Chapter 192: Break
**Avery**
The days blurred into a vibrant rush, a kaleidoscope of lectures, study sessions, and stolen moments with my mates. Each passing hour hummed with a quiet anticipation, a thrumming beat beneath my skin that echoed the countdown to our beach escape. I felt lighter, bolder, my laughter echoing freely in the halls, my stride more confident. The phantom whispers of the orphanage had retreated further into the shadows, replaced by the insistent, exhilarating hum of my own burgeoning power. The thought of a whole week, just us, at the beach house, sent a shiver of pure, unadulterated excitement through me. I envisioned sun-drenched skin, salty air, and the intoxicating presence of my six formidable men.
When the final bell chimed on Friday afternoon, a collective sigh of relief swept through the campus. I practically floated out of the building, my backpack feeling feather-light. Cassius met me by the main gates, his arm already around my waist, pulling me close. His scent, a rich blend of musk and ancient earth, enveloped me, grounding me in the dizzying excitement. "Ready, Red?" His voice, a low rumble against my ear, sent a ripple of warmth through me. I giggle because I am still getting used to the pet names. We have grown so much since our Grand Ceremonies. They seem almost a lifetime ago now.
I tilted my head back, meeting his intense gaze. "More than ready."
The drive to the beach house was a symphony of laughter and easy banter. Clint, ever the playful one, kept us entertained with outrageous stories, while Conner offered dry, cutting remarks that had us all chuckling. James, a silent anchor in the front passenger seat, occasionally turned to offer a reassuring smile, his eyes holding a promise of the week to come. Vincent, as always, was a quiet presence, his gaze distant yet intensely aware, a watchful sentinel.
Donn, perched in the back with me, leaned in conspiratorially. "Think they've stocked up on sunscreen, love? Or are they planning to just melt us with their fiery gazes?" He winked, his irreverence a welcome balm to the building tension.
"Knowing them," I mused, leaning my head on his shoulder, "they probably have a detailed itinerary for melting and ravaging, with or without sunscreen."
A low growl rumbled from James in the front. "We aim for efficiency, sweetheart."
Clint snorted. "And thoroughness."
The beach house, a sprawling timber and glass structure perched precariously on a cliff overlooking the cerulean expanse of the ocean, was even more breathtaking than I remembered. The moment we stepped inside, the salty air, infused with the subtle scent of pine from the surrounding trees, embraced me. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered an uninterrupted panorama of crashing waves and an endless horizon.
"Welcome home, Avery," James said, his hand warm on the small of my back as he ushered me deeper into the house.
The next few days dissolved into a blissful haze of sun, sand, and an intimacy that deepened with every shared breath. We spent mornings exploring tide pools, James’s strong hand always finding mine, guiding me over slippery rocks. Afternoons were for lounging on the expansive deck, the sun warming my skin, the rhythmic roar of the ocean a constant lullaby. Donn would often challenge me to impromptu games of beach volleyball, his competitive spirit infectious, while Cassius and Clint would dive into the waves, their powerful forms cutting through the water with effortless grace. Conner, ever the observer, would read on the deck, occasionally offering a witty comment that punctured the serene atmosphere with a burst of laughter. Vincent, sometimes with us, sometimes not, seemed to draw energy from the ancient rocks and whispering winds, his presence a quiet, potent force.
Evenings were when the true magic unfolded. After a dinner prepared by all of them, a delicious chaos of shared tasks and playful arguments, the house would fall into a comfortable quiet. The soft glow of lamplight, the distant sound of waves, and the palpable presence of my mates created an intoxicating cocoon.
One evening, after a particularly exhilarating day of swimming and sun, I found myself in the master bedroom, the large, open space designed to embrace the ocean view. The air, thick with the scent of salty skin and the subtle musk of dragon, clung to me. I stood by the window, watching the moon cast a silvery path across the water, when Cassius entered, his bare chest gleaming in the dim light. He approached from behind, his arms wrapping around my waist, pulling me flush against his hard body.
"Thinking about anything in particular, Red?" His lips brushed my ear, sending a shiver down my spine.
"Just… everything," I whispered, leaning into his embrace. "This. Us."
He chuckled, a low, rumbling sound that vibrated through me. "It's only just beginning."
Clint entered next, a playful grin on his face, his eyes, usually so sharp, softened with desire. He moved to my other side, his hand tracing the curve of my hip. "We have so much more to show you, darling."
Conner followed, his quiet presence a stark contrast to his brothers' more overt displays. He settled behind Clint, his hand resting on Cassius’s shoulder, a silent affirmation of their unity. "Indeed. We've barely scratched the surface."
James appeared in the doorway, his dominant aura filling the room. He simply watched, his gaze intense, a silent promise of pleasure to come. Donn, ever the bold one, walked straight to me, his eyes alight with mischief. He knelt before me, his hands gently gripping my thighs, his head tilting back to meet my gaze. "Ready for a proper welcome to the deep end, love?" He grinned, his teeth flashing in the dim light.
I swallowed, my heart thrumming against my ribs. "What did you have in mind?"
Cassius’s grip tightened around my waist. "We thought we'd start with a little sensory exploration."
Clint’s fingers danced along my skin, his touch light, teasing. "A taste of what's to come."
Donn’s gaze dropped to my lips, then lower. "And what's ready to be tasted?"
He leaned in, his lips brushing the inside of my thigh. A gasp escaped me, a shock of pure sensation. His tongue, warm and wet, traced a path upwards, sending a jolt through my core. I arched my back, my fingers gripping Cassius’s arms.
"Oh," I breathed, my voice thin.
Clint’s hand moved to my breast, his thumb circling my nipple, coaxing it to harden. "That's just the appetizer."
Cassius turned me slightly, his lips finding the sensitive skin behind my ear, his teeth gently nipping. "We want to know every inch of you, my queen. As your body changes because of our eggs, we want to memorize every divot, every line, every blemish, and every curve."
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