When Sakura woke up three hours later, she heard Toby barking excitedly, along with human voices. Feeling better and very curious as to the unusual noises, she got out of bed and headed to the door. With her long hair in a wild tangle, her dress haphazardly on her slim form, and her skin flushed with renewed energy, she came along the corridor and toward the living area.Her steps faltered at the threshold, and she came to a sudden halt. The sight she beheld before her overwhelmed her with emotion. Her heart gave a little tug, bursting with an unrecognized sense of warmth and belonging that threatened to make her cry. Her throat tightened as she willed her tears not to show.She’d thought the brothers had returned to their apartment, but apparently, she’d been wrong about that.Nicolas and Sosuke were sitting in the corner, playing chess of all things. So far, it looked like Nicolas was winning. Tristan and Logan were with Akira. She was showing them her portfolio. The two men looked
Everyone moved in to take their seats, and Conrad wanted to sit beside Sakura but found he was too late. Sebastian got to her left first and then Darcy her right. So he resigned himself to sitting beside Darcy, Toby still on his lap. Everyone else took the chairs around the table, and James demanded Beth be seated with them as well, which she happily obliged.Everyone started digging in, hands taking and placing pieces of meat and vegetables onto their plates. Darcy was cutting a piece of chicken thigh and placing it onto a plate for Sakura when she noticed the burn marks on his hands.“Your hands,” she said, caressing the wounds.Darcy felt a surge of hot pleasure where she was stroking him.“You’ve burned yourself?” she asked, looking at him with concern.“Just a little,” he said, his eyes hot and intense on her.Sakura saw the hunger and desire scorching his mauve-gray eyes and blushed.James didn’t miss the two eyeing each other and noted Sebastian watching them, too. He’d known t
The moment Sebastian knew he had Sakura to himself, he did what he’d wanted to do most. He grabbed her into his arms and claimed her for a deep, passionate kiss.Sakura went tense the moment she felt his firm, hot lips against hers, his strong, warm body enveloping her in a tight embrace. She melted into him, her knees weakened as she leaned farther into his arms, loving the feel of him against her so much it nearly choked her with emotion.Sebastian was intoxicated by the smell of her fresh, innocent scent and the feel of her softness against him. He cupped her face, his fingers digging deep into her hair as he urged her lips to open for him, teasing her and nibbling her flesh with his tongue. When Sakura obliged and opened her mouth for him, Sebastian plunged his tongue in and explored her, caressing and stroking her, making her weak and wanting more.When he finally let her go, she was light-headed and breathless. She clutched on to him as he embraced her tight against his chest. H
It was six in the morning as usual when Darcy met Sebastian in the corridor, ready to go for their swim.“Morning,” Darcy greeted his brother.“Morning,” Sebastian replied, a big fat grin on his face.Darcy noticed and knew the private moment last night with Sakura must have put Sebastian in a very good mood. He wondered what they’d been talking about. It was a little hard not to think about the possibility of them kissing. Darcy tried not to get too worked up about it, but hell, it was impossible.They came into the pool area together, and the moment they walked in through the door, they heard water splashing. Curious to know who had arrived before them, which was unusual, they hurried nearer the pool area. On the edge, both men watched in awe as that exquisite slim body glided like a mermaid underwater. The female was a breathtaking sight to behold, and when she came up on the other side, both sucked in their breath.She was wearing a navy-blue bikini, just like the one they’d spott
Sakura tried not to think about Darcy and his rejection that morning, but it was hard. She thought back as to why he wouldn’t kiss her after he’d won the race. Perhaps he no longer wanted her? Perhaps he no longer loved her?“What’s wrong, Sakura-chan?” Akira asked at the door.Sakura looked up, surprised to see Akira there, already dressed in her yukata. This one was very beautiful, a light blue with floral design.“I did knock,” Akira said.Jane poked her head in behind Akira. “Sakura, haven’t you showered yet?”Sakura cocked her head to one side as Jane came into the room. The woman was dressed in a green yukata that matched her eyes perfectly. She looked very fetching without her glasses on and her blond hair up in a pretty bun.“Jane, you look beautiful,” Sakura said.Jane blushed. “Akira helped me with the yukata.” She did a little spin to show off the garment to Sakura. “I’ve never worn one before, but I love this. I’m going to get one to wear on special occasions.”Sakura laug
Sakura turned her attention to her surroundings, watching everyone else taking their seats. Sosuke was sitting right opposite her with Akira beside him to his left and Haruka to his right. Nicolas sat beside Akira—to Akira’s surprise and annoyance. Tristan and Logan were to her left beside Conrad, and James and Brenda to her right beside Sebastian. Darcy was all the way on the other side near Hayden and Jane. Of course, Sakura wasn’t surprised. She knew he planned to stay as far away from her as possible.“Are you tired from the preparation?” Sebastian asked her the moment he sat down.“A little,” she said, smiling at him.“The food looks delicious.” He beamed at her. “I expect a meal like this now and again if you move in with us,” he teased, his eyes twinkling.The man was a charming beast, Sakura thought. He wouldn’t let the idea of her moving in with them drop.Conrad missed the word if in Sebastian’s sentence and assumed Sakura had decided she’d move in with them. He cheered brig
Darcy couldn’t control himself and deepened the kiss, stroking and rubbing his tongue against hers as he moved her back against the tree, pressing himself against her and feeling her softness under him. When he moved his lips from her mouth, he continued kissing her along her throat and then lower to her chest. There, his fingers lingered about her breasts, lightly caressing her with an aching so deep he wanted to rip the yukata off her person and take her there and then.His body shook wildly when he realized he was about to lose control. He gritted his teeth and lifted his head, his eyes dark and tormented with need. But Darcy wasn’t about to betray himself. He wasn’t about to betray Sebastian, and he certainly wasn’t going to betray Sakura and take her without her consent. It wouldn’t be fair, and he’d hate himself for the rest of his life.Denying himself Sakura’s kiss as the prize for winning the race this morning had been difficult enough. Oh God! How he’d wanted to kiss his Sno
The sensation of a warm, wet tongue and soft fur on her fingertips woke Sakura. She fluttered her eyes open and stared up at a ceiling that seemed rather strange to her. Where am I? was the first question that popped up in her mind. She blinked a couple of times, trying to figure out if this was her bedroom. Surely, she would remember what her own bedroom looked like. But why couldn’t she remember how she got back to the apartment? More importantly, why did her bedroom look so different? The licking became more insistent, drawing Sakura’s attention to the culprit. The moment she saw Toby, she smiled.“Hello,” she greeted softly.Toby snuggled his head under her palm, begging her to pet him. She laughed and obliged to please the little beast.“I think I’m going mad, Toby,” she said. “I can’t seem to remember where I am.”It was then she sat up and realized she was in an enormous king-size bed that didn’t belong to her. When she drifted her gaze across the entire length of the large ro
Six Months LaterWhen Sakura woke up, it was to the sound of birds chirping and morning light shining in through the windows. She blinked a couple times to get used to the brightness as she lay there feeling exhausted, as if she had just finished running a race. Once she’d gotten used to the light, she searched about her surroundings, wondering where she was. Because this certainly wasn’t her room.Her eyes lingered on the beautiful chandelier dangling in the center, the crystals exuding an array of rainbow colors about the space. A moment later, her gaze shifted to the king-size bed that she was currently in.She sat up, her mind still reeling over what had happened last night. When she moved, she realized she was naked under the sheet. She frowned for a moment, and then everything came flooding back.Instantly, she blushed and clutched the sheet against her.“Oh God,” she whispered softly. “I’ve done it again, haven’t I? With Sebastian and Darcy?”She licked her lips as she pulled t
The moment her hands were removed, the two men stared, marveling at the sight. Sure, they had seen many women’s breasts before, and in fact, to them, they were just part of the female anatomy. Nothing more. But with Sakura, her pair of exquisite beauties, the perfect-size mounds of pale, smooth flesh topped with cute pink nipples perking at just the right angle—they were something marvelous.Sebastian tittered with excitement, which drew Sakura’s attention to him. She gazed at him, wondering why he had such a passionate look in his eyes as he stared at her breasts. When he flicked his gaze to hers and their eyes met, Sakura swallowed hard at the raw passion she noted radiating from him.“Wow,” Darcy said, his voice deep and hoarse, which sent a delicious shiver down her spine. “Just wow.”Sebastian nodded. He couldn’t find words to describe how happy he was.Suddenly, Darcy cupped her breasts, one in each hand. Sakura gasped at the intimate contact as her body squirmed in his embrace.
Sakura grabbed Sebastian’s hands that were about to cup her breasts, stopping him. She looked from one man to the other, her mind reeling at what was going on. She licked her lips nervously and then finally managed to ask, “What are you two doing? Aren’t you going to order room service?”Sebastian’s eyes glinted with that mischievousness that Sakura found both vexing and endearing at the same time.He said, with a hint of a laughter in his deep timbre, “Oh, but you are our room service.”Sakura wasn’t accepting it. She knew they both were toying around with her. She demanded, “The dessert?”Darcy said, his voice sensual and deep, “You are our dessert. That’s why it’s the best kind, one we’ll remember for the longest time.”It was only then that she understood what they meant. She. Was. Their. Dessert. As in they were going to make love to her?That pushed her into a panic attack, and she struggled in Sebastian’s arms, desperately wanting to break free. The damn handsome man, however,
Darcy said, “Sakura, remember the night you confessed to us?”Slowly, Sakura nodded.“You told us you’d either have both of us or none at all,” Sebastian said.Sakura jumped at the sound of his voice. She didn’t realize he was standing behind her, so close to her in fact that she could feel the heat of his body warming her against the coolness of the night.She nodded again. “Yes, I did say that, and I meant it. I can’t…” She sighed, her heart now racing furiously. “I can’t live with the knowledge that I picked one of you and not the other. That I’d be living with one and not the other. That I’d be showering my love on one and not the other when I love you both. It just isn’t fair.” Her body and hands were shaking now, even her voice, quivering softly under the two men’s scrutiny.“I won’t be able to handle the guilt, the pain of not having both of you in my life. I know I’m greedy. I know… It’s weird to love two men and want both in my life…living like a family like it’s nothing.” Sh
Sakura relaxed back in her seat and then put on the safety belt. A moment later, Sebastian started the engine and then they were off.It was dark, and the city lights glittered beautifully against the backdrop of the night sky, competing with the stars. It was indeed breathtakingly beautiful, and Sakura was mesmerized.“It’s beautiful here, isn’t it?” Sebastian said.Sakura nodded. “After what happened…” she said, her throat feeling a little dry. “After what happened, I appreciate what’s around me more.”Sebastian reached out his free hand and cupped her face. “Nothing like that is ever going to happen to you again. I’m here with you, and Darcy, too.” He chuckled. “In fact, all of us Princetons. We’re family.”She smiled, appreciating his comforting words. “Thanks.”It was a few more minutes when Sakura realized they were heading toward the hotel. Of course, she was a little confused as to why they were going there and was about to ask Sebastian as he parked the car when he intercepte
Darcy was discharged from the hospital five days later, and, in Princeton style, a big Welcome Home party was launched at the holiday house.The moment Darcy stepped foot out of the car, he was treated and pampered like a king by everyone, especially his brothers Tristan and Logan, who acted as his butlers. Of course, being the down-to-earth person he was, Darcy didn’t want that kind of attention and found it rather tiring. Deep down, all he wanted was for Sakura to be by his side.Damn, but he wanted to kiss her and, most of all, confess his love for her properly, along with Sebastian of course. But that was not to be as the house was almost always full of people coming and going, and not one moment had he had the chance to be with her. At least not until a day later when he and Sebastian had a good talk and made arrangements for things to start moving forward to make it official.Now sitting on the couch, drinking coffee, both Sebastian and Darcy watched Sakura as she animatedly cha
Sakura and Sebastian stayed with Darcy throughout the morning, with Sakura entertaining Darcy by telling him about her family reunion and that Ned was actually her biological father and Beth her aunt. Of course, Darcy wasn’t surprised with this outcome, as he had known how much Ned loved Sakura. The same went for Beth.It was some time later when Darcy asked the question he had wanted answered since he’d seen the news on the television early that morning. It was about Mrs. Clark, Tara, and Ray Woods, who had been taken into custody.Sebastian said, “Tara might get a lighter sentencing than Mrs. Clark and Ray Woods. She’s only an accomplice.”“And Mrs. Clark?” Sakura asked, her body tense.“Probably life in prison for first-degree murder or something along those lines,” Sebastian said.“For murdering Mrs. Taylor?” Sakura asked.At this, both Sebastian and Darcy turned to look at her, surprised. Sebastian asked, “How did you know she was one of the victims?”Sakura cast her eyes downwar
Sakura woke with a start, gasping and whimpering and her skin soaking with sweat. With her heart beating loudly in her chest, she stared up at the ceiling, her mind racing as tears welled in her eyes.Dream. It was only a dream. It wasn’t real. She hadn’t lost Darcy. She hadn’t lost Sebastian. Both men were still here with her.“Sebastian. Darcy,” she whispered, tears rolling down her cheeks.Just moments ago, she had dreamed of them—she and the Princeton brothers—once again on that yacht in the middle of the ocean, the storm raging above them. Mrs. Clark, Tara, and Ray Woods had been there, too, torturing her.Sakura shut her eyes as she remembered the nightmare vividly.Mrs. Clark had shot her, only to hit Darcy instead. As Darcy lay there in her arms, dying from the gunshot wounds, Tara slayed Sebastian with her knife and then pushed him off the boat into the rampant sea.The thought of losing her beloved men made her feel sick to her stomach, and she whimpered softly. She shook he
Across the distance of the sitting room, Sakura silently watched her biological mother being embraced in Ned’s arms as the woman recited her story to her first love. And Sakura had no doubt that she, too, must have played a part of that tale when she had been a baby.Once again, she still couldn’t believe the fact that she, Sakura, had been by her biological father’s side all along, since she had been seven years old in fact. Could this explain why she had always felt connected to the man deep down? Was that why she’d always felt safe and comforted when he was around? And the fact that he had always been there for her and helping her when she had needed someone like a parent the most reminded her again of how important Ned was in her life.When Haruka finally finished telling Ned her tale some fifteen minutes later, Sakura saw Ned comforting her, telling her that he didn’t blame her for what had happened and what she’d done. He told her that he understood what she’d gone through and c