The Pain Of The Pleasure

THIRTY-ONE - RYTH

I TREMBLED as that delicious warmth of Caleb's fingers marked me. They branded me as theirs with every touch and every kiss, with every look...God, even with their scent. The tang of sweat and sex was heavy in the air, staining every inch of my memory. The crack of the small refrigerator in Nick's room came before footsteps. "Drink, Ryth," Tobias directed as he cracked open a bottle of electrolytes.

"You need to stay hydrated." I slowly pushed up, my body feeling battered as I reached for the bottle in Tobias' hand and took a swallow. Tobias dressed, yanking on his jeans, boots, and shirt. Nick followed, but it was Caleb who grabbed my clothes from the floor. "You're going to feel a bit sensitive for a while, until your body gets used to it." He lifted my panties, letting me slip my feet through the openings.

He did his best not to touch me, letting me slide my underwear up before he handed me my bra. "And I know you have that assignment due tomorrow," he continued. "So we're setting your desk up in here." Nick was already moving to his desk, making room...for me. I hooked my bra, then took my jeans from Caleb and slid them on. "Okay, why?" I wasn't sure about this. "Just in case you need something," Tobias murmured, watching me. "In case I need something, huh?" I rose from the bed on shaking legs. Caleb was right, my body trembled, even with the weight of my shirt as I slid it over my head. "Let us take care of you, Ryth," Tobias added as Nick moved to the door, crackled it open, and stepped out.

"After all, that's what big brothers do, right?" Big brothers...the words collided with what we'd just done. I tracked the thud of Nick's footsteps to my room, then he returned moments later, carrying my laptop and notepad. "You were having a little trouble, referencing." Caleb met my gaze. "You know I could help you with that?" "I'm getting us food," Tobias muttered and strode toward the door. In a heartbeat, the room was filled with movement.

A space was made for me, sitting next to Nick. I drank the drink they gave me and stepped forward, sitting as Caleb motioned. It felt awkward, being in their room, and yet part of me wanted it. Part of me ached for it, no longer on the outside. No...now I belonged. I opened up my laptop and found my assignment. Caleb was right, the referencing was a hot mess. It was one of my most hated parts. Caleb left, then returned moments later with his own laptop. He sank to the floor at the bottom of Nick's bed, barefoot, sleeves rolled up, then opened a screen. "Send me the links and I'll reference for you." "Isn't that cheating?" I gave a sigh, glancing over my shoulder. His cocky smile was instant. "I won't tell if you don't, little sister." My cheeks flushed at the wicked wink, making my chest flutter. Thank God.

I smiled, pulled up the email draft I'd had the forethought to copy, and pasted the details. "What's your email?" I sent it to him as Tobias strode in, placing a plate in front of me with a ham, cheese, and mayo sandwich. My stomach howled, even though I'd only just had breakfast. I glanced at the clock and stiffened. "It's two in the afternoon?" Caleb chuckled. "Yeah, it is." Tobias looked down at me, those coal eyes glittering with pride.

"Time flies when you're having fun, right, little mouse?" "Where's mine?" Nick muttered. "Kitchen," Tobias growled as he strode past. "I'm not your fucking maid." Caleb roared with laughter behind me as Nick turned and gave Tobias a shove, then the next minute, Tobias' sandwich went flying as they wrestled right behind me. Grunts and growls, strength against training. Neither of them won.

But by the time they were finished, Nick had taken a huge bite out of half of T's sandwich, earning him a threatening snarl. "Brothers," Caleb warned, his focus on the screen in front of him. Nick sank to his chair as I broke my half in two, handing one piece over. "Thanks, sis," Nick said, and gave me a wink. Jesus, I couldn't keep up with this. One minute Nick had his head between my legs, his tongue deep inside me, and the next he was calling me sis. Heat flushed in my cheeks as I forced myself back to my laptop.