The Six: Genesis | A Reverse Harem Novel

One Hundred

Y'all... we're on chapter 100. 

I... I've never written a story this long in my life. 

Anywho, thank you for your comments, reads and votes! And here's the next chapter.

X.O. Vance

"You can put me down. I can walk."

Though I don't mind hanging in his embrace. Michael simply shifts me closer, banding his arms beneath my thighs, and continues to carry me down the hall to the main lab. His warmth seeps through his clothes, sending the chill in the limbs running. I clutch him tightly, enjoying the assuring beat of his heart.

"No," his hands squeeze as I shift. "I want to hold you."

Translation: I need to hold you. I need to touch you. I need to make sure you're real.

Despair mixes with elation as it cascades through the mindlink. I'd forgotten how close proximity amplifies the emotions. They're so loud, it's as if he's speaking the words directly into my ear canal, rather than sending uncontrollable spikes through a mental medium.

He hasn't had private time with me like Chris and Charlie. Michael has shown more patience in the last day than I thought was possible. Chris and Charlie made their demands known immediately, but he has patiently waited for things to be worked out.

He knows the main issue between us stems from those two, but I penalized him as well. Truthfully, I don't understand how he doesn't blame them. Their relationship isn't rifled with tension, bleeding into every conversation.

The stone floors echo under his heavy footfalls. Light spears in from the skylights, sending shimmering slivers of light along the multi-color abstract murals painted on the walls. Cool air flurries the sage and cedarwood scents of his cologne.

Chris, Charlie, Lewis and Jason trail us. Fortunately—unfortunately—Jason has put a shirt on, hiding the scores of black ink covering his muscled chest. His sweatpants and Lewis' sit low on their waists, dragging my attention to where it shouldn't be.

Curiously, Lewis walks near Chris while Jason and Charlie pretend each other doesn't exist. They're angled toward one another, speaking in hushed tones. The longer I stare, the more their gazes find their way to me. Lewis' catches mine frequently, especially as his gaze heats.

"I thought were being augmented, Blue," Jason's rough voice calls my attention. "What are we waiting for? I thought you wanted to get this done as soon as possible?"

"We don't augment blindly, Jason. Besides, for augmentation, you must complete a food and drink fast for at least 12 hours before the procedure. To ensure you don't aspirate, we'll inject you with chemicals meant to boost your metabolism." I roll my eyes, clutching tightly to Michael. "Skipping this step could—and most likely would—kill you and while I want to throat punch you 90% of the time, I think your expertise is vital to my security team."

Did this man have a death wish? Groaning, I drop my head on Michael's chest. He laughs but says nothing.

"I don't remember going on a fast," Charlie says, eyebrows furrowing. "I think I would remember not eating."

"You should have been on a fast. It not creating issues later was a miracle." My stomach turns as I think back to his augmentation. "I don't want to try my luck and hope not fasting won't kill Jason and Lewis. We play by the rules and run the tests. When I receive the results, we'll go from there."

"What tests?"

"Does it matter?" I ask. "I have your medical records on file, but we need to do a full check-up including a physical and bloodwork, to determine how to best complete your augmentation."