The three of us moved seamlessly. Rafe plastered himself against me, his hot breath tickling my ear from exertion after the fourth or fifth song. Aiden’s hairline was damp with sweat, and I could taste it every time he kissed me. Rafe seemed to just be watching us, since that’s what he did best. He was observing how Aiden and I interacted, and probably taking notes on what I liked.
We could have danced for hours. I was burning hot in between these two six-foot-something men, but I wasn’t about to stop. I could’ve passed out, and that would’ve been fine. Rafe could give me mouth-to-mouth.
I had no idea when my mind had changed about the Prince. He’d stalked me as the shadow, sure. He’d also driven me almost to the point of insanity, and watched me while I slept, and broke into my fucking apartment, and–
Holy shit, he really did sound like a psycho when I put all those instances together.
But he was so…caring. And protective. His declaration to me from right before the attack at the academy, how he’d take care of meandAiden…then when he’d stood in my living room and declared he was there for meandAiden…I didn’t think that was an act.
I spun around suddenly, hooking one arm around Aiden’s neck behind me and resting my other on Rafe’s shoulder.
Rafe tilted his head. His face was darkened from shadow, so no one here would really be able to see him. But I’d been able to see him since I first sensed him, so his shadows couldn’t hide anything from me.
I almost smiled as I thought back to that shadow sketch I’d worked on for weeks, thinking it was a waste of time. It’d looked like Rafe because itwasRafe, I just hadn’t known it yet.
My eyes fell to his full lips, which quirked at me with the barest of insufferable smirks, and then I darted my gaze back to his dark eyes.
“Go ahead, darling.” His own eyes dropped to mouth. “I won’t stop you.”
Aiden’s chin rested on my shoulder and he wrapped his arms around me more completely, like he was ready to lift me up and carry me away from whatever mess I was about to get myself into, I only had to say the word.
I made an unsure sound at the back of my throat, and Aiden chuckled right in my ear.
Are you okay with this?I asked him.
You know I am, he replied, then kissed my temple.As long as you are.
“Unless you’re still angry I broke into your apartment?”
I rolled my eyes. He hadn’t broken anything on the lock, according to Zephyr. Somehow the locks that I’d made nearly impossible to undo without my affinity had been no match for the Prince and his shadows.
Speaking of which, one seemed to prod at my arm for a moment, bringing my attention back to the moment, but I couldn’t be sure in the dim light of the club.
Rafe, the stalker, was also apparently a gentlemen. He watched my face hungrily, his eyes eating up my every expression, but he made no move toward me. His hands were still politely on my waist, though one of his thumbs had moved upward slightly so he could rub at my stomach.
I knew he was patient –he’d demonstrated that by stalking and waiting on me– but there was something else under that patience. He truly wascontentto stand here and watch me while I made my decision.
I almost groaned. A man waiting on consent should have just been a given, not something super hot, but–
Your thoughts are so loud, baby,Aiden kissed my temple again.Tell him to get lost. We can go back to your room and have fun. Or maybe we can go down to the beach.
The beach?Even in my mind, I was breathless.
Yeah. I’ll fuck you in the sand again.Aiden replied.
I sucked in another breath, feeling lightheaded.
Rafe’s eyes finally left my face, flashing back toward Aiden, almost as if he’d heard him. But I knew he hadn’t. Something told me Rafe was just as careful with his telepathy as I was, and he wouldn’t dare intrude on Aiden’s mind without his consent. Especially not right in front of me.
I don’t want to leave,I admitted and Aiden chuckled again. Suddenly, he nudged me slightly, pushing me right up against Rafe’s hard chest.
I gasped, and it seemed like the Prince was finally done waiting on me. He leaned forward, then paused, his lips only a breath away from mine, and I closed the distance between us.
Our lips met, and I jolted like I’d been electrocuted. The pounding music around us faded, replaced by the sound of my heart pounding in my ears.
Holy shit. I was kissing the Prince. Or the Prince was kissingme. Rafe’s tongue easily slid against mine, and he tilted his head to the side to deepen the kiss.
Rafe groaned a wonderful manly sound, and his hands tightened on my hips, but didn’t move, though I could feel his fingers flinch. Aiden sucked in a sharp breath next to me, but he didn’t move away either. He kept his chin on my shoulder while Rafe kissed me mere inches from his face.
