the enthusiastic variety, I smiled at Jackson. “Yes.”

Without another word, he strode toward us and scooped me into his arms, carrying me up the stairs with Liam close on our heels. Jackson set me on the bed, and a look passed between them that I couldn’t quite decipher.

“What do you want, my love?” Liam asked.

Did I dare say it aloud? “Both of you,” I whispered, not even entirely sure what that meant.

“That can be arranged,” Jackson answered with a wicked grin.

Liam removed his shirt, shucking off his shorts and boxers as Jackson unknotted his towel, letting it fall to the floor. Seeing them both standing there, naked and with hunger in their eyes, sent my pulse skyrocketing.

My mouth went impossibly dry as my eyes roamed their tanned skin, lean muscles, and hard lengths. They advanced in sync, crawling on the bed toward me. Even though it seemed to happen in slow motion, I wanted to draw out this moment as long as possible, to freeze it in my mind.

Jackson kissed his way up my legs to my thighs while Liam unbuttoned my shirt with painstaking slowness. Anxiety and excitement threatened to overtake me with every inch of skin revealed. Were we really doing this? In broad daylight, no less?

When Liam caressed my stomach, then the underside of my breasts, my eyes fluttered shut. Without a doubt, I knew they wanted me, wanted this, and the idea that they craved it as much as I did was overwhelming.

“Open your eyes,” Jackson said softly.

I glanced down to find his head between my legs, his eyes dark, captivating. I wanted to touch him, to dig my fingers into his hair, but Liam captured my wrists and held them gently above my head. That simple action sent a thrill through me, and it finally registered that this wasn’t a dream. It was real.

“Have we tortured you enough?” Jackson asked, dipping his head and swiping his tongue along my slit. I bucked, and he gripped my hips to keep me exactly where he wanted me. “Or should we draw this out a while longer?”

Unable to speak, I watched Liam trail his fingers along the side of my breasts, circling the areola before following the same path with his tongue. “Mmm,” he murmured, sucking a nipple into his mouth, “we do have all morning.”

Oh, dear god. My body flushed with heat, burning me from the inside out.

Jackson resumed his position, using his tongue to lap and flick at my bud. My back arched, and I struggled to maintain control as Liam lavished my breasts with attention. They were tormenting me in the best possible way.

Knowing that the two of them had made it their sole mission to give me pleasure was enough to put me over the edge. When Jackson inserted a finger, the sensations were too much. I couldn’t fight it any longer. Spiraling out of control, I chanted their names as I exploded into a thousand tiny stars.

With my heart still racing, Liam loosened his grip on my wrists, stroking my side while they waited for me to come back to them. Holy shiitake, that was freaking hot.

“And we’re just getting started.” Jackson smirked, making me realize I’d said the last part aloud. “Now, I do believe you’re overdressed for this party.”

As though he had all the time in the world, he pushed the sleeves of the dress shirt down my arms until I was completely naked. Two sets of eyes, one gray and one cerulean, pinged between my breasts, my hips, my legs. Bared to these men who had captured my heart, I felt incredibly sexy, desired.

Despite coming mere minutes before, need coiled in my belly, and my bliss quickly faded to restlessness. Jackson pulled me onto his lap, consuming me with his touch and taste. His length dug into me, seeking entrance, and I rocked against him, aching for more. Liam came to sit behind me, and even sandwiched as I was between them, I still couldn’t believe this was really happening.

“You’re so beautiful.” Jackson’s gaze was reverent as he brushed my hair aside, giving Liam access to my shoulder. “Isn’t she?”

“Absolutely gorgeous.” Liam kissed my neck, his fingers grazing over my skin and making me shiver.

I tilted my head back, seeking his lips. Our tongues danced as their hands roamed my body, making me delirious. When Jackson eased into me, I gasped, my eyes flying open. The angle, coupled with the fact that Liam was sitting mere inches away, it all seemed so . . . deliciously scandalous.

Liam gave me a lazy smile, his eyes hooded. “Are you ready for this?”

“More than ready,” I replied eagerly, having already waited long enough.

They chuckled, and then everything melted into a blur of hands and lips. For such an intimate moment, I was surprised by how right it felt. Though this wasn’t my first time with Jackson or Liam, doing this together, the three of us, made it that much more intense.

Their whispered “I love yous” only strengthened our bond, and the pressure mounted, each and every brush lighting my body on fire. I was ready to let go, to surrender once more, when Jackson pulled out abruptly. I groaned in frustration, impatient with want.

“Not yet, Miss Jones. It’s Liam’s turn.” Jackson shifted to his knees and moved to my side.

“Finally,” Liam sighed, and I needed him as much as he did me.

Standing at the edge of the bed, he guided himself into me, burying himself with one thrust. I wrapped my legs around him, torn between watching the sight of our joined bodies or Jackson, who was now fisting his length. He pumped several times, the tip glistening with moisture, and I licked my lips, wanting to taste him.

“Come here.” I reached out for Jackson, even as Liam hit my sensitive spot with every thrust.

Jackson inched closer, close enough for me to lick him. Sweet and tangy, his flavor was unique and all Jackson. When I swirled my tongue around the head, both he and Liam groaned.

“You are so fucking sexy,” Liam said between pants.

Jackson grunted his agreement as I began working him with my mouth and my hand. The room was filled with the sounds of our pleasure, the three of us moving in harmony. It wasn’t long before Jackson tensed up, pulling out of my mouth, his face contorting as he spilled over the sheets.

On the brink of ecstasy, I finally let go, clenching around Liam while he threw his head back, cursing as he pumped into me. We collapsed in a heap on the bed, a tangle of arms and legs.

“Wow,” I said on an exhale.

“That was . . . intense,” Jackson said.

“Bloody fantastic,” Liam echoed.

Once my breathing finally returned to normal, I said, “I love you, both of you,” and met each of their eyes.

“You’re just saying that because you know what’s next,” Liam said.

I turned my head to look at him, enthralled by the color of his eyes, his flushed cheeks, his tousled hair. He was stunning. “What’s that?” I asked, genuinely curious.

“Shower time.” Jackson rose from the mattress, pulling us along with him.

This was officially the best birthday ever.

Later that afternoon, once we’d cleaned up, gotten dirty, and then clean again, we piled into Jackson’s Jeep. I’d agreed to let Theo throw me a birthday party on one condition—that he keep it small. Somehow, I doubted he’d adhere to my wishes, but I was more concerned with where we were headed.

“I thought we were going to Patrick’s,” I said when Jackson bypassed the highway.

“Change of plans.”

I turned to Liam for answers, but he merely shrugged. We continued a few miles before Jackson turned off the main road. Yet, we still weren’t headed for the loft as far as I could tell. Where the heck was he taking us?

He pulled onto a street lined with impressive homes. Not quite as lavish as Patrick’s neighborhood, the houses were a mix of older and newer construction, but they all somehow meshed together. Jackson parked the car in front of one of the largest houses on the street. With a circular drive and beautiful landscaping, the two-story structure beckoned to me.

As we approached the entrance, Liam and Jackson slid their hands into mine, reaffirming our connection and reminding me of our morning spent together. Fully sated, my body aching in the most delicious way, I realized now, more than ever, how happy I was. How content I was.

The large wooden door swung open, and Knox, Theo, and Chase stood on the threshold as Penny trotted out to greet us. Five voices cheered, “Happy birthday!” at once, and my face split into a grin.

Theo stepped forward and then knelt, holding up a small velvet box that looked suspiciously like one that would contain a ring. My heart came to a screeching halt, and everyone froze.

“Haley Jones, would you do us the honor of . . .” He pried open the box so slowly, I thought I might faint. “. . . Moving in with us?”

I looked down to discover that the box contained a key decorated with stars. My heart started pumping again, but adrenaline coursed through me and my brain struggled to catch up. I felt five pairs of eyes on me, watching expectantly.

“I do . . . live with you. I mean, I already live with you at the loft. What am I missing?”

“Welcome to our new home,” Theo said.

“You bought a house? This house?” Wide-eyed, I glanced at each of them for confirmation, ending with Jackson.

“We did,” he said, speaking for the group. “For the six of us.”

“What about your beach bungalow or Liam’s penthouse or the loft?” I turned to Knox, knowing how much time and effort he’d put into renovating it.

“We needed more space. Somewhere we could all call home.”

They’d done this for me, for us? Peering up at the house, this time in awe, I was overwhelmed by excitement and gratitude. I’d get to see all five of them every day, without driving across town, without sacrificing time with some of them in favor of the others.

It wasn’t until Knox pinched my side and mouthed, “It’s real,” that I finally snapped out of it. I shook my head and laughed, throwing my arms wide to hug each of them.

“Thank you. It’s amazing.” I felt their collective sigh of relief.

“Can I give you a tour now, please?” Theo bounced on the balls of his feet.

If the exterior was any indication, I was going to absolutely love the inside. He intertwined our fingers, leading me through the large doorway and into the foyer that flowed straight into the living room and kitchen. I marveled at the beautiful design, one that merged all our styles for an effect that was effortlessly chic, yet comfortable. As I brought a hand to my mouth, overcome with emotion, I realized how countless TV families felt the moment their new home was revealed to them—thankful, stunned, thrilled.

As we toured the house, I could see how much effort Theo had put into making it the perfect space for the six of us. Everything had been taken into account: there was an incredible ocean view, a large workout room, a cozy media room with oversized leather chairs, an expansive kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances, and more than enough space for everyone to spend time together or alone.

I quickly swiped away a tear, but it didn’t escape Theo’s notice, and he turned to face me. “What’s wrong, songbird?”

I shook my head. “Absolutely nothing. I can see us being very happy here.”

He pulled me close, holding me tight and surrounding me with love. “I’m so relieved you like it.”

“I can’t believe you were able to keep it a secret. How long have you been planning this?”

“We discussed it on the New Year’s assignment, but we didn’t find this house until after . . .” He trailed off, and I mentally inserted you returned. “Anyway, it needed a lot of updating, so we decided to surprise you once it was finished.”

It all made sense now—the Property Brothers marathons, Theo’s endless games of this or that. He’d been covertly asking for my opinions for the house. Maybe he was better at keeping secrets than I realized.

“Come on,” he said, tugging my hand, “I want to show you your room.”

Photographs were displayed throughout the house, and the hallway to my new bedroom was no exception. I smiled when I noticed a few of the shots I’d taken on our date to the Carmel Mission, as well as a sketch I’d done of Penny. Those kinds of details made this house—somewhere I’d never lived before, never even stepped foot in before this moment—feel like our home.

He stopped before a closed door. “I know how much you liked your room at the loft, so if there’s anything you don’t absolutely love, we can change it.”

“Theo.” I cupped his cheeks. “I love everything I’ve seen so far. You did an amazing job.”

My jaw dropped when he opened the door. The entire house was stunning, but my new room surpassed the rest. Larger than any of the other bedrooms—and that was saying something—it had an enormous bed that I was ready to dive into.

A gentle breeze blew through the French doors that opened to a balcony overlooking the ocean. I could imagine myself eating breakfast out there every morning with one of the guys. And, at night, it would be the perfect place to stargaze with my telescope.

Bookshelves lined the walls of a small alcove, creating a cozy reading nook. The walls were a deep blue, except in the alcove, where shades of purple and lighter blue swirled with the wall color, speckled with white spots and glitter. It was beautiful, magical.

“You like?” Theo asked.

“It’s like walking into a galaxy, like you sprinkled a little bit of stardust in my room.”

His lips tipped into a smile. “Stardust, I like that.”

I continued my perusal. Framed pictures of me and the guys were placed throughout the room; even the photo of me, Jess, and Lucky had found a new home. I walked through a large closet, where my clothes were neatly organized, to the most beautiful bathroom I’d ever seen. It was light, airy, and huge, and I couldn’t wait to try out the giant shower with multiple heads.

When I lingered, Theo said, “There will be plenty of time for that later, but I have more to show you.”

“Are you sure? I mean, look at that bathtub, Theo.”

He gave it one last longing glance before tugging on my hand, his voice filled with promise. “Later.”

When we returned downstairs, I peered around, wondering where the rest of the guys had disappeared to. Still, I couldn’t get over how beautiful everything was; from the quartz countertops to the light fixtures, Theo had incorporated everything on my wish list. There was even a framed star map of the constellations visible in the Cabo San Lucas sky on February fourteenth of this year.

“Close your eyes.”

“Haven’t I had enough surprises for one day?” I teased, still trying to soak it all in.

He glared playfully at me, impatient for me to do as he’d requested. I closed my eyes and allowed him to lead me through the house to what I assumed was the back door, since I could now hear waves crashing in the distance.

“Okay, you can open.”

“Happy birthday!” sounded a chorus of voices.

I didn’t know where to look first, my attention torn between the spectacular view of the ocean, the beautiful pool and landscaping, and the friends and family wishing me a happy birthday. Everyone important to me, apart from my dad, was there. Chase and Liam manned the large outdoor grill, and Jackson stood next to Patrick, whose hand rested on Diana’s lower back. Kara and Logan were clustered around the elaborately decorated food table with Tyler and Megan. And Knox gave me a sheepish grin moments before Jess stepped out from behind him.

“Happy birthday, Hales!” She opened her arms, and I stepped into them.

“It’s so good to see you,” I said, meaning it. She was my oldest friend, and, deep down, I knew I could always count on her.

Later that evening, after the sun had set over the ocean, we sat around the fire pit, talking and drinking. Cradled in Knox's arms, I let my eyes wander over my guys. Theo was busy mixing cocktails at the outdoor bar, and Jackson appeared laid back and happy as he laughed at something Patrick said. Chase and Liam sat across the fire, their heads bent together conspiratorially, until Penny interrupted them by tossing her favorite toy into Chase's lap.

“What are you thinking?” Knox murmured into my ear. He nipped at my lobe, and I yelped softly.

I traced over my tattoo with my thumb, lingering on each of the five stars. Although this love story of ours was unconventional, I had made peace with our version of happily ever after. For the first time in my life, I felt completely safe and settled.

“That maybe, sometimes, the impossible is actually possible.”

He didn’t respond but held me tighter while I continued to watch the fire and my favorite people in the world.

A short time later, Liam emerged from the house with a large chocolate cake topped with lit candles. Its glossy sheen frosting was dotted with luscious, ripe raspberries and shards of dark chocolate were pressed to the sides. When everyone finished singing “Happy Birthday,” Chase leaned over and kissed my cheek. “Make a wish, Haley.”

Poised over the candles, surrounded by family and friends, I realized I had nothing left to wish for. My dad was safe, and I had faith that justice would be served for my mom’s murder. I had a fulfilling job, a beautiful new house, even a terrific dog. And as wonderful as those things were, they meant nothing without Knox, Theo, Chase, Jackson, and Liam.

Call it destiny or fate, they had crashed into my life, capturing my heart along with me. It hadn’t all been smooth sailing, but it had been worth the journey. They were my Polaris, my constant, and no matter what the future held, I knew they’d always guide me home.