Hot 4 (Multiple Love)

"Then you have more time to find out exactly what you want to do. And more time to spend in our bed."

"That sounds like a win-win situation," Harris says with a wink.

"She hasn't said yes yet," Kane says. He moves closer, resting his hand on my knee. "We get that this is a big leap for you, but whatever happens, we'll be there to catch you."

Suddenly, they all draw closer until each has a hand resting reassuringly against my skin. And inside my chest, my heart swells with a hope that it hadn't felt since I was in the arms of the Banbury’s, before I boarded the plane at Bangkok airport clutching my lonely woman painting.

These men who I pushed away are fighting to pull me closer, and even though all the doubts I've had still rest in my gut, my heart manages to silence them.

"I have one request," I say softly.

"What is it?" Karter asks.

"I want a bed that will fit us all."

It's as though I've given the best Christmas present ever. Four smiles burst forth, lighting up my boys. faces with joy. We can do this, I think.

Maybe.

19

I can't believe I'm actually doing this. My hallway is almost impassable from the stacked-up boxes and suitcases. I've separated my front door keys from my car keys, and they rest awkwardly in my hand. The planning for this day has been a whirlwind, which started with me handing in my resignation at work. My boss was totally stunned that I'd be prepared to give up the job with nothing else secure to go to. It's as though she thought I should be grateful for it. She'll see in the days to come just how grateful she should have been to have me working for her. If things fell apart when I went on vacation for a week, I can't imagine what will happen now they've failed to find a replacement for me, and there's no opportunity for an in-person handover.

In ten minutes, when I've surrendered the keys to the agent, I'm going to be on my way to a new life, and I'm not planning on looking back.

Holden returns from his car, his face flushed from all the heavy lifting. In his gray sweats and tight-fitting shirt, he looks good enough to make my mouth water. If we weren't on a schedule, and the bed still had sheets on it, I'd show him other ways to get hot and flushed. My pussy squeezes hungrily between my legs. "How does one person have so much stuff?" he asks. I guess he’s wishing his brother’s could have joined him to help me move but no such luck!

I put my hands on my hips, cocking my head theatrically. "Less moaning, more moving. That's if you still want me to set up permanent camp in your bed."

"I think you should forget about getting a job. We can tie you to the headboard, so you're always available." He's lifting another box, biceps bulging deliciously, when the agent appears behind, clearing his throat. I snigger, my face flushing with embarrassment. That was a little bit too much information for the fifty-year-old balding man to take. "Connie," he says, looking Holden up and down.

"Hey, Cormack. We're nearly ready. I have the keys. Do you want to start checking the inventory?"

"Sure," he says. As he walks past, Holden gives me a salacious wink. He really is terrible. And by terrible, I mean amazingly horny and perfect.

I spend the next twenty minutes pointing out how clean the apartment is and trying to steer Cormack away from the odd scuff on the paintwork. In the end, he signs off that my deposit can be returned, and I am so relieved. It's a sizable sum, and I will need it to tide me over until I secure a new job. These amazing Banbury men might be happy with me crashing at their home, but I won't feel comfortable if I can't contribute at least something to pay my way.

Wheeling out the last suitcase, I turn to take one last look at my little apartment. I've had some good times here. When Natalie stayed over when she was having a crisis over her relationship with Mason, Max, and Miller, it felt like our college days all over again. More wine has been consumed in this apartment than would be acceptable to most people. But I've also been lonely here, and frustrated. I'm happy to leave this place behind, and hopefully those feelings too. But alongside that happiness is a layer of terror that I can't push away. This isn't a small thing. Moving in with one man is a huge decision to make. Moving in with four seems gargantuan. I'm going to be on their home ground, invading their established lives. A fact that Holden seems delighted about. "We've emptied out a closet for you and a drawer in the bathroom. And some space in the office too."