Steady
The morning light filtered softly through the curtains, warm and gentle. I woke up slowly, cocooned in the kind of safety I was still getting used to again Jeremy's heavy arm draped across my waist, Edison's breath warm against the back of my neck, and Alex's fingers loosely tangled with mine.
My body felt relaxed, the pleasant kind of sore from last night, and my mind was clearer than it had been in a long time. The weight of everything that had happened in Italy still lingered somewhere in the background, but it didn't press down quite so hard today. I felt... better. Steadier. Ready to take this next step.
"Morning," I whispered, stretching a little.
Jeremy stirred first, pressing a slow kiss to my shoulder with a sleepy rumble.
Edison tightened his arm around me for another moment, like he wanted to keep me there just a bit longer, before sighing contentedly.
"Jet's at two," Edison murmured against my hair. "Plenty of time, baby. But we should start getting ready."
The master bathroom felt like a sanctuary as steam began to fill the massive walk-in shower. Rainfall heads poured down from multiple angles, and the built-in benches gave us options. I stepped in first, letting the hot water cascade over my shoulders and ease the last bits of tension from my muscles. My scar on my forearm was still pink and tender, but it didn't ache like before. Just a reminder that healing was happening.
Dexter joined me moments later, his massive frame taking up space but making me feel instantly protected as he pulled me back against his broad chest. "Room for more?" he rumbled, large hands gentle on my hips.
I smiled, tilting my head back against him. "It's big enough for all of you. Come on."
One by one they filed in Sebastian with that familiar cocky smirk, Alex's green eyes sparkling with mischief, Edison efficient but affectionate, and Jeremy bringing up the rear with a wicked glint. The space got deliciously crowded, water spraying everywhere as elbows bumped and laughter mixed with the steam.
Sebastian lathered shampoo into my hair, his strong fingers massaging my scalp until I let out a soft, contented moan. "You keep making sounds like that and we might miss the flight," he teased his lips brushing my ear.
Jeremy knelt in front of me, his hands sliding up my legs with slow, soapy strokes his thumbs circling teasingly high on my thighs but never quite crossing the line. "Payback for you being in charge last night, baby," he murmured, pressing a warm kiss just above my knee. Heat curled low in my stomach, but it stayed playful, comforting.
Dexter's huge hands cupped my breasts from behind his thumbs brushing over my nipples in lazy circles until they tightened.
Edison kissed the healing scar on my forearm tenderly before soaping the rest of me with careful devotion.
Alex pressed close in front, his metal tongue piercing cool against my neck as he nipped lightly at my ear. "If we didn't have a schedule," he whispered roughly, "I'd have you bent over that bench, sweetheart."
I shivered, laughing breathlessly as water sluiced over us. "Don't tempt me. I want to get to America, but... keep teasing me like this and I might have to get you to change your mind about rushing."
They behaved mostly. Lots of lingering touches, stolen kisses, and possessive hands that made me feel cherished and desired without pushing too far.
By the time we stepped out, I was flushed, smiling, and feeling lighter, wrapped in warm towels and their affection.
I dressed comfortably for the long flight: soft black leggings, Alex's oversized hoodie, and sneakers. My hair stayed in a loose damp braid some by Dexter. A glance in the mirror showed the faint pink scar and eyes that looked more at peace. It felt good.
Downstairs, the kitchen smelled incredible. Nico's final care package had arrived with fresh pastries, and the guys had put together eggs, bacon, avocado toast, and fruit. I sat at the island, eating slowly while they hovered lovingly Jeremy sliding extra pastry onto my plate, and Alex refilling my coffee with a soft smile.
"You're all still spoiling me rotten," I teased, grinning around a bite. "I mention one trip and suddenly it's full-service breakfast."
"We like taking care of you," Dexter rumbled from where he was double-checking the overnight bags by the door. "Get used to it in Dallas too. Movers are already handling the rest we will handle reordering your books, that new reading nook we owe you. It'll be waiting. Plus, we can always take you shopping for more."
I felt a warm bloom in my chest. "Thank you. Really. For making this feel exciting instead of scary."
Edison leaned over and kissed my temple. "Your peace comes first, baby. Always."
The drive to the airport was smooth, the private terminal efficient as always. We boarded the jet luxurious seats, a cozy bedroom in the back and I curled up by the window with my legs across Alex's lap and my head against Jeremy's shoulder. As the plane climbed and Italy faded below us, I let out a slow breath, feeling the ghosts loosen their grip a little more.
Sebastian squeezed my hand from across the aisle. "You good, baby?"
"Better," I whispered, smiling softly. "A lot better. Ready for home with all of you."
The jet hummed steadily through the clouds, the cabin quiet and comfortable. I stayed curled against Jeremy's side for most of the flight, my legs stretched across Alex's lap while he traced lazy patterns on my ankle. Edison worked on his laptop across from us, glancing up now and then with a soft smile. Sebastian and Dexter sat nearby, keeping their conversation light as they sorted a few logistics for the clubs back in the States.
I felt better steadier, like the heavy fog from Italy had thinned enough for me to actually look forward instead of just escaping. The scar on my forearm itched faintly under the hoodie, but it was a healing itch now, not a painful one.
Sebastian leaned forward after a while, catching my eye. "Hey, Principessa. We've got options in Dallas. You've already been to Edison's place, so you know the layout there. But mine has extra rooms we could turn into whatever you want plenty of space for bookshelves and a real reading nook. Edison's does too, but I figured I'd throw my hat in."
I shrugged, smiling as I nestled deeper into Jeremy's shoulder. "I don't really care, honestly. As long as I'm with all of you and there's room for my books, it doesn't matter. You pick. I trust you."
Dexter rumbled a quiet laugh. "She's getting good at letting us spoil her."
Edison closed his laptop, nodding. "Sebastian's it is, then. His house has that nice pool out back good for relaxing while you settle in. We can start on the library right away."
"A pool?" I perked up a little, teasing. "Okay, sold. I've never seen Sebastian's place before, but if it has water and space for me to hoard books, I'm in."
Sebastian's lips curved into a smirk, his hand reaching over to squeeze mine. "You'll like it. And we'll make sure it feels like home fast."
The rest of the flight passed easily naps, shared snacks, Alex slipping me an earbud so we could watch something light together. No big moments, just the steady warmth of them around me. By the time we landed in Dallas, the Texas evening air wrapped around us like a welcome as we stepped off the plane. A pair of sleek black SUVs waited, and soon we were gliding through the city lights toward Sebastian's house.
When we pulled up, I looked through the window and took it in. It was beautiful modern with clean lines, big windows, and thoughtful landscaping that made it feel inviting rather than intimidating.
Sebastian hopped out first, offering me his hand with a proud little grin.
"Welcome, Meredith. Come on, I'll show you around."
He led us inside, his arm around my waist as the others grabbed the overnight bags. The entryway opened into a spacious living room with high ceilings and soft lighting that instantly felt warm. A huge kitchen sat off to one side, and glass doors at the back revealed the pool glowing under exterior lights still water, comfortable lounge chairs, and the works.
"Bedrooms upstairs," Sebastian said, guiding me through with the others close behind. "We'll pick one for you tonight, but the big room at the end of the hall gets the most light. Perfect for turning into your library once the shelves are built and your books are delivered. Edison already started designing the shelves."
I leaned into Edison, that familiar warmth blooming in my chest. "It's perfect. Thank you. All of you." My voice stayed soft, but the gratitude was real. No ghosts pressing in here. Just space, safety, and my five men making room for me like it was the most natural thing.
Jeremy brushed a kiss to my temple as we paused in the living room. "Told you we'd take care of it. Tomorrow we start fresh."
I nodded, smiling as they surrounded me again in that protective circle. Dallas already felt like the right move. A fresh start, steady and ours.
Sebastian's arm stayed snug around my waist, steady and sure, while the others moved around us dropping bags, flipping on more lamps, making the house come alive. It didn't feel like stepping into someone else's space. It already felt like ours.
"Kitchen's stocked," Sebastian said, leading me deeper inside with the rest trailing close. "We had someone prep a few things before we landed. Nothing crazy, but you should eat something light before bed."
I nodded, still leaning into him. My body was tired from the long travel day, but my mind felt clearer than it had in weeks. Italy's shadows were an ocean away now, and that alone made the exhaustion feel worth it.
The kitchen was sleek and open, with dark counters and warm wood tones. Jeremy pulled out a container of fresh fruit and some sliced cheese and crackers while Dexter poured me a glass of cold water with lemon. Alex found a couple of protein bars and tossed one to Edison with a grin. It was simple quiet domesticity after the chaos of packing and flying but it wrapped around me like comfort.
I sat on one of the island stools, nibbling on grapes and cheese while they hovered in that familiar way. Not overbearing, just... there. Jeremy stood behind me, rubbing slow circles between my shoulder blades. "You did good today, baby. Long flight, new country. Proud of you."
"I mostly just sat and let you all take care of everything," I teased softly, popping another grape into my mouth. "Not exactly heroic."
Edison leaned on the counter across from me, his eyes warm. "Doesn't matter. You chose what you needed and let us help. That's enough."
We didn't linger long. The day had been full shower teasing, breakfast, the flight, landing and my eyelids were starting to feel heavy. Sebastian noticed first, of course. He set his glass down and offered me his hand again.
"Come on, Bambina. Let's get you upstairs and settled."
The staircase curved gently, and the hallway at the top opened into several bedrooms. Sebastian guided me to the one at the end the big room he'd mentioned earlier with tall windows that would let in plenty of morning light once the sun came up. The bed was already made with soft gray linens, and someone had placed my small overnight bag at the foot of it.
"We'll rotate who sleeps where until we figure out the best setup," Dexter rumbled from the doorway, arms crossed as he watched me. "But tonight, we're all close. You need that."
I changed into one of Edison's oversized tees while they gave me a little space, then crawled into the middle of the big bed. They joined me one by one Jeremy claiming the spot to my right, pulling me against his chest; Alex sliding in on my left, his fingers finding mine again; Edison settling behind me with a quiet sigh; Sebastian stretching out near the foot of the bed, one hand resting on my ankle; and Dexter taking the last open space, his massive frame a solid wall of warmth on the other side of Jeremy.
The bed was not quite big enough for them when I knew that, but they didn't care that it wasn't quite comfortable just that I was...
The room went quiet except for the low hum of the house settling and their steady breathing. I closed my eyes, feeling surrounded, safe, and undeniably loved. My scar didn't ache as much tonight. The memories from Italy felt farther away. And with the faint sound of the pool filter running outside and the promise of a new reading nook already being planned, Dallas truly felt like the beginning of something good.
"Night," I whispered into the dark.
A chorus of soft "goodnights" answered me different voices, but the same gentle promise.
Tomorrow we'd start turning this house into home. Bookshelves, lazy pool days, me going back to work with Edison when I was ready. All of it. But right now, I just let myself drift off in the center of my five men, feeling better than I had in a very long time.
Steady. Cherished. Ready.
The morning light in Dallas felt different brighter, warmer, spilling across the big windows without the weight of old memories pressing in. I woke up slowly, still surrounded by them.
Jeremy's arm was a heavy, comforting weight across my waist, Alex's fingers loosely linked with mine, and Edison's breath warm against my shoulder. Sebastian and Dexter had shifted during the night but stayed close, their presence a solid reassurance on either side of the bed.
I felt... better. Rested. The kind of steady calm that made me want to stretch and actually face the day instead of hiding under the covers.
A low knock sounded from downstairs, followed by the distant rumble of voices and what sounded like heavy furniture being moved. I blinked, lifting my head. "What's that?"
Sebastian was already awake, sitting in a chair with a small satisfied smirk. "That would be the beds."
"Beds?" I sat up a little, rubbing my eyes as the others began to stir around me.
Edison pressed a kiss to my bare shoulder before rolling out of bed. "We wanted it done before we landed, but the custom oversized one took a little longer to source. Delivery this morning instead."
I followed them downstairs after throwing on leggings my hair still messy from sleep. In the entryway and living room, movers were carefully maneuvering an enormous new mattress and frame easily big enough for all six of us toward the stairs. Another crew was already upstairs swapping out the bed in the room I'd slept in last night.
Sebastian stayed close, his hand resting on my lower back as we watched. "Your current room's bed was too small," he explained quietly, voice low and matter-of-fact. "I know you like having all of us around you when you sleep. The new one should fit everyone comfortably. We're putting it in the big room with the best light the one we're turning into your main bedroom for now."
I leaned into his side, watching as they carried the massive headboard up. "You did all this already?"
He nodded, thumb brushing slow circles against my back. "And the playroom. There's another huge one going in there today. The old setup..." He hesitated for just a second, jaw tightening. "Mia was the last one to use it. Felt wrong. You shouldn't have to touch anything she did. Nothing in this house should make you feel anything but safe and wanted. We were supposed to have it swapped before we even landed, but logistics got a little behind. It's happening now."
The quiet protectiveness in his voice made my chest feel full. I turned and wrapped my arms around his waist, pressing my face into his chest. "Thank you," I murmured against his shirt. "You didn't have to do that. But... I'm really glad you did."
Dexter rumbled from behind us, arms crossed as he supervised the movers. "We all agreed. Everything gets replaced fresh for you, Piccola."
Jeremy appeared with a mug of coffee for me, pressing it into my hands with a soft kiss to my temple. "New start, baby. No old ghosts in the sheets."
Alex leaned against the wall nearby, green eyes warm. "Once these are in, we'll break them in properly. When you're ready."
I laughed softly, the sound lighter than it had been in weeks, and took a sip of coffee. The movers worked efficiently, and within the hour both new beds were set up luxurious, oversized, with fresh linens that smelled clean and new. Sebastian led me upstairs to see the finished result in "my" room. The massive bed dominated the space beautifully, plenty of room for all of us without anyone having to hang off the edge.
"It's perfect," I said, sitting on the edge and bouncing a little. A real smile tugged at my lips. "You all spoil me so much."
Sebastian crouched in front of me, hands on my knees. "Get used to it. This is your home now. We're going to keep making it feel that way."
The afternoon sun warmed the house as the movers finished and left. I felt lighter knowing the past had been properly replaced. I was relaxing on the sectional when my stomach gave a quiet rumble.
Sebastian glanced over from his notebook. "Hungry, tesoro?"
"Yeah," I admitted. "Something simple would be good."
Edison ordered delivery burgers, fries, salads, and milkshakes. We ate together at the dining table, casual and easy. I sat between Alex and Sebastian, smiling as Jeremy snuck extra curly fries onto my plate and Dexter made sure my chocolate milkshake stayed full. It felt normal. Comfortable.
After cleaning up, we moved back to the living room. Edison pulled me gently into his lap. "What do you want to watch, baby?"
"That zombie comedy we watched early on," I said. "The one with the awkward survivors and ridiculous gore."
He started it, but the internet dropped right at the opening credits.
"Connection's out," Edison sighed.
Sebastian turned on the antique looking radio instead. Soft, chill music with a good rhythm filled the room.
Dexter stood up first. He offered me his large hand, his deep voice warm and low. "Dance with me, Amore?"
I smiled and let him pull me up. Dexter wrapped his massive arms around me carefully, like I was something delicate, even though he could easily lift me with one hand. We swayed slowly in the middle of the living room, his big palm resting gently on my lower back while the other held my hand against his chest. The steady beat of his heart thrummed under my cheek.
"You feel good here," he rumbled quietly with question, just for me. "Safe."
"I do," I whispered, relaxing fully into him. His size always made me feel protected, but right now it felt especially comforting.
The others watched with soft smiles. Alex eventually took a turn, spinning me once with a playful grin.
Sebastian danced with me next, holding me close from behind. Jeremy and Edison each had their moments too sweet, brief, and full of quiet affection.
By the time the internet came back and the zombie comedy started playing, I was flushed and smiling, tucked right back in the middle of all of them on the sectional. The ridiculous gore and awkward humor pulled laughs out of me as the movie played. Dexter kept his big hand resting on my knee, warm and steady, while Jeremy held my other hand and Alex played with my hair.
For a while I let myself enjoy it, the easy normalcy of the moment.
But halfway through the movie, during a quieter scene, the thoughts that had been sitting in the back of my mind finally pushed forward. I shifted a little, sitting up straighter between them. The laughter in the room faded as they noticed the change in my energy.
I took a breath and spoke softly my voice serious but steady. "You know... after everything that happened in Italy, I thought you all would've said something by now."
The movie kept playing in the background, but all five of them turned their full attention to me. Edison paused it.
I looked down at my hands for a second before continuing. "I broke rules. A lot of them. I went behind your backs, put myself in danger, and it ended with... me having to kill my own grandfather because he tried to—" My voice caught for a moment, but I pushed through. "I was a shell afterwards. I wasn't eating. I barely spoke. I felt completely hollow. And I know I'm your submissive. I know there's supposed to be structure and accountability when I break the rules that bad."
I glanced around at them, meeting each of their eyes. "I kept waiting for some kind of punishment. Part of me felt like I needed it. But you haven't brought it up once."
There was a long, gentle silence.
Sebastian shifted closer, his hand sliding over my back. "We talked about it, Bella. All five of us. Privately."
Edison nodded, his voice calm and thoughtful. "We decided together that there wouldn't be any punishment. Not this time. What you went through... the trauma itself was more than enough. You defended yourself in the worst possible situation. You survived something horrific. Adding pain on top of that wouldn't help you."
Dexter rumbled softly, his deep voice wrapping around me like a blanket. "You were already punishing yourself, Meredith. We saw it. You weren't eating. You shut down. We weren't going to pile more weight on you while you were trying to climb out of that hole."
Jeremy squeezed my hand. "You crave structure, baby. We know that. But we also need to know when structure needs to look different. We think therapy would be better for the kind of accountability you're looking for."
Alex brushed my hair behind my ear, his green eyes gentle. "At least one visit. Maybe more if it feels right. You could talk about what happened, how you felt when you were that withdrawn and hollow, and what started helping you come back. No pressure. Just... a safe place to work through it with someone who isn't us."
I let their words settle over me. Part of me felt relieved. Another part felt strangely emotional that they had protected me even from the consequences I thought I deserved.
"You really all agreed on that?" I asked quietly.
Edison nodded. "We did. Your healing comes first. Always. If you want the structure and accountability, therapy can give you that in a way that doesn't break you further. We're not going anywhere. We'll help you find someone good, and we'll be right here while you work through it."
I exhaled slowly and leaned back into Dexter's solid side, feeling the warmth of all of them around me.
"Thank you," I whispered. "For knowing what I needed better than I did."
Sebastian pressed a kiss to my temple. "We've got you, Piccola. Always."
The movie stayed paused for a little while longer as they held me close, the conversation sitting softly between us. No punishment. No anger. Just love, patience, and the offer of real support.
For the first time since Italy, the weight of my own guilt felt a little easier to carry.
The seriousness of the moment still lingered, but something lighter started bubbling up inside me. A tiny, playful spark I hadn't felt in a while.
I tilted my head, looking around at them with a small, mischievous smile tugging at my lips.
"So..." I drew the word out teasingly, "does this mean I can get away with anything now? Like, if I break more rules, you're just going to be all sweet and understanding and send me to therapy instead of punishing me?"
Jeremy let out a low chuckle, squeezing my hand. "Careful, baby. Don't get too cocky."
I grinned, feeling bolder. "But what if I don't? Are you going to spank me... or just lovingly lecture me and remind me about therapy?"
Alex leaned in, his tongue piercing catching the light as he smirked. "Keep teasing like that and we might rethink our decision right now, sweetheart."
Dexter rumbled deeply behind me, his big hand sliding up my back. "You can test us if you want. But I think you already know the answer. We're not going to let you run wild. Structure is still there, beautiful. Just... handled with care right now."
A playful little smile tugged at my lips as I looked around the group.
"So..." I said, voice light and teasing, "I can just... do whatever I want now?"
I tilted my head, batting my lashes with exaggerated innocence. "Does that mean I get a free pass forever? I could start breaking rules left and right and you'd all just be sweet and patient with me?"
Jeremy let out a low chuckle, squeezing my thigh. "You're really testing the waters today, baby."
I grinned, clearly enjoying myself. "I'm just asking. If I decide to be a little difficult... if I push back on things or 'forget' to follow the rules sometimes... are you going to do anything about it? Or have I earned permanent get-out-of-jail-free status?"
Sebastian's eyebrow rose, lips twitching with amusement. "Careful, princess. You're sounding dangerously close to wanting to find out."
Alex leaned in, his tongue piercing flashing as he smirked. "Keep teasing like that and we might decide to give you a reminder sooner than you think, sweetheart."
I laughed softly and relaxed back into Dexter's solid warmth, my tone still playful. "I'm not saying I will... I'm just curious how much I can get away with now that you've all gone soft on me."
Dexter rumbled deeply behind me, his big hand sliding possessively over my hip. "We're not soft, Meredith. We're giving you what you need right now. But push too hard and we'll show you we still know exactly how to handle our girl."
Edison shook his head with a fond smile. "You're lucky we love you this much."
I snuggled deeper into them, the teasing leaving me feeling lighter and more connected. The zombie comedy continued on screen, but the real warmth came from the way they surrounded me amused, affectionate, and still very much in control.
It felt good to joke again. To feel safe enough to play.
Dallas was already starting to feel like home.
The next morning, the bright Texas sun was already streaming into the living room, casting long, warm boxes of light across the hardwood floors. Sebastian and Dexter were huddled near the back glass doors, looking over sketches and blueprints for the library room, while Edison checked measurements on his laptop. A stack of rich wood samples sat on the coffee table.
I walked over, wrapped in a fresh, soft hoodie, and peered over Sebastian's shoulder at the intricate designs of floor-to-ceiling shelves.
"Hey," I said, a little smile playing on my lips. "Can I help you build the library? Since it's going to be an entire room just for my books, I feel like I should get my hands dirty too."
Sebastian looked up from his notebook, his lips twitching with amusement as he glanced at my small hands, then back to the heavy power tools resting by the door.
"You could, Piccola," he said, his tone warm but teasing. "Or, you could go make use of that pool out back. We can work on the heavy lifting and getting the frame anchored while you get some sun and swim."
I paused, a tiny pout instantly forming on my face. I crossed my arms, looking around at the five of them. "But I don't want to just go off by myself. I want to spend time with you."
The collective melt in the room was almost visible. Jeremy let out a soft groan, his heart completely warmed by the sight, while Alex's grin turned entirely fond. Even Edison closed his laptop halfway, a genuinely tender expression crossing his face. They clearly found the pout and the rare, clingy sweetness absolutely irresistible.
"Well, we definitely can't have our girl feeling lonely," Jeremy murmured, walking over to tug gently on one of my belt loops.
"Tell you what," Dexter rumbled, his deep voice carrying a heavy dose of affection as he stepped forward. "How about one of us stays outside by the pool with you? We'll take turns. We'll make sure you're covered in sunscreen the entire time, keep your drinks cold, and stay right out there with you until you're ready to come back inside."
Alex chimed in, his green eyes sparkling with mischief as he leaned against the counter. "Yeah, because let's be honest, sweetheart with how pale you are, if we leave you out under that Texas sun without supervision, you're going to start looking like a boiled lobster within twenty minutes."
"I am not that pale," I protested, though the flush creeping into my cheeks sort of proved his point.
"You're a delicate little snowflake, baby," Sebastian teased, reaching out to pinch my hip playfully. "And we intend to keep you perfectly intact. Go get your swimsuit on. We'll handle the sunscreen duty."
I chuckled, a defiant little spark lighting up my eyes as I backed toward the stairs. "Fine. But I'm holding you to that shift rotation out by the pool."
A few minutes later, I was standing in the center of the massive upstairs bedroom, staring down at the bed where I'd laid out my options. I had brought two swimsuits with me from Italy. One was a simple, comforting classic a soft, high-waisted black two-piece that felt safe and familiar. The other was a bit more daring, a rich emerald green that complemented my skin tone but had a lot less fabric, featuring delicate ties that required a bit of patience.
I turned back toward the hallway, walking to the top of the stairs and leaning over the banister.
"Hey!" I called down, my voice echoing slightly in the high-ceilinged entryway. "What if I need help deciding? I brought two, and I want you guys to help me pick which one to wear."
Down below, the sudden scrape of a chair and the immediate halt of a power tool told me everything I needed to know.
Alex was the first to appear at the bottom of the steps, his green eyes instantly flashing with wicked amusement. "Now that sounds like a crisis we're fully qualified to handle," he called up, already taking the stairs two at a time.
The others weren't far behind. Sebastian strolled up with his signature cocky smirk, wiping a bit of sawdust from his hands, while Jeremy and Edison followed, exchange a look that said they were completely helpless against my sudden streak of playfulness. Dexter brought up the rear, his massive frame practically filling the hallway as they all filed into the bedroom.
"Alright, Piccola," Sebastian said, crossing his arms and leaning against the doorframe as his eyes dropped to the bed. "Let's see the lineup."
I pointed to the two options, watching their expressions shift.
"The black one is comfortable," I explained, gesturing to the high-waisted set. "But then there's this one." I lifted the emerald green two-piece, letting the long, thin straps dangle from my fingers. "It's a little more ....complicated."
Jeremy let out a low whistle, his thumb brushing over his lower lip. "Complicated is good, baby. Very good."
"The green is going to look incredible against your skin," Edison remarked, his analytical gaze turning heavy and thoroughly appreciative as he stepped closer to examine the fabric. "But those ties look like a safety hazard under Texas sun. You'll have standard tan lines for months."
"Or," Alex countered, leaning in with a sharp, possessive grin, "it means one of us gets the very important job of tying and untying them every time we need to reapply your sunscreen. I volunteer."
Dexter rumbled a deep laugh from the back, his large hand coming down to rest on my shoulder, solid and warm. "I think you should try them both on, Meredith. Give us a proper voting process."
I batted my lashes, fully leaning into the attention. "Oh, so now you want a fashion show? I thought you guys had a library to build."
"The shelves can wait twenty minutes, sweetheart," Sebastian murmured, his voice dropping an octave as his hand slid around my waist, pulling me back against his chest for a brief, heavy kiss to the side of my neck. "Go put the green one on first. Let's see exactly how much sunscreen we're going to need."
I bit my lip, the playful spark in my chest flaring up as I looked at the five of them huddled in my room over two pieces of fabric. I stepped back out of Sebastian's hold, tossing the green swimsuit back onto the bed and crossing my arms, a thoroughly amused smirk on my face.
"Oh, please," I teased, drawing out the words as I looked around the circle of hungry expressions. "I think you guys just want to see me in the bathing suit. I think you're just using the 'voting process' as an excuse to check me out."
Jeremy let out a low, rough chuckle, shaking his head as he stepped closer, his hands coming to rest flat against the wall on either side of me, trapping me with a slow, deliberate grin. "Oh, yeah. No, definitely, baby. We absolutely want to check you out."
"Guilty as charged, sweetheart," Alex chimed in, leaning hip-first against the dresser, his green eyes dark with trouble. "We're red-blooded men and you're our gorgeous girl. Of course we want to see you in it."
Edison adjusted his cuffs, his expression a mix of sophisticated calm and absolute devotion. "We are entirely transparent about our motives, Meredith. There's no hiding it."
Sebastian stepped up right behind Jeremy, peeking over his shoulder with that razor-sharp smirk of his. "But don't get it twisted, princess. While checking you out is a massive perk, this is also a very important decision. We take your poolside aesthetic and your protection from the elements veryyyy seriously."
Dexter rumbled a deep laugh from the doorway, his massive arms crossed over his chest. "Very serious business, Meredith. If the straps are too complicated, we need a designated knots-expert on duty. If it's too small, I have to stand between you and the neighbor's fence can't have prying eyes. It requires a full tactical assessment."
I laughed breathlessly, my heart doing a happy little flip at how easily they matched my energy. The lingering shadows of the past weeks felt entirely gone, replaced by the heavy, sweet warmth of their attention.
"Tactical assessment, right," I smiled, grabbing both swimsuits off the bed and backing toward the en-suite bathroom. "Fine. Stay right there. Let's see what the judges think of option number one."
Instead of turning toward the bathroom, I stopped right where I was. I locked eyes with Sebastian, a sudden, bold wave of confidence washing over me.
With slow, deliberate movements, I reached down to
the hem of sweatshirt. I pulled it up and over my head, tossing it onto the armchair, before sliding my leggings down and stepping out of them. I stood there completely bare in the center of the room, the warm sunlight catching every line of my body, completely unbothered by the sudden, heavy silence that fell over the space.
The shift in the room was instantaneous.
Jeremy's breath hitched, his hands dropping from the wall as his gaze darkened, tracing every inch of me. Alex straightened up from the dresser, his playful smirk completely vanishing, replaced by a raw, hungry focus. Sebastian's jaw tightened, his eyes locking onto my waist, while Edison's throat bobbed as he swallowed hard. Even Dexter stood perfectly still in the doorway, his chest rising and falling in a deep, slow breath as his massive frame seemed to tense.
I picked up the emerald green swimsuit from the bed, holding it loosely in one hand, and offered them a sweetly torturous smile.
"But make sure you keep your hands to yourself," I murmured, my voice dropping to a teasing, velvety purr. "After all... you only have twenty minutes left on your break. And we have a library to build."
Alex let out a low, ragged groan, his knuckles white against the edge of the dresser. "Meredith, you are playing a terrifyingly dangerous game right now."
"Cruel, baby. Absolutely cruel," Sebastian rasped, his eyes flashing with a mix of intense heat and reluctant amusement. His hands twitched at his sides, clearly fighting every instinct to reach out and pull me against him.
Edison cleared his throat, his gaze heavy and possessive as he forced his voice to remain steady. "A highly effective strategy to break our resolve. But the rule stands. No touching until the suit is on."
Jeremy took a half-step forward, his voice a low, gravelly rumble that sent a delicious shiver straight down my spine. "You're lucky we love you this much, baby. Because if we hadn't promised you that pool time, those twenty minutes would be spent very, very differently."
I turned back to face the row of hungry eyes, resting my hands on my hips. "Alright, judges," I said, my voice light and teasing. "What do you think of option number one?"
"We need the full picture, baby," Jeremy rumbled, his gaze locked onto the green fabric against my skin. "Turn around. Slowly."
I batted my lashes but complied, pivoting on my heel with a slow, deliberate spin. The silkiness of the ties brushed against my skin as I turned, exposing the low-cut back of the swimsuit.
"Good girl," Sebastian rasped, his voice dropping into that deep, possessive register that always made my stomach flip. "Just like that. Keep turning."
Once I was facing them again, Alex didn't let me step back. He hooked a finger in his collar, his green eyes burning with an intense, heavy heat. "Come here, sweetheart," he commanded softly.
My heart did a nervous, excited flutter, but I walked forward until I was standing right in front of them. Sebastian stepped in close behind me, his proximity sending a wave of electric warmth down my spine. I felt his large, warm fingers gently find the delicate green straps resting against my bare skin. He traced the lines of the tie slowly, his touch light but
possessive, sending a delicious shiver straight to my core.
"Look how perfect this color is on you," Edison murmured, his eyes tracking Sebastian's fingers.
"You're being so good for us, listening to exactly what we ask," Sebastian whispered against the shell of my ear, his thumb brushing the sensitive skin of my shoulder blade. "Such a good girl,"
"Fits perfectly," Dexter rumbled from the doorway, his deep voice vibrating right through me. "You look incredible, Meredith. So good for us."
Hearing their deep voices layering over each other, showering me with that heavy praise while Sebastian's fingers traced my skin, sent a sudden rush of heat curling low in my stomach. My breath hitched, my skin flushing a deeper pink that had absolutely nothing to do with the sun. I was suddenly feeling incredibly hot and bothered, the playful control I thought I had slipping into something much more breathless.
I swallowed hard, trying to regain my footing as I reached back for the classic black two-piece on the bed. "O-okay," I stammered slightly, my cheeks burning. "That's enough for the green one. Give me a second to try on option number two."
I unknotted the green straps right there was worth every bit of my lingering shyness.
I slid the green swimsuit down, letting it pool at my feet, and stepped into the classic black two-piece. It was high-waisted, hugging my curves comfortably and tucking securely against my skin. It felt a little more grounded than the green one, but as I pulled the top down and adjusted it, I realized it still showed an incredible amount of skin.
I took a shaky breath, trying to cool down my flushed face, and smoothed the fabric over my hips. "Alright," I said, trying to force my voice back into that confident, teasing register. "Option number two. What's the verdict, judges?"
Jeremy's eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze darkening as he took in the contrast of the black fabric against my pale skin. "Still breathtaking, baby," he murmured, his voice a low, rough rumble. "But we still need the full evaluation. You know the drill. Turn around for us."
I swallowed the sudden lump in my throat, turning slowly on my heel to give them the full view, my hands resting lightly on my waist.
"Beautiful," Edison said softly, a tone of absolute reverence in his voice. "The high waist suits you perfectly, Meredith."
"Come back here, sweetheart," he called out, his voice tight.
I pivoted back and walked right back into their space. This time, Jeremy was the one who reached out. His large, warm hands settled firmly on my hips, his thumbs mapping the line of the waistband with a possessive squeeze that made my breath catch.
"You're being so good for us today, letting us take our time with you," Jeremy whispered, leaning down so his breath brushed my cheek. "Such a sweet girl."
"Yeah, you really are," Alex added, a low, rough edge to his voice as he stepped up beside him, his fingers lightly tangling in the end of my damp braid. "An absolute angel for letting us see you."
The praise hit me just as hard the second time, a delicious wave of heat settling right in my chest and making my knees feel just a little bit weak. I looked between the five of them, completely breathless, my heart hammering against my ribs.
"So..." I choked out, a small, helpless smile tugging at my lips as I looked around the circle. "Which one is it going to be? Because if you keep praising me like this, we're definitely never making it down to that pool."
The five of them exchanged a collective, heavy look, their eyes drifting between the black swimsuit I currently wore and the emerald green one pooling on the floor. A quiet, silent agreement passed between them in a matter of seconds.
"The green one," Sebastian decided, his lips curving into a definitive, wicked smirk. "The contrast against your skin is too good to pass up. Plus, we already established that those straps require a specialist."
"Definitely the green," Alex agreed, his eyes dark with mischief. "It's a done deal, sweetheart."
I laughed breathlessly, a mix of relief and lingering heat rushing through me as I stepped back to slide the black swimsuit off and pull the emerald green one back on. My fingers were a little shaky as I tied the delicate straps, but the boys watched with appreciative, quiet focus until I was fully settled.
Edison checked his watch, a fond smile breaking through his serious expression as he reached for the heavy bottle of high-SPF sunscreen sitting on the vanity. He turned back to the group, the bottle held securely in his hand.
"I'm good," Edison said, his voice a calm, smooth rumble. "I'm going to get her sunscreened up first. You guys can go ahead and start on the library."
"Don't take all day out there, boss," Alex teased, clapping Edison on the shoulder as he headed for the door. "We've got a lot of heavy lifting to do if we're anchoring these frames by tonight."
"We'll be right downstairs if you need anything, beautiful ," Dexter rumbled, his hand gently squeezing my shoulder as he passed by. "Enjoy the water."
Sebastian and Jeremy filed out behind them, their voices already shifting into discussions about blueprints and wood stains as they headed down the hall toward the future library room.
Edison turned back to me, the sunscreen bottle in his hand, a warm, completely devoted look in his eyes. "Alright, baby," he murmured, gesturing toward the bed. "Let's get you protected before that sun gets a hold of you. Sit down for me."
I walked over and sat on the edge of the mattress, the cool green fabric of the swimsuit slick against my skin. Edison stepped up between my knees, setting the sunscreen bottle on the nightstand before reaching out to gently gather my hair.
"First things first," he murmured, his fingers working through the damp strands with practiced, gentle care. "We need to get this out of the way. I don't want to get sunscreen all in your hair while I'm doing your shoulders."
He smoothed the waves back from my face, his touch light and comforting. With slow, methodical movements, he began to section my hair, his long fingers weaving it into a neat, tight braid that rested squarely between my shoulder blades. The familiar, quiet focus he brought to everything he did always made me feel so important. When he finished, he smoothed his hands over the top of my head, ensuring no stray pieces were loose.
"There," he said softly, leaning down to press a tender kiss to the crown of my head. "Perfect."
He reached for the bottle, shaking it before squirting a generous amount of the cool lotion into his palms. He rubbed his hands together to warm it up, then placed his palms firmly against my shoulders. I let out a soft sigh as the cool cream met my skin, his thumbs instantly smoothing over my collarbones and tracing down my arms.
"You're already pink from earlier, baby," Edison noted, his voice dropping into that protective, attentive register as he carefully worked the lotion around the healing scar on my forearm. He treated the pink skin with absolute devotion, making sure it was completely covered. "We're going to keep a very close eye on you out there."
He moved behind me on the bed, his hands sliding up my back to navigate the delicate green straps of the swimsuit. His palms were warm, applying just enough pressure to work the sunscreen into my skin while making sure every inch of my lower back and shoulders was shielded from the sun.
"You're being so still for me," he whispered, his chest pressing lightly against my back as his hands slid around to my waist. "Such a good girl."
A familiar, delicious warmth curled in my stomach at his praise. I tilted my head back against his shoulder, closing my eyes as he finished up. "I just want to get out to that pool," I teased softly, though my voice was a little breathier than before.
Edison chuckled, a low, contented sound against my ear. He gave my hips a final, possessive squeeze before capping the bottle. "All done. Let's get you outside."
