35. Max

35

MAX

T he light was harsh and abrasive against my eyelids, and I wanted nothing more than to sink back into my dream with Wade, to restage the fourth and fifth orgasm he'd given me, to feel the intoxicating flare of his power as it braided with my own.

But no matter how hard I fought it, my body refused to stay asleep for another moment.

Something shifted against me, warm and familiar, then a cold, wet nudge pressed against my hand, jolting me.

Reluctantly, I opened my eyes, squinting against the rays of light pouring through the part in the curtain.

Ralph nudged my hand again, until my fingers were behind his right ear, primed and ready to scratch his favorite spot.

Smiling, I acquiesced to the not-so-subtle request, and he yipped with excitement before jumping up and slathering my face with too-wet licks.

"Ralph," I laughed, half-heartedly shoving him off me as I sat up.

The room had been silent before, but it was now filled with the sort of silence that was preternatural, on the edge of breaking.

When he finally settled down, head in my lap, I could see more than just giant tufts of black hair.

There were mattresses strewn about the crowded room, familiar faces staring back at me, eyes wide, jolted from sleep, and frozen—Darius, Atlas, Dec, Wade, Eli, Ro, and Izzy.

"Um," grinning, I shook my head in confusion, patting Ralph again when a gentle nudge reminded me he wasn't done receiving scratches "good morning."

As if my voice had pierced the strange bubble of silence, they all moved at once, climbing over each other and the mattresses to get to me, until we were one giant tangle of limbs and bodies.

I couldn't see who was hugging me where, and I could hardly breathe with the weight of them all on top of me, arguing with each other about giving me space, but no one seemed willing or able to move away.

Somehow, I still managed to laugh, warmth filling me from head to toe.