“And I very much look forward to it. ”
She leaned up on tiptoe. “I’ll see you later. I just hope to hell I can walk now. ”
His laughter followed her out the door.
Chapter Thirty
Lily peeked at the chicken in the oven and rubbed her hands together in delight. Tonight’s meal was going to cap off an utterly perfect day. She hummed and smiled her way around the kitchen as she gave an absent stir to the potatoes and then checked on the vegetables.
It was so nice to have people to cook for again. She loved cooking. Loved being in the kitchen. It was second only to her love of drawing, and here…here she could indulge in both without judgment.
A few minutes later, she deemed the chicken perfect and took it out of the oven to rest on the stovetop while she finished the potatoes and turned the veggies down to simmer.
She looked at the clock and said a silent yes! The guys were due home any minute and she had everything ready.
She rushed to get the plates set out and the silverware neatly in place. Then she filled glasses with ice and put the tea pitcher within reaching distance.
After all the other food was set out, she transferred the chicken from the roaster to a platter and carried it to the table to carve.
Before she set knife to meat, she heard the door open and the murmur of male voices.
Her guys. Just the sound of them sent a thrill up her spine. She let her hands fall to the table and looked up in anticipation, waiting for them to round the corner into the kitchen
Michael was first in, followed by Seth and then Dillon.
“Need help with that?” Michael said as he went around her and came in close to nibble at her ear.
“It smells wonderful,” Dillon said with a moan.
“Roasted chicken with apricot honey glaze along with garlic potatoes and vegetables,” Lily announced.
Seth put his hand to his stomach and staggered back.
Lily smiled and handed over the carving knife to Michael.
“Have a seat, you guys. As soon as Michael carves it up, we’re ready to eat. ”
“You’re already hopelessly spoiling us,” Dillon said.
“No more than you’ve spoiled me. ”
She went around to take a seat next to Dillon. She made the mistake of looking over at him and saw the fire in his eyes. She flushed and even felt heat surge over her scalp.
He chuckled low and then reached down between them to give her hand a squeeze.
Seth settled in on the other side of her and slid his hand over her knee and up her thigh. He stared intently at her as his hand caressed her leg and then his grip tightened, silently conveying the emotion she saw in his eyes.
She tilted toward him, inhaling his scent. “I do, you know. ”
Seth’s lips found hers, a gentle smooch. “I love you too,” he whispered. “And you’re welcome to come maul me in my office anytime you want. ”
She laughed but couldn’t keep the heat from her cheeks as she remembered a much more explicit mauling that had taken place in Dillon’s office at the pub.
“Why do I get the impression there’s something I’m missing here?” Michael asked with a raised eyebrow as he portioned out slices of chicken onto each plate.
“I visited Seth and Dillon at work today,” she said with an innocent grin. “But don’t be grumbly. You got your special attention last night before they came home. ”
Dillon’s eyebrows shot up. “Oh? Do tell. ”
“A massage,” Michael said smugly. “Then she might have had her wicked way with me. ”
“And you think you’re the one missing out?” Seth asked.
“Oh hush,” Lily scolded. “You can have a massage anytime you want one. ”
“I just want her to come into the office every day for lunch,” Dillon smirked.
Both brothers turned to stare at Dillon and Lily smacked him hard on the arm.
They all laughed together, and the sweetness of the moment surged like honey through Lily’s blood. They ate, joked. Laughter filled the air. Joy. And contentment.
She sighed as she looked between them all. Perfection.
When they finished eating, Dillon got up and collected all the plates. He dumped them into the dishwasher without so much as a rinse. Lily shook her head.
“What?” he asked.
“You don’t stick plates with food on it in the dishwasher,” she said in exasperation.
“Why the hell not? It’s a dishwasher. It washes dishes. If I was going to hand wash them, I wouldn’t need the dishwasher. ”
Michael and Seth both laughed but nodded their agreement.
“Besides, now I’m all done and we can move onto more important things,” Dillon said with a wicked grin.
She raised one eyebrow. “Such as?”
“Such as you, naked, in the living room. ”
“Oh hell yes,” Michael muttered.
“That gets my vote,” Seth volunteered.
“Is that all you guys ever think about?” she asked in mock surprise.
“Yes!” came the answer from all three.
She laughed and turned, her fingers already at the waist of her jeans. She hurried into the living room, followed closely by the others.
When she reached the center, she stopped and turned to see them all standing still just inside the doorway, their eyes riveted to her.
“What?” she asked.
“We’re waiting,” Michael said.
Her fingers shaking—not from nervousness—she slowly undressed, taking her time with each piece as she pulled the clothing from her body.
She kicked away her shoes and jeans and stood before them, clad only in her bra and panties. Their gazes burned over her, touching fire to her nerve endings. Her nipples hardened, pushing against the delicate lace of her bra.
She reached behind her to slowly unhook the bra and then let the straps fall down her shoulders. Prolonging their anticipation, she took her time, shielding the cups with her arms before finally allowing the rest of the bra to fall away, bearing her breasts to their avid gazes.
“I’m not doing a solo strip tease,” she said huskily. “And you can’t make love to me fully clothed. ”
Her words pushed them into motion. They spread out, undressing with speed that amused her. Jeans and shirts and a uniform were tossed in all directions, and then three naked and very aroused men stalked toward her.
“Oh hell,” she murmured as she backed away.
Michael circled behind her, trapping her between him and Dillon and Seth. He pressed into her back, his erection sliding up and down the seam of her ass before coming to rest in the small of her back.
He reached around to cup her breasts, plumping them outward, offering them up like twin prizes.
“Bend over,” he commanded. “Right there over the arm of the couch. ”