in. Not to mention, we’ve had a common enemy for long enough that we know better than to start wars among our own kind.”
“An enemy? Do you mean Chaos?”
“No, actually, Chaos usually isn’t such a dick. That’s a new thing. Our old enemy is dead now. Has been for a few years. We called them the Ultiori. They were led by a creature who possessed people’s minds to make them do her bidding.” I mulled over explaining further, that as Bloodline, April herself was descended from the humans who had been subjugated by that enemy. They’d been infused with higher races blood for generations upon generations to observe how the blood affected humanity, and to turn them into soldiers capable of fighting a war only one person in the organization really cared about winning. We’d considered them all our enemy even though we learned later that they’d all been mind-controlled. Very few managed to break that hold.
April shivered. “Glad they’re dead. I think this Chaos asshole is enough of a problem without having to watch our backs against other threats. Let’s head inside before I get the itch to keep going. I have a few bearded hotties who I need to find a way to thank for all their hard work.”
She gave me a wink and slipped back out the door while I smiled after her, too excited for words that she was embracing the idea of being with us all.
21
April
“How are you feeling?” Tate asked, falling into step beside me on the way back to the house. Gray fell back, a pleased look on his face as he pretended not to eavesdrop, but I was pretty sure he’d hear my thoughts anyway. Somehow, I didn’t mind a bit.
I bumped my shoulder against Tate’s and took his hand, wanting to send a clear message that touching was allowed. “I’m fantastic. Not tired even though I know we’ve been at it for hours.” I stopped short halfway up the path and stared up at him, the realization finally hitting me. “I haven’t had sex in hours! You were right! Oh my god, I think I love you.” I tackled him in a hug, catching sight of Gray’s grinning face just beyond while Tate held me tight, his body shaking with a low laugh.
“I hope you don’t love me so much you’re happy to go without,” he rumbled against my ear, letting his hands slide down low on my waist. He didn’t move any lower, but he held me a little tighter to his big, solid torso for a few seconds before I slid down and stepped out of his embrace. Being near him gave me the same sense of absolute comfort as the first time I hugged Gray, like his every intention was to provide shelter, ease my worries, make me happy. For most of my young life, Dad had been that for me, but ever since I finished high school, it’d just been me, exposed to the elements.
For the first time in about a decade, I remembered what it felt like to be near someone whose only desire was to keep me safe. And not just one someone—six someones.
I held him at arm’s length, studying his face, sighing exaggeratedly as I let my eyes wander the length of him. I shook my head. “My love does have limits.” I gave him a wink, then turned back to the house, keeping hold of one hand and leading him behind me. But it wasn’t lost on me now that it might not be too long before my body’s needs took over and I’d have no choice in the matter. Not unless I opted to stay awake working on my sculpture to keep the buildup of magic at bay.
At the moment, I could revel in being clear-headed enough to know I wanted him for my own reasons. He was an enormous mountain of bearded, sexy fun. Eyeing the two other ursa who waited for us on the back porch in the ring of light by the back door, I could rationally admit that I’d be happy with either of them too. Was it enough that I felt that way now, but would have no choice later? Could I reconcile my very real, completely sane desire in this moment with the fact that in a few hours I might not be coherent enough to say no, even if I wanted to?
I stopped just inside the house, a second thought occurring to me. Eddie was