Lewis stroked the spot. They were really preoccupied. “We can wound care. That’s no problem whatsoever.”
“It’s not gross.” Judge’s voice was rough, like he hadn’t used it in a while. He hadn’t spoken since I’d come on board. “It’s a miracle. A battle wound.”
The ship launched, jerking aft then port as the ship’s systems adjusted to the lack of any real gravitational pull. Artemis was old. Sometimes it took her a second to catch up to the speed we asked of her. She smelled exactly the same; there was always the scent of cleaning fluid in the air. I’d never been able to figure out why. It was like … home. After a second, Sterling came back to us, having put the ship on autopilot, which meant we must be clear of the station and relatively safe.
He lifted me into his arms so I could look him straight in the eyes. “We failed you. We all promised you’d never be alone on Orion and you’d never get hurt by the Infected. Both things happened. Please forgive me.”
“And me,” Judge added.
Three other repeats of the same request flew out of my husbands’ mouths.
I put my arms around Sterling‘s neck. “You didn’t do it on purpose. None of you could have predicted what would happen. There’s nothing to forgive. How are you here in two years? I had this idea that maybe I’d see you in two decades. You’d all be aged, so would I. Yet here you are looking like yourselves.”
Judge rose. “Do you remember the weird device that made the time differential in the cave?”
“Actually, I’ve seen its like many times since then. My Uncle Wes made it. It’s his invention.” I couldn’t make sense of how that exactly had happened, but there it was. I’d tried to throw it at his head once …
Judge made eye contact with Damian. “What?”
Damian added, “Explain.”
I knew where my guys must have hooked it into Artemis’ engine. I’d seen it on C.J.’s ship before he’d left. I walked to the engine room, all five of them on my tail, and bent down to look at the device. “Wes made one. As far as I know, there’s only the one. It let my uncles hook their ship to my time stream.” I touched the writing. “It can’t be, but … this is his handwriting.”
“It can be.” Judge exhaled loudly. “But time travel makes my frickin’ head hurt. Or at least it does today. Can we figure out this mystery another time?”
“Yes,” Cash added. “We’ve had two years to imagine this moment. You look … incredible. Alive. Beautiful. Bright-eyed, now that the shock has worn off.” He was right. My head had cleared. They were here. This was actually happening, and I could be … happy about it. I grinned at him, and he looked me up and down. “And wearing clothes that aren’t too big on you. Do you have a thing for black?”
“Black tells other people to leave me alone. Off limits.”
Lewis smirked. “It isn’t telling me to leave you alone.”
Heat surged inside of me. They all had that look in their eyes, and we were all together. What did they have in mind?
“We figure,” Lewis continued, “first you’re going to drink that water. While you do that, I’ll tell you what we have in mind for you. As we see it, you can handle two of us at once. There are five. Someone really has to watch the helm. We all know how to fly Artemis. We drew straws. Are you up for a little sharing? We’ve never done it, but we think we’ve worked it out.”
Heat passed through my body until it reddened my cheeks. I finished my water quickly. “I think I’ve missed all five of you for two years. If you want to share me—in the bed as well as not in it—then let’s give it a go.”
Lewis grinned. “That’s awesome.” He picked me up and threw me over his shoulder. I squealed, and Sterling patted my rear end. “Her room has the biggest bed.”
“See you in a bit.” Cash winked at me. “If you fall asleep, we’re going to wake you.”
Lewis dropped me on the bed while Sterling kicked closed the door. They both stood over me, and my mouth went dry. There were little things I’d forgotten about them, even though I wouldn’t have thought it possible.
Sterling had a freckle on the left side of his neck. I don’t think I’d ever tongued it. I really wanted to. Lewis’ stood with one foot slightly in front of the other, as though he might be ready to run at any time. Or in this case jump on me.
Lewis spoke first. “We considered figuring out how we could all be together, all five of us, with you. It might be a possibility someday. But not today. Too much, too soon. Ease into that. And we still all want our alone times. We talked about a lot of things. Not just sex. I think we’ve all been pretty much constantly discussing our love for you for two years. Do I seem frantic? I’m having a hard time really believing you’re here. I really love you.”
He was the most frantic I’d ever seen him, except when I’d been very sick. “I love you, too, so much. I’m not sure how to start this … I …”
Lewis’ mouth was on me. He kissed me hard. “We’ve got it. I promise.”
Sterling jumped on the bed, moving around behind me. His hand travelled the length of my spine above my shirt before he pulled the piece of clothing over my head and tossed it aside. “Not wearing a bra?”
“My breasts are tiny. Sometimes I don’t need one.”
Lewis groaned. “Now I’m going to be sporting an erection every day all day thinking of you braless.”
“Sweet baby.” Sterling nipped at my ear. “Are you wearing panties?”
I shook my head, and they both made growly noises in their throats. I could have explained that the skirt went to my calves, but they didn’t seem to want to discuss clothing and neither did I. Lewis tugged my skirt down my legs; my shoes were thrown wherever they’d discarded my shirt. I was naked, and they were completely dressed. That quickly changed.
And then before I could think, they were both all over me. Lewis was at my mouth, kissing me over and over again while behind me Sterling gripped my hips, kissing my neck, my shoulders. I moaned. Every nerve ending in my body had gone on high alert. This was what it was to be worshiped. Lewis’ eyes were hot—steaming—and his cock stood strong and erect against my stomach. I wanted it in me.
I grabbed onto Lewis’ neck to hold on while, with my other hand, I gripped Sterling’s legs. They were both erect and unashamedly wanting to have me at the same time.
“Stop thinking.” Sterling ordered. He pressed closer, grinding his cock against my rear. I moaned. And then it was more like I floated. Pleasure mixed with relief, making me giddy. Lewis pressed a finger inside of me, finding my clit. He stroked it, and my muscles clenched around him.
Sterling smacked my rear end gently. I moaned. “Think you missed us as much as we did you, pretty baby. I’m going to come fast. I knew I’d be worked up; I didn’t realize I’d be so close to losing control so fast.”
“Same thing.” Lewis’ voice was low. “Here’s what we’re going to do. Sterling is going to come inside of you, and assuming you’re willing, you’re going to take me in your mouth.”
My mouth watered. “I’m willing.”
“Good girl.” Sterling crooned in my ear.
We repositioned until I could take Lewis in my mouth and Sterling could enter me at the same time. The whole thing might have been awkward if it hadn’t been completely organic. I tasted Lewis. He was hot, throbbing, and ready for me. I didn’t care if he was too big. I wanted as much of him as I could get. Who needed to breathe?
I deep throated him. Lewis’ hips jerked off the bed as Sterling pressed inside of me. I moaned at the flavor of Lewis—salty and all male. My two husbands in the bed with me both liked to be in control; neither one of them cared to be vulnerable. Yet they both gave in to this moment like they trusted me to always take care of them. I would.
My pussy throbbed. Our dance of sucking and pressing became a movement all our own. Lewis gripped the bed, his head thrown back. As Sterling fucked me, he sounded desperate. His hand found my clit, and with a grunt he pressed on it. I came hard and long.
> As I moaned, Lewis came into my mouth. He groaned his release while Sterling sighed his. I throbbed everywhere. My ears rang.
“Fuck.” Lewis scooted around, pulling me with him until I was between him and Sterling. He kissed my forehead. “Missed you, Doll. So much.” His voice shook.
“Too much. Love you. Love you,” Sterling whispered in my ear. “The way you let us love you, the way you love us back. I thought maybe I’d imagined how good it was. Some nights I convinced myself you weren’t real, you couldn’t be everything I remembered. You are. You’re here. You’re ours.”
I closed my eyes. “I love you two completely.”
They held me close between them. They were warm, real, and mine. The sound of Sterling’s heart beating lulled me to darkness. I fell asleep with two of my loves holding me tightly. Waking, I became aware of Lewis’ snore behind me. Sterling breathed evenly, his eyes closed. How long had I dozed for, and more importantly, what had woken me?
Cash stood at the end of the bed, his hand on my foot. “Told you I was going to wake you.” He whispered, but I could hear him. I grinned at him before scooting out of Lewis’ and Sterling’s embraces to get off the bed.
Sterling made a whining sigh but didn’t otherwise move, and Lewis continued to snore the sleep of the truly out of it.
Cash scooped me into his arms took me down the hall to another bedroom. They’d made the ship their own, and I loved it. Artemis should belong to them now. They’d travelled the universe in it, and it was as though they’d breathed life back into her.
Judge sprawled out on the center of the bed.
“Hi.” I grinned at him, and he smiled back.
“Have a nap, Di? Been waiting for you.”
His gaze was proprietary, and my heart rate kicked up. “I’m awake now.”
Cash kissed my neck. “Good.”
CHAPTER TWO
Changes
Judge scooted down the bed and lifted me into his arms. “I think she needs a shower to really make her alert.”
“Ooh, a shower. Sounds like a plan.” Cash rushed into the bathroom. A second later, Judge carried me in, following in Cash’s wake. The water already ran. It took me a moment to realize the bathroom was lit in candlelight.
I raised my eyes to meet Cash’s. “Why do I think you’ve been plotting this?”
“We’ve had years to plot and then plot again. So, yes, Judge and I thought getting you in the bathroom was what we wanted to do.”
My body came alive with his words. Any residual tiredness fled. They’d had years together on this ship and they’d made a plan. A romantic one ….
Judge stripped. As I watched him, it dawned on me he’d gained muscle in the years we’d been away. Gone was the skinny, lean frame, and in its place was a body honed from time spent in the weight room. Judge had become a physical force.
He was like a stranger.
I gulped. I’d gone to bed no problem with Lewis and Sterling. I’d not thought twice about it, and the reclaiming had been fantastic. Doubt crept through my haze. I hadn’t seen them in years. What if I really didn’t know them anymore? What if they were … different?
Judge narrowed his eyes. “What’s the matter, Di?”
I loved the nickname. Judge had always called me Di. It helped, somehow. Why had I suddenly plummeted into insecurity?
“I don’t know. Not really.”
He furrowed his brow. “Come here.”
I walked right into the spray. When I reached him, Judge tightened me up against him, holding me with all his new strength. I pressed my forehead down on his shoulder. He’d gotten bigger, but he was still Judge. He always knew when I needed a hug.
“This is a lot.” He kissed my cheeks. “We get it. You didn’t plan on this today. You woke up this morning and had no idea we would find you.”
I pulled back and extended my hand so Cash could join in the hug. He took it and did as I’d hoped, drawing close to us.
“I looked for you every day. Every single day.” I sucked in my breath. “I’d have looked forever and ever.”
Cash kissed the back of my neck. “Then why are you nervous?”
“Because Judge went and got all muscular in the last two years, and you’ve got a necklace around your neck I don’t recognize. What if you’ve all changed and don’t like me anymore?”
Cash snickered, and Judge whacked him on the arm. “Don’t laugh. She’s being serious. She’s very upset.”
Cash nodded, a serious expression on his face, but his eyes remained amused. “The necklace is actually related to you. While Judge was fixing Artemis to make the black hole trip, I found your tools and took a screw out of one of them. I wear it around my neck, all the time. I shower with it on. Even ones I take where I don’t have my clothes on.” He was right. We were all getting soaked and Cash was fully dressed. “And as for Judge, you’re right. I’ve never seen someone spend so much time working out. He took all the equipment from the pod and put it on this ship.”
“I needed something to do with myself. For as old as she is, Artemis is very well maintained. Didn’t take all my time or energy. I didn’t know if we’d get to you, Di. I ran a lot and lifted weights. It was that or throw myself against the walls.”
With a shaking hand, I tentatively touched one of his much more pronounced, six-pack ab muscles. “So you’re not suddenly completely different? Or maybe not suddenly. Maybe over the …”
Judge kissed me with such tenderness tears slipped from my eyes. “I’m yours. That’s all I want to be. You want me back skinny, and I’ll …”
“Shut up.” I kissed him back, and he smiled against my lips.
After the kiss, Cash undressed. His breathing quickened, and soon he bit down on my shoulder. I shuddered with pleasure.
We were all finally naked in the warm spray. “I remember this shower used to sometimes be glitchy with the hot water. We’ve got some right now.”
Judge groaned. “Week one in the black hole I got this fixed. You could have done it if you’d wanted to. Easy for you, Di.”
Cash watched me closely. “Boo, I want you to put your arms around Judge. You two can debate later about whether or not you should have fixed your own shower or asked him to do it.” Cash sucked in his breath. “Now.”
I loved when Cash ordered me around. I obeyed. Judge grinned at me, kissing me lightly on the lips.
“What we want to do, Boo, is show you how much we missed you and how much we are glad you are here.” Cash’s voice shook on the word missed. “We didn’t know if you’d be on the station, and then we were basically sure you weren’t. Or if you were dead or unconscious somewhere. I swear we would have torn the galaxy apart to find you. Whatever adjustments we have to make, we’ll all make. You’re our wife. I love you.” He sucked in his breath. “You’re going to let us pleasure you now. Got it?”
“Yes.” I would have done whatever they wanted. This was like coming home.
With the water pounding down on us, they made love to my body. Cash’s hands came around me, squeezing my breasts while Judge kissed me over and over. His breath quickened, and his cock pressed into my stomach. His hands roamed my sides. Behind me, Cash was also hard. I pressed back into him, and he moaned my name.
“Turn,” Cash instructed. Judge sighed, a pained look on his face for a second before he nodded. Sharing wasn’t easy, but it was worth it. I wrapped one arm around Judge’s neck after I did what Cash said. Cash held me up, his hands coming to my stomach.
Cash grinned before he dropped to his knees. His mouth was on me, and he closed his eyes. My knees gave out, and if Judge hadn’t been holding me, I’d have fallen splat on the shower floor.
Judge stroked my breasts as Cash’s smart tongue made love to my clit. Pleasure zapped up and down my spine.
“You like this, Di?” Judge whispered in my ear. “Cash getting you so hot, and me worshiping your body.”
I turned my head slightly so I could lightly bite at his chin. “More.”
/>
“More?” His hips moved, bringing his hardness back against my ass. “I’d think about you every morning, dream of you at night, wake so erect I couldn’t stand until I stroked myself off thinking of you.”
I hissed in my breath. Judge’s voice was as much an aphrodisiac as anything ever. Cash found the right rhythm, and I shattered. There was no other word for me. All the tension, all the worry, all the hellish nights of silently wondering why I had been saved only to live the rest of my life without those I loved, exploded out of me.
I’d never cried during an orgasm before, but that was exactly what I did. Tears streamed down my face, and I couldn’t do a thing to stop them. Judge hauled me into his arms while Cash backed away from my body.
“Bed.” He wasn’t asking me.
“Yep.”
Cash grabbed three towels and, between the two of them, they dried us all off. I’d gone limp in Judge’s arms. Cash turned my chin to look at him.
I smiled through my finally slowing tears. “That was amazing.”
He snorted. “Haven’t gotten started yet.”
Cash wasn’t kidding. Once we were on the bed, they were all over me. Judge’s lips. Cash’s hands. I couldn’t tell where one of us began and the others ended. I’d kissed Cash’s chest and leaned back against Judge’s rapidly growing erection. He moaned in my ear.
I was wet, I was ready, and I needed them. Now.
Cash moved until he was centered right in front of my core. He kissed the end of my nose. “You ready for me?”
“You know I am.”
He nodded once. “Good.”
With one move, he was inside me, balls deep. He hissed his breath. “Boo, I’ve missed you so completely.”
“Me too.” I stroked the side of his face. “I missed you every second.”
Judge kissed the back of my neck. “Cash is going to start, and I am going to finish you off.” He finished off his words by massaging my ass.
Cash moved inside of me, in and out, in the way I’d come to expect from him before we’d been separated. He took control, and I was happy to let him do so. He moved us, he set the rhythm, and I was along for the ride.