Holly felt tense in my lap, her body rigid and her breaths coming out as sharp pants. Flurry sensed her discomfort and scooted closer, until the three of us were snuggled together. He placed a reassuring hand on Holly’s thigh, and her body seemed to relax.
“It’s alright, snow angel,” he murmured. “Sorry to spring this on you, but it’s for the best.”
I leaned against her temple and pressed my lips to her ear. “And don’t worry about your job. The rules don’t apply to mates.” She let out a deep breath, letting her stress go with it, and leaned into me, giving me the acceptance I needed to continue. “This is Holly. A sports journalist assigned to the Growlers, and our mate. Go on, princess.”
She cleared her throat and moved closer to the mic. “H-Hi.”
The press went wild once again.
“Holly, can you tell us what it’s like to be mated to two of the best hockey players in the NMHL?”
“Flurry, how does it feel to replace Klaus as first line center for the Growlers?”
“Klaus, are you retiring to start a family? Is Holly pregnant?”
Holly swallowed hard, and my hands instinctively wrapped around her stomach. She wasn’t pregnant, not that I knew of at least, but part of me was delighted at the idea of her body swelling with our child.
Flurry grinned at me, like he was reading my thoughts. “We’re not expecting. Not anytime soon, at least. This is all very new and we’re enjoying our time together as mates. We won’t be taking any further questions at this time, thank you.”
He grabbed Holly’s hand, leading her offstage, and I followed close behind them. We were silent as we filed down the hallway that led out of the stadium, waiting for Holly to scold us, but she didn’t say a word.
I couldn’t take it anymore. “Holly, we—”
She whipped her head to look at me with tears in her eyes. “You’re really retiring?”
I smiled softly and nodded. “Yes, princess. It’s about time. Flurry will still play and we’ll travel with the team. The three of us will still be together, but I’ll have time to devote to you.”
Holly looked at Flurry. “And you’re fine with this?”
He stroked his hand over her cheek. “I love you and I love Klaus. If this is what he wants, then it’s what I want.” Flurry leveled his blue eyes on me and smirked. “Besides, we both know the old man is slowing down.”
I scoffed. “You certainly don’t seem to think so when I’m pounding your ass.”
Flurry broke out into laughter, and Holly’s cheeks flushed red. The scent of her arousal filled the hallway, drawing our attention towards her.
“Come on,” I purred, grabbing Holly’s hand and then Flurry’s. “I want to go home, take a shower, and fuck my mates.”
They didn’t protest as I tugged them along beside me.
“What was with them assuming I’m pregnant?” Holly huffed. “Of course, their minds would automatically go there.”
Flurry pushed into her shoulder. “Don’t act like you don’t get off on the thought of us breeding you, little mate. I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before you’re begging us to put a baby inside of you.”
Holly fought back a smile, but her scent gave away her true feelings.
I gripped her hand tighter and nuzzled her head. “And until you’re ready, we’ll have plenty of fun trying.”
This was just the beginning. The media was sure to hound us, pressing for more details of our personal lives, but we’d handle it together.
CHAPTER 13
HOLLY
Christmas Eve
Warmth spread through me as I sat on the edge of the couch, a cup of hot chocolate in one hand and my phone in the other. Flurry and Klaus both settled down on the floor, a pile of presents stacked between the three of us. The fire crackled in the hearth, we were all full from a glorious dinner, and our stockings were ready to be filled.
It turned out that Christmas was one of their favorite holidays. I’d never really had a true holiday like this before, and Flurry and Klaus had gone all out. Decorating the tree in the corner was one of my favorite parts.
“Smile,” I told them.
“Oh my gods,” Klaus groaned. “You’re making us take pictures.”
“Oh, come on. You know you want to. Flurry, make him smile.”
Flurry leaned over and kissed Klaus hard enough that he lost his breath. I grinned as I received two happy fanged smiles from my mates. I snapped their picture with a laugh and then tossed my phone to the side.
“I don’t think so, princess,” Klaus said. “I want a picture of all of us too. Come here.”
I faked a dramatic sigh and set my mug down, grabbing my phone and going to them. I squealed as I was pulled into Klaus’ lap, Flurry pulling us close. I laughed as I fumbled to take selfies, many of them coming out blurred.
Fucking hell, I was so happy. Being with them was everything I could have dreamed of.
Beyond the fact that we were out in the open with our relationship, I loved the two of them so much. For the last couple of months, our lives had been a whirlwind. Mike had, thankfully, quit journalism and rumor had it that he’d moved to the other side of the country. I’d moved out of my tiny apartment and into Klaus’ house with Flurry. After our announcement, I’d ended up being asked to be the official photographer for the Growlers—which was way better than having to report any sort of gossip.
Everything had worked out in the end.
For New Years, we planned to visit their families. But since this Christmas was our first holiday together, we’d all agreed to spend it together.
Plus, that meant we could give some fun presents…
And I had a couple surprises up my sleeves.
My hand nearly settled on my stomach just at the thought, but I reminded myself not to do so. I didn’t want to give anything away.
I slid out of Klaus’ lap, smirking as I sat cross-legged on the floor next to them.
Klaus narrowed his gaze at me, already suspecting something. “What are you up to, princess?”
“Nothing,” I said, leaning over to grab my mug again. “Just excited for presents, of course.”
“I’m ready to open my gifts,” Flurry announced excitedly, eyeing the three boxes in front of him.
“Let’s take turns,” Klaus said. “Flurry is first.”
Flurry loved gifts. I winked at Klaus as he picked up the present we’d chosen for him together.
Each one of us had three gifts. One chosen by the other two, then one each individually chosen.
Gods, he was cute. His face lit up as he shredded the wrapping paper. Underneath was a black box. He pulled off the lid and let out a wicked chuckle, drawing out a beautifully crafted leather flogger, a leather harness, and leather handcuffs.
“Fuck,” he said. “These are beautiful.”
“Holly and I agreed that you’d look hot as fuck in a harness,” Klaus said. “And well…the cuffs and flogger are fun too.”
“I love them,” he said, holding the leather to his nose and breathing in. “I love the scent of leather.”
“Me too,” I said.
That was something I’d learned about myself with them too. All the kinks I’d discovered just by being with two people who were open to exploring without shame. I loved floggers and cuffs. I loved being tied up too.