Haley

Without a care in the world, I closed my eyes, content to just be. The sun was bright, warming my skin even from beneath the shade of the cabana. Theo and Liam lounged in chairs on either side of me while Knox, Chase, and Jackson tossed a Frisbee on the beach. Other than birds cawing from a distance, we were alone.

Feeling lazy and utterly satisfied, I marveled at how fortunate I was. Sure, the impromptu vacation to a gorgeous destination was nice, but I knew it didn’t matter where I was, so long as Knox, Theo, Liam, Chase, and Jackson were by my side. Each of them occupied space in my heart, and together, the six of us were a family; it didn’t matter who, or what, tried to come between us.

I lost track of time, letting the salty air and the cadence of the ocean lull me into a dreamlike state. The past few days had been pure bliss; surrounded by my guys, this was the perfect location to relax and unwind, to reconnect after all that had happened. More than that, it had become a celebration of our new chapter. Finally embracing our unique relationship, and knowing the guys had done the same, was utterly freeing.

Someone caressed my legs, skimming his fingers along the expanse of bare skin revealed by my strapless cobalt bikini. I absently wondered which of the guys it was, and I didn’t have to wait long for an answer.

“Songbird,” Theo said, his voice an echo of the crashing waves.

“Hmm?”

“Chase and Liam are going to the grocery store. Knowing Liam and his penchant for exploring local markets, they might be gone a while. Do you want anything?”

“Popcorn sounds good, especially if we’re going to have another movie night.”

“Good idea. Maybe we can convince Liam to make some of his caramel corn.”

My mouth curved into a grin, and I finally opened my eyes to discover that Chase and Liam were nowhere to be seen. Knox and Jackson played in the water, diving into the waves and floating back to shore. As if sensing me watching, they strode up the beach, swim trunks clinging to their thighs as water dripped down their muscular chests.

Tempted to fan myself, I resisted, still in awe that they were mine. All of them. And, I was theirs.

“Did you fall asleep again?” Jackson asked, a teasing lilt to his voice.

“I was just resting.”

“That’s what you said last night before you passed out between Liam and me.”

“I couldn’t help it. The sound of the ocean is so soothing, I’d love to fall asleep to it every night.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” Jackson shared a pleased look with Theo before leaning in for a kiss. “That’s why we’re here.”

“But there are so many fun activities you could be doing, and you’re missing out on them because of me.”

“Trust me, we don’t feel like we’re missing out,” Knox said, and Theo and Jackson nodded their agreement.

“So, if I told you I got you both tickets to the adventure park, you’d turn them down?” I directed my question at Jackson and Knox, having already recruited Theo to help with my plan.

Even Knox hadn’t been able to hide his interest; I’d caught him eyeing the pamphlet more than once since we arrived. I couldn’t blame him—located in the middle of a canyon, the scenery alone was worth the admission price. Not to mention the breathtaking gondola ride to access the various adventure activities. If not for my broken collarbone, I would have been the first one in line.

“Did you?” Knox asked, clearly torn between his excitement at the prospect and his desire to remain by my side.

“The two of you work so hard that Theo, Liam, Chase, and I wanted to give this to you.”

“A shuttle will pick you up in the lobby in less than half an hour,” Theo said. “So, you better get going.”

“Only if Haley’s certain.” Jackson lifted my hand and intertwined our fingers.

“Positive. Go have fun. Blow off some steam.”

“Thank you.” He leaned in and pressed his lips to mine before murmuring, “I’ll show you a proper thank you later.” I blushed, eager with anticipation. Now, if only I could convince him to follow through.

“What now?” Theo asked once they’d gone. “Do you want to stay out here? Are you getting too warm? Can I get you some water?”

“Theo,” I said, placing my hand on his, “I’m fine, but would you mind closing the curtains. It’s so bright out.” Oh, geez. I sounded like an airhead.

He did as requested, leaving the one in front open so as to maintain an unobstructed view of the ocean. Before he could retake his seat, I said, “That one too.” He looked at me curiously but said nothing as he shut it.

Sunlight streamed through the space between the curtains, the heavy fabric rustling in the breeze. Secluded on our own private slice of sand, shrouded by the curtains of the cabana, we were in our own little bubble.

Theo perched on the chair next to me. “Can I get you anything else?”

I nodded and tapped a finger to my mouth. He leaned in and brushed his lips against mine. It was a start, but it wasn’t nearly enough. I pointed to my good shoulder, and he placed a kiss there, lingering a little longer, then on my stomach. Poised above the hem of my swimsuit, he peered up at me, desire and uncertainty warring in his hazel eyes.

Since my return, all of the guys had been tentative with their touches, never pushing for more. I’d had enough, and I was finally willing to take matters into my own hands, or rather, hand. If only I could wrap my arms around Theo’s neck and pull him to me.

“Do you want to play a game of this or that?” he asked.

“Now?” I tried not to sound put off. It wasn’t like I’d honed my seduction techniques, but couldn’t he take a hint?

“Yeah,” he said enthusiastically. “For instance, do you prefer this . . .” He paused, using his teeth to nip at my shoulder. “. . . Or that?” He smoothed his tongue along my neck, making me breathless.

“Both.” I sighed, gratified that maybe, just maybe, we were getting somewhere.

“Okay. How about this?” He palmed my breast. “Or that?” he asked, pinching my nipple through the fabric and sending a jolt straight to my core.

“Do I have to choose?” If I couldn’t choose between five guys, what made him believe I could select one of two equally pleasurable options? There was no choice. I was greedy—I wanted it all.

“This?” He trailed his fingers down my arm, but paused, and I looked up to find him staring at my marked skin with awe. “I still can’t believe you did this.”

“Why not?”

He traced my palm with his fingers, knowing better than to stroke the tattoo while it healed. Even so, his touch remained light, as if he feared even the slightest hint of pressure would remove the ink. “It’s just so . . . permanent.”

“That was kind of the point.” I grinned. “I’m yours, Theodore Bennett.”

“Say it again.” His voice was gruff, his eyes shining with moisture.

“I’m yours, and I always will be.”

His lips crashed to mine, and there was nothing gentle about the kiss. It was passionate. It was everything.

He ran his hands over my skin, and the ache within me grew. I skimmed his shoulders, his chest, then dipped lower to toy with the tie on his swim trunks. Without warning, he gripped my hand and held it, jaw clenched.

Even as I marveled at his restraint, I wanted to obliterate it. I needed him, and I needed this. And I was almost certain he did too.

When he lifted his head, hooded eyes met mine and he released a tortured groan. “We have to stop.”

“I don’t want to,” I whispered. “Please, Theo. I love you, and I want to be yours in every sense of the word.”

His throat bobbed as he swallowed, clearly torn between doing what he wanted and what he thought I needed. Hoping to make the decision easier, I sat up and fumbled behind my back, unlatching my swimsuit top with one hand and allowing it to fall to the ground. I delighted in the feeling of reckless abandon, reveling in his slack-jawed reaction.

“That is so not fair. You know I can’t say no to you, especially when you’re . . . well, like that.”

I flashed him a wicked grin. “Who said I was playing fair?”

“What about your shoulder?” He trailed a finger between my breasts, circling each and nearing my nipples without ever touching them. He was already driving me mad, and I could tell from his bulging erection and uneven breaths that he was teetering on the edge as well.

“Well, I did some research, and . . .”

He chuckled, a low sultry sound that blazed through me. “God, I love you.” He smashed his lips against mine for a sloppy kiss. “Tell me what you want, and I’ll do it.”

“What if you sit in the chair and I straddle you?” Where was this brazen assurance coming from?

“I think I can manage that,” he teased as we both stood.

He removed his trunks before peeling off my swimsuit bottoms, pausing to kiss my hip, my belly, my thigh. I should’ve been more concerned with being naked in a glorified tent in the middle of the day, but I was surprisingly turned on by the idea. Besides, I reassured myself, this is a private beach. I chose to ignore the fact that the nearest villa wasn’t really all that far away.

Theo reclined on the lounge chair, and I paused to marvel at his body—lean muscles covered in smooth skin sprinkled with freckles and marked with ink. I smiled at the sight of the phoenix tattoo, my heart beating faster with every passing glance. When I met his eyes, I realized that he’d been doing the same, drinking me in and relishing the moment.

When he crooked a finger, I carefully lifted my leg so that I was straddling him. Even though it was our first time together, it only seemed natural for him to place his hands on my hips and lower me onto him inch by inch. He stilled, giving both of us a moment to adjust to this new sensation, this new connection. We’d never been closer, and still, it wasn’t nearly enough.

He cupped my cheeks, my peaked nipples rubbing against his chest as he nuzzled his nose to mine. Hazel eyes filled with wonder, with reverence, blinked back at me. It was like he was seeing into my soul, staring into the depths of my heart and filling me with love.

“Do you know how many times I’ve dreamt of this moment?” he asked as he began to thrust gently.

I couldn’t hold back my smile. Theo belonged with me. Despite his doubts, his fears that I had abandoned him, he chose me. He chose to fight for us, and that meant more than any words.

Ever mindful of my collarbone and sling, his caresses were gentle and full of adoration. Slow, seductive, languid, our movements were infused with passion and desire. It was the connection I’d been craving, filling the cracks in my soul. I felt revived . . . liberated.

I swiveled my hips and he sucked in a sharp breath, both of us on the precipice. When he used his thumb to massage my core, I crashed over the edge, careening out of control. There was no past, there was only this moment and the two of us. His muscles clenched, skin flushing as I contracted around him, and he chased me into oblivion.

When the blood stopped rushing to my ears, the sound of the ocean came back to me, the rhythmic waves crashing against the shore. Dazed and breathless, I wondered at the sensation of being tethered so completely to another human being, someone who had once been my friend and was now so much more.

Theo grinned at me, a dopey smile that made me fall deeper in love with him. “So. Fucking. Incredible.” He punctuated each word with a kiss.

“Yes,” I murmured as he absentmindedly traced designs on my skin. I wanted to linger, to bask in the afterglow of this unspeakable bond, but my shoulder could only take so much.

At the sound of a car door shutting, I scrambled to my feet and grabbed the nearest towel. I could hear Chase’s and Liam’s voices a moment later, and I struggled to wrap the fabric around me single-handed.

Theo came to stand behind me, cocooning me in the towel with care and kissing the sensitive spot behind my ear. “We have nothing to hide, but I find your modesty endearing.”

“Easy for you to say. How would you feel if you were them, and it was super obvious that we’d just had sex?”

“Do you want to know a secret?” He leaned in. “I once saw you sneaking out of Knox’s room, and,” he gasped dramatically, “it didn’t bother me in the slightest.”

I turned to stare at him. How long had he known, or at least suspected, that Knox and I were sleeping together? I’d been so careful, so concerned, yet here Theo stood telling me it didn’t bother him.

He pulled on his swim trunks, then grabbed my swimsuit from the ground and wrapped it in a towel, tucking it beneath his arm. “Now,” he said in a very serious tone, “I want my cuddle time. Will you stay with me tonight?”

I smiled as he snuck another kiss. “Absolutely.”

“Good. Let’s hope they picked up lunch while they were out. I’m starving.”

Laughing, I clutched the towel to me and followed him out of the cabana and toward the house. Theo got waylaid by Chase, and I passed through the kitchen, where I found Liam preparing lunch.

“Looks delicious,” I said, snagging a piece of pineapple. I took a bite, the ripe flavor bursting in my mouth, juice dripping down my chin.

“Yes, it does,” he said, but he was looking at me with heated eyes.

Drawing closer, he pressed his lips to the base of my neck, swiping his tongue up my throat. My nipples puckered, and even though Theo left me thoroughly satisfied, heat pooled deep within my belly.

Liam tugged at the top of my towel. “I didn’t get to fully appreciate your swimsuit earlier. How am I going to decide if it’s my new favorite?”

I held tight, keeping the fabric close to my naked body, and he arched an eyebrow, clearly surprised by my reaction. “I thought the striped one-piece would forever be your favorite?”

“It definitely holds a special place in my heart, but we can always make new memories. Come on, let me see,” he teased, pulling at the towel once more.

The fabric slipped, dipping dangerously low on my chest. “Well, well.” He smirked knowingly, running a finger along the newly exposed skin and leaving goosebumps in his wake. “What have you been up to, gorgeous?”

My cheeks heated, but I should’ve known better than to fear his reaction. As he appraised me, his gaze was filled with nothing but adoration and love. “Vacation suits you.”

He was right, but it was more than a week of sand and sun. It was being with them . . . accepting who we were and living with no regrets.