Stormy Satisfaction (Doms of Destiny, Colorado 11)

“Me, too. I was an ass to her. But never again. She’s going to come first in our lives from now on.”

Nic put his hand on his shoulder. “Hell, Sylas. I just love this life. We are a family. For real.”

“For real and forever.”

“I want you to introduce me to Mr. Gold as soon as we get back from Chicago. I want to learn everything about what it’s going to take to turn me into a Dom.”

“When I took the crash course, I realized that I’d only scratched the surface. Gold told me that a Dom never stops learning.” The eggs were finished and he emptied them into a bowl by the platter of bacon and toast. He brought them to the table. “It’s a lifelong pursuit. I signed up for some classes next month. You and I can go together.”

“Damn right. Ashley deserves our best. I hate that we have to be away from her for three weeks, but we’ve got to give notice and wrap things up back home.”

“True, but it’s not our home any more. Destiny is. I hate it, too, but Ashley needs to focus on her bar exam. Because of us, she didn’t crack a book last night. It’s probably good that we won’t be around to distract her.”

“Distract me?” Ashley walked into the kitchen. She was wearing a white terry cloth robe that he would love nothing more than to rip off of her. “Distract me from what?”

“From your studies for the bar, sweetheart.” He pulled her in close and kissed her lightly on the mouth. “I made coffee. Would you also like orange juice with breakfast?”

“Yes, please,” she said. “I like being distracted by you guys.” She smiled. “You know the bar exam is offered more than one time a year.”

Nic shook his head and hugged her, also kissing her good morning. “Not a chance. You’re taking it next week as planned. Phoebe is depending on you.”

“I know. I just am so happy that we’re together. I’m not ready to dive back into my studies yet.”

“I understand, sweetheart. So it’s a good thing that Sylas and I are both flying out tonight, which will allow you to get back to work on passing the bar.”

She frowned. “I don’t want you to go.”

Sylas poured them coffee and juice. “Sweetheart, it’s only for three weeks.” That does sound like a lifetime to be away from her. He looked at Nic and could tell he felt the same way. But they needed to encourage her, so they were both trying to sound positive.

“Didn’t you say you’re both on the same flight and that it leaves out of Denver at four-thirty today?” she asked, sitting at the table.

“That’s right, baby,” Nic said. “We’ll need to be on the road no later than eleven, and that will be cutting it close. It’s a four and a half hour drive and we’ll both need time to return our rental cars and get through airport security and to our gate.”

“That’s only two hours from now,” she said.

He grabbed her hand. “Two hours that we can enjoy together. I could use your help at the hotel packing my bags.”

Nic laughed. “Makes me wish I hadn’t packed mine already. Here’s an idea. Let’s finish breakfast and the three of us take a shower together. That’ll save us time and will be fun, too.”

Ashley nodded, wolfing down a piece of toast. “All done.” She leapt from her chair. “Last one in the shower has to clean the dishes.” She dropped her robe to the floor and ran to the bathroom.

He and Nic died laughing.

“Shall we?” Nic asked.

“For the rest of lives.” They ran after the woman of their dreams.

* * * *

Standing in front of the Dream Hotel, Ashley couldn’t bring herself to stop holding onto Nic and Sylas. Tears streamed down her face. “My happiest day is turning into my saddest day.”

“It’ll be okay, honey,” Nic said. “We will call, Skype, text, e-mail, write, smoke signals…”

Sylas added, “Hell, we’ll send carrier pigeons if need be.”

She grinned and wiped her eyes. They always did know how to make her feel better.

“I know this is going to seem like a long time, baby.” Nic kissed her, and she melted into him. When he released her lips, he stared at her with his sexy eyes. “But we have the rest of our lives where we won’t have to be apart.”