Calista POV
The piercing sound of a loud alarm abruptly shattered my peaceful slumber. As I lay there, still half-asleep, I could feel my hand instinctively reaching out in search of the source of the noise. Fumbling in the darkness, my fingers closed around something hard and warm under fabric, causing my eyes to snap open. The sight that greeted me was unexpected - I found myself face to face with Cade, our bodies entangled on the bed. In a panic, I turned my head and caught a glimpse of Dean on the other side. A rush of embarrassment washed over me as I realized what I had inadvertently grabbed - Dean's impressive...size. The sound of laughter filled the air, and I turned to see Tate on the other side, clearly amused by the situation.
"Now that's one way to wake up," Tate chuckled, his laughter echoing in the room. Startled, I quickly untangled myself from Cade, apologizing under my breath. Looking at Dean, my cheeks burning with embarrassment and shock, I couldn't help but wonder if what I had just felt was even normal. I had felt Tate's arousal when we danced, but not the damn size.
"It's okay," Dean reassured me, his voice a bit higher than usual, which only made Tate laugh harder. "Looks like you got a good grip there, Calista," he managed to choke out between fits of laughter. Mortified, I jumped off the bed, my heart racing. "Did I really sleep on top of you?" I blurted out, disbelief evident in my voice as I turned to face Cade.
"You started in the center, and after about twenty minutes, you somehow maneuvered yourself on top of me," Cade explained calmly. "Don't apologize. It was actually quite nice. I didn't mind at all." His words offered a small measure of comfort, but I had never felt so embarrassed before.
"Don't worry about it. It was pretty hilarious," Tate chimed in again, unable to contain his amusement. "How about we take turns? Tonight, you sleep on me, and when the alarm goes off, you can grab Cade's d**k," he joked, his words only intensifying the crimson hue on my face.
"I can't believe I ended up sharing a bed with all three of you," I muttered, a mix of disbelief coloring my words.
"But you know what? You actually slept really well," Tate remarked with a mischievous grin.
"You have today off, right?" Dean asked me. I nodded, regretting that I had shared my schedule with him.
"Good, you're coming to class with us," he declared. "And then we are taking you around with us today, so we have more time to get to know each other."
"I doubt the school will allow that," I replied. "And even if they do, it will send your fan club into another frenzy."
"Come on, you know you like upsetting them," Tate said with a grin, his eyes sparkling with amusement.
I let out a weary sigh, knowing that resisting their playful antics was futile. "Fine, I'll go get ready," I replied. As I hurriedly made my way across the room, my foot clumsily caught on an unseen object, causing me to stumble and fall like a complete i***t.
But before embarrassment could fully consume me, Cade swiftly came to my aid. His strong hand reached out towards me, offering support and stability. I could feel the warmth of his touch and the gentle strength in his grip as he helped me regain my balance. It was a comforting sensation, one that made me feel both foolish and strangely grateful.
I found myself lingering for a moment, unable to pull away from his presence, as if my body was magnetically drawn to him.
"Just take Cade with you to get dressed instead of standing there frozen," Tate interjected, breaking the momentary daze that had enveloped me. The playful tone in his voice snapped me back to reality. I decided to play along, surprising Tate with my response.
"Okay, I'll take him," I declared, grabbing onto Cade's hand and pulling him along with me towards the door. I could see the confusion flickering in Cade's eyes, but he obediently followed my lead.
Inside my room, the air carried the subtle fragrance of the ocean breeze wafting through the open window. I rummaged through my bag, the rustling of fabric filling the space as I searched for what I needed. Cade's gaze fixated on my actions, his eyes focused and curious. "You won't need one of those at the school," he remarked.
"Calista, do you not own undergarments?" he asked, his voice tinged with surprise. A blush crept up my cheeks, the warmth spreading like wildfire.
"No," I admitted.
Cade's gaze softened, his expression filled with understanding. "So that bag, that's really all of your belongings?" he inquired. I nodded. I had never needed much. The ocean was my sanctuary, and in hiding, I preferred to travel light, unburdened by unnecessary possessions.
A determined look crossed Cade's face, his eyes filled with resolve. "When we're out of class today, we're taking you shopping," he declared, his voice firm yet gentle. "You deserve to have some essentials, Calista. I understand your love for swimming, but it can't be comfortable to spend the entire day in a swimsuit."
"I don't mind it," I said, taking in the sight of his amused expression. "But I have a feeling, even if I refuse, you are going to insist."
"It's not like I want to force you to get new clothing," he replied, his voice calm and reassuring. "Just trying to help."
"Thanks, and thanks for putting up with me last night. I mean, this morning was pretty embarrassing, but still, the three of you have earned more of my respect for letting me sleep and not doing anything."
He smiled warmly, his eyes scanning my face. "No one should ever do anything to you without permission."
I let out a sigh, feeling a twinge of frustration. "Yeah, well, not everyone understands that. And I unfortunately seem to be a magnet for creeps," I said, pulling off my nightshirt. I could feel a cool breeze against my skin, and the fabric slipped through my fingers with a soft rustle.
He cleared his throat. "A little warning next time."
I chuckled, slipping into my bikini. "My back is turned to you," I teased. Once dressed, I pulled on a clean shirt and shorts as well.
When I turned around, I noticed he was facing the wall, his body tense. I walked over to him, placing my hand on his arm, causing him to startle. "Sorry," I said softly, realizing the impact my actions had on him. He seemed to scan me with his eyes, his gaze filled with a mix of desire and restraint.
"Look," he began, his voice filled with a hint of struggle. "Since we just sensed you and have not marked you, it's difficult for us to resist completing the bond with you. Maybe try getting changed in the bathroom. I really don't want to do something I'll regret without permission from you."
Guilt washed over me as I realized the effect my casual changing had on him. "I won't do that anymore," I promised.
"When you're with us, Calista, what do you feel?" he asked.
"I feel a sense of comfort," I replied, the words escaping my lips before I could hold them back.
"Good," he responded.
"Tell me, are you attracted to us as we are to you?" he inquired, his voice filled with longing.
"Yes," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "But I can't give into it," I sighed.
"You can for this week. You said you would try, so give it your all," he insisted, his voice growing more urgent.
"Give me permission to kiss you," he implored, his voice now a commanding whisper. My mind fought against his request, telling me to resist, while my heart screamed in agreement. The conflicting emotions swirled within me, creating a whirlwind of sensations.
"You have permission," I finally spoke. The sound of my own admission seemed to echo in the silence, a moment frozen in time. And then, in an instant, his touch ignited a surge of electricity that traveled through my body, setting every nerve on fire.
He pushed me against the wall, his hand brushing my hair away from my face, his fingertips leaving a trail of warmth in their wake. And then, his lips met mine, a collision of desire and longing. The taste of him mingled with the sweetness of the air, overwhelming my senses.
As the kiss finally broke, his finger brushed gently under my eye, bringing my attention back to the present moment. "You're crying," he observed, concern lacing his words. The taste of salt mingled with the lingering taste of our kiss, a bittersweet reminder of the depth of my emotions.
"It's nothing," I murmured.
"You're torturing yourself, Calista," he said softly, his voice filled with compassion.
"We can't always have what we want," I said. The moment had come to an end, and with a heavy heart, I finally tore myself away.
"You can have us," he said, his words barely audible as a hint of hurt flashed across his face, a flicker of emotion I did not want to cause them. Before any more could be said, my room door swung open with a creak, and in walked Tate and Dean.
"You two slow pokes ready?" Tate asked, as Dean flung fresh clothes towards Cade.
I pushed my way out of the room, "You're in a rush, something happen?" Dean inquired.
"Let's just get you to class on time." I replied as I made my way out of the building, relieved that they didn't press further when I expressed my reluctance.
This time, Dean took the front seat of the car, while Tate and Cade settled in the back. The car started moving, and except for the radio softly playing, silence filled the air. "Something must have happened between the two of you," Tate broke the silence, and then directed his words towards Cade in the back, "You smell like Calista."
"She slept on top of me, remember?" Cade responded.
Tate shook his head, "Nope, that's not it."
"He kissed me."I muttered under my breath.
Tate was taken aback, "Wait, you let him?" He asksd.
"Yes, he asked for permission."I replied.
Tate burst into laughter, "Ha! No wonder you're so flushed. You got hot just from Cade. I can't wait to see what you look like after we all take turns." His teasing words came from the backseat, causing my face to flush even more. "Look at that, your face is already starting to flush just thinking about it," Tate continued to jest.
"In your dreams." I Muttered.
"Wait, does that mean only Cade gets a kiss?"Tate asked.
"You haven't earned one." I muttered. This caused Dean to burst into laughter as we pulled up to the building where their class was located.
"So, this is what college looks like," I remarked, observing the people walking into the building.
"Similar to most schools, I'm sure. Maybe similar to what you went through," Dean replied.
"Yeah," I simply responded, following them inside. I had never attended school before, having been on the run and from a completely different place. When we entered a room with chairs and tables, all eyes turned to the triplets, but my attention was instantly captured by someone else.
Lazer, a warlock I had encountered in a distant town half a year ago, stood before the class.
"Calista," his voice rang out, echoing through the room as he looked at me, his eyes filled with recognition. As he started coming over, Tate immediately stepped in front of me, shielding me from his approach.
"Is that really you? Wow, and here I thought you completely vanished," he said, his voice filled with a mix of surprise and relief.
"You know him?" Dean asked me, his voice filled with curiosity. I couldn't help but notice the slight crease in his brow, a sign of his concern.
"Unfortunately," I muttered under my breath, my words barely audible amidst the buzzing of the fluorescent lights above us.
"When you vanished, so many people worried. There were rumors of suspicious men, lurking in the shadows. Some even believed they were demons," Lazer explained.
"I just don't like staying in one place," I said, my words accompanied by a sigh. The feeling of restlessness coursed through me, like an electric current, making it hard to sit still. The room seemed to spin, a whirlwind of emotions and memories colliding.
"Demons?" Dean asked.
"Yeah, I come from another small beach town, but in a different state. The place was always safe, but I remember the last time I saw Calista. We had reports of strange men lurking around. Some believed they were demons. But they vanished too, right after Calista disappeared," Lazer explained.
"I attract trouble. I did warn you three," I said.
"We should catch up later," Lazer then said to me.
"She's busy," Tate responded for me, his voice firm and protective.
"I can speak for myself," I responded, The soft creaking of the classroom door interrupted the charged atmosphere, as an older lady entered the room.
"Let's talk later," Lazer said. Tate growled, the sound vibrating in the air, as I took a seat with the triplets.
"What's your issue?" I snapped at Tate, the sharpness of my words hanging in the air.
"You're ours," Tate retorted,
Determined to regain control, I took a deep breath, the air filling my lungs. "I'll see you three after your class," I declared, my voice trembling with a mix of emotions. "If you want me around then, let me speak for myself moving forward." I left with those words hanging in the air.
As I made my way towards the exit, the world seemed to blur around me. The sights and sounds of the bustling school faded into the background, as if they were mere illusions.
I wasn't really annoyed at Tate or the triplets. It was seeing Lazer that made me on edge.