11. Tori

11

TORI

Asickly sweet heat warmed my core as a low moan left my lips.

It had been about four years since I last had sex, but it had also been just as long since I’d been so heavily aroused.

But my dream had included the very same men I was sharing this treehouse with, and in it, we played out the dirtiest fantasies I hadn’t known I was interested in.

My hand strayed between my legs before my eyes popped open, and I jerked my hand back to my chest, gasping for a breath just as I imagined Micah inside of me.

Micah and Nathan were both awake, staring at me with a hunger in their gazes that made my pussy throb with need.

My heart pounded relentlessly as desire skewed my thoughts as I laid between two of the men who had been in my dream—I was only missing Calix.

“I’m so sorry,” I panted the words, squeezing my eyes shut. “I… I had a dream.”

“We know, darlin’,” Micah rasped.

“We heard our names come out of your mouth just before you woke up,” Nathan added huskily.

“That’s embarrassing,” I murmured, but a buzzing warmed my veins.

“No,” Micah protested.

“It was hot,” Nathan clarified.

Static filled my head as I reached out and touched their chests, and my actions were almost uncontrollable as a small whimper left my throat. “I haven’t thought of anything remotely sexual in a long time,” I admitted. “But something about you guys…”

“Same here, killer.” Nathan’s hand trailed up my thigh slowly, sending tingles upward. “You bring something out in us too.”

“We can take care of you, if you want us to.” Micah’s breath hit the side of my neck, and his beard ran across the sensitive part of my collarbone. “Just a yes or no.”

“Ah, yes, please.” My tone was breathless, and my legs fell apart as Nathan’s fingers hit my pussy. I gasped at the pleasure buzzing even with the barrier of my panties between us.

Micah’s hot mouth parted against my neck before his tongue swept over my sensitive skin, and my back arched.

“So responsive,” Nathan teased, slipping my panties to the side before his finger pressed against my clit.

A strangled moan tore from my throat, and my legs shook from the wave of pleasure that flickered through me. “Mmf, Nathan.”

“God, Tori, moan my name again.” He moved his finger down to my soaked opening and dipped inside. “You’re soaked.”

My walls clenched his finger, pulsating around it as he pushed further. “Nathan!”

“Don’t let him have all the credit, darlin’.” Micah sucked on the side of my neck as his hands worked at the buttons of the flannel until he bared my breasts to both of them.

My eyes widened before he worked his way down my neck until he latched onto my nipple and sucked hard. “Micah!” I gasped as my eyes rolled back in my head, and he chuckled.

Nathan pulled his finger out only to replace it with two, and my body shuddered. “You’re clamping so tight on my fingers. Can’t imagine how good you’d feel on my cock.”

Micah’s hand grasped my other breast, rolling my nipple between his fingers and making the pressure inside of me so heavy. “You are beautiful.”

The new sensation of both of them on me, pleasuring me, sent me reeling.

Nathan curled his fingers just as Micah bit down on my nipple, and my nerve endings exploded.

I cried out as stars filled the back of my eyelids, and my body shook with the wave of the first orgasm I’d had in years. I rode out the liquid ecstasy flooding my system, and I sucked in a large breath before my eyes flew open and connected with wide green eyes.

Calix stood in the doorway, frozen to the spot as he stared at the three of us.

“Calix?” I murmured, chest heaving up and down as my thoughts started to clear.

He blinked a few times before he stumbled back and scrambled out of the room with a sharp breath.

I shot up and closed the flannel around me before running a hand through my hair. “I am so sorry.”

“Sorry?” Nathan shook his head before removing his fingers and bringing them to his mouth and sucking them. “I’m not. You took what you wanted, and we were happy to give it.”

Heat streaked through me as I ducked my head, but Micah gripped my chin between his index finger and thumb and turned me to look at him. His eyes burned with heat. “Don’t apologize. I loved every minute of that.”

“But Calix…” My lips curled downward.

Micah reluctantly let go of me with a sigh. “I’ll go talk to him.” He hauled himself out of bed and grabbed his sweats before shoving his legs through and pulling them up. “He’s probably just embarrassed.”

I fumbled with the bottom of the flannel before trying to button them up, my face flaring with heat as I tried to control my breathing. “I—”

“That better not be another apology.” Nathan sighed and knocked my hands out of the way before buttoning it up the rest of the way, then he cupped my face in his hands and forced me to look at him. “Calix is going to be fine, and so are we. More than fine, really.”

“Don’t stress about it, darlin’,” Micah murmured before heading out of the room.

“How can I not?” I mumbled, and Nathan leaned forward to meet my lips with his.

His lips were soft, and his tongue glided over the seam of my lips before I parted them. Our tongues twirled around each other, as I wrapped my hands around his wrists and moaned into his mouth. He kissed me tenderly, almost as if he was trying to show me that whatever this was between us was more than physical attraction.

Pulling back, he kissed my nose before resting his forehead against mine. “I like you, killer. Micah is so into you that he can’t take his eyes off of you, and Calix likes you so much he’s been thinking of hugging you. That’s big for all of us. I know you don’t know us all that well, and maybe we are jumping the gun a little bit, but…”

I swallowed the heavy lump in my throat, and his palms were so warm against my cheeks. “But what?”

“Let’s head out there.” He pulled back, and the cold air of the room replaced where his hands had been, and he got out of bed before tugging a long-sleeved shirt over his head from his dresser and tossing me a pair of sweatpants.

I took them and got out of bed before putting them on and tying them tightly. “Thank you.”

He held his hand out to me before lacing his fingers in mine and tugging me into the living room where Calix and Micah were waiting.

The atmosphere was tense as we went in and sat on the sofa next to Micah, me in the middle. Calix sat straight on his recliner, and I could practically feel the nervous energy wafting off of him.

“I’ll be blunt,” Micah said, scratching his beard as his gaze locked on mine. “All three of us are interested in you.”

“Interested how?” My throat tightened, and I was well aware of their eyes on me.

Even with the undead horde making noise under us, I wasn’t the least bit scared or nervous about the state of the situation or the world. The only focus I had in that moment was on the three men in this room with me.

“Romantically,” Calix answered.

“And sexually, obviously.” Nathan winked, and I groaned before covering my face with my hands. “I’ll let you take a minute to think that over while I get us coffee.”

The couch shifted as he got up, and static filled my ears as I thought about what that meant.

They were all three interested romantically and sexually, in me.

I already knew I was attracted to all of them, but what exactly were they asking? Did they want us to start dating? If so, what were the rules of having such a dynamic in a relationship?

My head reeled with so many what-ifs, but more than the indecision, I wanted to try it.

The smell of coffee filled my nose, and I slid my hands down my face to see the coffee mug being held in front of my face.

“Thanks.” I smiled and took the cup from Nathan, and he finished passing the mugs around before taking his seat next to me.

“What’re you thinking?” Calix’s leg bounced uncontrollably, and his fist was tightened on his knee.

“Um… I’ve only really known you guys a couple of days, and before I met you three, I hadn’t thought of being with someone else after the mess that happened with Jay. I had practically given up on the idea of finding anyone else, especially the way the world is. But even when I was with Jay, I didn’t feel the same desire I feel about you three. Sure, sexually, but more than that. I actually really enjoy being around you. Maybe it’s because it’s new and exciting, but I think it’s something more. What I really need to know is what you three expect of this now.”

Calix’s eyes lit up, and even though his mouth was covered with a mask, I could tell he was smiling. “I want to be with you. Like in a relationship.”

“All three of you do?” I moved my gaze toward Micah, who nodded.

“Yes. I want to date you.”

Nathan chuckled as I turned to him. “Of course we want to date you, killer. All three of us.”

“Exclusively?” I nibbled on my lip, and their faces darkened.

“Yes,” Calix said. “Just the four of us.”

“And you three are okay with, um, me and you three?”

“Yes, darlin’. We are more than okay with sharing you between the three of us exclusively.” Micah’s large hand landed on my thigh.

“We do want to make it clear now though.” Nathan’s hand curled around my other thigh. “It’s just us. No one else. No other men or women would ever be added to this relationship. It’s unconventional, but we would still be committed to just you, and you would be committed only to the three of us.”

“And all three of you are truly okay with that?” I glanced at Calix, clutching the mug tightly with sweaty palms.

He had been the one I hadn’t had much time with. The one who I knew had an issue with touch. The fact he’d been included in this had been both surprising and exciting, and I was excited to learn even more about it.

“Yes,” he confirmed. “Are you okay with being committed to us only?”

“Of course.” My heart pounded loudly, and I took a sip of the coffee. “Dating in the apocalypse is unconventional anyway, right?”

“Absolutely.” Nathan chuckled.

I settled back against the sofa with the coffee held up to my nose as I basked in the warmth of the cup. “How long do you think we’ll be stuck up here?”

“I don’t know,” Micah groaned, getting to his feet and walking across the wooden floor that creaked with every other step as he went toward the window. It had become a charm of the treehouse that I found comfort in.

I got up and followed him, finding amusement in the creaks of the boards as I made my way toward him to look out the window.

The fear that hung over my head was muted as I stared down at the shambling rotten horde below the trees. I knew it should’ve been terrifying. We were essentially stuck up here, but being with these three men in this room... I didn’t feel the fear I knew I should.

Instead, my mind buzzed, blocking out everything except the low, pleasant hum of excitement for the future and the relationship I was developing with them.

“Seems like they’re thinning out a bit.” Micah crossed his arms as he stared down at them surging forward on a mission, all of them.

A shiver tore through me, and I wrapped my arms around my middle. “Does that mean it’s almost over?”

Strong arms wrapped around me from behind as Nathan pressed a kiss to my neck and held me close. “Almost, killer.”

I glanced up at the window and froze as I noticed Jay standing in the window of their treehouse, gaze locked on me.

“I’d say a couple more days at least.” Micah leaned forward, taking my attention from Jay, and kissed my forehead. “Don’t worry, darlin’. Riding this out won’t be so bad now that you’re here.”

“I’m glad I met you.” My skin tingled with their touch, and I didn’t bother glancing at Jay as we left the window and went back to sit on the sofa.

“What about me?” Nathan teased, grabbing my hand and flipping it over to rest on his leg as he traced invisible lines up and down my forearm. “Are you glad you met me?”

“I’m happy that I met all of you, obviously.” My cheeks burned as I grinned and leaned against Micah. “What happens after the horde passes?”

“We have to check our land and belongings. The shed, supplies, and the other survivors,” Micah explained. “We keep supplies in the two utility sheds under the large trees just a few meters away from the shower shed. The horses were put in the large reinforced one, so we will check on them as well.”

I tensed, but Nathan’s continuous glide of his fingers on my skin relaxed me again. “Do you think the horses will be okay? They haven’t been confined for so long before. I’m sure they’re scared.”

“I think we’ve done everything we can to protect that shed. We can’t see it from the treehouse, but I’m assuming they’re okay. I haven’t heard the zombies attack anything so far,” Nathan told me as I brought the mug up to my lips and drank the last bit of it.

Calix got up and took my cup as Nathan placed his on the end table next to Micah’s. “Benjamin checks the water supply and river.”

“Where’s the water supply?”

He placed my cup in the red bin and came back to his recliner. “He has several. Two in the big shed, one in the small shed, and a tank below each treehouse. He takes it very seriously, and it makes me feel comfortable about our drinking and bathing water. Which says a lot about his proactiveness.”

“After the Oasis is safe, are you accompanying us to the ranch? Or are we going to be on our own heading back?”

My question made the men tense, and I shifted in the seat with the uncomfortable silence.

“You’re going back then?” Micah asked, and I frowned as Nathan stopped rubbing my arm.

“Um… I don’t know. My parents and Spencer are my family, and living so far away from them when the world is like this makes me nervous,” I admitted. “But at the same time, I don’t want to leave you three behind. I mean, we are dating, right?”

“We are,” Nathan murmured. “And I’m sure I speak for all of us when we say we don’t want you to leave.”

“But we also understand moving in with us after a couple of days is a little too much to ask,” Micah added, his brows scrunched together as if the thought pained him. “We’ll figure out a way to make it work, but I’m going to be honest with you, there’s a good chance the ranch will not have made it.”

I pulled my hands into my lap and sighed. “I know…”

“But whatever happens, you still have us,” Calix said, his face turning pink as he clasped and unclasped his hands together.

“Thank you.” I swallowed the thickness in my throat and smiled at them. “I appreciate you three being so sweet.”

“We appreciate you giving us a chance. I know I do,” Calix murmured. “But you should know that I haven’t ever touched someone in a romantic sense, and while I do want to touch you… I don’t know if I’m capable of giving you what Micah and Nathan can—physically. I couldn’t even watch porn before all of this happened because it made me nauseous.”

“That’s okay,” I assured him, wanting nothing more than to hug him to let him know how I feel but knowing that would be too much. “We can go as slow as you need to, and if you can only be with me without physical touch, that’s fine too. I don’t mind. I mean… I do want to be able to touch you, but I also understand that it makes you uncomfortable. I’ll never make you go outside your comfort zone, Calix.”

“Thank you, Tori,” he whispered lowly.

We went into a comfortable silence after that, and we ate some canned vegetables for dinner. Micah had insisted I read a book after we ate, so I chose one out of the box and read most of the evening before getting tired.

The three of us even waved to my parents who we’d caught in the window before going to bed.

I fell asleep snuggled between Micah and Nathan, and slept amazing until a sharp pain lanced at my bladder.

As I slipped out of bed, Nathan woke up, rubbing his eyes. “Where are you going?”

“I have to pee. Go back to bed.” I went to his side and kissed his lips softly.

He gave me a grunt of acknowledgment before passing back out, and I tip-toed through the living room.

Calix had insisted that we needed to keep the door shut constantly to avoid spreading germs into the other living areas, so I didn’t think anything of it when I opened the door to see Calix standing in the bathroom with a candle set on top of the sink. A soft flicker of the wick lit up the room, exposing Calix’s naked, soaped up body—without his mask on.

And by gods, he was stunning.

His nose was straight, and his jawline was sharp. His muscles were carved out clearly with a V leading down to his large, erect cock. He looked even better naked in real life than he did in my dream.

My mouth fell open, and my pussy clenched at the sight.

A squeal tore from his throat before he stepped forward and slipped, his body smacking into mine, slamming us both into the living room floor with him on top of me.

Desire thrummed through me like electricity, and I bit my lip to stifle the moan as his cock rested between my legs, rubbing against my thin cotton panties.

He pushed himself up with his hands, leaning over me close enough for his breath to fan over my face, and heat pooled between my legs.

My heart pounded relentlessly against my breast bone as he stared down at me with his perfect face and soft-looking lips. “Calix…”

“Tori,” he murmured, his voice sounding way huskier than I’d ever heard before.

Feet pounded against the ground as Micah’s gruff voice called out, “What’s going on?”

Calix and I both snapped our attention to the two men barely dressed with weapons, storming in.

Nathan’s laughter pierced the room, and Calix quickly pushed up off of me and covered himself with his hands.

“How did that happen?” Nathan howled.

“It’s my fault,” Calix and I said at the same time, and we swung our gazes to each other. “No, it’s mine. I’m sorry!”

Micah joined in with Nathan’s giggle episode, and we groaned.

“I’m sorry for walking in on you.” I ran a hand down my face before getting to my feet. “And for you touching me.”

“No. I’m sorry. I woke up from a night terror drenched in sweat and wanted to wash. I shouldn’t have been so startled I slipped. I apologize for knocking you down. I…actually didn’t mind touching you.”

“We can see that,” Nathan teased him, placing his gun down on the end table with a yawn. “I’m going back to sleep, but just for the record, it’s not fair that you’re that big.”

Calix’s eyes widened, but he didn’t reply.

“Just happy everyone’s fine. Night,” Micah grumbled, running a hand down his face and set his axe on the ground leaning against the end table. He pressed a kiss to my head before heading back to the bedroom.

I arched a brow at Nathan, who shrugged. “Micah’s grumpy when he doesn’t get enough sleep. Night, killer. We’ll be waiting for you.”

“Night,” I whispered as Nathan followed Micah back to bed, and I faced Calix again. I trembled with nervousness and maybe a little excitement from being so close to him. “Do you need help?”

“Um, not help, but you could stay and talk to me.” He stopped covering himself and scratched the back of his neck.

“Of course.” I leaned against the door frame and tried to be respectful by not looking down at his erection as he got back to washing himself. “I’m sorry though, truly.”

“Don’t be.” He blushed.

“Did you want to talk about the night terror? When I have them, it helps to talk about them.”

He shook his head, and his expression darkened. “I was at the hospital when the virus spread. I hunkered down there for a year and a half before Micah and Nathan found me. I saw some terrible things that I’d rather forget.”

“Why were you at the hospital?”

He began to lather his leg as he scrunched his face up in a wince. “I bought hospital grade protective gear and cleaning supplies. It was cheaper to buy from the hospital than the company, so I did it every month.”

“That makes sense. I’m sorry you had to be there of all places.”

He switched legs and glanced up to meet my gaze. “Me too. It was a miracle I survived. Believe it or not, but I hid out in the morgue with another guy. We did what we could with what we had. The zombies didn’t stick around after they’d infected what they had thought was everyone in the building, so scavenging was the most difficult thing.”

“What happened with the other guy?”

He glanced down and placed the sudsy wash cloth in the sink before grabbing a clean one and dunking it in the clean water. He ran the wet cloth over his soapy areas to rinse, and we fell into a tense quiet as he rinsed off. When he finished, he dumped the bins in the sink and placed them in the cabinet before spraying them and placing the wash cloths in another bin.

I grabbed a towel off the hook next to the door and handed it to him.

He hesitated for only a split second before taking it and drying off.

Wrapping the towel around his waist, he came closer. “That guy shot himself in the head with a gun we’d taken from the security office. He did it when I was asleep, and I woke up next to him covered in his blood.”

The anguish on his face made my heart twist in my chest. “Holy shit, Calix. That’s a nightmare.”

“Literally.” He paused and stepped closer. “I have that same night terror every other night. It was hard losing the only other survivor I had around, but his blood caked on me is something I can still feel.”

“I wish I could do something.”

“You already have. I’ve not even told Micah or Nathan yet, and somehow telling you, I feel better.” He swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing.

“I’ll always listen to you,” I promised, and it killed me not to wrap my arms around him.

His gaze dropped down to my lips, and he bit down on his lip. “Can I try something?”

“Anything.”

“Will you brush your teeth and wipe your mouth off?”

I arched my brows but nodded and moved around him to the sink. Grabbing my toothbrush out of its plastic baggie, I used the toothpaste and brushed my teeth more thoroughly than I think I’d ever done before.

“Here.” He handed me a cloth, and I used it to wash my face and lips before rinsing and drying.

I turned to face him, and his face had paled. “Calix?”

“I desperately want to kiss you, but I don’t know if…”

“You don’t have to,” I told him firmly, tightening my fist to stop myself from reaching out and touching him. “I’ll still like you no matter what.”

“And that just makes me want to even more.” His eyes had darkened as he stared at my lips. “Let me touch you. Let me kiss you, but please, don’t touch me back.”

I threaded my fingers together and kept my hands in front of me. “I won’t touch you.”

He sucked in a hitched breath before leaning in so slowly, I thought I’d pass out from the anticipation. His warm, soft lips covered mine, and my body flooded with belonging.

Every part of me wanted to tug him closer, but I kept my hands pressed against my body to avoid it.

He slowly moved his lips against mine, and I followed his lead. His fingertips trailed down my cheek as he pressed three long, tender kisses to my lips and pulled back. “That was my first kiss, and I never thought I’d be able to do that.”

“But you did, and it was perfect,” I whispered, and he pulled back.

My heart ached at the way he moved back, but I understood why he did it. Kissing was a huge step, and I would take that win and bask in it for days from now.

“Let me walk you to bed,” he murmured, and my body jolted as my bladder prodded at me.

“I have to use the toilet first. I forgot I had woken up to pee.” My face streaked with heat, and he shook his head.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you wait.” He stepped out. “I’ll be here when you’re done.”

I nodded and shut the door behind me. I let out a long breath as reality hit me. I’d kissed Calix, and his lips were so soft.

Pushing down my excitement, I used the bathroom and made sure to properly clean it before washing my hands and opening the door.

Calix stood with sweats, a shirt, and a mask back on.

A small pang of disappointment stabbed at me, and I tried to brush it away as he led me back to the bedroom and paused at the doorway.

“I will work on having you come into my space, but I’m not there yet.” He tugged at his collar, and I shook my head with a small smile.

“Take your time, Calix. I’m not going anywhere.”

“Good night, honey. Sleep well,” he murmured, leaning closer as if he wanted to kiss me again and then turning on his heels back to his room.

My chest swelled with a buzzing warmth as I slid in between Micah and Nathan.

Sure, the world had ended and zombies had taken over—but I was safe, and I had three boyfriends who made me happier than I had been before the apocalypse.