Hunter kisses me, then opens the door. I slide in the back with Lief and Chase, sandwiched between them. Hunter sits up front and distracts the driver while Lief and Chase slowly stroke further and further up my thighs.
I shake my head at them. “Behave like good boys.”
“Oh?”
“And I’ll reward you later. At the hotel.”
They grin, but Lief turns me to face him. “I haven’t kissed you enough today.”
He and Chase take turns kissing me until Hunter pulls us out of the car. I’m almost frustrated that I don’t get more time with them. They certainly make sick days fun. But then we’re taking an elevator up to the penthouse.
I bounce a little until Hunter pulls me back against him. Jeeze. All my men are possessive today.
“You three are ridiculous,” I say as I look up at Hunter.
He kisses me with passion. “We’re going to have to give you up to Sophie, so we’re greedy.”
“It has nothing to do with the insane work schedule and bullying the poor press is trying to do at my job?”
“The press could use some bullying,” Lief growls.
I love how protective they are of me and my wants. It would be easy for them to just keep me in the house and away from the press, but instead, they want me to have a life, a real-life, separate from their ambitions, and that freedom, as small as it seems, is so touching.
They really listen when I have a complaint or a dream and do everything they can to support me. God. I’m falling in love with them all over again.
“I love you,” I whisper in Russian.
I get three responses before the elevator door opens.
I’m stolen from Hunter’s arms and crushed in Sophie’s arms. “I’ve missed you so much, Valerie! You cut your hair, it looks so good! But you’re so thin! Are you eating enough? Exercising too much? Do I need to call Tristan?”
I laugh and the onslaught of questions and hug her again. “I’ve missed you.”
“I expect answers. I’ll fight all three of you men if I have to.”
We laugh and then Gunner comes out with Link. He holds him somewhat uncomfortably, but Link keeps reaching for Gunner’s hair. It’s grown nearly to his shoulders now. Link babbles and then finally gets a handful and pulls.
Gunner grunts. “Soph, please?”
Sophie kisses his cheek. “He loves your hair, Gun.”
“Can he love it a little less roughly?”
Sophie untangles her husband and takes the baby. Gunner kisses her and draws back. “I’ll start on an early dinner.”
“Roman’s going to kick you out of the kitchen.”
“No way. I wear the apron; I have the power.” He insists.
I shake my head. “Not even going to say hi, Gunner?”
Gunner actually notices me, then lifts me up, twirling me in a circle. “My favorite psychologist and second bestie.”
“I got downgraded?”
“What can I say, Roman’s really stepped up.” He cups his hand around my ear. “I think he’s starting to like me almost as much as Sophie.”
“Oh, are you putting out too?” I tease.