Almost a week passes, and we fall into a routine of sorts. Nisha and I hang out around the house and become proper domestic goddesses, cooking a meal every night for the guys. Nisha is happy to do the lion’s share, she enjoys it. Cooking seems to be her thing and I’m happy to let her take the reins. Each night Nisha serves up something different. Aside from Tuesday, Calum has stayed for dinner every evening. Nisha and Calum seem to be getting on famously. I’ve never seen her so happy. It’s been lovely. It feels like we are a family. Still, I always feel like something dreadful is going to happen to ruin our happiness. I guess my childhood has affected me a lot more than I care to acknowledge.

“Could you cut the onion, please?” Nisha asks me, pulling me out of my maudlin thoughts.

I pull a face. “Do I have to? They always make me cry.”

“Err, yes.”

“I feel like I’m your commis chef, getting all the crappy jobs.”

“You can cook the whole thing, be my guest,” she says, stepping away from the counter.

“I’d rather not.” I look at the complicated recipe in confusion.

“Then fucking chop the onion, or fuck off out of my kitchen,” she says in a faux Gordon Ramsey voice.

“Yes, Chef.” I grin, and we start giggling. Within seconds of cutting into the onion, my eyes are streaming. Nisha pretends not to notice.

“So, it’s Friday night and I’m feeling like we need to let our hair down a bit. You and I have been cooped up in here for a week and I’m ready to hit the town. What do you say we try and persuade the boys to come out with us tonight?”

“Maybe,” I think. It would be good to get out, but honestly, I’m beginning to feel more than a little… horny, if the truth be known. Before the brothers, being horny was like an exotic island I never visited. Now I’d gladly swim in the sea with sharks just to get there.

“Maybe? Don’t you want to get out of here? I mean, it’s a beautiful home, but I need a change of scenery. I need to let my hair down a bit.”

“I’m kinda hoping the guys will want to stay in,” I say, avoiding Nisha’s gaze.

She starts laughing. “Not in pain any more, I take it?”

“Not so much. Honestly, Nish, Max, Hudson and Bryce have kept their word and not instigated any sex, which is kind of driving me crazy.”

“Oh blimey, no wonder you’re wound up tight like a corkscrew. Sleeping with those three hotties every night and nothing happening.” Nisha laughs delightedly.

“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

“Hell yes. If I’m not getting any, I don’t see why you should.”

“If one of them doesn’t make a move soon, I may have to deal with the issue myself.”

“Deal with what issue?”

I jump at the sound of Hudson’s voice behind me. Turning around, I feel my cheeks colouring a ridiculous shade. Kill me now.

“What issue? Who’s got an issue,” Bryce says as he saunters into the kitchen.

“Louisa was just saying how she felt a lot better and I was thinking we should all go out after dinner, given it’s Friday and the weekend. A club or something. Fancy it, boys?” she asks, a mischievous smile on her face.

Hudson and Bryce exchange glances. Neither answer.

“Hell, why not?” Max says as he enters the floor, Calum following behind. “It’s been a while since we’ve gone out. I’m up for it.”

“Excellent. Hudson, Bryce?” Nisha asks, before I can protest. She gives me a wink, she’s loving this.

“Why not,” Hudson says as he grabs a bottle of Perrier water from the fridge. He unscrews the cap and drinks from the bottle. I can’t help but focus on his lips as he drinks. Thank goodness he’s not looking at me because I’m pretty sure I’m salivating.

“Fine, but I’ll sit out the dancing,” Bryce says.

Nisha faces Calum. “What about you, Cal?” she asks. This time her voice is less jovial and more nervous, though she hides it well.

He regards her for a moment. “Yes, I think I should come along,” he says with a swift nod of his head. He doesn’t appear to happy about it, though. I see Nisha’s face fall before she covers her disappointment at his lack of enthusiasm with a fake smile.

“I’ll be back in a moment. I just need to make a few phone calls.” Calum hurries off and I can’t help but wonder what’s got him so serious all of a sudden.

“Well, that settles it then. Dinner first, clubbing later. I hope you’re ready for us, boys. Louisa and I are amazing dancers.”

I roll my eyes. “Don’t listen to a word she’s saying…” I begin, but my sentence is cut short when I catch the hungry look on their faces.

“I can well imagine,” Hudson says, giving me one of his famous fuck me looks. Oh Christ.

* * *

“You look hot with a capital H, Lou. Those boys are gonna go wild,” Nisha grins. For the last hour we’ve been getting ready. I must have changed about fifty times, in the end settling on a leather miniskirt, a sheer black shirt and lace crop-top bra. Not one for wearing heels, I’ve paired the outfit with my trusty biker boots. I’ve put my hair up in a messy bun, darkened my eyes with kohl liner and slicked on some lipstick. This is about as dressed up as I get.

“You don’t look too bad yourself,” I say, admiring Nisha’s outfit. I know the off-the-shoulder red minidress, high black heels and carefully applied makeup is all for Calum’s benefit. If he doesn’t fancy her after this, then he’s an idiot.

“You think it’s alright? I don’t want to come across too slutty.” She pulls down the hem of the skirt over her toned thighs, looking uncertain.

“Okay, number one, you are never slutty and number two, we’re going clubbing, a cocktail dress isn’t exactly the right vibe. You’ll knock him dead, Nish.”

She blows out a breath. “Let’s see, shall we.” Hooking her arm through mine we make our way out of the bedroom and downstairs where they are all waiting.

“Hot damn, ladies,” Max whistles as we step into the room.

“I could say the same to you,” I smile, my eyes flicking between my men. They look ridiculously hot. Max is wearing a black shirt with grey jeans, the dark complementing his blonde hair. An easy smile spreads across his face as his eyes trail over my body. A thrill runs through me at his appreciation. Hudson has on a tight, dark green, round neck top with dark blue jeans. Our eyes meet and I’m pretty sure if he could undress me with his eyes, I’d be stark naked by now. Finally, my gaze rests on Bryce. Of the three, he is the most casually dressed. A white, short-sleeved t-shirt shows off his muscular arms. Paired with blue jeans, he looks like the Levi’s model in that famous ad I remember my mum drooling over when I was a kid.

“You look… incredible,” Bryce says, running a hand through his hair.

“Pick your chin up, bro,” Max laughs, slapping him on the back. “You’re looking a little gormless.”

“I can’t help it. Have you seen how hot our girlfriend looks?”

There’s that word again: girlfriend. I haven’t quite got used to it. Especially since we haven’t actually had sex since bloody France. I shake away my own feelings of frustration. It isn’t their fault at all, they are just looking out for me. Well, I am healed and tonight I am making my move. The thought emboldens me.

“Well, the feeling’s mutual,” I say, giving them each a lingering look. “Are we ready to go?”

Hudson approaches, pulling me into his arms. “Frankly, I’d rather stay home and fuck you until you can’t walk, but I suppose a club with dark corners and throbbing music could be fun,” he says quietly into my ear.

Fuck me until I can’t walk? Bloody hell.

“Where’s Cal?” Nisha asks.

“He’s waiting in the car.”

“He’s driving us? Won’t he want a drink?”

“Calum doesn’t drink. Come on, let’s go,” Hudson says.

We all pile downstairs and head out onto the drive. Calum is casually leaning against the car bonnet, but when he sees Nisha he straightens up. His eyes linger on her for far longer than is appropriate for someone who claims to be disinterested.

“You look…” he starts.

Max laughs, gripping him on the shoulder. “It’s alright man. We get it.”

Nisha smiles broadly, unable to keep her happiness hidden. “I bloody love this dress,” she whispers into my ear before sliding into the front seat.