I was done with secrets. It was exhausting.
Instead of teasing him, I leaned forward hesitantly and pressed my lips to his, needing to show him how much I appreciated what he had done. How he had taken care of me. How much I needed him in my life, even if I hadn’t realized it before. I loved my boys, but Dermot and I had an instant connection from the moment I had met him. Something that was warm and affectionate, but more than anything, filled with heat and attraction.
Something I desperately needed to explore.
My kiss was more nervous and almost experimental in comparison to my kisses with the others, but luckily, it seemed to be all I needed to do. I let out a soft moan as Dermot rolled onto his back and tugged me up to straddle him, his large hands sliding down my waist to grab my ass and lock me into place. I unashamedly rolled my hips against him as he gripped the back of my head and set an intoxicating pace.
I felt like I was drowning in him. Like he was drowning me in lust. My skin prickled with heat, and everything seemed to go dizzy with just his touch. I wanted more, and my fingers gripped his shirt in frustration, wanting it off, wanting to feel more of him. Touch more of him.
“Dahlia…” he groaned, pulling back slightly. I flushed, searching his gaze for any sign of regret. I mean, heck, I had never even told him I liked him… and I had no idea how he felt about me.
“Sorry,” I winced slightly. “I should have asked. I mean… I don’t even know how you feel and you probably think I am absolutely insane after everything today—”
“It’s not the kiss I’m worried about, and rest assured, baby girl, I very much feel the same.” His heated response had me shivering as his gaze softened. “I just don’t want you to jump into anything that you aren’t sure about. You fucking terrified me earlier, Dahlia.”
I loved my name on his lips, especially with his accent.
“I’m sorry.” I rested my head against his chest, burying my nose on his throat. “I wanted so badly to handle this on my own. I was ashamed it was still going on. I felt like it was stupid to begin with, and it just got worse, and I didn’t want to bother anyone with it…”
Now I was, for sure.
“Didn’t you tell Stratton that it wasn’t weak to ask for help?” Dermot demanded softly as I froze in realization. I pulled back and let out a small exhale, then nodded.
“You’re right,” I whispered and then groaned. “I feel so stupid.”
“You are anything but stupid,” he promised.
“Dahlia?” Sterling’s voice rang out from the bedroom door. I turned my head and offered him a hesitant smile. I could see exhaustion edging his expression, and his hair was stuck up in random places, making me know he had been running his fingers through it.
I crawled down the bed as Dermot cursed, his fingers grazing my ass as I shot him a small, narrowed gaze that didn’t hide my slight amusement, before Sterling wrapped me up. I threw my arms around him and breathed in his scent, loving when he pressed his forehead against my own.
“You okay, sugar?”
“Better,” I admitted as his nose brushed mine gently.
“I’m going to grab you some food, baby girl.” Dermot stood, kissing the side of my head, and I watched him leave. Sterling chuckled softly as I looked back at him in confusion.
“What?” I asked curiously.
“Nothing, sugar,” he hummed and then cupped my face, his eyes darting across my expression. “You know how much I love you, right, Dahlia? I mean, fuck, I should have made it more clear over the years, but you are everything to my brother and me. Absolutely everything.”
My cheeks tinted red. “I have always loved you, Sterling. I… actually think we may have all been dating this entire time. I’m not sure how I didn’t realize that.”
Sterling’s gaze lit up. “Yeah? Caught onto that? I’m glad everyone else saw it that way as well—we needed all those fuckers to stay away from you.”
“Which ‘fuckers’?” I tried to not smile at the jealousy in his tone.
He leaned forward, nipping my bottom lip before his heated words pressed between us. “You know exactly who I am talking about. All the fuckers that wanted to take you away from us.”
Huh?
“I have no idea who you are talking about,” I answered honestly. He tossed me back onto the bed and crawled over me, pushing a piece of my fallen hair back before kissing me in a forceful press of the lips.
“Good, that means they didn’t mean shit to you.”
I went to say something, but all of a sudden Lincoln was there, leaning over the bed and examining my face with interest, concern, and heat. I frowned at the dip of his brow, lifting my hand up to gently smooth it away as his twin ran his lips against my collarbone, making me shiver.
“How are you?” His voice was rough as Sterling offered him a concerned look.