The Chase

This wasn’t the time to think about sex. She needed caring and empathy. But it had been three days since he’d first—and last—sunk into her soft, welcoming body. It felt like three fucking decades.

A deep sigh later, she melted between them, then tipped her head back onto Seth’s chest. Beck pressed a kiss to her shoulder.

The three were one again, at least for the moment.

“Hand me her shampoo, man.” Seth’s voice drew Beck back to the real world.

“I can do it,” she protested.

“I’m doing it.” Seth lifted her arms and looped them around Beck’s shoulders.

When mutiny crossed her face, Beck intervened. “That’s final.”

She huffed but didn’t say another word as he passed the bottle over.

While Seth lathered, Beck dipped his lips to her ear. “You’re going to let us pamper you today, little girl. Understood?”

“You’re both bossy.”

“Really? I thought we were being subtle.” Seth chuckled as he lathered her scalp.

He nodded. “Downright subdued.”

Heavenly looked poised to disagree when Seth began rinsing the shampoo from her long mane with adroit fingers, massaging her temples and crown, gently wringing excess water from her hair with a splash.

As she exhaled, Beck pressed her back to Seth’s chest until her body bowed. Her arms followed, and she draped them behind the other man’s neck. As she did, her breasts lifted. Her rosy nipples pebbled and flushed.

Mentally yanking the chain on his lust, he plucked up the soap and glided his palms over her every dip and curve, coating her in bubbles while managing not to give in to his urge to violate her in a hundred different ways.

At least until Seth pressed her boneless body against his cock. Then resisting her became a torture akin to the seventh circle of hell.

Beck gritted his teeth as they passed her back and forth—conditioning her hair, shaving her legs, murmuring reassurances.

When the hot water turned cool, they left the enclosure. While Seth patted her drenched skin dry, Beck wrapped her dripping hair in a warm towel and studied her face. Minus all makeup, she looked even younger. And so broken. What little fight she’d had a few minutes ago had vanished. Now exhaustion seemed to weigh down every limb and muscle, especially her eyelids.

Clinically, he knew her body didn’t require more sleep, but her beleaguered mind still sought escape. If she kept her grip on this pain, it would consume her. Hell, it was already close. She hadn’t shed a single tear since leaving Hammer, Liam, and Raine’s place. She needed to purge her anguish.

Beck curled a finger under her chin and lifted it. “Look at me.”

Slowly, she focused on him.

“Let out your grief. It’s okay. Mourn. Cry. Talk. We’re here for you.”

Seth set aside the towel and wrapped his arms around her. “If you don’t, misery will eat you up. Believe me, I know.”

She gave them a shake of her head. “I’m fine.”

“You’re not.”

“I’m upright and I’m clean. Be happy.”

Behind her, Seth raised a brow.

Under normal circumstances, one or both of them might take her over his knee for her sass. But she didn’t need punishment now. She needed kindness. If they gave her enough of it, maybe they could coax her to grieve in their arms.

“Not until you’ve shopped and eaten,” Beck said finally.

She huffed and leveled a stare his way. “You’re not giving up on this, are you?”