Page 32 of Feline Good

“Getting ready for bed. You’re doing a piss poor job of keeping her warm.” Shedding his clothes down to his boxers, he climbed in on the other side of Maya, tracing the chill bumps that had pebbled her skin from the nip in the air.

“Oh, fuck off. She’s fine.” But Amir made space for him by sliding to the edge of the bed, with minimal grumbling.

They had abnormally warm body temperatures, so Amir was probably right, but August wanted any excuse to get close to Maya. A desperate need rose, her skin to warm against his own. A yearning to feel her heartbeat in concert with his, her breath caress his skin, all visceral proof that she was alive. Safe. His— theirs. It was an ache that he needed to soothe. He didn’t think he would ever be able to remove the ink of her name where it was already branded— in his mind, heart, and soul.

It was an all consuming love just begging to be reciprocated.

As August cuddled up to her, his hand shook as he brushed his fingertips over her shoulder, down her back, before he covered her with the sheet.

Asher laid down behind him, and with his family surrounding him, and the love of his life tucked into his side— August slept.

Chapter Eight

Waking up was an experience. Maya was warm, happy, and comfortable as fuck. A noticeable soreness pulsed between her thighs, but she’d be damned if the thought of what she and Amir had done didn’t bring a shit eating grin to her lips. Humming into her pillow, she remembered the way he’d bitten her, laying his claim into her very skin. Controlling her. Owning her.

A flush swept over her body, and Maya shuffled. Maybe she was a little too warm. She cracked one eyelid, finding Amir still sleeping with his head turned away from her.

Amir.

Maya suddenly did not recognize the feelings brewing inside her own body, and a low panic began to bubble up. Never having just... jumped into bed with someone before, she was at a loss. Studying the shadow highlighting Amir’s sharp cheekbones, Maya sighed. It had been an eye-opening experience to have her control taken, bound, and put on hold while someone else saw to her needs… and actually met them.

The prospect was as refreshing as it was concerning. Maya had always, always taken care of herself. Having someone else hold her control, take it from her, while at the same time giving her the relief of not being in control? It had been a heady concoction, lighting her veins on fire, but in the same breath sending a trill of fear through her. Her heart raced as she stared at Amir’s sleeping form.

Grumbling, Maya tried to toss the sheet off, but she was surprised to find her tug stopped short, trapped underneath a body. And not a fluffy cat one, because the weight didn’t disappear with a tiny, irritated mew and a patter of small paws. Maya tilted on her side to look over her shoulder, only to find August wide awake and staring at her with a half-smile gracing his lips.

“Good morning.” He kept his voice soft, quiet in the early light peeking through the window above their heads, casting a soft golden glow over them.

Maya rolled over until she could face him, tugging the sheet back up to cover her nakedness. Sleep lines creased one side of his face, showing how hard he’d slept. A beam of sunlight cut across his face, highlighting his eyes, the amber color glowing like freshly poured honey. He leaned back, sliding a hand through his unruly chestnut waves.

“Good morning.” A blush colored her cheeks. Was this a kitty cuddle pile?

August’s lips tilted up in a half grin. “Don’t cover up on my account. I quite enjoyed the morning view.”

Rolling her eyes, Maya tugged the sheet tighter against her chest, before settling down against the pillow, sliding her arm underneath for head support. When she met August’s gaze again, a sudden rush of vulnerability sliced through her. Something about the morning light casting down on them, the peace of the silence in the room so intimate, broken up only by the even breaths of Amir and... Asher, who lay on the other side of August.

Everything seemed…enhanced. Real. Far, far too real.

Owned.

Claimed.

Controlled.

Suddenly, the beautiful morning didn’t seem so beautiful anymore, not as Maya’s panic settled in. Those words flew through her mind, bouncing against the inside of her brain like debris in a chaotic storm. Her heart pounded, and she was two seconds away from sitting up and fleeing the room— running away from the men she felt too strongly for.

“I can practically see the gears turning in your head, hayaati.” August tugged her close, his arms sliding around her waist and eliminating the foot of space between them.

Maya brought her palms up between them, flattening them against the planes of his chest, readying herself to push him away at any second. Her hands shook, and her breath sounded harsh in the quiet of the room. His voice was too smooth—too intimate in the morning light. His hopeful amber eyes rustled up a whole other slew of emotions, ones she refused to acknowledge at this time.

No—Maya needed to leave, she—

August abruptly interrupted her thoughts, silencing her internal rambling when he dipped his head down to kiss her. His lips brushed across hers with the barest touch at first, pausing, giving her a chance to move away. When she didn’t, he sealed them to hers, and she opened instinctively, parting her own to deepen the kiss. Her hands flexed, shifting from a position to push him away— the traitors pulled him closer. A soft gasp left her as the sheet slipped, her breasts pressing against his warm skin as he clutched her to him.

Mind quieted, Maya’s panic faded away and stayed distant, almost forgotten even when August pulled back.

They didn’t speak for a long moment, their uneven breaths settling between them.

“Don’t panic. This isn’t the disco,” were the words spoken, his voice soft with a smile curling his lips.