Page 63 of Battery Operated

“You almost put your head in what’s left of the cheese tray,” he explained as he scooted closer. “You’ve got some crumbs in your hair now.”

His long fingers combed through my hair as he picked bits of crackers out of it.

It felt good. It felt like a scalp massage—and I’d forgotten how damn good he was at it.

His fingers still glided through my waves even though I was pretty sure he’d gotten the crumbs out. A moan escaped my lips, and my eyes widened as my cheeks pinked and mortification set in. “I should get—” I tried to sit up, but Gideon’s hypnotic hands were still in my hair, stroking softly.

Brady watched us with a frown. “Let her be,” he said mildly. “After what happened, she’s sensitive about all forms of massage.”

But Gideon’s strong fingers danced along my scalp, and I moaned again. He leaned forward, his face appearing upside down to me. “Do you want me to stop?”

I should. I did. “I… I…”

“What we did was crappy. A lot crappier than I realized at the time,” Gideon said. “But couldn’t tonight be a sort of time out from all of that? Just one night?”

It felt like all three of them were holding their breath, waiting for my answer.

“Okay.” My voice was small, but they heard me. Gideon scooted forward, until his crossed legs were under my neck. I settled on my back as he supported my head with his hands as he stroked my scalp with his thumbs. I groaned. I’d forgotten how damn good this felt.

Warmth pressed against my side. I opened my eyes to find Brady lying next to me. Someone had dimmed the lights, but I knew it was him. I was getting used to feeling him next to me.

Cole was still sitting upright and looked over him and gave him a smile. Then I patted the free space on the other side of me.

He smiled as he lowered himself down next to me.

“Well, aren’t we all cozy,” Gideon observed from above me. But he could be as sarcastic as he wanted as long as he didn’t stop the spectacular massage.

“Can it,” Cole growled. To my surprise, he took my hand in his and started rubbing my palm and squeezing my fingers. I’d never had a hand massage before, but it felt good. A moment later, Brady copied him on the other side.

“Maybe we could include a triple massage when we rent this place out—”

This time, both Brady and Cole told Gideon to can it. Brady rolled away, and a few seconds later, soft music filled the tent.

Above my head, Gideon shook his head, but he stopped making sarcastic remarks. He continued to stroke my head with his amazing skill, and I moaned.

Brady shifted next to me. “When you moan like that, it gives me ideas.”

Mm, I liked the sound of that. “What kind of ideas?”

“You want me to say them aloud?” He sounded surprised.

“Why not?” I said.

I could feel Cole nod from my other side. “I like ideas.”

“Me too,” Gideon said.

I nudged Brady with my elbow. “Don’t keep us in suspense.”

Brady took a deep breath. “Since you’re obviously enjoying the way Gideon’s touching you, I wondered if you might like six hands massaging you.”

My pulse rate quickened, but I couldn’t help pointing out the obvious. “I do have six hands massaging me.” It was true that Cole and Brady were only rubbing my hands, but it was still true.

Gideon tugged on a strand of hair, bringing my attention back to him. “I think you know what Brady’s trying to say.”

Yeah… I think I did, too. “Six hands and, um, less clothing?”

“Exactly,” Brady said. All three men waited for my answer.