One too Many

Chapter 45

Samara

I woke to the smell of coffee, faint and dark, and the weight of someone's hand splayed low over my ribs.

The room was still dim. The blackout curtains were only cracked an inch or two, letting in a pale sliver of dawn that cut across the bed in quiet gold.

For a moment I didn't move, just... breathed.

It wasn't until my eyes adjusted and I became aware of the warmth pressed along every side of me that I realized exactly where, and who, I was surrounded by.

Adam took care of Johan last night for me and probably put him in his bed next door or at their apartment downstairs.

Ian was behind me, his chest molded to my back, his hand resting protectively where my ribs met my stomach. His fingers flexed faintly now and then, like even in his sleep he couldn't quite stop himself from checking I was real.

Dominic's head was resting on my thigh, his long arm draped lazily over both of my legs, his fingertips brushing absentmindedly against my knee every few seconds.

Cole and Cale were curled up at the foot of the bed, one on each side, like twin shadows. Cale's cheek rested on my ankle. Cole had somehow managed to snake a hand up and around, holding my foot like it was the most natural thing in the world.

My bed was huge. Custom, oversized. But even this couldn't contain them all comfortably. We'd need a bigger one soon

And Asher was sitting awake in the corner chair, legs stretched out, one ankle crossed over his knee. His forearms rested on his thighs, his head tipped back against the wall, but his eyes were open. Watching.

He noticed when my gaze found his and gave me the faintest nod, his lips curling up just slightly, as though we shared some quiet, private joke no one else was in on.

I swallowed. My mouth was dry.

As if he could feel me waking, Ian's voice rumbled low against my ear. "Mm. Morning, baby girl."

Dominic stirred, lifting his head and squinting up at me groggily. "You okay?" he mumbled, voice scratchy from sleep.

I nodded but even that small motion had half a dozen hands adjusting, sliding, smoothing down my arms or over my hips or into my hair.

Cale let out a soft, teasing hum. "You sure? Because you look like your head's already somewhere else."

Cole snorted softly and didn't bother lifting his head. "If her head's anywhere, it's probably on what she can fix next. Or who she's gonna save today."

I opened my mouth to answer but Ian cut me off gently, his breath warm against my neck.

"No saving anyone yet," he murmured, his arm tightening just slightly. "Not today."

I let out a faint, humorless laugh and settled back into him.

For a little while, no one moved. The bed was warm and quiet and full of their steady breathing, their presence all around me, and it was the kind of peace I hadn't let myself feel in... I couldn't even remember how long.

But eventually I shifted, and they all noticed.

"Need something, Tiny Beauty?" Ian asked, not letting me fully sit up yet.

"Coffee, medicine," I said softly. Then, after a beat, "and to change. I feel like I'm still carrying last night on my skin."

That got them moving.

Then Asher spoke from the bedside, holding up the water cup he'd just filled.

"You had your meds about two hours and forty-five minutes ago," he said quietly. "We can wait fifteen or twenty more if you want to stay on schedule?"