Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June Page 0,198

quick and to the point. I allowed his enthusiasm to wash over me and rebuild my confidence.

"Cyler?" I asked.

"You've been mine for a long time, Babe," he replied in that smoky tone I loved. I had to swallow and force myself not to run to him .

"Patrick?"

"Yes, Ash. I need to find a cute pet name for you, too. Maybe Sunshine? Lollypop. Sweetums, Pookie..." His playful eyes danced along my face, and I saw his shoulders visibly relax.

"Kemper?" I asked in a softer tone.

"I'm not sure I deserve you, but damn if I care. Sweetheart is taken, by the way," Kemp replied with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

I observed the blood beneath his nails caused by picking away at the fetter. "I love you, Kemper. You’re going to figure it out. I just know it."

"Maverick? Do you love me?"

"Of course I love you. I just want—"

"Stop. Yes or no. That's all I need from you," I interrupted. It felt like sparks of fire were passing between us. Mav needed to understand that, although I appreciated his concern, I wasn't the same girl from Galla as before. I knew what I wanted, and I was no longer afraid to say it. There was too much uncertainty in the world to have an unsteady confidence, too.

"Yes," he replied softly.

"Guess that leaves you, Hux. You and I both know you've loved me for a while now," I teased while walking closer to him. Hux was the hardest to crack, but I was determined.

There was a dip in his voice when he replied. "I guess it depends."

"On what?" I asked as we stood toe to toe. I looked up into his heavy juniper stare and gasped when I saw the passion there.

"I want to kiss you whenever and however I want. I don't want to hold back. I don't want any jealousy whatsoever. If they can't handle it—I'm out."

I turned to address the group, preparing to ask if they could deal, but Huxley grabbed my chin and tilted it towards him instead. "If they can't deal, I'm out," he whispered again. I knew the root of his insecurities had less to do with me, and more to do with his fear of losing his family. He still felt so tormented by what happened with Jacob that he couldn't risk them drifting apart because of me, despite the love I just knew was between us.

It was a gamble. I knew that Maverick and Jacob were comfortable with one another, but I wasn't sure about the others. Dormas might be used to sharing women, but these leaders were full of complex pasts and emotions. I just prayed they could accept Huxley's terms, because I wasn't sure he would agree otherwise.

"Okay, Hux," I said in a whisper.

Huxley then bent down and kissed me like a starving man. I felt like his oxygen. His tongue swirled around my mouth, and I tasted the whiskey on his breath, its spicy taste filled me as he dipped further.

I let out a moan and felt his hand glide down my butt, where he dug into my flesh, forcing the short material of my dress to lift up around my waist, giving whoever was behind me a full view of my nakedness underneath.

I think I heard a gasp, but the sound was driven away by the groans and raspy breathing between Huxley and me. He pulled me closer, and I ached everywhere. His kisses and grip so hot, I melted. I opened my eyes for a brief moment just to watch him lose control. It was glorious and powerful.

However, despite the chaos I felt during the fall of his resistance, he still moved my body with intention. Claiming my arousal as his and his alone, despite our audience.

Huxley spun me around, forcing me to face the others.

"I'm focusing all on you, little Walker,” he said behind me now while lifting my hair up and breathing on my neck. “You're going to be the one to tell me if they can handle it," he said through gritted teeth. I felt my clothing shift, and his hot hand pushed my legs apart and claimed me. He then sucked my neck, teasing me with little bites and making me moan out in pain as his thumb slid up and down.

"Look at them, Ash. Tell me what you see." My vision was hazy from lust, but I looked to each of the men before me, honoring Huxley's request all while he teased .

Cyler