Colters' Gift (Colters' Legacy #5)(69)

He kissed the top of her head as Liam carefully withdrew from her body, leaving her still connected intimately with Noah.

A moment later, Liam returned with a warm washcloth and he gently soothed the tender, swollen flesh. When he was done, Noah carefully rolled, holding on to Lauren so she went with him. They landed on their sides, and Noah slid from her body.

He rolled away a quick moment to discard the condom, and then he was back, pulling her into his arms. Liam climbed onto the bed on her other side and pressed his body to her back, his legs twining with hers.

She let out a huge sigh of utter contentment. Had she ever been as happy or secure as she was right at this very moment? Snuggled between two strong men who’d do anything to make her happy. If only she could stop time and savor this night forever.

“I love you.”

Liam’s whisper against her ear was faint but unmistakable. She turned so that his lip met her cheek, and she closed her eyes, basking in those wonderful words.

Chapter 29

LAUREN lay sprawled over Noah’s chest, her legs tangled with Liam’s. Noah idly ran his hand up and down her back, gliding lower to cup her behind before smoothing back up her body again.

“You okay?” Noah murmured.

“If I was any better, I don’t know what I’d do with myself.”

“Ditto,” Liam said in a sleepy, contented growl.

“It was new for us too, Lauren,” Noah said softly. “I’ve never done anything like that before, and I’m a little surprised that it came so naturally. And that it was so powerful. I’m at a loss as to how to even describe it. I’ve never experienced anything like it.”

Lauren pushed herself upward so she could see Noah’s eyes. They were utterly serious, warm and glowing with so much else he’d left unsaid. Like her, he hadn’t said the words yet, but she didn’t doubt for a moment that he loved her every bit as much as Liam did.

The words would come in time, when they weren’t forced. When they were as natural as breathing and completely sincere. She looked forward to that day when they could be so comfortable with each other. When there was no threat from Joel or any other quarter.

“We—I—didn’t hurt you, did we?” Liam asked gruffly.

She went soft at the concern in his voice and pushed herself upward more so that she was sitting cross-legged between them. She leaned over to kiss his firm mouth and let her lips linger over his, enjoying the simple act of affection between two lovers.

“You both were wonderful,” she said huskily. “Perfect. I never imagined something so . . . powerful.”

He touched her cheek, stroking his fingers down her jaw as he kissed her again.

“How much time do we have?” she asked.

Already the curtains were illuminated with the pale shade of dawn, and though they were going to a place where Lauren felt completely at home, she also knew that it would bring to a temporary end the intimacy between her and Liam and Noah. She felt its loss already and they hadn’t even left the warmth of their bed yet.

Noah slid his hand up her back, letting it rest at the small, just above the curve of her bu**ocks.

“We have time yet. A few hours more.”

Liam pulled one of the pillows up to prop behind her back and the headboard so she’d be more comfortable while the two men continued to rest on their sides.

Lauren wanted the quiet, comfortable time between them to discuss the future. It was all still so new and exciting in her mind that she could speak of little else for the next weeks.

“Can I ask you two something?”

“Anything,” Liam said firmly.

“Of course,” Noah said at the same time.

“What do you see in our future?” she asked. “Do you see us together long term?”

“I don’t have a crystal ball,” Noah said in a serious tone. “I can’t predict what will happen a year or five years down the road. But if you ask me what I want? I want forever. With you. And I’m going to do everything in my power to see that forever is what we share.”

“I see you with us for as long as either of us is breathing,” Liam said, his lips set into a determined line.

“And children?” she asked hesitantly. “What are your thoughts on children and a family?”

Both men were angled so they could see her face and she could see theirs. Light warmed Noah’s eyes. He looked . . . hopeful. And happy.

“I’d love a family one day,” Noah said.

She could hear the yearning in his tone.

“I’d want everything that I was denied as a child. And I’d never do to our children what my parents did to me,” he said fiercely.

“You’d make a great father,” she said in just as fierce a tone.

Liam smiled, warmth traveling to the very depths of his blue eyes. “I could see a few rug rats.”

Her breath caught in her throat as she was struck by a longing so powerful that she simply couldn’t breathe.

“Do you want children, Lauren?” Noah asked.

“Oh yes,” she breathed. “My own family. It’s all I’ve ever wanted.”

She touched both men, letting her hands creep over their arms so she had contact with them both.

“How would we do it?” she asked hesitantly. “I mean if we were trying to have a baby—down the road of course—would it matter to you if we didn’t know which of you fathered the child? Or would you want to make sure you each had a son or a daughter?”