River’s grinned turned absolutely filthy, and the last of the blood in Bel’s brain rushed south. “Well, I might have also jerked off to the thought of Wyatt fucking me while I sucked your dick. If you want, we can go upstairs right now, and I’ll show you exactly how it looked in my mind.”
“Yesss,” Bel hissed before grabbing River in a brutal kiss that had the man moaning into his mouth. Wyatt’s hands wandered up his body, tugging his shirt from where it was tucked into his pants. It was looking doubtful that they’d even make it out of the music room.
And then the doorbell rang.
Bel broke off the kiss but continued to hold River by the back of the neck. They all sat frozen, waiting, unwilling to even breathe.
“Maybe they’ll just go away,” River whispered.
Seconds ticked by and the doorbell rang again.
Wyatt pushed to his feet and walked over to the window. The music room was at the front of the house, offering a view of the front door.
Bel wanted to cry. His cock was hard as steel and leaking in his briefs. He was on the edge of what was likely to be the greatest sexual experience of his very long existence, and he was being cock-blocked by…
“It’s your brother,” Wyatt announced.
Bel finally reached inside, ready to snap at his twin for visiting at such a horrible time, when he discovered that it wasn’t Rafe outside his door. It was Winter.
There was no denying the rush of disappointment that swamped his heart. He and Rafe had suffered disagreements over the years, but they’d never remained mad at each other for long. He’d been sure Rafe would appear on his doorstep first with his usual bluster and cockiness that dissolved into hugs and apologies. Winter shouldn’t be here.
It couldn’t be a good sign.
“Go talk to your brother. We’ll still be here when he leaves,” River said before kissing his temple.
Yes, he had to talk to Winter, get the latest news from his family. And then he could forget for a little while in Wyatt and River’s arms.
12
Bel quickly tucked his shirt back into his pants, straightened his bow tie, and smoothed his fingers through his hair as he walked to the front door. His brothers might tease him about looking like a mad scientist, but there was no reason to live up to the image. Well, not completely.
Pausing to adjust himself, he inwardly prayed that his brother couldn’t tell that he was still fucking hard. Hopefully his cheeks weren’t as flushed as they felt. While he would not feel a bit of shame about being involved with both River and Wyatt, he didn’t feel that it was any of his brother’s business. At least not until Bel had the chance to figure it all out for himself.
When he jerked open the door, he found Winter leaning against the corner of the entrance, one eyebrow raised in question. “I’m not interrupting anything, am I?”
“Actually, you are, but it can wait…for now.”
Winter clucked his tongue as he straightened. “Oh, Rafe is so going to regret not listening to me and tagging along.”
Bel stepped back, allowing Winter to enter the house and close the door behind him. “Why didn’t he come with you?”
“Don’t, Bel.” Winter reached out and placed a hand on his elbow for a moment. “You know he’s a stubborn, hotheaded asshole.” Winter released his arm and led the way into the living room.
It had been a while since his youngest brother had popped by for a visit, but there was always a feeling of normalcy when any of them walked in. But Bel had that feeling at their homes as well. They were places of belonging.
Except for Winter’s.
Bel hadn’t been to many of Winter’s homes over the years. For a while, he preferred to just live with Marcus. And when he did strike out on his own, he was over at their homes so frequently, there really was no need to stop by his.
Winter’s words were so very true when it came to his twin, but they didn’t make him feel any better.
“I can’t understand why he’s having issues with them. It’s not as if they’d killed Philippe or me. They didn’t cripple him. He’s perfectly fine now. He was perfectly fine later that same night after the attack.”
Resting his hands on his hips, Winter turned where he was standing in front of a chair and frowned. He was wearing a pair of battered jeans and a plain black hoodie. He could have passed for a teenager with his young face and light, baby-blue eyes.
“I don’t think it’s the attack.”
“Then what?”
“You waited months to tell us about the wolves. You waited to tell him. When have you ever not told him something immediately?”
That stopped Bel cold. He and Rafe had shared everything important in their lives—and so much of the unimportant stuff—immediately. They had always said there were no secrets between them. That there never could be, thanks to their magical twin link, right? Well, Rafe hadn’t exactly been forthcoming with his feelings for Philippe.
And somehow, Bel had managed to keep something from Rafe. Sure, it had only been a short while, but Rafe still felt betrayed.
“Oh,” Bel whispered.
He hadn’t wanted to tell Rafe or any of his brothers because he hadn’t wanted to hear their concerns. He didn’t want warnings or to be called naïve. Wyatt and River weren’t out to hurt him or his family; that he’d been sure of from the start. Of course, he’d also wanted to keep the wolves to himself, locked away in their own little world for as long as possible.
Winter returned to his side and wrapped an arm around his back before ushering him over to the sofa. Once Bel was seated, Winter dropped into one of the chairs and toed his sneakers off.
“Relax, Bel. Rafe will get over it. You didn’t betray him. Philippe is undoubtedly talking some sense into him right now.”
“Is that why you’re here? To talk some sense into me?”
Winter smiled at him, not at all bothered by his sharp tone. “Nope. I was hoping to get another look at your wolves.”
Bel’s mouth dropped open, and he was speechless for a moment. When he could finally make his tongue work, all he could manage was a somewhat squeaky “Really?”
“What were you interested in, Mr. Varik?” Wyatt’s question drew their gazes to the hallway. River just behind Wyatt, his expression wary but a little curious.
“To be honest, everything. And please, call me Winter.”
“I don’t understand. Are you serious?” Bel pressed.
Winter huffed a little and his shoulders slumped. There was an almost embarrassed smile that crept across his lips and a sparkle in his eyes that reminded Bel of the playful boy he’d only gotten glimpses of when they were young. Winter had always been a serious child. Too serious. But then, for nearly all his life, Julianna had been a vampire…and incredibly dangerous.
“If you’ll forgive me for slipping into something more vernacular. Dude! They’re freaking werewolves! Shapeshifters! How do you not think it’s the coolest thing ever?” He waved both of his open hands at Wyatt and River while the biggest smile Bel had ever seen stretched across Winter’s face.
Bel laughed and shook his head. “Oh, then yes, I guess I do.” He looked over at the two werewolves, who appeared to be torn between confusion and mirth. “I do think they are very cool, and not just because they’re werewolves.”