JM BENAVIDEZ

My new house was in the middle of the new dwellings; next to the girls' dorm and theater. All and all, it was a pretty nice location. My name was written in golden scrolled letters on the front door and I smiled at the irony of it; I was not a golden girl. I placed my hand on the doorknob and turned slowly, letting the door swing open. I gasped softly as I saw the inside of my new living space. It was beautiful and better than I could have ever imagined. I stepped inside, taking it all in as Amadeus and Zuriel followed behind me. The walls were a light cream color with tall tropical trees in the corners, overhanging into the living room. The couches were decorated in an overlapping green leaf pattern. The floors were made of light wood and there was a large palm leaf shaped rug in the middle. There was a bamboo ceiling fan with flower shaped lights. 

The kitchen was a soft green with white cupboards. The handles on all of the doors and drawers had tiny lavender flowers on them, nothing fancy, but just a touch of femininity. There were three bamboo stools set up at the island that separates the kitchen from the living room, creating a small dining space. The whole kitchen and living space was brilliantly lit by the large one way windows that were not noticeable from the outside. I let out a tiny squeak and the guys laughed. "I can't believe this is mine!" I practically skipped past them to check out my bedroom. My hand flew up to my mouth as I opened the bamboo print door to my room. 

The walls were painted a light blue, but the main wall had a mural of open white French doors leading out to dock and a Caribbean beach scene. There was a massive bed with a white canopy suspended over it, almost like mosquito netting you might use in the tropics. The bed was dressed in a shimmery silver-grey wave patterned comforter. The floor was made of short speckled carpet that resembled white beach sand. The furniture was predominantly white, but it looked distressed and had shells for handles and accents. There was a large mirror that hung over the dresser and it was framed in different shells, starfish and sand dollars. Several white paper lanterns hung around the room, adding extra light. There were several skylights in the ceiling that helped give the room an outdoor feel. The guys nodded appreciatively as they stepped into my room. "This is very nice." Amadeus smiled. "I imagine, my dad probably did a beach theme for my room, but I doubt it's like this." 

I grinned and headed towards the bathroom. I giggled emphatically as I threw the door open. The bathroom was decorated in tiny iridescent glass tiles in every shade of blue and green giving the walls the appearance of a cross between fish scales and the ocean. Occasionally there would be a random tile in a vibrant red or gold, adding to the ambiance. There were also brilliant colored fish scattered around the room, as well as deep sparkly green seaweed snaking up from the floor along the baseboards. The floor was white and gold sparkly marble. There was a large mirror over a double sink next to a huge shower that could probably fit several people. The shower was enclosed in wavy blue glass doors and had multiple shower heads spraying from different directions. There was also an oversized Jacuzzi style tub that could probably fit me and all of my sisters at the same time. I was marveling over the tub when Zuriel entered behind me. "I think I'm moving in, I just want to hang out in your tub. Look at the size of that beast!" 

I laughed and hopped down into the tub, sitting on one of the seats. "Come on in." He laughed and climbed down in, sitting next to me. "Amadeus, come look at this tub!" I called as Amadeus stepped into the bathroom. He shook his head laughing. "That is obscene; we could have a party in there." Zuriel laughed and motioned for him to join us. Amadeus shook his head as he climbed into the tub and sat beside me, opposite Zuriel. "There is easily room for three more people, maybe four." I nodded, smiling as I looked around the dry tub half filled with three fully dressed people. "I think dad made it big enough for all of the girls." Zuriel laughed. "They'll definitely be jealous." I sighed, sliding down into the reclined seat. "I'm jealous! I can't believe I get to live here." I looked from Zuriel to Amadeus. "I can't believe a lot of things that have happened today and it has barely started." Amadeus looked deep into my eyes. "What surprised you most?" I shrugged. "There are so many surprises to choose from. Finding out we shared dreams, you kissing me, wanting to kiss him, finding out it was ok, this place. Take your pick."

Amadeus laughed quietly and stood to his feet. As he stepped in front of me he extended his hand down to me. "That reminds me." I raised an eyebrow and took his hand, allowing him to help me to my feet. "Reminds you of what?" He pulled me close, looking down into my face and smiling. My heart raced as he lowered his beautiful face towards mine. "That I'd really like to kiss you again." He brought his lips close but stopped just short of touching mine. "If you'll let me." I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him down to me and kissing him. Amadeus wrapped an arm around my waist and cupped the back of my head with his other hand, cradling me against him as he kissed me back. My mind went fuzzy and my vision blurred as I got lost in his kiss. The only thing I was aware of was the sound of his breathing mixed with my heartbeat pounding in my ears and the warmth of his soft lips on mine. 

I was completely oblivious to the fact that Zuriel was still sitting in the room, just a few feet behind me, watching us closely; until Amadeus loosened his hold on me and slowly pulled back. The moment my eyes fluttered open, my mind went into full panic mode as Zuriel once again entered my mind. Amadeus shushed me quietly, placing his palm against my cheek. I closed my eyes and leaned into the palm of his hand. "Zuriel." Amadeus spoke in almost a whisper and Zuriel stood to his feet behind me. Amadeus smiled and brushed his hand across my cheek before taking a step backwards. 

I felt Zuriel's hand brush across my elbow and I turned towards him, looking up into his eyes nervously. His eyes met mine and I felt like the wind had been knocked out of my lungs. I could scarcely breathe for the impact his look had on me. He wasn't disgusted or jealous by my kiss, he desired me even more because of it. My chest rose and fell rapidly as I struggled to regain my breath. He still held my elbow gently in one hand and brushed my hair back from my face with the other. "Does it bother you having both of us here like this?" I bit my bottom lip thoughtfully. "Yes and no. Not when you have my undivided attention like this, but when I remember we aren't alone it does." He brushed his hand over my cheek and down my chin. "When you were kissing him, did I bother you?" I shook my head, almost afraid I would offend him. "I lost sight of you for a minute and forgot you were here." I wrinkled my forehead begging him to understand and he lifted my chin, brushing his thumb over my bottom lip. "What if I wanted to kiss you? Would it bother you that he's standing right behind you?" I shrugged. "Only if I thought about it." 

Zuriel wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me tightly against his body and splaying his hand across my back. I gasped as I looked up into his eyes. "I want to kiss you like I did last night in our dreams, I want you to kiss me back, just like you did and I want you to forget he's standing here." His lashes fluttered softly as he looked down at my mouth and then back up into my eyes. "But only if you want me to kiss you." My heart pounded and I closed my eyes, listening to the sound of it, getting lost in the feel of his arms. I opened my eyes and reached up, knotting my hands in his hair as I pulled him closer to me. "What are you waiting for Zuriel?" He smiled and brought his lips down on mine, wrapping both arms around my back and crushing me against him. I whimpered softly at the intensity of his grasp and he slid his tongue between my lips. I closed my eyes, letting my tongue caress his as I pulled him deeper into our kiss by his hair. I did forget Amadeus was there, just like I had forgotten Zuriel had been there; until Zuriel loosened his grip and reality flooded back in.

Zuriel pulled my hands from his hair and pulled them down to his chest, holding them gently in his hands as he kept his eyes locked on mine. "Amadeus, take a step forward." I closed my eyes as I felt the warmth radiating of Amadeus' body behind mine. Zuriel took my right hand and held it out, forcing me to turn towards Amadeus as he did it. Zuriel's eyes left mine as he placed my hand on Amadeus' chest. My heart was racing and I was in a near panic as I stood between them, both holding one of my hands over their hearts. Amadeus brushed his thumb across the back of my hand. "Easy Meira, take a deep breath." I did as he asked and hung my head, closing my eyes and trying to get used to the idea that it was ok to be with both of them at the same time. I had seen my mom interact with my dad and uncles many times. Of course I'd never seen them do any more than a quick peck or tender touch; but she had never seemed to freak out about it. If she could do it with fourteen guys, I could certainly have a relationship with two guys at the same time. 

I slowly opened my eyes and looked from one pair of eyes to the other. "Why is this so important? Mom doesn't do this. She's only with one at a time." Zuriel smirked. "No she's not. That's just what we see. But if this bothers you, we'll stop." Amadeus nodded. "But it would be easier on all of us if we can be comfortable together, otherwise it's always one or the other and you'll be torn between us. That's part of what mom doesn't show you, she's torn between fourteen hearts, not able to be with all of them at the same time, so it's like part of her heart is always missing." I nodded, understanding exactly how she felt. "That's how I feel. It's like if I give attention to either of you, I'm neglecting the other." Zuriel nodded. "We don't want you to feel that way, but we also don't want to pressure you and make you uncomfortable. You always hold the reigns here Meira." Amadeus nodded. "And just because you might feel comfortable one time, doesn't mean you have to the next. You always have the right to change your mind."  I sighed and opened my palms against their chests. "This is really awkward for me. Can we at least get out of the bathtub?" They chuckled and took a step backwards.

Zuriel reached out a hand towards me to help me out of the tub. "We'll follow you." I laughed and climbed out of the tub. I forced my heart to try and find a natural rhythm as I took advantage of the distance between us. I couldn't believe how quickly my body decided it wanted both of these men; especially when my mind was still trying to wrap itself around the idea. My heart was already onboard with my body, cheering for both of them and swooning continuously. I steered clear of my bed and made a beeline for the living room, plopping down in the middle of the couch. I took one last deep breath as they rounded the couch and sat down on either side of me, pinning me closely between them. 

I giggled nervously. "You guys are going to keep pushing this until I accept it aren't you?" Zuriel leaned back against the corner of the couch, giving me some extra space, but not really moving. I groaned and leaned against Amadeus' shoulder without realizing I had done it. "Seriously guys? All you are doing is making me feel more uncomfortable." Amadeus wrapped his arm around my shoulder, tucking me against his ribcage and Zuriel raised his eyebrow. "Really? Because you look pretty comfortable to me." I twitched and then looked up at Amadeus who smiled down at me. I snorted softly. "Well shit." He kissed my temple softly and Zuriel patted my thigh. "See, we won't bite and we aren't going to get offended. We just want to be able to be around you at the same time." I frowned down at where Zuriel's hand rested on my thigh. "Speaking of comfortable let me get out of this damned skirt." They chuckled and I threw my arms, launching myself forward and up off the couch. 

Zuriel followed me around the couch with his eyes. "But I like the skirt." I giggled as I walked into my bedroom. "I get the feeling you'd like me in anything." There was a moment of silence, followed by two deep sets of laughter. I walked back to the door and placed my hands on my hips. "What?" Amadeus looked away from me and Zuriel's eyes met mine. "Or in nothing." My mouth fell open and I quickly closed the door between us. They both laughed again and I shook my head. I was going to have a hard time following my dad's guidelines. It was easy to let emotions and hormones get the better of you and help make your decisions for you. I quickly changed out of my skirt and into a pair of jean shorts before returning to the living room.

When I walked back in, the guys were still sitting in exactly the same place I left them. I took a deep breath as I walked through the room and deposited myself between them again. I closed my eyes, wondering how I was going to survive the rest of the night if I could barely survive the next five seconds. I shook my head. "I can't do this. Not yet." I stood to my feet and turned to face both of them. "I know you don't mean to pressure me, but I feel pressured. I can't act the way I want to because you are both here. I have to learn who we are together separately before I can accept us as a whole." I reached a hand out to each of them, pulling them to their feet when they took it. I reached up and placed a hand on each of their cheeks and then looked from one to the other. "Give me time." 

Zuriel smiled, placing his hand over mine. "You have as much time as you want or need." He pulled my hand from his face and kissed my cheek softly. "You two spend some time together. I'll see you later this afternoon." I wrinkled my brows curiously and he laughed. "I invaded your day together remember?" The lights went on in my head and I nodded. "That's right." He laughed and nodded to Amadeus. "Stay out of trouble." Amadeus laughed and Zuriel left my apartment, casting a quick glance over his shoulder as he closed the door.