Page 110 of Forged

“Good morning,” he whispers.

“Good morning to you, too.”

Neomi hums, woken by our exchange. She stretches between us. “This is a lovely way to wake up.”

She presses a kiss to my chest, then turns toward Gabriel. I trace slow circles over her shoulder while he pulls her into his arms. She lets out a contented sigh and fuck, the sight of the two of them in my bed is dangerously exquisite. His eyes close as he holds her and I know I need to leave this bed or the restraint preventing me from fucking them will disappear.

I sit up, running a hand through my hair.

“You two stay there,” I say. “I’ll make breakfast.”

Neomi groans softly into the pillow. “You’re spoiling us.”

I can’t fight the smile that tugs on my lips as I pull on a T-shirt. Before I leave the room, I look back and see her curl into Gabriel's arms. I love the way they look in my bed. I love how gentle he is with her and how easily she goes to him.

In a world like mine, men fight for territory and they’re fiercely protective of their women. But he doesn’t feel like a threat. I don’t feel that stinging urgency to stop him. When I see her with him, I see comfort and peace amplified. And that feeling is an entirely different form of danger.

I step into the kitchen and start the coffee maker before pulling a pan from the cabinet while the machine warms up. The apartment is quiet for a moment, the sound of the grinder filling the space.

A few minutes later, footsteps drift from the stairs. Gabriel appears first, eyes still sleepy while he takes in the room. He pauses when he sees me at the counter.

“Would you like coffee?” I ask. “Sad to report it’s not pour over, but the beans are good.”

He chuckles. “I’d love some.”

I reach up to the cabinet for mugs and he approaches me, his chest against my back as he wraps his arms around me. A featherlight kiss lands behind my ear and my skin comes alive. He holds me for a moment, one hand splayed on my chest and the other on my stomach. My hands rest on the counter as my eyes close and I sink into his arms.

“Last night was perfect. But I’ll admit, Lars, it took everything in me to keep it just an innocent sleepover.” His words are a whisper against my ear that sends a shiver through my body. I feel his cock hardening against my ass and I almost sink to my knees.

I turn my head. “I know, but we need nights like that to connect without sex.”

This time, his lips land on my shoulder. “Agreed, but I can’t promise my best behavior next time.”

Neomi wanders in a moment later wearing one of my sweatshirts, the sleeves hanging slightly past her hands. She comes to our side, wrapping her arms around both of us as Gabriel’s arm holds me tight. Damn it, this feels dangerously close to perfect.

“I like seeing my men like this in the morning.”

I lean my head back and allow this moment to settle into my bones. After so many years of punishing myself for someone else’s wrongdoings, here are two people that somehow make me feel whole again. I never imagined this for myself, but it’s perfect. I can’t find another word to describe it. I don’t have to choose. There’s acceptance here, and I feel safe with him behind me and her with her arms around us.

The moment ends as Gabriel squeezes my hip and kisses Neomi’s hair before he pulls away. It takes me a moment for my thoughts to settle and my focus to return to the task at hand. Neomi kisses my cheek as she grabs the Half and Half from the fridge and I pour the coffee.

“How did you sleep?” I ask as I slide Gabriel a mug.

He lifts the cup to his mouth, taking a sip before answering. His eyes drift toward me over the rim of his mug.

“Honestly?”

I nod.

“Best sleep I’ve had in a long time.”

Neomi’s mouth curves. “That’s good to hear. Maybe we should do this more often, you know, to help with your sleep patterns.”

Gabriel glances between us. “Maybe we should.”

Neomi slides into a stool next to Gabriel as I finish cooking breakfast. After I plate the eggs and toast, I glance toward the clock.

“I have a meeting in about an hour.”