The Ice Twins - Nikki Jefford Page 0,44

feelings for me.

Reed’s chilled thumb brushed over my nipple, leaving it hard and aching for his hot tongue. He touched my cheek, and a soothing breeze cooled my flushed skin. From behind me, Ronin nuzzled the back of my neck.

“Stop distracting me,” I rasped.

“Yeah, we told them,” Reed admitted. He stepped closer, caging me in between him and his brother.

I bit back a groan as the pair pressed their lips over my skin and explored beneath my robe. Ronin lifted the back hem, letting a draft waft over my rump. He cupped my cheeks while Reed’s mouth closed over my breast.

My eyelids drooped closed as a moan escaped my lips.

Ronin spoke in a low, husky voice at my ear. “They know we’re serious about you. We told them we want you as our mate, Zelie.” Reed pushed my robe off my other shoulder and turned his attention to my other breast. I took a panting breath as Ronin continued speaking. “We told them we want to make you our princess. Mom was thrilled. She said you’re her dream daughter-in-law.”

“But, but—ohhh.” The twins’ distraction tactics were working like a charm. I swallowed and tried again. “But I’m so much older.”

“Mom says we need a woman to keep us in line,” Ronin said.

My robe fell to the floor as Reed kissed a trail from my breasts to my belly, then lower.

“She said we’d better not fuck this up,” Reed added.

I opened my eyes to the sight of him on his knees, black hair brushing at my thighs as he closed in.

The three of us ended up back in bed, a tangle of sweaty limbs and a mingle of slick liberation. My throat felt scratchy from shrieking while my stomach growled for sustenance. But my body was satiated and spent, and it demanded sleep above all other needs.

Five days later—or six?—the smell of bacon tickled my nostrils. My lashes fluttered open. I sat up in bed, alone, and stretched my arms above my head, yawning.

“I think our princess has awoken,” I heard Ronin say from the kitchen.

“She has,” I said. I leaned over my bed to scoop my nightgown off the floor, pulled it over my head, and propped a pillow against my headboard.

Ronin entered my room carrying a wood tray with a plate filled with delicious breakfast and a steaming mug. I’d taught the twins how to prepare a tincture. Not only had they taken on the duty with gusto, they always served it at the perfect temperature. Ronin wore a pair of snug boxer briefs. I admired his muscled chest, arms, and legs as he delivered my tray. This was service I could get used to. I’d rather be served by my males than by servants any day.

Ronin leaned down to set the tray in my lap, pressing a kiss to the top of my head as I picked up the fork.

“Smells delicious, as usual.”

Several days prior, Reed and Ronin had decided porridge for breakfast and stew for lunch and dinner wasn’t cutting it. The only time they’d left my cottage was to go on a food-shopping spree.

“Enjoy.” Ronin left me to my breakfast. He and Reed had a routine of eating while they cooked, then taking turns showering while I ate. They also took turns with the dishes. I was losing track of the days, giving in to my urges. I kept telling myself I wasn’t going to worry about anything for a week. This was the start of my summer break, and I couldn’t think of a more satisfying way to spend it.

The thought of Melarue knowing exactly what her boys were up to, and with whom, sometimes niggled at my mind, but before I could overthink things, Reed and Ronin swooped in to obliterate thoughts of the world outside my cottage.

I stuffed eggs into my mouth between bites of crispy bacon, licking my fingers clean after devouring each strip. I chuckled softly to myself. Real high-class princess right here. It had become something of an inside joke between the three of us. The first time Ronin called me “princess” in bed, I’d countered with, “I’m a princess alright. The pleasure princess.” We’d all cried with laughter.

I had to stop worrying about what my neighbors and colleagues would think of me having two mates. I was happy and in love. That was all that mattered.

I doubted my parents would see it that way. For the first time, it was a relief that they were off battling ogres in Elkcan.