Chapter Twenty-Eight

We stopped on the driveway of Ben's and Theo's house. Theo turned the engine off, and silence surrounded us.

"What do you need?" Dylan asked me after a few moments.

"Just you guys to stay with me for a while," I said. "And perhaps a cup of tea." I smiled.

"You've got us for as long as you need us," Eduardo said. "And tea we can do also."

We got out and walked to the door. Once in the hallway, I pointed to the stairs. "I'll be back in a minute."

They didn't say anything, just watched while I calmly climbed the stairs with my purse strap over my shoulder and my head held high.

It was strange, this feeling of peace, this feeling of letting go of something I couldn't control. A weight had been lifted from me.

I liked it a lot.

In my room, I set my purse aside and stared in the mirror. Did I look any different without this weight? No, my hair was still long, blonde, and shiny, my skin clear and my bone structure perfectly symmetrical. My big blue eyes were framed with dark lashes, and the small freckle above my right brow, in exactly the same place as my mother had had one, was still there. My reflection was the same, but I felt different.

Lacing my fingers behind my head, elbows to the sides, I closed my eyes. I had a new way to live, here in Florida, with four gorgeous men who I needed and I believed needed me. I had a career that was at the stage I could pick and choose what jobs I took, and enough money to do and buy what I wanted.

Something inside me also told me the other women I'd met at the rink— Mae, Carly, Fiona, Gina—also got me. They were all successful in their own right. I wasn't competition as lots of women saw me. Perhaps some of them would plug the hole Cheryl had left and be a much better fit.

I released my hands and walked around the room, unhurried, tracing my finger over the furniture. This really felt like home. I had no urge to go back to London, to the UK, not for now. Aunt Mary would understand, heck, I'd get her a first-class ticket and she could come and have a sunny holiday.

A smile tickled my lips; one I didn't think would appear after that moment at the elevator. My pulse was steady and calm, and I realized I had everything I needed under this roof. The rest of the world could say and think what it wanted. Here, it couldn't touch me. I'd never been one for online obsessing and I wouldn't start now.

"Pippa." Eduardo's voice. "I've made your tea."

"Be right there."

Quickly, I freshened up in the en suite, added a squirt of perfume, and then went downstairs. I didn't want my guys worrying about me, and they didn't need to.

Except when I stepped into the kitchen that was exactly what I saw. Four anxious and tight faces. Dylan was stalking beside the island. Ben was standing with his arms crossed so tight his biceps were bulging over his knuckles. Theo was sat on the dining table kicking his legs back and forth, and Eduardo was stirring my tea so hard the mug was in danger of shattering.

"Hey, stop this," I said and reached for my drink. "You look like you just lost the Stanley Cup."

"If we lost you it would be worse than losing the Stanley Cup," Dylan said, coming to a halt.

"Now you're being dramatic." I set my mug to one side and went into his arms. "I know how much that cup means to you all."

"But do you know how much you mean to us all?" His dark eyes bored into mine. I swear they had roaring flames in their depths. "We can't lose you, we're all in agreement with that. And if the press, this intrusion makes it unbearable for you to stay, then—"

I set my finger over his lips. "No, don't think that. I'll never let them dictate my life."

"Do you mean that?" Ben was close behind me. He swept my hair to one side, his warm breath breezing onto my skin.

"Yes. I do."

"It will blow over." Theo was at my side. "We'll be old news soon."

"I know, and we'll lie low for a while." I smiled at Theo and was pleased to see some of the tension go from his features. "I'm not opposed to your idea of a deserted island in the Caribbean if practice allows."

"Could definitely happen end of season," Ben whispered by my ear and then kissed my sensitive spot.

"Yeah, all of us, could be fun." Dylan kissed me on the lips.

The kiss deepened, his tongue found mine, and I leaned onto him. Ben was tracing my neck with his kisses, and Theo ran his hand down my arm, to my hand and took it in his.

"Mmm," I murmured, feeling Ben pressing in closer.

His big body was hard and hot, as was Dylan's, and I felt surrounded by their strength and love.

" Ma choue," Eduardo said from my other side. "We all want you. We all want to show you how much we care, that you are the only woman for us."

I broke the kiss and looked at him, and then at Dylan.

"Say yes," Ben whispered. "We'll make it good for you."

Get naked and sweaty and down and dirty with all four of them? At the same time? Could I handle all that testosterone? All that passion?

"Nothing you don't want," Dylan said. "You have a safe word."

"I want you all, too." I licked my bottom lip and tasted Dylan's dark flavor. "But I…"

"Won't have to do a thing," Theo said, his lips by my cheek, "if that's what you're worried about. We will do everything, give you pleasure, find pleasure, blow your mind with pleasure."

That was an offer I couldn't refuse. "So shall we go upstairs? To bed?" I swallowed, my throat tight, and wondering just what the hell I'd let myself in for.

"The sweetest words ever spoken," Dylan said.

Then he stooped, and the next thing I knew, I was over his shoulder and his hand was set firmly on my butt.

"What? Dylan…I…" I stared down at the floor. My hair fell forward.

He was already striding from the kitchen. "This is the quickest way to get this show on the road."

He took the stairs two at a time, and I found myself being lowered onto my bed. He stared down at me, lust glinting in his eyes, and undid his belt buckle.

My heart rate picked up some more when Ben, Theo, and Eduardo moved in next to him and all began to undress.

For a moment, the sight of acres of perfect flesh being revealed held me captivated. Each man was built to perfection. And then as jeans and sweats were removed, four very hard, big cocks caught my attention.

"We using condoms?" Ben asked.

"Not if you're in perfect health and all agreed to be exclusive with me." I raised my eyebrows.

"Do you even need to ask?" Theo frowned.

"She can ask," Dylan said. "And the answer is yes, health and absolutely exclusive."

"Then no condoms." I grinned. "Forget those awful things."

I sensed a collective exhale of relief.

"You need to take off your clothes," Theo said and moved toward me.

"We can help with that," Eduardo said, fisting his cock.

Dylan was there, undoing the button on my denim shorts and then tugging at them.

"Oh…okay…" I rested my hand on his shoulder and lifted my hips.

My white lace knickers were dragged off and thrown aside in a bundle with my shorts.

"I've done my part," Dylan said, squatting and placing his hands on my thighs.

"And I'll take this job." Eduardo was removing my t-shirt. It came up and over my head, then he sat behind me, legs out to the sides so I was leaning on his chest. "No bra, huh?" he said, cupping my breasts in his big hands. "Good move."

Dylan set his steely gaze on me. "Come as many times as you want, I'm going to."

I didn't answer because he ducked his head to my pussy and swept his tongue through my damp folds.

"Oh fuck…yes…" I managed. My toes pointed, and my belly tensed.

"You like Dylan doing that to you?" Theo asked. He sat at my side and stroked my lower abdomen, small tickling traces of his fingertips that dipped in and out of my navel.

"Yes…oh…yes…"

"It's hot for us to watch him between your legs," Ben said. "To see your need for him and us."

"I need you all," I said.

"We know." Theo ran his fingers lower and tugged at the skin on my mound, pulling it upward.

My clit was exposed, and Dylan went straight to it, rotating his tongue over it and sucking gently.

"Oh God, that's going to make me come so quickly." I gasped, and a tremble shook my body.

"So come." Ben scooped his hand under my thigh and widened my legs further. "We all want to watch you come like this."

"Come, beautiful Pippa," Eduardo murmured.

Dylan looked up at me and licked my clit over and over.

I could see in his eyes that he wanted me to bang out my first orgasm hard and fast and he was determined to force that from me.

"Oh…oh…I'm going to…"

The pressure was intense and building up so fast. My pussy was quivering.

And then Dylan's fingers found my entrance and he sank in, deep, giving me something to clench around.

Eduardo squeezed my breasts, trapping my erect nipples between his fingers. His face was next to mine, watching Dylan lick my pussy. His breaths were fast and excited.

"I'm coming, don't…stop…" I held my breath and concentrated on the powerful sensation about to consume me.

Dylan pumped his fingers, fucking me with them.

I flew into ecstasy, bucking my hips and stiffening in Eduardo's arms. Bliss burst from my clit, radiating to my torso and limbs.

Ben held my right leg wide. My left leg was clamped onto Dylan's shoulder.

I cried out, loud, and struggled to catch my breath. Dylan's tongue was wickedly good.

" Oui , like that," Eduardo whispered. "Perfect."

"Fuck, you're hot when you come," Ben said.

"And that's just the first one," Theo said.

Dylan rose up with his erection jutting forward. He gripped it and aimed it at my entrance. "I can't fucking wait to get inside you."

"So don't wait."

He drove in, watching his cock disappear. When he hit full depth he nudged in some more, shunting the air from my lungs and butting me up against Eduardo.

"What's he feel like?" Theo asked and moved a strand of hair from my damp brow.

"Good, so good."

"Ah yeah…fuck…" Dylan half withdrew then rammed back in. He did that again, and again, four, five times, and then he screwed up his eyes, gritted his teeth, and pulled out completely. He gripped his cock, thumb over the slit, and released a primitive growl of pleasure.

I stilled, totally, knowing that was what he needed me to do so he wasn't tipped over the edge.

His pleasure extended, and his chest puffed up as he controlled his breathing and his climax. "Ah, that was good," he said, opening his eyes and staring down at me.

"Jesus, how do you do that, man?" Ben asked.

"Practice." Dylan pulled back, stood, and shoved his hand through his hair. "And a lot of self-control."

"Fuck, my self-control has gone." Ben took Dylan's place between my legs. "I need to get inside our woman. Now."

My pussy was wet and still sensitive from my orgasm. Ben entered me, groaning louder the deeper he went.

Eduardo moved so I could lie flat on the bed.

"Oh yes." I clutched his wide shoulders. "Like that."

"You gonna come again." He hadn't said it as a question.

"Yes, fuck me." I was still so turned on I knew it wouldn't be long.

He thrust into me, his groin rubbing my swollen clit.

Theo took my nipple between his fingers. He twisted gently, the sensation going straight to my pussy.

I trembled and shook and propelled my hips up to meet Ben's lunges.

Dylan lifted my left leg high, his mouth wrapped around my big toe.

"Your men are all adoring you, ma choue , come for us, again."

"Oh…oh…I'm going to." I dug my fingernails into Ben's shoulders.

He stared down at me, his bangs flicking in time with his fucking and his blue eyes alive with desire. "Come around my dick," he commanded on a gasping breath. "Fuck…now…come…"

The urgency in his tone had me toppling over the edge. It was another hard, fast orgasm that took the breath from my lungs.

He climaxed, his cock throbbing, filling me, driving in so deep.

"Ah!" I let my wail of satisfaction release into the room uninhibited. These men wanted the real me, this was it, and where the hell had I been all of this time? My hockey player lovers had well and truly unleashed my erotic self.

"She's come again," Eduardo said. " Oui , this is good."

I couldn't answer, I was gasping for breath. Bright lights were flashing before my eyes.

"Hey, Pippa, breathe," Theo said and cupped my chin. "Breathe, honey."

I dragged in oxygen, inflating my lungs and sending the lights and dots receding from my vision.

"You just fulfilled a fantasy for me," Ben said breathlessly. "I've been dreaming of coming inside you like that, no condom."

I dragged him in for a kiss; it was hot and wet and desperate. He meant so much to me. I loved him and wanted to fulfil every fantasy he'd ever had and some he hadn't dreamed up yet.

Eduardo's lips were there, too, a three-way kiss. Aftershocks trembled through me, my pussy still spasming.

"Hey, you've got more cocks to play with," Theo said, nudging his brother. "My turn."

Ben and Eduardo lifted, and Theo scooped me into his wide embrace.

Then I was upright and straddling him. His erection jutted up before me, demanding and solid.

"Ride me, honey, while the others watch."

I was a little dizzy yet still full of desire. Was this how it would always be now? I'd orgasm, find satisfaction, and then immediately be turned on again and desperate for another with my next man's cock?

"Ride me," Theo said once more, his hands spanning my waist.

"Sit on him," Ben said at my side. "Give him what he needs."

"Yes. I want that." Ben's arms were around me and he positioned my pussy over Theo's cock.

"Fuck, that would make some photo," Eduardo said, jerking on his erection. "You like that, flushed, horny, ready…"

"Take that picture in your mind's eye, dude," Dylan said. "No cameras."

"Of course." Eduardo grinned at me and did seem to be committing the moment to his memory.

Theo's wide cock tip nudged at my wet entrance. I gripped Ben's forearm that was wrapped over my breasts and lowered. "Oh…oh…yes…" He was big and wide, and my pussy was greedy for him.

I went to full depth, arching my spine and throwing my head back. He was hitting my puffy G-spot, and instantly I wanted to come that way.

"Good girl." Dylan was at my side.. "Don't hold back, take what your sweet pussy needs, and give Theo your best rodeo ride."

I rocked forward, and the sensation of him on my pussy walls dragged a groan from my throat.

"Fuck yeah, Pip," Dylan murmured, "so hot, you've got me so damn hard I might come again just watching you do that."

"Honey, more…" Theo gasped. His abdomen was etched like a brick wall, and sweat coated his sternum. "I…oh God…I'm…"

I knew he had excellent stamina and could hold off until I came, but I guessed watching his teammate and brother fuck me had pushed him further along the path to his orgasm.

Which was fine by me; my pussy was filling up with a wonderful hot, dense pressure that signaled a G-spot orgasm was on the way.

"Keep going, don't go easy on him," Ben said gruffly. "He won't break."

I gyrated my hips harder, faster. I felt like a Wild West girl who was going for gold. "Oh…oh…" I was breathless, my body a tight spring. My men were around me, holding me, in me, fucking me.

"A little of this," Eduardo said and found my clit with the tips of two fingers. "Should do it."

"Ah…yes…" I cried out. The sensation tipped me over the edge. I battled to keep my eyes open. Ecstasy rushed through me. I wanted to watch Theo come.

I was rewarded with his expression of bliss as he came in a bluster of curse words. His release gushed into me, and I came, too, falling forward and finding his mouth. It was a lovely deep orgasm that had me shaking in his arms as our tongues tangled.

I stopped and slowed, my pussy still quivering.

"Yeah, stay like that, honey," Dylan said and ran his hand down my back. He traced the cleft of my ass cheeks and set his finger over my butthole.

"Dylan?" I gasped. "What…"

"It's all good, catch your breath," he said, circling over my tight pucker before smoothing his big palms over my ass.

My pulse pounded in my ears. Theo spread kisses over my cheek, his breaths blowing fast and hard and his chest rising and falling rapidly.

" Ma choue ." Eduardo scooped my chin into his hand. "We are not finished with you yet."

Really? How much more did they have in mind?

I opened my eyes and found his cock an inch away.

"Suck me again," he said, winding his fingers into my messy hair. "You do it so good."

He fed his cock forward, and I opened up and took him in. His familiar flavor coated my mouth, and I hugged him with my tongue.

" Oui , like that," he moaned.

"Fuck, that's hot," Theo said in a gruff voice. "To see you do that, right there, while I'm still inside you." His cock twitched with renewed interest, proving he liked what he was seeing.

"You are so giving," Dylan said by my ear. "And now you are going to give me this." His finger probed my asshole again, this time sneaking just inside.

I tensed and let Eduardo's cock fall from my mouth. "Dylan…I…"

"You have a safe word," he said.

"And there are four of us," Ben said from beside Eduardo. He was masturbating now, his cock ready to go again. "You need to take more than one cock at a time, don't you think?"

Right now I already had two, Theo's and Eduardo's, but it was clear what they had in mind.

They wanted my ass, too, double penetration. Two cocks down there. In me. Fucking me. Owning me.

"I can do it." I looked at Ben. "Tell him to do it."

"You tell him," Ben said, raising his eyebrows.

I swallowed, not believing the words that were stacking up on my tongue. My asshole trembled and clenched; there was a need there, a dark desire for more, and I knew Dylan was the man for the job.

"Dylan," I twisted to see his face. "Fuck me, fuck my ass."

"Sir."

"Fuck my ass, Sir."

He grinned, a roguish sexy smile that told me he was getting exactly what he wanted from me.

"Oh fuck," Theo murmured, and his cock rose back to full hardness inside me. "This is a fucking dream."

"No, this is real, my friend," Eduardo said and offered his cock for me to take again.

I let it ride to the back of my mouth, my cheeks puffing, and was aware of coolness on my asshole.

"Lube," Ben said.

I closed my eyes and became lost to sensation. Dylan was working me, toying with my hole and sliding the lube all around it.

My hips were rocking, I hadn't noticed when that had started, and my clit was rubbing on Theo.

Eduardo groaned, and his fingers ran through my hair to cup my nape. "Keep doing that," he said.

My entire body was stiff and taut, each muscle on high alert, but I tried to relax my back hole and let the tension slip from it.

Dylan must have sensed the ease in the tight ring because he moved behind me and set his hands on my ass cheeks. He eased them apart.

Cool air washed over my most intimate flesh, but only for a moment, and then his cock was there, finding purchase and pushing in.

"Fuck." Theo clasped my waist, "he's going in your ass. He's gonna fuck your ass while I'm still inside you. Hell yeah…"

There was no way for me to answer; Eduardo was fucking my mouth and he was fully erect.

"Good girl, just relax," Dylan said. "You took the plug, you can take me."

I bore down a little, inviting him in.

He eased in slowly, lube make his entry slick and dark and oh, so intense. A long, low moan rumbled from his chest, and the grip of his fingers on my ass cheeks pinched in a good way.

"Jesus, I can fucking feel you, man." Theo gasped, and his eyes glazed. "I can feel him inside you. Oh fuck…"

Eduardo pulled out of my mouth and fisted his cock. He masturbated with firm, steady strokes and watched my flickering expressions.

"Dylan," I managed. "Oh…it's so…"

"It's so fucking good," he said. "And you're gonna come so hard like this, with both of us inside you."

"Take me," Ben said, his cock tapping on my bottom lip. "Open up."

I took him into my mouth as Dylan's balls pressed onto me. He'd reached full depth, and the sensation was forbidden yet glorious, and I felt so owned by him, by Theo…by them all.

"I'm gonna come again…with you, honey." Theo slid one hand up to cup my right breast. " We're gonna come again, with Dylan and with Eduardo and Ben. All of us, like this."

I liked the sound of that plan and swiped my tongue over Ben's slit.

He moaned and withdrew, only to ride back in, not fast and not deep, savoring every millimeter of my mouth.

"You ready?" Dylan asked.

I nodded.

He set up a steady rhythm, fucking my ass. With every stroke of his body, my clit rubbed against Theo and his cock stimulated my pussy.

After a few minutes, Ben withdrew, and Eduardo was in my mouth again. He was faster, went deeper. I quickly tasted pre-cum, and he retreated, uttering something in French.

Ben was there again, using my mouth, holding my hair.

My orgasm was building, my swollen clit needy. My body had been completely overtaken in a way it never had been before. The pleasure was intense, as was the sense of freedom, of wantonness, of possession. I felt adored, loved, and these men were so focused on pleasure it had me on a huge high.

"Come," Theo gasped. "We're so close, honey. Come with us."

"And I'm gonna come inside you, I'm gonna come properly, the real deal," Dylan said huskily. "And it's gonna be really fucking high in your tight ass, so get ready. Get ready for this, Pip."

I gasped around Ben's cock. He withdrew and, side by side with Eduardo, masturbated vigorously. They were energetic, fixated on me, and their muscle-bound bodies were like springs about to release.

Dylan's movements were becoming less controlled. He was near and clearly looking forward to giving up his fierce self-control.

I was near, too, and my clit was ready to burst into a final show-stopping orgasm. It would be so powerful, so forceful and would penetrate every nerve.

"Yes. Yes. Yes." I gripped the bed covers and shunted back for more. "Oh, like that…yes…"

Dylan growled, he gave more, and then I was coming. It ran into me with the strength of a freight train, blasting through my clit, my pussy, and my ass. I wailed like some crazed banshee woman as my heart thudded and my entire body seemed to contract around both Theo and Dylan. I hardly knew where I ended and they began.

"Fuck yeah," Ben said then groaned. "Fuck yeah."

He was coming, too. So was Eduardo, moaning and hissing in breaths. Warm semen landed on my right shoulder, my arm, my neck. The sensation was so sexy and satisfying, and I stared at their cocks dripping onto their fists.

"Kinky fucking minx," Dylan gasped. He swatted my ass cheek. "You're loving this. Having four of us at your mercy." He swiped my butt again, a little harder, and little sharper.

I gasped and bucked. The bloom of pain was another erotic pleasure I added to the mix.

Theo was coming now, his body rigid and his teeth gritted. "Ah fuck."

My orgasm extended. My pussy pulsed around Theo's cock, and my ass squeezed Dylan in a series of strong spasms.

It sent Dylan over the edge, and he roared through his orgasm, dragging me onto him and tunnelling deep.

I held my breath. Waves of pleasure rushed from my ass and pussy and spread over my body. I was hot, my skin alive with bliss, and each breath was a gasp of ecstasy.

"Oh fuck," Theo said, brushing my hair from my face and cupping my cheeks. "You good?"

"Yes…oh…yes." I was shaking with the power of my orgasm. The aftershocks were wreaking havoc with my limbs and spine.

"I've got you," he said. "I've got you."

"Ah, that's so damn good," Dylan said, holding my hips and slowing his ride in and out of my ass. "So fucking good, and I'm gonna be doing this again."

"We're all gonna want a go at that." Ben ran his hand down my back and cupped my ass cheek.

"I'm coming out." Dylan withdrew slowly.

I felt every inch of his cock leaving my sensitive asshole. The loss of him there was suddenly strange, and I sat upward, my control over my body returning. I lifted off Theo's cock.

Within a second, Eduardo had me in his arms and was pulling me to the bed, spooning around me. I was wet, dripping between my legs, but I didn't have the energy to do anything about that.

Dylan stood straight at the side of the bed. He grinned down at me, then extended his hands over his head, fingers linked, and elongated his torso in a long stretch. His skin was flushed and shiny with sweat, his cock still pretty hard. He grinned at me in his unique and wickedly sexy way, then turned and sauntered to the bathroom looking like he'd just won the goddamn lotto.

"You are fucking incredible," Eduardo murmured by my ear.

"You guys are rather spectacular, too." I held out my arms.

Ben scooted close.

He kissed the tip of my nose then traced my jawline with his fingertip.

"You enjoy that?" I asked.

"You know damn well I did." His eyes sparkled, their blue depths reminding me of the Caribbean Ocean, around Barbados. "And seeing you, come like that, with Theo and Dylan, that was the stuff of my fantasies. Or maybe just the start of more fantasies."

"I never thought, I mean…that I would…" I frowned.

"Well, you did, and it sure sounded like you were finding it off-the-scale awesome," Ben said. "Right?"

"Right." I let out a sigh, my body sinking into the bed and against Eduardo. "You're right, I did."

He grinned and twisted to Theo who was flopped out behind him. "You got it up again quick."

Theo chuckled and reached over his brother to take my hand. "I could always fuck again in ten minutes if it's Pippa." He caught my eye and laughed. "I never felt so damn turned on."

"I might need a nap," I said. "I'm pretty…" I yawned. "Exhausted after that."

"And last night was wild, ma choue, me and you."

"It was." I closed my eyes.

"What the fuck are you all doing?" Dylan's voice boomed around the bedroom.

"What?" Ben asked.

Theo sat, and Eduardo stiffened behind me.

"We've got practice. Or had you forgotten?" He tapped his wrist, over a nonexistent watch. "Bunch of goddamn slackers."

"Practice?" I twisted to peer up at him.

His hair and skin was damp, and a white towel sat around his waist.

"Yeah." He shrugged. "Post-fuck group hugs are nice and all, but we've got games to get ready for, games we need to win."

"Yeah, I guess." Theo sat and scrubbed his hand over his hair. "I'll go shower." He stood and ambled from the room, his limbs for once hanging a little slack and his shoulders not as bunched as usual. He had the look of a man who had been thoroughly satisfied, and boy did he deserve that.

"I don't want to leave you," Ben said with a frown.

"I'll be fine."

"It's been a hell of a start to a day, what with escaping the hotel and now this," he said.

"True, but the day is ticking on, and Mike and Gina will have a fit if you're all no-shows, and they'd be right to blame me for that."

"We have our own free will," Ben said. "And you're our priority."

I touched his cheek and smiled. "Hockey is also a priority, it's your livelihood. Now go, go and practice with your pucks, and I'll be here when you get back."

"You sure?" Ben asked.

"I'm sure."

He kissed me firmly on the lips, stared into my eyes for a moment, checking I was truly okay, and then stood. He wandered out of the room.

"I should stay," Eduardo said. "In case any paps get through the gate or anything upsetting is posted online."

"No, go, Eduardo." I turned to face him. "Please go to practice, it's your daily commitment, your job, your passion, and I don't want to get in the way of that. I've messed with your lives enough already."

" You are our passion." He frowned. "Surely you know that."

"I more than know it, I can feel it."

"Good." He paused. "Are you sure you're cool about being alone?"

"Yes, I'm sure. It's only for a few hours, and once I've recovered from some of the best orgasms of my life, I'll shower and then cook."

He raised his eyebrows. "Cook?"

"Yes, what do you fancy for dinner?"

"You?"

I laughed. "Enough, food is one of my passions, as you well know."

"This is true. How about something your mother used to cook?"

A small breath hitched in my throat. I let it out slowly. "Let me think." Closing my eyes, I pictured her in the kitchen, flowery apron on, delicious smells coming from the stove. "How about lasagna? She used to make that often and she taught me how to before she…"

"Lasagna is a great idea. Want me to pick anything up?"

"No, just come hungry."

"I will. We all will."

Eduardo stood from the bed. He scooped up his clothes from the floor, blew me a kiss, then walked from the room.

I pointed my limbs out, like a star, and stared at the ceiling. The sound of water and the pipes and the banging of drawers filtered toward me. Soon I'd shower, but I wanted to luxuriate in the absolute sense of satisfaction, of fulfilment, for a little while longer.

It was strange, because with all the crap that was online about me, the photographs, I should have been feeling terrible, itchy, fractious, but they were the opposite of my actual emotions.

I was happy.

So damn happy.

Here in Florida with my Vipers, my new wonderful sex life, new friends, new plans for the future, I had found contentment and acceptance. There were things I could control and things I couldn't. Why waste time worrying about the things I couldn't?

I had four boyfriends, four men, four elite athletes who all wanted and loved me. What more could a girl ask for? Who knew what the future held, but if they were at my side, I'd be absolutely fine. They'd protect me and love me, and I'd support and love them, cheer them on in games, and walk with them off the ice. The rest of the world could make of it what it wanted. We'd keep them guessing, we'd never explain. Why should we?

My life had been to the lowest lows. I'd been cheated on and lied to, but an ocean away, my stars had aligned in a pattern I never could have predicted and would certainly never complain about.

THE END