Page 70 of Give Me Peace

Kash is the first to join me. No surprise there. He’s bright eyed and bushy tailed, the exact opposite of what I’m feeling at the moment. I leave breakfast up to him so he’ll have something to keep him busy. Krew and Ro appear a few minutes later, eyeing my bag by the door. Neither asks for details, knowing I’ll fill them in once we’re all accounted for. Speak of the devil and he shall appear. Kade walks in, a cocky swagger to his step. Or maybe it’s just my imagination. My fingers flex around my coffee cup, eyes narrowed suspiciously. The little shit is whistling. Our gazes clash, causing his steps to falter. He knows. He might not know how exactly, but he knows I know.

Kade recovers seamlessly, carrying on like it’s a normal goddamn morning when it’s anything but. Meanwhile, my blood pressure is through the damn roof. They all find a seat, leaving the food untouched until Saylor wakes. Just as I open my mouth to explain we’re needed in Tennessee, Kade cuts me off.

“I think of everyone at this table as a brother, so remember that five minutes from now,” he begins, the serious tone of his voice grabbing our attention. “Last night, my relationship with Say became…more. I’m not giving details, that’s not anyone’s business but ours. All I’m going to say is that Liam really did a number on her mentally. If she wants to expand on that she can, but I won’t be. I refuse to break her trust.” One by one, we stiffen in our chairs. I’m sure their thoughts mirror my own. I push my glasses up anxiously, anticipating Kade’s demand for us stay away from her.

“So, that brings the count to two. Kash stole her first kiss, like the snake he is, but I know all of you are interested.” My eyes fly to Kash, waiting for him to object, but he’s got a sappy grin on his face. Bloody hell. “Say’s worried, even if she didn’t voice it in so many words. After we were…together…she felt the need to confess about kissing Kash. Like she’d done something wrong. But she hasn’t. We’d have to be blind to not see that Saylor’s attracted to each of us. If she needs to explore that, then so be it. I know none of us would hurt her, so if she wants a relationship with the four of you also, I don’t see an issue.”

I’m speechless. Truly. I take another sip of my lukewarm coffee, trying to imagine the logistics of the picture he’s painting. It’s not as off-putting as I thought it’d be.

“Let me get this straight. You’re suggesting we share her?” Ro grits outs, to which Kade responds with a shrug. “She’s not a fucking toy to be passed around!” He leans across the table, pointing a finger at Kade threateningly.

“Watch your goddamn mouth.” Kade surges to his feet. “Saylor deserves the world, and if being with you assholes is what makes her happy, who the hell am I to judge? I’m not even positive that’s what she wants, but if it is, I made sure she knows there’s nothing wrong with her for feeling that way. For caring about five mean instead of one. If you want any chance of being with her, you better get on board, brother. Because I’m not going anywhere.”

“Actually, you’re going to Nashville.” I cut off their bickering, knowing we won’t be coming to any sort of agreement in the next few minutes. “Kade makes a valid point. We all have feelings for Saylor, but I think we should table this. Going forward with what he’s suggesting requires more consideration than we have time for right now. It’s not something we need to rush into without everyone being certain they’re okay with it. In the meantime, the case we took requires some groundwork and the two of us have a flight to catch.” I stand, effectively ending the conversation. Like I knew he would, Kade follows me, storm clouds gathering in his eyes as he grinds his teeth together.

“Is this you punishing me?” he snaps at me. I arch an eyebrow and lean against the island, my feet and arms crossed casually.

“Why would I be punishing you?” I question.

“Don’t play games, you twat.” That almost makes me smile. “Are you seriously so fucking insecure in your own relationship with her—which I’m giving you the go ahead on, by the way—that you have to send me to bumfuck nowhere?” I drop my arms and square my shoulders.

“First of all, the last thing I need is your fucking approval to do anything,” I grind out. “Second, you were already coming before I walked in to find you and Saylor half naked.”

“Fuck.” Kade swears, tugging on the ends of his hair in frustration. “Can you not see how this is going to look to her? That I’m leaving right after we crossed into new territory?” He drops his head back and stares at the ceiling.

“Give her some credit, Kade. Saylor’s fully aware we have other jobs that need tending to. She’s not the type of woman who’d want you to push your responsibilities to the wayside. It’s a few days, at most. And if you’re serious about wanting to explore this group thing your suggesting, then maybe it’s best we give the other three some time to come around. I’m not going to be the one who needs convincing.”

“Of course not, you dirty fucker.” He grins, poking me in the nipple before I can stop him. I glare and slap his hand away.

“Go pack. We’ve gotta leave soon.” I nod in the direction of his room as I seek out Saylor. I need to see her, explain the sudden trip. As much as I’d love to leave her sleeping, we can’t wait around much longer. I knock, but there’s no response. Thinking she’s still dead to the world, I turn the handle and push the door open.

“Saylor?” I call out just as the bathroom door swings open. She’s wrapped in nothing but a towel, fresh from the shower. Her shoulders glisten, the damp strands of her hair hanging loosely. Christ almighty, she’s a literal fucking wet dream. I close the door slowly, making sure my steps are purposeful as I draw closer. I can see the uncertainty in her pretty blue eyes, that glimpse of what Kade was talking about. I run my thumb down the bridge of her nose, over those pouty lips, tugging at the bottom one just the slightest. Her breath hitches, and like the fool I am, I fixate on her mouth. Imagining all the things I’d love to do with it.

“Lochlan?” Saylor’s voice breaks through the haze and I drop my hand. Clearing my throat, I step back and take a seat on the edge of her bed.

“I wanted to let you know that Kade and I will be leaving for a few days. The case in Nashville needs more hands-on attention. We shouldn’t be long, though.” Her nose scrunches.

“He’s still missing?” she asks.

“Yes, but we’ve got a trail to follow, so there’s hope.” I grab her hand and pull her closer. If I’m not going to be seeing Saylor for several days, I want to get my fill while I can.

“But the two of you will be safe, right? You’re not at risk?” Her concern is cute.

“We’ll be perfectly fine, love.” I wrap my arms around her waist, praying she doesn’t shove me out the damn door for being so forward. To my surprise, she starts to run her fingers through my hair. I lay my chin against her abdomen and peer up at that sweet face I can’t shake. It’s been with me for three years now, but my response to her has shifted to something far beyond the need to seek justice and answers. Saylor smiles, attempting to bite back a giggle.

“What’s so funny?” I question with a grin of my own.

“I’ve wanted to mess up this perfect hair for quite some time,” she replies smugly.

“Is that so?” I skate my fingers down her body. She shivers, but I doubt she’s cold.

“Mmhmm.” Saylor nods, her eyes closing as I draw circles on her bare thighs. Her ass is so close, all it’d take is a slip of my hand and I’d be clenching it. Instead, I do us both a favor and dig my fingers in her sides until she’s screaming for mercy, tears pouring down her cheeks from laughing so hard. I flip us, dropping her on the bed as I brace myself above her.

“For future reference, you can play with my hair anytime you want, love.” My voice is low, laced with need and a heavy dose of sexual frustration. I cradle Saylor’s head, the weight of what I’m holding not lost on me in the least. She’s everything I’ve ever wanted. It just so happens my brothers feel the same way I do. “I’m going to miss you, sweetheart.”

“I’ll miss you, too.” Saylor runs her fingers over the backs of arms. I’m not sure she’s even aware she’s doing it, but who fucking knew that could be an erogenous zone. I press a sweet kiss to her lips, completely forgoing my initial plan to let her lead. I can’t bring myself to leave without knowing what it’d be like. Saylor blinks a few times, but then leans up and kisses me back, her fingers threading through my hair once again. Fuck me. Maybe we won’t leave after all. I pull back and drop my head to her shoulder, shamelessly breathing her in.

“I don’t want to leave, but I have to,” I mumble, brushing my lips over her neck just to get a reaction. I love the way she squirms.