23 | MAILBOX

After spending an eventful week in Fiji, the trio return home hungry and exhausted.

Nichole immediately plops down on Ademar's sofa once inside the condo. She lets the boys do all the heavy lifting with the bags, silently admiring them.

Celebrating Taehyun's birthday out of the county had been the most fun she's had in years. She and Ademar planned everything, purposely leaving Taehyun in the dark until the very last minute. He hadn't expected his lovers to make a big deal out of his birthday, well maybe just Ademar, but he loved every second of his surprise. They would've stayed longer if only they didn't have jobs to manage and businesses to run.

"I hate to sound like a snobby ass bitch but that food in first class didn't hit like I thought it would," Nichole mumbles. "I'm starving. Should we order takeout?"

"Nah. We've splurged enough," Taehyun laughs while bringing in the last bag. He and Ademar collapse next to Nichole, everyone sporting lazy smiles. "I can whip up something simple after I grab a few ingredients from my place. Anyone down for some Korean cuisine?"

"I'll be down for it even more if you make said cuisine while naked." Ademar winks, quickly receiving a playful swat on the leg from Nichole. "What? Did I say something wrong?"

"No. You said something horny, as usual." Nichole rolls her eyes, teasing. "Why is your sex drive forever on ten? The audience would like to know."

Ademar pulls her onto his lap while briefly kissing Taehyun. "How can I possibly stay soft when my partners are two of the most stunning human beings on this wretched planet?"

"Aigo. This guy never stops." Taehyun chuckles. "Always the smooth-talker."

"It's part of my charm," Ademar adds, grinning wickedly. He stands with Nichole in his arms, heading towards his bedroom. "First we shower, then we eat, then we fuck, and then we sleep."

"Gonna let me top you again?" Nichole whispers near Ademar's ear, one hand lightly stroking the back of his neck. "What happened in Fiji doesn't necessarily have to stay in Fiji..."

"You're talking like this after calling me out for being too horny? Seriously?" Ademar laughs, setting her down once inside the bathroom. He meets her eyes while reaching for the hem of her shirt. "And here I thought it was only my mind in the gutter."

"Pretty sure all our minds live in the gutter." Taehyun joins them a few minutes later, already half-dressed. He looks at Ademar and smirks. "But with you, Addy... yours definitely comes from the filthiest part."

"And that, my loves, is what makes me so damn addicting." Ademar draws a bath while Nichole and Taehyun finish undressing, occasionally stopping to kiss and grope each other.

Fifteen minutes later, the three of them are in the bathtub and up to their necks in bubbles.

"Oh my God... That feels so good I might actually cum," Nichole groans. She's laying against Ademar, her eyes closed, and body fully relaxed as Taehyun massages her feet. "How are you so perfect at everything you do? What's your secret? And don't tell me you sold your soul to the devil... otherwise, I'll have to fight him for it."

"It isn't often that total perfection is birthed into this world," Ademar answers. "We have to thank Tae-Tae's parents for creating such a magnificent man. Not only does he have a magical touch, as you already know, but magical fingers, a magical mouth, a magical... cock. He's a walking sin."

Nichole laughs. "I wholeheartedly agree."

"Guys, my birthday is over. There's no need to keep the hype train going," Taehyun whispers, embarrassment tinting his cheeks. "Seriously, though. Isn't this nice? We can live like this every day, be as disgustingly domestic as we want to be."

"I sense a but coming," Ademar says. "And not the cute kind."

Taehyun laughs. "But, in order for us to make that dream come to fruition, we have to take the first step... and that'll be us moving in together."

Nichole's eyes flash open. "Tae..."

"Nichole," Taehyun replies, smiling. "We've talked about this a thousand times while on vacation. Actions speak louder than words, baby. I'm ready to step into the next stage of my life, and I know you and Addy are too, but I can't do it without you both by my side." Taehyun's hands disappear underneath the water, gently stroking Nichole's legs. "I've always told myself that I'd be a homeowner before I turned thirty-five. Got five more years to go, but I figure why wait when I've already found my soulmates?"

"I don't know whether to kiss you or cry," Ademar speaks with a trembling voice, his eyes glistening. He hugs Nichole tightly, planting an innocent kiss on her neck. "What do you say, sweetheart? Are you ready to take our relationship to the next level?"

Nichole didn't have to waste time thinking about her answer. She knows what her heart wants, has known for a long time. And as Taehyun said, it's time she turns her own words into action.

"The past week that I've spent with the both of you," Nichole starts, "I didn't want it to end. Back when I was younger, dumber, and completely ignorant to how true love was supposed to feel, I thought... I-I was certain that Kade and I would be together forever. I was so blinded by his lies and manipulation that I couldn't see how much of myself I had lost while we were together. But being with you two, it's as if the universe is giving me a second chance at love. I don't want to live in a future where neither of you exists, so when you ask if I'm ready..." Nichole shifts to look into Ademar's eyes, tears streaming down his face. "My answer is hell yeah."

"Fuck, I love you both so much." Taehyun moves to get between them, three mouths and multiple hands exploring each other's wet bodies. "I don't care how tired I am. I'm going to make love to you both, fuck you so good that you'll remember this day for the rest of your lives."

The fun eventually gets interrupted by Nichole's cell phone going off from the living room. Had the call not belonged to Caty, based on the ringtone, she would've ignored it.

"Be right back!" Nichole reluctantly leaves to answer the phone, grabbing a towel as she exits the bathroom to not track water all over the place. "Shit. What the hell could she want?" Nichole briefly glances over the ten missed texts that she received, all from Caty, and then answers the call before it can go to voicemail. "Hey, Caty. What's up?"

"I need to know what happened."

"Okay, sure. Skip right to the point," Nichole mutters. "What do you need to know?"

"I need to know what happened between you and my shithead brother. After I gave you his motel address, you said you'd make sure he never bothers us again. Whatever the fuck you did to him that night, I need to know exactly what happened. I need to know everything."

"Caty, honestly... the less you know, the better."

"Care to guess what my parents saw when they opened their mailbox this morning?"

Nichole rolls her eyes. "Mail?"

"Wrong. It was a finger, Nichole. Someone mailed one of my brother's fingers to my parent's house! And with the finger came a burner phone. On it was a text that threatened if we didn't drop 100k at some sketchy ass warehouse located in the middle of nowhere by the end of next week, then they'll mail out his hands next. The cycle will continue until there's nothing left for them to send. Do you finally understand the gravity of this situation?"

Nichole drops to her knees, feeling sick at the stomach. "Oh, Jesus..."

"I'm also shocked but by no means am I surprised. After Kade lost his business, he lost himself. He's been making poor choices ever since. My parents are done picking up after him, and with my father trying to run for mayor... the last thing he needs is to get pulled into Kade's drama. I need to know exactly what you did so that I can place some calls that'll keep us all out of jail."

Nichole can hear Ademar and Taehyun calling for her to re-join them in the tub. She can hear them, but she can't speak. She can't move, can barely breathe. She feels the entire room spin, tears blurring her vision as Caty yells for her to respond.

It isn't often when Nichole hates to be proven right.

She had a hunch that she wasn't quite finished with Kade, a hunch that she chose to ignore for the sake of feeling safe. But as body parts are beginning to get mailed out, it's only a matter of time before Nichole receives an unexpected present waiting for her in her mailbox.

. . .