I’m in shock.
My body began to quiver from the bones out as an icy cold sensation rushed over me in waves. I shook so hard, I dislodged the thing from the floor and fell over sideways. Driven by panic and pure animal instinct, I grabbed the rebar with both hands and pulled. It slid out of me, and even though I’d wanted it out, needed it out, I immediately realized what a stupid mistake that’d been.
I could have sworn the piece of metal took my intestines with it, because that was when the pain hit me like a freight train. My whole body was screaming in agony, but the only sound I could make was a hideous rasp.
Stop shaking, it’s making it worse!
But I couldn’t.
The room began to go dark.
That’s it. I’m dead. Dying.
As the ring of blackness grew around my vision, it framed four faces.
My men.
“Piper!”
“Oh shit oh shit oh shit, what do we do?!”
“Get her on her side!”
“Should we put pressure on it?”
“Yes, you idiot! She’ll bleed to death otherwise.”
“Piper, can you hear me? Piper!”
Jayce. I forced my eyes open to meet his. He was inches away from my face, cradling my head in his hands. Sweet Jayce. Some instinct tugged at me, even older and stronger than the instinct that’d made me pull on the piece of metal lodged in my stomach, trying to save myself. I raised my arm, almost blacking out from the pain of the movement, and pulled his mouth to mine.
Sweet, sweet Jayce.
He gasped.
I opened my eyes and found the darkness receding. Xero. I couldn’t see him, but I could sense his presence. I groped for him and he bowed over me. I kissed him hard, drinking him in like fire-soaked water. He trembled as our lips pressed together, our breaths mingling and tongues tasting.
When I finally broke the connection with Xero, I was already reaching for the next man. Kingston. Hesitant but willing, he kissed me.
They all think I’m dying. I am dying.
So why am I feeling better?
I tangled my tongue around his, and he didn’t resist. Something vibrated between us, powerful and intense. It was as if his essence had twisted around mine, lending me strength.
“Kai…” I whispered hoarsely.
“Piper?” His usually reserved, haughty expression was gone, and worry flickered in his eyes. He looked torn, like a dozen different emotions were eating him up inside.
Aw, Kai. Who knew you had it in you to care?
Taking my murmured name as approval, I grabbed him by his collar and pulled him down. His lips burned, and his kiss was stiff, but he gave me what I needed. The four men were clustered around me now, peppering me with kisses. Jayce on my neck, his hands roaming over my breasts. Xero on my earlobe, gripping my hip. Kingston kissing his way up my arm, devouring my flesh with his lips. Kai crushing my mouth.
Each kiss, every touch, was infused with power. I drank it in. My body vibrated with it as the pain washed away. It shouldn’t have been able to. I’d just been skewered, and I was pretty sure the rebar had nicked something vital.
But it didn’t matter. As long as they never stopped touching me, nothing mattered.
Ginger and fire, money and sea-foam braided together through my senses. Heady desire displaced the last tendrils of pain, making me hot and wet. Eight hands caressing me. Four mouths moved over my body. Someone’s hand was up my shirt, caressing my breast, and when fingertips brushed my nipple, I moaned into Kai’s mouth. To my surprise, he moaned in response.