Peridot (Jewels Cafe Book 3)
Peridot
M. Sinclair
Copyright © M. Sinclair, 2019. All rights reserved.
No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without the permission from the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are products of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously.
Description
Stand Alone Fantasy RH
Live with your three best guy friends, they said! It won't drive you crazy, they said! Lies! They are driving me crazy... but mostly because I have a big secret. I'm crazy about them. So what the heck am I going to do about it?
Need a quick steamy read this Halloween?! pick up Peridot. It has everything you could ever need in only 20k. Hot fae men? Check! Pumpkin spice lattes? Check! Steamy scenes and drama? Check! A true happily ever after? Check! Trust me you will want to read this! Come meet Peridot, Reaghan, Ruslan, and Oryn!
Fantasy RH. Content is for +18 audience. Mild violence, swearing (shocking - I know), and steamy scenes. Peridot is part of the Jewels Cafe series, be sure to check out the 11 other novellas within the series! For updates visit my social media pages and join Sinclair's Ravens!
©️M.Sinclair 2019
Contents
Peridot
Ruslan
Peridot
Oryn
Peridot
Reaghan
Peridot
Ruslan
Peridot
Oryn
Peridot
Reaghan
Epilogue
Jewels Cafes
Preview
Also by M. Sinclair
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For those who love our over the top alpha males AND our kickass heroines.
“The Union Of Love And Madness”
Peridot
“Move over,” I mumbled with a soft small groan. I assumed my cat, Cupcake, was hogging the bed. For such a little thing, she could really spread out. Except… Cupcake didn’t have a warm, muscular chest. So who the hell was in my bed?
My head shot up and upon realizing whose chest I was on, my face turned a bright shade of pink. My sleeping roommate was sprawled underneath me with one large arm placed behind his head. The other was resting on my lower back so that my face was buried in his ridiculously muscular body. I blinked a few times, finding it difficult to focus on anything except his body.
He did this on purpose. All three of them did. They were in cahoots with one another and trying to destroy me through my libido. Why had I decided to live with them again? Oh, wait! Because they were my best fucking friends.
I was totally friend-zoned. Fuck my life.
“Reaghan,” I complained, hiding my blush against his chest. “You can’t keep coming in my bed.”
The sleepy god-like Fae opened one piercing green eye and a small seductive smirk danced on his lips. No one, and I mean no one should look that god damn good in the morning!
“Last time I checked, I hadn’t come in your bed,” He purred while stretching his arms above his head. My rustic little bedroom had a large king size bed with cream sheets and a massive down comforter that was pushed near the end of the mattress. Clearly, the male furnace that was my roommate had made it too warm for the heavy blanket.
“Oh, my Maker,” I chuckled, trying to hide the squeak in my voice. “You are freakin’ ridiculous. Get out, now!”
Reaghan tugged my waist forward as he nuzzled against my throat before releasing me. I tried not to let the gruff man get to me, but he was always making my heart pitter-patter. Stupid fae men and their stupid attractiveness.
I watched as the dark blonde haired man stood up to expose his lean, ripped muscles and rune tattooed body. He wore a pair of pants on his narrow cut hips and I tried to not lick my lips looking at his obvious morning bulge. Wouldn’t do any good to encourage him. Reaghan Elder was a terrible flirt, but I knew he probably didn’t mean anything about it.
The three of us had been friends since fifteen, and now that we were out of high school… well, I didn’t expect anything to change.
“Don’t look at me like that,” he chuckled softly. I blushed and raised my brows. Me? Looking at him? No… then he popped out his damn wings.
All Fae wings were delicate, almost butterfly-like in nature. We could glamour them along with our slightly pointed ears. Luckily, in Silver Springs, that wasn’t needed. The entire town had a natural glamour that made anyone from the supernatural community appear human. We didn’t want to go scaring all the norms, now did we?! Despite that, I seemed to be the only one from my little family that let my wings out in public, which was a damn shame. Reaghan’s wings were by far the most beautiful out of all of ours. Like his eyes, they were a jewel tone emerald green, edged in the same pretty bronze gold that we all had. It was stunning in the morning light, and I was once again staring like a fool.
“Look at you like what?” I blinked innocently.
His lip twitched as he shook his head and sauntered out. I sighed, watching his ass as he left. Don’t judge, you would do it too. He was so fucking hot, and those damn wings had every part of me lighting up. I frowned, once again wondering why they never had their wings out in public. I almost always wore mine extended. Well, at least when I was with the boys.
Then again, what did I know about Fae culture? My parents had been distant at best and completely absent at worst. I’d seen them once a year since I had enrolled in high school and then they’d moved their business entirely in the Fae realm. Despite living alone, I’d found the boys at my house more often than not, so it was an easy choice to all move in together once we graduated. My parents’ large estate sat empty. As it should. The point? Everything I’d learned about Fae culture had come from these boys, and I still felt like there was a shit ton I didn’t know.
“Peri?” Oryn’s sleepy voice called from somewhere in our four bedroom cottage.
“In bed,” I muttered without much conviction. I didn’t want to see his handsome ass self either. Couldn’t I just lay in bed and mourn my friend-zone state alone? Apparently not. Needy fuckers.
Yes, Peridot. You sound like you really hate that.
My room was much like the rest of the house: warm, comfortable, and lived in. As Fae, we liked to be surrounded by nature, so we’d purposely purchased a property that backed against the forest while still leaving plenty of room on all sides for our gardens. We even had a beautiful greenhouse that Reaghan had built this past summer. Despite it being fall now, everything was in great health and the autumn sunlight streaming through the window cast a pretty yellow shade over everything. Dark wood and cream colored walls. The fireplaces in the main room were already lit and crackling. The windows were open just enough for a slight breeze. This was home. It wasn’t massive, but it was warm and cozy, leaving me with a feeling I’d never experienced at my parent’s place.
This was also hell because I was crazy over the three Fae men I lived with.
So why did we live together?
Besides having been friends for some time, the four of us had decided to go into business together. As Fae, we had a natural affinity for earth magic, and so we came up with the idea for the House of Dionysus. Originally a wine bar, it had transformed into a fresh and healthy restaurant option as well. It was a stunning little place, and made me proud that we’d created something so unique from scratch. The best part was that we each played a fundamental part in it. Reaghan was not only a fantastic chef but he also was able to produce the wine from start to finish with what we grew here on the land. Oryn, our resident genius and my best friend, handled
the number game while Ruslan handled the business and legal contracts. So what did I do? Besides being fabulous, of course. I focused on marketing, events, design, and the whole nine yards! With our opening only being mid-summer, we’d become popular enough that we were catering a fall festival this weekend.
Something that as of this Friday morning, I was feeling the pressure of handling.
“What’s wrong, Peri?” Oryn asked, looking over me curiously. My full name was Peridot Beaumont. I know, it was obnoxious. Then again, Oryn Jinx was pretty bad as well. I was glad that he used a nickname for mine instead; it was freakin’ mouthful.
“Just stressed,” I sighed as my eyes met his clear, cloudless sky gaze. Despite wearing a t-shirt and jeans, he looked ruffled. His dark curls were messy and his wings were a pale blue that fluttered as if he was constantly in motion. My eyes trailed down to his sculpted lips that tempted me to kiss them. I ignored it. Or tried to, really, really hard.
“We’ve got this,” He assured with a brilliant smile. “Reaghan is making breakfast, though, so you should probably get up.”
Oh, thank the Maker! I could smell the coffee.
I groaned and stood in my oversized t-shirt as my wings expanded out into a dazzling sapphire and amethyst effect. Oryn’s eyes traced them and I thought I saw a flash of heat sizzle between us. Then he was smiling and tugging my hand. I briefly caught my reflection in the mirror.
At only 5’2, I was far shorter than these men, but I had enough curves to make me feel womanly. I wore around a size six and my hips were totally bigger than my boobs but...hey! Can’t have everything! My hair was a dark rich color that curled against my olive skin and I looked like I had permanently arched brows. I’d gotten a pretty gold piercing in the right one to distract away from it, but it seemed to make it worse. Oryn’s 6’ height towered over me as we walked into the main room, my patterned socks keeping my feet warm.
“Flower,” Ruslan called from where he sat with two cups of coffee.
I fucking loved this man.
Ruslan’s dark rich mahogany skin was contrasted by the white undershirt he wore with suit pants. I knew he wasn’t dressed fully yet, but he was already showered and the half suited look was sexy. I trounced over and sat my ass right on his knee as those russet eyes looked over me with appreciation. I was sad his amber colored wings were hidden right now. I loved those wings. I couldn’t tell you the amount of times I’d sat tracing them with my fingers.
“Thank you,” I grinned, sipping the coffee and letting out a small moan.
“Dangerous noises, Peridot,” Reaghan called out as Oryn smacked his head. I felt Ruslan pull me closer as I looked down at him.
“Do you think we will have everything ready by tomorrow?”
“I think,” He took a sip of coffee before twirling a piece of my hair, “that it is going to be a very long weekend.”
I nodded my head and looked at the clock. “Before we go in today, can we grab some more coffee? I want to stop by that cute little coffee shop.”
“Why?” Oryn frowned.
I rolled my eyes. “We aren’t talking about this again.”
“What?” Ruslan demanded, his voice commanding and causing my center to heat.
No. Bad idea. Ruslan… had a teeny tiny overprotective nature.
Actually, all of them did. But Ruslan was super intense.
“There is this human,” Reaghan muttered, shaking his head, “that asked her on a date the last time we were there. Apparently, he works down the street and goes every day for lunch.”
“Do you like him?” Ruslan’s eyes darkened as his head snapped to look at me.
No, you dummies. I like you.
“Guys!” I exclaimed, smiling and ignoring the dark little trill of my heart. “Stop it. I just wanted to get coffee. Not men. Just coffee.”
Oryn huffed as Ruslan muttered something. They were an overprotective bunch, and I wished it was for the right reasons...then again, could I talk? I had yet to admit how much I loved them. Would I ever? Maybe after the festival? I mean, what was the worst that could happen…oh, wait! I could lose my only family! No big deal, obviously.
“Breakfast is ready!”
Yeah… sometime later for sure.
Ruslan
I’d always enjoyed building things. This business? House of Dionysus was something I had built and now grown attached to. I couldn’t help it, it was my nature to grow attached to the things I invested myself into. While small, the restaurant wine bar was located in the main city center and opened in the afternoon. It offered an array of homemade wines that Reaghan produced and a menu of fresh food choices that he had put together. In a world of fast food, it was nice to produce an entire establishment that offered garden produced food. So yes, I had grown attached to the place.
Not just to the shop, though.
I watched Peridot move throughout the shop, fixing the blue and green velvet chairs and dark wood tables for anyone that would arrive at opening. The restaurant had a luxurious and rich vibe to it with big windows and thick velvet curtains that were drawn open during the day. Candles sat around the shop, and fresh flowers countered the evening nature of the atmosphere. It really was a very unique place. It was hard to appreciate it though, in comparison to her. We all had our wings put away, as most Fae would, while Peridot had hers fluttering about behind her. Strands from her dark curly hair fell in graceful patterns along her sparkling skin.
The woman was fucking stunning.
How long would I wait to tell her? How long would we wait to tell her? It wasn’t unusual for Fae to mate at eighteen, and we had all but announced our intentions when we’d bought a house together. A house that had a large piece of land and room for expansion. A house with four bedrooms already. A house for a family.
Yet, the only one who hadn’t seemed to catch on was Peri. I knew she would need to be told, though, because she would never assume something like that. The woman was confident and refreshing, but sweet as sugar. She would always rather err on the side of caution than assume something about someone. Her family’s absence had really done a number on her confidence regarding people’s affection towards her.
“Ruslan?” She called out, looking over at me. Instantly, Oryn turned back to the computer as if he hadn’t been staring like a love sick fool.
“What’s up, Flower?” I asked as her cheeks tinted. She was wearing this soft, oversized sweater and leggings today, making me want to just wrap her up and sit her in front of the fireplace. Christ. Couldn’t we just go home for the day? I groaned inwardly, thinking about stripping off that soft sweater from her curvy little body.
“I want to go grab coffee really quick, do you want to come with?” She chirped, putting her hands on her hips. I tried to not follow the line of her hips and ass. It was a difficult feat.
“Bring me back a coffee, please,” Reaghan called from the kitchen.
“Nothing for me, Peri,” Oryn offered her a soft smile. Her blush was fucking killing me.
“Let’s go,” I nodded before grabbing her scarf and tucking it around her neck, kissing her forehead. She made a soft surprised sound as I grabbed her left hand. I frowned, looking down at it. Her far-too-bare left hand. That would change soon.
I wasn’t exactly known for being patient.
“I can’t believe how chilly it’s gotten,” She whispered happily as I looked down at her dark, nearly burning eyes that looked over every inch of the festive downtown area.
“Are you cold?” I frowned, moving to take off my jacket.
She grinned and shook her head. “I’m good, Ruslan.”
I could make you way fucking better.
“Jewels?” I rose a brow at the festive, comfortable coffee shop.
“Yep!” She grinned with a bright smile. “I heard their pumpkin spice latte is amazing.”
“Maybe I should try it.” I muttered. Off your lips.
As we walked into the crowded shop, happy and relaxed chatter echoed around u
s. My hand tightened around hers as we took our place in the small line. She was seemingly oblivious to the men looking at her, but I was very much not. My arm wrapped around her as I pulled her against me, causing her to stop her light-hearted humming as she looked up at me. A small smile pulled at her lips as she raised a questioning brow.
“I’m cold,” I chuckled the lame excuse.
“Yeah?” She looked amused but didn’t seem to believe me. I briefly wondered what she thought the real reason was. I wished that she could see what the three of us did because it would make all of this a hell of a lot easier. I mean, we didn’t expect her to feel it to the same extent that we did… but one could dream. Right?
“Peridot?” A deeper voice sounded. A low rumble came from my throat as she jumped in surprise at my reaction. Yeah. I didn’t do well with her around other men. She watched me carefully before turning to look at the human that had just approached.
Ah. This guy. Fucking asshole. I wasn’t just saying that because I assumed he was the one that Oryn had been talking about asking her out the other day. No, I personally didn’t like this guy.
I didn’t hate lawyers usually, but he was one of the worst. He’d made it nearly impossible for us to get a liquor license. Now I had an idea of why. He clearly didn’t understand Fae nor the unspoken claim we had over this spectacular woman, because he offered her a dirty smirk.
“Jimmy,” She grinned with a tightness in her frame. “How are you?”
Before he could respond, a deep voice behind the counter asked for our order. Both of us ordered as I ignored Jimmy standing to the side. My flower got herself a pumpkin spice latte and tossed me a smile at my slightly different order. If I was going to be trying that fucking drink, it would be off her lips, thank you very much.