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It felt a bit like a scolding until I notice from my balcony that Lorde and Duke are scouting out the surrounding exterior property, which means that Noble is likely doing the same inside.
“Princess,” Sebastian croaks from his stoop near the window. “Fuckin’ men.”
I snort a laugh. “Behave, Bas.” Scratching under his feathered chin, it seems like he rolls his eyes at me. “Are you hungry?” He stares like I’ve lost my damn mind. “I know, dinner was late.” His head bobs up and down as he watches the men outside. “I’ll be right back.”
“Better be,” he chirps. Something the mouthy African Grey Parrot always says when there’s food involved.
“What about you, Flounder? Are you hungry, too?” My golden retriever is lying upside down on my bed, his body sprawled in such a way that it shouldn’t be possible. He’s the sweetest dog but a little slow in the head sometimes. “Food.” I grin when his tongue drops out of his mouth, and he rolls awkwardly until he bounds off the bed to my side.
When I found Flounder three years ago, nearly drowning in a pond, I didn’t hesitate to dive in to rescue him. The sweet boy loves water but can’t swim worth a crap.
Leaving my room, I register my mother speaking in the direction we’re heading and force myself to thread a steel rope up my spine. She can deliver the sharpest cuts with her tongue.
Entering the kitchen, I find her reaching out for Noble with one hand as she pushes the sides of her robe open to show off her body. His back is turned to me, so he doesn’t realize I’m here yet.
“Surely you have better things to do than search every corner of the house and behind all these books looking for whatever it is you’re seeking out. I could keep you company.” She steps up to him.
“No, ma’am. Your daughter’s safety is our top priority.” I bite back the giggle when he steps away from her and removes her hand from his arm. “Please cover up.” I watch as her gaze narrows on him; it’s clear she feels he just insulted her.
I know the minute she spots me; her gaze goes from annoyed to malicious as she drops her robe and flings herself into his arms. Flounder takes that moment to announce our presence by barking happily.
Noble spins, and my mother lands on the floor rather than in his arms. His scowl at the older woman as she curses while getting to her feet would be comical if I wasn’t afraid she might hurt me.
Stomping out of the room, I step out of her way before she can shoulder-check me or shove me to the ground. Flounder barks, hungry for his meal, and breaks me out of my trance. Hurrying to the pantry, I retrieve a can of the food he likes to mix with his kibble before grabbing his dish and placing everything on the counter.
Noble’s gaze on me is palpable as I move around the kitchen, getting Flounder's food mixed and served before placing the bowl on the ground. The sweet dog proceeds to gobble it down like it’s his first meal in a week.
“Little girl.” My body alights with butterflies at the use of the nickname they’ve each called me at least once in the few hours since I’ve met them. “When’s the last time you ate?” He comes around the counter to stand in front of me, closer than he ought to for a bodyguard.
I glance at the clock, knowing it’s been since at least breakfast when I only had a slice of toast. Shrugging, I avert my gaze from his intense look. He seems to say everything and nothing at all.
Lifting a hand slowly, I watch as he pushes a lock of hair behind my ear, weaving his fingers through the long, thick strands. “Never seen a color like this before. Natural?” I give a sharp nod. “Soft,” he mutters like he didn’t mean to say it.
“Everything alright in here?” I try to turn to see who that is, but Noble grips my hair tighter, keeping me in place but pulling me closer. He tugs a little, so I’m forced onto my tiptoes, and I whimper.
Fear or anticipation, I’m unsure.
Both, perhaps?
“Damn, that’s a sweet sound.” Lorde. That’s who’s behind me. There’s a smokiness to his voice that Duke and Noble don’t possess.
“We were about to make something to eat.” Noble’s eyes don’t leave mine. “I suspect Sol hasn’t eaten today. Is that right, little girl?” I attempt to nod, but his grip hasn’t loosened, so I bite my lip instead, trying to contain another whimper.
“Can’t have that.” Lorde’s tone is seductive as I feel his hands on my hips and the front of his body pressing into mine.
My eyes flutter closed, and my body sways between them. I’ve never had this type of reaction to a man before. I’ve never really been around one…not like this.
“Damn.”Duke.His tone is reverent and playful. I realize I won’t be able to look over at him, either, so I remain unmoving and wait. His hands sweep my hair off my shoulder, exposing the side of my neck, and my body jerks, the whimper I try to suppress slipping out, and they all tense.
Before I can make another move, my lips are claimed in the mother of all kisses. I gasp from the roughness of it. The way my body is held against Noble…and I know it’s him. The way his fist tightens in my hair and his hand flexes on my hip.
His tongue delves into my mouth, snaking past my own and licking at me, lapping like I hold a bowl of cream just for him. Feeling brave, I reach forward and grip his shirt in my agile hands, drawing him closer. I rub against him, enjoying what he’s doing to me.
“Flawless.” I feel another set of lips on my throat, right below my ear. Duke again. The man has an air of cockiness about him, and I want more. His confidence oozes off his body, and I hope to absorb some of it. I could use it when dealing with these men and trying to speak coherently to them.
* * *
Noble
