The rest of the week passed in a blur of classes and pain—although I was starting to feel better now, the pain receding to more of a dull ache. James and the guys took turns escorting me to class, the counselor hadn’t shown her face again since our encounter on Monday, and Ahmya had even left me to my own devices—simply throwing scathing looks in my direction. I had just rolled my eyes and proceeded to ignore her. I’d never seen someone so intent on embarrassing themselves over and over. How many times did the guys need to tell her that they weren’t interested before she took it to heart and found someone else? Part of me felt sorry for her. A very small, well-hidden piece.
Waving goodbye to James on Thursday afternoon I entered the house, and all that greeted me was silence. My Phoenix squawked at the flood of adrenaline that swamped my system. I gripped the strap of my bag tightly, assessing the area for any threats. Pushing my hearing out, I heard a scuffle in the backyard and went tearing in that direction, worried that maybe Michael had reappeared and gotten to the guys. I dropped my bag on my way to the sliding glass door and went tearing through the opening and out onto the deck. The sight I saw stopped me in my tracks and stole my breath. Ryder was shirtless, and I couldn’t help my stare as I took in his hard abs and lean, but muscular frame. Theo was also shirtless, the waist of his sweatpants hanging low on his hip. His arms rippled with strength as he lifted a log the size of a small tree above his head. I gaped. That thing had to weigh a ton. I noticed his form wavered slightly as he straightened his arms; his creature was close to the surface, lending him strength as he pressed against his skin.
“Come on, Kraken.” Ryder taunted and clapped. “All the way up!”
Afraid to interrupt lest Theo drop the log on his head, I kept quiet until he lowered it to the ground and the two of them whooped together in shared victory.
“What on earth are you two doing?” I waved a hand between them and the log that now lay on the ground.
“Hey, babe!” Ryder called as he spotted me rooted to my spot on their deck. Jogging over to me, he jumped the few steps and swooped in for a hug. The feel of his smooth, golden skin under my hands as I hugged him back had my body responding immediately. I grew warm as I let my hands trail down his back. Wait, what was I doing? Hadn’t I just asked a question? Ryder had thoroughly distracted me. The second he let me go, Theo—in all his half-naked glory—was standing next to me with a sheepish look on his face as he held out his arms. He wanted a hug too? That was cute! I smiled and stepped into his arms. His skin was warm but not sweaty from his workout, and he smelled like fresh, salty ocean air—lent to him by his Kraken—and something warmer. Theo smelled like home to me, not the kind I’d been raised in, but the one I’d come to know living here, with all of them. It was refreshing and comforting all at the same time. I nuzzled into his chest as I let my hands slid up his back, reveling in the feel of his muscles moving under my fingertips.
“Training,” he mumbled as he held me close, not letting go. I was surprised that Theo hadn’t stepped back yet, but I would enjoy any cuddle time he would give me. My Phoenix was thriving under the attention, basking in their affection—so was I.
“Hmm?” I tried to jump-start my brain and follow along with what he was telling me.
“You asked what we were doing. We’ve been training.”
“For what?” This time it was Damien who answered me as he joined us on the porch.
He was wearing a tight white t-shirt that set off his tanned skin and brown hair. The blue athletic pants he had on fit him just right, clinging to his toned ass, and I couldn’t keep from gaping from my spot in Theo’s arms. With a little squeeze, Theo released me to stand up on my own again.
“We’ve realized we’ve become complacent in our training schedule. We’ve been slacking off for some time now, but we all agreed that we could push our powers farther, both in shifted form and in human form. After the fight with Michael, we made up a training schedule and have been working to hone our talents.”
“Have you found it’s been working?” I was eager to join them and train again. My Phoenix flapped her wings in my head, liking the idea of being useful and strengthening our skills.
“I’m trying to make progress on developing a greater range with my telepathic abilities. I’ve been able to read James, but I’m having trouble extending that coverage out to multiple people outside of our group.” He ran a hand over his neatly styled brown hair. It had grown longer since the first time I had laid eyes on him, and he was always trying to get it to lay correctly now.
“That’s a huge accomplishment given the short time you’ve been working at it.” I beamed at him, trying to ease his slight disappointment. “I know you’ll get there. Give it more time. Maybe Rini, Barrett, Cayden, and Donovan could come over for dinner soon and give you willing subjects to practice on.” I was eager to have them all over again, to mend the fences and get my “extended family” back. Plus, I could just see the hilarious things that Rini and her bears would try to project for Damien to pick up. I almost giggled at the thought. I was going to talk to Rini about it, knowing she’d agree and work to drag the guys back together again to kiss and make up. Now that thought had potential. I thought back to the sexy kiss between Ryder and Hiro.
Damien—the eavesdropping sneak—pushed my thoughts to everyone and Ryder stepped up to my back. Leaning over, he whispered, “I’m sure a repeat show could be arranged if you promised to join us.” He teased me, I knew, but my desire from earlier increased and I squirmed in place as the idea of the three of us kissing washed over me. My skin prickled, and goosebumps raised along my arms as a shiver raced down my spine, going straight to my core.
Wow! What was going on with me?
“I don’t think you and Hiro should get all the fun.” Theo stepped up to my side, his bare chest almost grazing my arm. “I’d like another taste.” I almost got lost in the depth of his cerulean eyes as I watched them grow lusty.
Shaking my head, I took a step forward just to escape and find some fresh air. The combined scents of them were going straight to my head, and I was feeling rather vertiginous—hot and needy in a way I had never been before.
Trying to find my footing and give myself some time to breathe, I started the conversation up again. “What have you been practicing Theo?”
“I’ve been working on my strength since it’s the most useful thing my creature offers me outside of the water.” Turning to face the guys, putting Damien to my back, I watched as Theo looked at the ground, placing his hands on his hips. I knew he was self-conscious of his Kraken’s usefulness outside of the water, but I thought his creature was crazy impressive, and I couldn’t wait to meet him. I pushed those thoughts toward Damien, hoping he might share them with Theo. When he looked up with a small grin on his face, I felt triumphant. All my men were amazing, and they should know it.
“It definitely looked like you were succeeding out there. That thing must weigh a ton!” I waved a hand at what Theo had been lifting.
“Come on, short stuff; it’s your turn!” Ryder jogged back down the steps, turning and moving backward when he reached the grass below.
I raised an eyebrow and crossed my arms over my chest. “I cannot lift that!”