One too Many

Chapter 43

Samara

The sun was barely peeking through the tall windows when I padded softly down the stairs, my fingers ghosting over the banister, the wood still warm from the bodies that had gone before me.

I was sore in all the best places.

God, those twins.

Cale and Cole were ridiculous. Sin incarnate. They had this innate way of pulling me apart with their mouths alone, and if I focused too hard on the memory, I was liable to walk into a wall. The way they worked together, whispering nonsense into my skin while worshipping every inch of me, I shivered just remembering it. And then they had the audacity to look innocent afterward. Like I hadn't just become a melted puddle between them.

"Morning, sunshine!" Cole sing-songed from the kitchen the second he saw me, a wicked grin spreading across his face.

I told him and Cale to come down before me as I was drying my hair from the shower and it usually takes a while to dry.

Cale was beside him, leaning on the counter like some seductive statue of smugness, lifting his mug toward me like a toast. "Sleep well, malyshka?"

My cheeks burned. I took the nearest object, an orange, and lobbed it at him. He caught it with a laugh and bit into it like a savage, peel and all, without breaking eye contact. Show-off.

The others turned at the sound of my footsteps. Ian, already by the stove, flipped a pancake with casual expertise. Asher was organizing vitamins into a tiny ceramic dish while Dominic sipped his coffee and whispered something to Johan, who was perched on the counter munching toast, crumbs everywhere.

"Morning, Angel," Asher greeted me, eyes scanning me from head to toe. Not in a lewd way. No, it was that clinical scan again, looking for signs of stress, of fatigue, of anything out of place. I knew he wanted to ask how my heart was doing but respected the moment instead.

"You're glowing, Angel." He tells me with a panty melting smile and I can feel the heat travelling up my face.

Dominic smirked from his place by Johan. "Someone looks freshly ruined."

"I swear to God, Dominic..." I grumbled, grabbing a piece of toast and trying not to choke on the heat rising to my ears.

Ian chuckled darkly. "Don't threaten him with a good time, baby girl."

Johan, wide-eyed and sugar-faced, tilted his head. "Sasa, wat 'wuined'?"

Everyone froze.

I choked on a bite of toast, coughing violently as Cole tried to cover his laugh by slapping the counter. Asher shook his head, muttering something about corrupting innocence, while Cale picked Johan up and spun him around. "It means she's sleepy, buddy. Very, very sleepy."

"Ohhh," Johan said, clearly unconvinced but too excited about the spin to care.

The room lightened instantly. The sound of sizzling pancakes, Johan's giggles, and the aroma of fresh coffee reminded me, this was my family now. A chaotic, teasing, touch-starved family of mafia men and military style doctor.

I cleared my throat and leaned on the counter, staring at them all. "I want to take you to Hope today."

Everyone stopped what they were doing and stared at me. The silence stretching

"You sure you're up for it today?" Asher asked softly.

"I am. You've seen pieces of me," I said slowly. "But Hope... Hope is my soul. If you're going to be part of my life, of our lives, then you need to see what I've built. Who I am when I'm not with you."