Nate

We all exchanged looks as they left the room. "Well, they aren't coming back anytime soon," Kota chuckled. "I say we break out some movies and drinks and catch up some more."

Silas handed me a fresh bottle of soda and tapped his against it. "Guess we get to be the designated pair."

"Thanks, Si. I haven't drank since I enlisted. I don't ever want to go back to being that angry idiot again."

He laughed, "Nah, no worries. You can just be a normal idiot like the rest of us." I laughed and took a drink with him. I had to admit, being the sober one watching Sean and Owen get drunk was downright hysterical, especially when Sean dared Owen to twerk.

"Where on earth did you learn to do that? Do you have a fucking stripper pole in this place?" Kota roared as he laughed so hard he fell off the couch.

"I think it's about time to get this guy to bed," Silas said as he hefted North off the couch. "Come on, Kota, you can room with us."

"Aww, you're no fun," North slurred. "I want to go find shortcake."

"I think you might want to wait until morning for that, big guy," Silas told him as he and Kota dragged him to their suite.

I started to get up, trying to find Gabe's room key when I realized it must have been in his pocket. "Shit," I muttered.

"What's wrong?" Sean asked.

"I guess Gabe took the key. I'll just slip in and try not to wake up Isabelle," I told him.

"Here," Owen muttered and a pillow hit me upside the head, followed by a blanket. "Fold out the sofa. No crazy girlfriends in that," he giggled then basically waddled down the hall like a penguin. I swear this is the craziest I've ever seen that man act.

Sean giggled, "Problem solved. Good night, Nate." Then he headed to the other door. I just shook my head and did as Owen suggested, pulling out the sleeper sofa. I turned off the lights, stripped to my boxers, and climbed under the comforter almost instantly falling asleep.

****

"Ouch, feck!" a soft voice hissed.

"Avery?" I muttered sitting up and flipping on the lamp. Her eyes went wide as we looked at each other. Her hair was a mess, and she only had on one of the guy's dress shirts with far too many buttons undone to hide anything. I felt every ounce of blood rush to my cock as I looked at her. She was fucking gorgeous.

She squeaked and pulled her top tighter, but that only made it climb up, showing the slightest hint of her clean-shaven pussy. "Oh my gods, Nathan, I'm sorry...I didn't know you'd be in here. Um, you haven't seen my purse have you?"

I forced myself to look around the room and away from her. "I don't remember seeing it, but then again I was a bit distracted by a twerking Owen," I laughed.

"He did what?" she gaped and sat on the edge of the bed. "Please tell me someone got a video. My life simply will not be complete without seeing that." Her giggles were adorable as her eyes positively gleamed with mischief.

"Well, Sean was filming, but he was a bit drunk as well, so I can't promise it was a great shot," I grinned. "Can I help you find something, I mean, did you need something particular from your purse?"

"Oh, well my head hurts and I had some paracetamol in there," she explained, rubbing her temples. "Maybe I'm just dehydrated."

"Don't those three know about good aftercare," I frowned.

She slapped my arm lightly, "Hey be nice. They did take care of me, it's just when I woke up to go to the bathroom my head started hurting and I couldn't find my purse. This was the last place I saw it, so..."

"Hang on," I told her and slid out of the bed, grabbing a bottle of water for her and digging around in the cabinets for a granola bar. "Here, try these and cover up. If I had to guess, I'd say you're heading into a delayed subdrop." She gave me a confused look and I patted the bed as I climbed in. "Come on, just relax for a bit, or I can take you back to the guys."

She didn't answer but did climb in next to me as I pulled the comforter over her. "So how long were you in the military?" she asked, leaning against my shoulder. Her skin felt cold and I put my arm around her.

"Eight years. I retired after my tour in the Middle East. That's when I met Isabelle. It was great at first, but then it wasn't."

"I'm sorry if I was too nosy earlier," she hesitated, "Why did you kiss me?"

I looked at her and gulped. "I could come up with a million excuses, but the truth is I have no idea. When you asked if I loved her I got lost in my own thoughts and when you started to leave I panicked. I'm sorry for upsetting you."

She gave a little yawn and I noticed she was trembling slightly. "I don't feel good," she whimpered.

"I know. Drink a bit more water for me, okay?" I lifted the bottle to her lips and she took a drink, but I held the bottle as her hands were shaking more now. She finished the granola bar and water before I pulled her closer. "I'm not going to do anything, I promise, but you're dropping harder. You need to stay warm. Being held helps too."

To my surprise, she didn't object and laid her head on my chest. I pulled the comforter around her, tucking her in as I wrapped my arms around her. "Just rest, Cariño."

She gave a soft giggle, "A mhuirnín (pronounced uh WUR-neen)," then drifted off to sleep.

I ran my fingers through her hair as she slept and must have eventually fallen asleep myself because the next thing I knew was the room was filled with morning light and voices were filling the room.

"I know he's here! He's with that puta, isn't he?" Isabelle's voice screeched.

I felt Avery tense in my arms. I pulled her chin up, "Hey, just relax. We didn't do anything wrong. You fell asleep and I guess I did too."

"But it doesn't look like that," she whimpered as we heard Owen yelling at Iz and telling her to leave or he'd throw her off the property.

"Just stay here. No matter what you hear, just stay on the couch and I'll take care of her, I promise. Do you trust me, Avery?" I asked her. She looked into my eyes with such honest trust and nodded. "Good girl. I'll be back."

I slid out of the covers and pulled on my pants and shirt. I didn't even bother to button it and headed to the door. "What the hell are you going on about Isabelle?"

"Where have you been? You said you were staying with Gabe, but he isn't even in his room. You fucked her, didn't you? You bastardo tramposo!" She raised her hand to slap me, but I grabbed it.

"I didn't fuck anyone and I'll be damned if you are going to stand here and embarrass me or degrade my friends. You need to leave. I'll take care of the flight and have my belongings removed from the villa. I won't be returning. We are done," I growled.

"You...you don't mean that," she stammered.

"Oy, what the fuck is all this yelling about?" Gabe hollered as he came up the hall, looking freshly fucked. Much to my surprise, not only were Luke and Victor with him, but Avery. How the hell... "Oh, it's the superbitch. What's the problem now, Isabelle?"

"She is...that puta is trying to ruin my relationship!"

"Call my fiancé a whore one more time and I'll have you kicked out of the country," Victor growled, pulling Avery against him. "And for your information, she was with us last night...all three of us."

Isabelle's mouth gaped and she stomped her foot, "You're lying. She doesn't even have a ring," she sneered as she flashed hers.

"That's the only thing you have," I told her, "because you certainly don't have me anymore. Just go and stop making an ass of yourself." The elevator opened and two officers stepped out.

"Gentlemen, please escort Ms. Miraz to her room so that she can gather her belongings, then deliver her to the airport and ensure she makes her flight," Owen said curtly. "If she refuses then I intend to file harassment charges immediately."

"You can't," she hissed.

He chuckled, "Oh I can and I will. Just try me."

One of the officers reached for her arm, "Ma'am."

"Don't touch me! I'm going." She looked at me, "This isn't over, Nate...not by a long shot."

"Yeah, it is, and it has been for a long time. Your behavior just reminded me of it." I shook my head as they led her off and the others stepped into Owen's suite. Once the door was shut I looked at Avery, "How the hell did you do that?"

She winked, "I can't tell all my secrets."

"So what is this about a fiancé?" Owen asked, clearing his throat.

Her cheeks flushed, "Well, these three might have proposed last night and I said yes." She stepped forward and put her arms around his neck, "Along with a preemptive yes to the rest of you, should you be so inclined."

"Oh, Ms. Dorman, I am very inclined," he purred and crashed his lips against hers.

Sean stumbled into the kitchen, "Did I just hear correctly...we're engaged?" About that time, North, Silas, and Kota came in.

Avery giggled and wriggled out of Owen's arms. "Well since you're all here, how about I twist this a bit?" She got down on her bent knee and looked at them. "My loves, will you marry me?"

"Hell yes!" was the resounding answer around the room as they all hugged and kissed. I felt a pang in my heart as I watched them all together, but I also felt so happy for them.

She came up to me and hugged me, "Thank you for taking care of me last night. You're a good man, Nathan."

I grinned and kissed the top of her head, "You are an amazing soul, Cariño."

"As are you, A mhuirnín."

"What does that mean?" I asked her.

"The same thing as cariño." She gave a playful smirk. "It's not my fault you assumed I didn't know Spanish." She laughed at my shocked expression. "Now, how about you join us for breakfast? I realize we aren't in the same relationship I am with the others, but you are my friend, and I trust you."

"Thank you, Avery," I whispered. "I'm going to kiss you now. Please don't slap me."

"I won't," she whispered as our lips pressed together. It was a simple kiss that lingered. I felt like my entire soul was replenished in those few moments.

Our foreheads rested against one another's for a few moments and I mumbled under my breath, "Who are you?"

She just giggled softly.  

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