Chapter 33Goldie

Chapter 33

Goldie

I stare at the door for a moment, feeling the weight of my mistake sinking in. What the hell was I thinking, poking around in a place that's not mine? Yes, Luke gave me permission to clean, asked me to clean, but I don't think he meant for me to run around yanking open literal doors that were clearly meant to stay shut. I reverently close the door to their parents' bedroom and spin around, my heart pounding.

They clearly hadn't wanted me to open it, yet I'd bulldozed on.

Buck and Nash are both watching me, their eyes filled with a pain they have definitely not healed from. Grief. Seeing their hurt hurts me.

"Guys, I'm so sorry," I blurt out, stepping away from the door. "I didn't mean to push like that. I was just trying to help, but I've overstepped. Let's just…put those boxes back where they were and cover the door back up, okay? I won't mention it to any of the others. I won't mention it ever again."

"Thank you," Buck says, and Nash just nods, though he looks a little guarded. Then again, I noticed that expression on his face before I made them move the boxes, before I opened the door. Buck goes on, "It's just—"

I shake my head. "You don't have to explain. Let's put the boxes back where they were. But we've got to figure out what to do with the books in the living room." I like that we got them organized, but I doubt any of the guys, especially Luke, will think them covering the tabletop and chairs is an improvement from them covering the floor.

I chew on my bottom lip, thinking. "How about this—until you can plan and build the drawers, let's just stack the books under the beds? It'll clear up the living room for now, and we can store them properly later."

I can't actually believe there's nothing under their beds.

Nash's lips twitch in the faintest hint of a smile, though it doesn't quite reach his eyes. "That's not a bad idea, actually."

"Thanks." I nod, grateful for his agreement. "And again, I'm really sorry for pushing. I just want to help."

Buck moves closer, his warm, comforting presence putting me at ease. "You don't have to apologize, Goldie. We all make mistakes. We don't have any closets, but we do each have a dresser."

He gestures around, pointing at them. "They're actually mostly empty. We aren't really that good at folding."

"Oh, okay. That's good, about them being empty. We need to change that, then." I nod.

But I still feel the need to make things right, to heal what I've hurt.

I step toward Nash first, opening my arms a little awkwardly. "Can I offer you a hug as a proper apology?"

Nash's eyes widen for a second, caught off guard, but then his shoulders relax and he lets out a small chuckle. "Yeah, alright," he says, his voice softening as he steps forward, wrapping his arms around me and lifting me off the ground. His embrace is solid, and as I press my cheek against his chest, the tension in my own body eases.

"Thanks," I whisper, giving him a squeeze before he puts me down and I step back. I turn to Buck and hold out my arms again. "You too?"

He doesn't hesitate, picking me up and pulling me into a warm, gentle hug that nearly makes me melt on the spot.

"No need to apologize, darlin'," Buck murmurs into my hair. "You're doin' just fine."

I hold on to him for a moment longer, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. When we finally part, I take a deep breath and nod. "Alright, let's get the books moved."

We work in silence, but it's a comfortable one, more about the need to get the job done than anything else. Each of us grab stacks of books—obviously mine much smaller than theirs—and carefully arrange them under the beds. Nonfiction under the bunks, fiction under the individual beds, everything organized alphabetically. There's something about the three of us working side by side that feels…right, despite my gigantic misstep.

As the living room starts to clear up, I can't help but smile.

"This is looking a lot better already," I say, satisfied. Of course, there are still tchotchkes aplenty and piles of paper and enough blankets to cover every float in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade…and clothes every damn where. But you can tell we've made a dent. A fairly significant one.

By the time I leave, this place will actually be livable, but I feel a pang, deep down. I don't want to think about that. And there's no reason to, now. Why spoil the present by thinking about two weeks from now? I need to live in the moment and…

Whoa.

I think that's the first time in my life I've ever had that particular thought. I may've strained a muscle in my brain.

I'm about to suggest we take a break—we've earned a little kissy-kissy, if I didn't completely kill the mood—when the front door swings open and the rest of the brothers start stomp stomp stomping in. The cabin instantly fills with noise—boots thumping on the floor, voices overlapping, and the air thick with the smell of MEN.

"Damn," Clay says, his eyes sweeping the much less chaotic living room. I wouldn't call it tidy yet. "What happened in here? Did we step into the wrong cabin?"

"I told you, I work fast," I say, giving him a wink, but I can't hide the exhaustion creeping into my voice.

"Oh, sweetheart, I know you do," he says, voice full of innuendo to match his gaze making its way up and down my body, lingering on every inch, like a particularly slow elevator.

Hunter whistles low, running a hand over the back of the couch. "Damn, sunshine. Looks like a whole new place."

"Impressive," Brooks says, giving me a genuine smile. His freckles have darkened from being out in the sun and I want to kiss each one. "Really impressive."

The rest of the guys mumble their agreements, clearly pleased with the progress. Even Luke looks gobsmacked with joy.

"Damn," he says, glancing around with an approving nod. "Didn't think you'd get this much done."

I shrug, a small grin creeping up. "I had a lot of help."

"Well, I figured your help would be too busy trying to convince you to do the mattress mambo than to actually, yanno, help," Luke says.

It makes a nice change from him thinking I'm an evil seductress, beguiling them into the sex.

"Where are all the books?" Ash asks.

I explain, and add that we made sure to leave what everyone is currently reading out, undisturbed, where they left it.

"Well, I'm going to get supper started, so everybody stay out of my way," Luke says.

"And the rest of you," I say, hands on my hips. "Before you wash up, please grab your clean clothes from wherever they're currently flung and get them in your dressers. I've seen what you're all working with in there. There's no excuse to leave everything strewn all over the place. The clothes don't need to be folded, they just need to be in the drawers."

Luke laughs. "You tell 'em, Goldilocks."

I grin at him. "Hey, I'm just pitching in, earning my keep. And that means I'm not going to stand around and let chaos reign supreme."

One by one, they good-naturedly grumble their acknowledgments and stomp stomp stomp to the bedrooms to do as I've asked. All of them except for Luke, who's disappeared into the pantry, and Ash, who's standing around acting like he's waiting for something.

"Do you not have any clothes to put in your dresser?" I ask him.

"Wait for it," he says.

Before I can even shoot him a quizzical look, a soft pattering noise fills the room. Rain. I glance up, noticing the sound bouncing off the roof. "Is that—?"

Ash interrupts, holding up a hand. "Yup. That's rain. And it sounds like it's comin' down hard." His eyes flick toward the ceiling. "Everybody!" he calls. "Keep an ear out for leaks!"

Then he asks me, "Did you move the buckets?"

I shake my head.

"Alright. You all know where the buckets are if you spot a leak!" he shouts.

There's a chorus of grunts of, I guess, acknowledgement that they've heard what he said.

Ash turns to me, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Goldie, you and I are headed to the porch."

I raise an eyebrow. "Oh?"

"Only place to get some privacy at the moment, and you and I made a bet, remember?" He steps closer, crossing his arms, his grin widening. "I said it'd rain tonight, and it's raining. I'd like to collect my winnings."

"Oh, right." I can't help but laugh, a wave of heat washing over me at the memory of our little wager. "And what exactly was the bet again?"

Ash's smile turns wicked. "I believe the terms were pretty clear. You lost. I get that pretty mouth of yours on my cock."

My breath catches in my throat and my pussy clenches as Ash's words zing straight to my panties, my clit demanding friction. Now. I'm so horny it's taking a lot of willpower not to mount the armrest on the couch and start humping it.

"Well, when you put it that way…" I purr, stepping closer to Ash. The heat radiating off his body is intoxicating. "How can a girl refuse?"

"Goldie and I have business to tend to on the porch! Do not disturb!" he yells to the others.

The cabin erupts in a mix of laughter, catcalls, and teasing remarks, but I can barely hear any of it over the pounding of my heart. Ash takes my hand, gently pulling me toward the door, and for a split second, I forget about everything else—the rain, the mess, the brothers. My heart races, pulse pounding in my ears. The thought of getting on my knees for him, taking him in my mouth, has me practically salivating.

"After you," he growls, gesturing toward the porch door.

I sashay past him, making sure to brush against him teasingly.

As we slip out onto the porch, the cool night air kisses my flushed skin. Ash wastes no time pressing me up against the railing, his strong, large hands gripping my hips.

"I've been thinking about this the whole time we were on the roof," he murmurs, nipping at my earlobe.

I moan softly, arching into him. "Glad you didn't get distracted and tumble off."

He chuckles as his fingers tangle in my hair, tugging gently to expose my neck. "Is it too cold out here for you?" he asks.

I shake my head. "The goosebumps are all your doing, Mr. Bj?rnsson."

"Show me how bad you want me, Goldie," he commands. "This isn't just about the bet, is it? You were hoping you'd lose, weren't you? You want me in your mouth, don't you?"

Well. That's a turn-on and a side of Ash I've not seen before. I whimper.

"Not that I would've minded losing," he whispers, his voice husky. "I can give as good as I receive, I promise you that."

I trail a finger down his chest, relishing the firm muscles beneath his shirt. My skin tingles with anticipation, nipples tightening as I imagine the weight of his cock, the taste of it on my tongue.

Trembling, I slowly sink to my knees before him. The wooden planks are hard beneath me, but I barely notice. All I can focus on is the impressive bulge straining against Ash's jeans.

I look up at him, relishing the unadulterated desire I see in his eyes. Slowly, teasingly, I reach for his zipper. My heart pounds with excitement, my body flooded with arousal.

My fingers tremble as I unzip Ash's jeans. But as his gorgeous manhood springs free from its denim cage, the reality of our height difference hits me like a bucket of ice water. No matter how I stretch, there's no way I can reach him from this angle. Not unless I develop some Inspector Gadget powers including a telescopic neck with the ability to unhinge my jaw like a snake. Which, let's face it, would probably put a damper on the mood.

"Um, Houston, we have a problem," I mutter, heat flooding my cheeks. So much for being a seductress extraordinaire.

Ash looks down, confusion etched across his chiseled features. Then understanding dawns, and he bursts out laughing. The deep, rumbling sound sends shivers down my spine, despite my embarrassment.

"Sorry, Goldie," he chuckles, running a hand through his hair. "I guess I didn't consider the logistics."

I huff, playfully crossing my arms. "Well, this is awkward. Any bright ideas, Mr. Too-Tall-Dark-and-Handsome? Or do you just forfeit your prize?"

He surveys the porch. "Actually, I might have just the solution."

Before I can blink, Ash scoops me up like I weigh nothing. I yelp, clinging to his shoulders as he carries me to the low porch swing. With a wink, he settles onto it, positioning me so I'm kneeling between his spread legs.

"There," he says, voice husky. "Is it just right now, Goldilocks?"

I look up at him, my breath catching at the intensity in his gaze. This new position indeed puts me at the perfect height, his cock tantalizingly close to my lips. The swing creaks softly as Ash shifts, the gentle motion only adding to the building tension.

I nod.

Desire pools low in my belly as I lean forward, my hands sliding up his thighs. The rough denim beneath my palms is a stark contrast to the silky skin of his shaft as I wrap my fingers around him.

"Goddamn, firecracker, light up my skies."

I burst out laughing. "Did you just say that?"

"Give me a break. I've never been so turned on in my life. Suck me, honey. Do it now. Please."

I wrap my lips around the tip of Ash's cock, savoring the velvety feel against my tongue. His sharp intake of breath sends a thrill through me. I swirl my tongue around the massive head, teasing, before taking him deeper. Maybe I do need the ability to unhinge my jaw like a snake.

"Fuck, Goldie," Ash groans, his fingers tangling in my hair.

Ash's grip tightens in my hair, not enough to hurt, but definitely enough to show me that he's in control here. And I love it. "That's it, take all of me," he growls, as if that's even possible. I only gave my first ever blow job this morning. I'm not ready for deepthroating yet, and hell, taking all of him would likely require the tip of him poking my spleen. Okay, maybe that's an exaggeration but…

Live in the moment, woman!

I take as much of him as I can, and his hips twitch, as if fighting a thrust, and it's the sexiest thing in the whole fucking world. I relax my throat, inviting him in, moaning around his length, making him shudder. I trace the veins along his girthy shaft with my tongue, relishing every twitch and pulse. My clit is twitching and pulsing too, almost in sync.

His breathing grows ragged. "So good, baby. Your mouth is heaven."

Ash sets a steady rhythm, controlling my movements with his grip on my hair. I can't believe it but it feels so good surrendering control to him like this—the sheer pleasure causes tears to prick my eyes.

I hollow my cheeks, sucking hard as he withdraws, then relaxing as he pushes back in. My hands aren't idle, one stroking what doesn't fit in my mouth, the other gently massaging his balls.

Ash's control snaps. He thrusts into my mouth, fucking my face with abandon. It's primal, it's animalistic, it's going to make me come. And maybe lose a tooth or two but it'll be worth it.

"Oh, fuck," he pants. "Is this…is this…okay…shit."

With a roar, Ash comes, flooding my mouth. I swallow eagerly, milking him for every drop.

As his grip loosens, I give him one last lick before sitting back on my heels. Ash looks utterly wrecked, chest heaving.

"Holy shit, firecracker," he pants. "That was…"

"The best you've ever had?" I finish cheekily.

He laughs, pulling me up into his lap and giving me a kiss so tender my eyes flood with tears now. "Without a doubt. Now, let me return the favor."

Oh, sweet Jesus.

We're both grinning like fools when the porch door creaks open, and I hear someone clear their throat behind us.

"Are y'all done, or should we give you two some more time?" It's Clay, leaning against the doorframe with a knowing smirk on his face.

Ash groans. "Can't a man collect on a bet without an audience?"

"Believe me, brother. You collected. We all heard you collectin'." Clay laughs, his eyes twinkling. "It's rainin' inside too, so I guess the show's over. We got leaks, big ones."

"You think it's wetter inside than it is in your underwear?" Ash whispers, nuzzling my ear.

"I certainly hope not." I bite back a laugh, knowing that even though our moment has been interrupted, it's far from over.

"Come on, Goldie," Clay says with a grin, holding the door open for me. "You're part of this now. We need all hands on deck for this one."

I step inside, the sound of rain leaking through the roof greeting me along with the chaos of brothers scrambling to grab buckets and pots. It's a mess, but at least, temporarily, it's my mess.

And it blows my mind, but I've never felt more at home in my life.