Page 5 of Forever We Embrace: The Later Years
Luther comes to me instead, stepping behind the couch and sliding one hand beneath my jaw. He tilts my head back against him and kisses the side of my neck while his other arm settles across my chest. I lean into the warmth of him, keeping one hand linked with Maceo’s.
Maceo watches Luther’s mouth move beneath my ear, his expression softening. “I’m good with this.”
Luther laughs against my skin and kisses me again, slower this time. When I open my eyes, Blake and Luca are both looking over at us. Luca rests his chin on the cushion while Blake peersbeside him, his curls flattened where Luca has been lying against them.
“I don’t think this night is going to be as quiet as we planned,” I say.
Luca’s smile spreads. “Nope. Knot, please.”
Blake plants both hands on the back of the couch and starts to climb over it. I leave Luther’s arms before Blake can get one knee onto the cushions, reaching him just as his balance begins to shift.
I slide one arm behind his back and the other beneath his knees, lifting him before he can argue himself onto the floor. Blake wraps his arms around my neck and kisses me instead, his fingers moving into my hair as I hold him closer.
Across the couch, Luca reaches for Maceo. Maceo bends and lifts him, and Luca hooks his legs around Maceo’s waist before burying his face against his neck. His laughter turns warm and muffled against Maceo’s skin while Maceo carries him toward the hall.
Luther falls into step behind us, one hand resting at the center of my back while the other brushes over Blake’s leg where it hangs across my arm. Blake reaches past my shoulder to catch Luther by the loosened tie and pulls him close enough for a kiss.
“You ready to let us take care of you, baby?” I whisper into Blake’s hair.
He grins up at me. “Me, a pillow princess? As long as Luca’s not the only one getting a knot.Sold.”
4
Luca
Blake has barely let go of me since we left the nest this morning. Our mates thoroughly sated our hunger, Blake letting us maneuver him completely until he all but passed out, his face smushed into his favorite pillow.
And after arguing with him that Ember House was not in the direction of the company, I gave in, Blake now beside me in the back seat instead of taking the front with Maceo, one hand spread over my thigh while his other remains tangled with mine. Every time the car stops, he turns to press another kiss to my temple, my cheek, or the corner of my mouth. There’s nothing unusual about him becoming more affectionate after a night when the five of us have been wrapped together, and I’m more than happy to let him keep me close.
Maceo drives without commenting on the way I’m leaning into Blake, though I catch his eyes in the mirror once. His mouthsoftens before he turns his attention back to the road. Luther and Grayson left for Keller Industries earlier, leaving a few quiet moments for my Delta and me.
When we reach Ember House, Blake follows me out instead of saying goodbye from the car. He keeps his hand at the back of my neck as he straightens my collar, though the fabric doesn’t need his attention.
“You’ve fixed that twice,” I murmur.
“I know.”
He kisses me before I can say anything else, taking his time while Maceo waits beside the car. When Blake finally pulls back, he keeps his forehead against mine. “Eat lunch.”
“I will.”
“Before three, Cupcake.”
I smile and kiss him once more. “You too, Bear. Go help run your company, love.”
His fingers remain against my neck for another few seconds before he releases me. Maceo opens the passenger door for him, but Blake looks back before getting inside. I lift my hand, and he answers with a small smile before Maceo drives them toward Keller Industries. The warmth of Blake’s attention follows me through the front doors.
Blossom is already at the intake desk, her spectacles perched on the end of her nose as she reviews a stack of credentials. There’s a woman standing across from her, dressed in a charcoal blazer that fits perfectly without looking aggressive. She carries a leather messenger bag.
“Luca, this is Josie,” Blossom says, finally looking up. “She’s the candidate from the foundations group. Her references are impeccable. Even the folks at the city outreach program had nothing but praise for her intake work.”
Blossom has already completed the background check, called each reference herself, and verified Josie’s employment withboth foundations listed on her application. Nothing in the file has been rushed or waived because we need help.
I offer a small, welcoming smile, and Josie returns it.
“It’s good to meet you,” Josie says. “I’ve read through the intake rules, but I know that isn’t the same as working with the people who live here. I’ll follow your lead until I learn what they need.”
“We’re glad to have the help, Josie,” I say, and for the first time in weeks, the knot in my chest loosens just a fraction. “Today is mostly observation. Blossom will take you through the building, and then you’ll sit with me while I review closed intake files. You won’t work with an active resident until you’ve completed the training and one of us is with you.”
