Jacey nodded, knowing she’d do no less for a brother she loved.
As the women walked back inside, they heard voices from the front part of the house.
“That’s Ava, Roarke and Sam,” Holly said, moving swiftly toward the voices. Jacey followed more slowly.
These were close friends of Derrick’s and she owed it to him to get to know them, but Jacey was wary of others.
Derrick had told her that the three of them were in a relationship together. Sam and Ava were submissives, Roarke their Dom. She’d been a bit shocked. But it wasn’t like she hadn’t read a few ménage romances. All purchased in secret, of course. Her parents and Stephan wouldn’t have approved of her reading material.
She believed everyone should be free to live their life as they wished so long as they weren’t hurting anyone else. As long as Roarke wasn’t abusing his two submissives she had no issue with their unusual relationship.
She stood back a bit while everyone greeted each other.
“Holly, it’s great to see you!” A gorgeous man, with white-blond hair and amazingly blue eyes took Holly into his arms, giving her a huge hug.
“How are you, Holly?” A dark-haired man asked in a deep voice, pulling Holly from the blond man’s embrace. The blond man placed his arm around a tiny woman standing next to him who had to be Ava.
The dark-haired man had to be Roarke; there was an air of authority surrounding him that was unmistakable. He looked down at Holly, running a finger down her cheek. “You look pale. Are you feeling all right?”
Without waiting for an answer, he raised his head and looked over at Brax.
“Is she okay? Is she getting plenty of rest?”
“Sheesh, Roarke, you’re as bad as these two. Don’t go giving Brax any more ammunition. He’s already trying to put me to bed every two minutes. I’m perfectly fine.”
“Has the morning sickness stopped?” Ava asked, placing her hand on Holly’s arm with concern.
Holly blew out a breath. “I wish it was just morning sickness. It goes on all day. But at least I seem to have stopped throwing up. How about you, Jacey? Please tell me the morning sickness gets better as you get further along.”
Everyone’s attention turned to her and Jacey resisted the urge to run and hide.
“I was actually pretty lucky,” she replied. “I only had a few weeks of feeling sick.”
“I think dinner is nearly ready,” Derrick interjected. “Why don’t we move into the dining room and I’ll make the necessary introductions.”
The dining room was rather grand with a large, oak table dominating the space. Beautiful artworks adorned the walls and an amazing chandelier sat over the table.
Derrick held out the chair to his right and helped her sit.
“Roarke, Sam and Ava, this is Jacey. Jacey, next to you is Roarke.” The dark-haired man nodded to her. “Beside him is Ava.” The petite woman sent her a friendly smile. “And last but not least is Sam.”
“Hiya, sweetheart,” Sam said. “So you’re preggers as well?”
“Sam!” Ava scolded, whacking his arm. “I’m sorry, Jacey. You get used to him after a while.”
“He grows on you,” Roarke commented.
“Rather like an annoying kid brother you can’t get rid of,” Holly added.
“My heart is breaking,” Sam said playfully, placing a hand over his heart as he slumped in his chair. “See the abuse I have to put up with, Jacey? I don’t know why I’m friends with these people.”
“Because no one else would have you,” Holly told him with a grin.
Everyone chuckled as Sam shook his head, a wounded look on his face. Just like that the ice was broken and conversation continued. Jacey soon found herself relaxing.
After dinner, she was feeling tired but happy. The men wandered outside to have a cigar. The women moved into the living room.
“So are you and Brax in the city for long, Holly?” Ava asked as they all sat.