Chapter 63

63

P eople have been arriving for about twenty minutes, and the guys should be just pulling in. Charlie and her men decided to forgo the party this year–Charlie wasn't willing to leave the baby with a sitter yet, and the guys weren't willing to leave her. Jack is taking his host duties seriously, though–I can hear him greeting every single guest as they come through the door.

"Let's go!" Lorna begs, dragging me down the hallway. I get more nervous with every step, butterflies going wild in my stomach. Pausing in front of a mirror, I take one last look, breathing deeply through my nose, the diamond around my neck glittering as my lungs expand. I look down at my rings, twisting them around my finger with my thumb, remembering the moments they proposed.

"I can hear them calling for you, Isla." Lorna pushes me ahead of her, prodding me down the hallway, not stopping until we're at the top of the stairs. And there they are. My men. They look up at the same time , and it feels like all the air is sucked out of the room.

Dylan is standing on the left, torso bare except for a gold strap holding a bow to his back. Small wings poke past his shoulders, the feathers matching the white fabric draped around his waist. It stops mid-thigh, leaving a tantalizing amount of skin bare. My gaze slides to Henry, my mouth dropping open even more as I take in his burnished gold body, the gold circlet of leaves around his head, and the large wings protruding from his back. And then there's Theo. His whole body is highlighted in a deep reddish gold, the metallic paint catching the light, making me want to drag my fingers over him so I can see every place I've touched. The fabric draped over one shoulder and around his waist is a deep dove gray, matching the wings peeking from behind him. The feathers are edged in the metallic paint, making them look like they're on fire. I snap my mouth closed as I walk down the stairs, my heart in my throat. Henry is the first to step forward. He takes my hand and spins me in a circle, admiring my costume.

"Ravishing," he whispers, his voice deep and so fucking sexy it has me clamping my thighs together.

"What do you think of our costumes?" Dylan asks, turning my head and kissing me soundly. "We're the three different parts of Eros. I'm love, Henry is longing, and Theo is desire." I swallow hard, my mouth like the desert as I look them up and down, studying their costumes for far too long, wanting nothing more than to undress them right this very second.

I clear my throat. "You all look fucking amazing."

Theo closes in, drawing me into a passionate kiss. "I don't think I could have waited one more day, Isla." He cups my jaw, his fingers gripping me in a desperate hold. "I can't fucking wait until we're married, and I can stop worrying about you realizing what you're getting yourself into."

I pull back, meeting those honey-colored eyes. "I know exactly what I'm getting myself into, Theo. I'm not going anywhere. Even when you're an asshole." The corner of his mouth twitches, and he kisses me again, softer this time.

"You're Aphrodite?" Henry asks, more of a statement than a question. I nod, spinning in a circle so they can see the entire costume as well as my ample side-boob. As I turn, I realize Lorna is still behind me, and my cheeks flame .

"Dylan and Theo, this is my sister Lorna," I say , quickly stepping to the side so she can come forward.

She gives them a wide smile. "It's so nice to meet the other half of the relationship." After giving them hugs, she turns to Henry and slaps him on the shoulder like an old friend. "Are you ready to have the night of your life? I know I am." She grabs a flute of champagne from a passing server and downs it, wiggling her fingers at us before disappearing into the crowd.

"You look fucking amazing," Henry breathes, his hand sweeping over my bare back as we head in the same direction as Lorna. "You're sure we can't have sex now?"

I glare at him. "I did not spend as much time as I did planning this party only to miss it."

He gives me a guilty grin. "I knew that's what you'd say, but you can't blame me for trying. Especially when you look like that ."

We're swept into the fray of dancing couples as we enter the ballroom, but we quickly realize there is no way for us to dance without it feeling awkward. We're either bumping into people or getting separated. I give up and guide them out onto the terrace, where we tuck ourselves into a dark corner, the guys crowding around me as we sway to the music. The more glasses of champagne that slide down my throat, the less I'm able to tear my gaze from their incredible bodies. Just when I'm about to screw it all and drag them up to the bedroom, the dinner bell sounds.

I'm pushing my food around my plate, my stomach a ball of nerves, when Lorna shows up.

"You guys certainly look like you're having fun," she says, rolling her eyes as she steps up behind me, resting her hands on my shoulders.

"I think it was a bad idea to save what's happening tonight for the party," I whisper.

"Maybe, but it's certainly fun to watch. You could cut the tension with a knife from across the room. "

I lick my lips, noticing how all three sets of eyes follow the motion of my tongue.

"Why don't the four of you go take a walk in the garden? Cool off a little. Relax. I'm more than capable of taking care of the host duties. Or if it's something I can't handle, Jack's waiting in the wings to help if needed." She squeezes my shoulders playfully. "Have fun, Isla. Enjoy yourself. Tonight is special, make the most of it." She gives my shoulders one last squeeze and then walks over to the next table, greeting family friends she hasn't seen in years.

I take a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. "Garden walk, anyone?" They jump up as one, Dylan's chair tipping backward and cracking loudly on the hardwood.

"Fuck," he mutters, raking his hand through his hair nervously, looking down at the chair like it appeared out of thin air. Theo picks it up for him, slapping Dylan on the back. "You okay, bro?"

"Not even a little bit."

I giggle and grab Dylan's hand, tugging him toward the bar. We each grab a bottle of wine and then head out toward the garden.

"We're embarking on operation 'Get Buzzed’," I announce, popping the cork off a bottle of prosecco and taking a long swallow before handing it to Dylan. I laugh as he downs nearly half of it, his hands shaking from nerves. Henry opens another bottle and shares it with Theo. I can feel my nerves settling down as we walk, the night air a balm to my soul.

"You guys should have seen the gardens when I was little." I look around wistfully, remembering when I would come out here and get lost among the flowers.

"Who takes care of it now?" Henry asks, picking a spent rose off a bush.

"Jack mostly. But I'm sure he hasn't had as much time since Summer was born."

"What about Lorna? Could she use this space for her flower farm?"

I turn in a circle, looking at the beds through a completely different lens. "I think that could work. I'd have to do some research, but I don't see why not."

"Good," Henry murmurs, studying the garden like he's memorizing it so he can brainstorm ideas later. We wander down another pathway, the silence only broken by the soft music floating through the air.

"Should we try dancing again?" Theo asks, setting down his bottle and holding his hand out to me. I look up at him as I take it, my heart flip-flopping. He pulls me close, cradling me in his arms. Dylan and Henry angle themselves at both of my shoulders, their hands roaming over my stomach and back.

So many hands.

I take a shaky breath as goosebumps race over my skin, close my eyes, and lose myself to them. Theo presses his lips against mine, his tongue delving into my mouth, teasing out a moan. Dylan nibbles at my ear, tugging lightly. Henry drags his lips down my throat and over my collarbone, one hand sliding up my stomach to cup my breast. The four of us freeze when we hear someone call out, a man's faint response, then a woman giggling softly. We jump away from each other as their footsteps come closer.

I press my hand over my heart, breathing raggedly. "I know somewhere we can go. Follow me."