Conner came off the floor with a chuckle. “I’ve been abandoned,” he announced, before gesturing to Frank and Gabi, who bounced around each other in true sibling abandon. “I’m thinking there’s a story behind this song.”
I nodded. “More than likely.”
“Shall we join them?” He backed away slowly, crooking a finger at me. “Come on,” he added with a suggestive smirk, “you know you’ve always wanted to dance with me.”
I returned his smile. “Baby, you have no idea.”
By the time the reception started to wind down a couple of hours later, we’d danced ourselves silly, laughed until our stomachs ached and fallen into some chairs at one of the dining tables where we were enjoying a final glass of wine.
We hadn’t spoken again about the kiss we shared in their hotel room, but a new sense of intimacy flowed between us now. It wasn’t enough to be obvious to anyone else, but I knew, every time one of them leaned into my touch instead of pulling away, that it meant something.
Relaxing back into my chair, I looked out across the dance floor where a few brave couples still moved to the music. Frank and Caroline swayed in the middle, their foreheads together as they enjoyed their last moments as the bride and groom.
Lifting my glass, I gestured to them. “To think that’s the man who once chugged a whole can of Coke, and chased it with a pack of Mentos, because he wanted to make fizz come out his nose.”
Gabi’s eyes widened. “Did he really?” At my nod, she burst out laughing. “Why didn’t I know about this?”
I held my hands up defensively. “Hey, what happens in the tree house, stays in the tree house.”
“Did he manage to do it?” Connor asked, one hand stroking the back of Gabi’s neck.
“Not even close,” I told them. “But he burped a lot. Every one of them minty fresh.” We fell into fresh fits of laughter.
My gaze caught Gabi’s as we came back to our senses. Reaching out, I took her hand in mine under the table, where only Connor could see. “Damn, you’re beautiful,” I murmured in a low voice. “I’d give anything to kiss you again.”
Her lips parted on a breath and she started leaning towards me, before catching herself. Cringing, she dropped her face into her free hand, still holding mine tight with the other. “What the hell are we doing?”
“I’m not sure we know yet,” Connor said, brushing his lips against her temple. “But maybe it’s time we figured it out, once and for all.”
Swearing under her breath, Gabi picked up her glass and drained the last of her wine before frowning at me. “Connor and I didn’t decide to start dating to get back at you or anything. You do know that, right?”
“Of course I do.” Though I liked hearing her confirm it.
“Good,” she said with a definite nod. “Because we’ve been a long time coming and we’re going to be amazing together.”
“Agreed.” I sat perfectly still, my heart ready to break or soar depending on where she went with this.
“But then there’s you,” she groaned, throwing her hands in the air, “being all flirty with your dark eyes and longing looks.” She was all worked up now and I had serious trouble keeping my longing looks away from the increasingly languid movements of her body.Focus, man, focus.
“I mean, seriously,” she continued, “how are Connor and I supposed to concentrate on each other with you hanging around being sexy and distracting all the time?”
I swallowed hard, my heart cracking. “If you want me to back off, I will.” I’d been so sure she’d changed her mind about giving us a chance, especially after our shared kiss, but it seemed my luck was about to run out. “Everything will go back to normal now the wedding is over anyway. It’ll probably be months before we see each other again.”
“Won’t help,” Connor interjected, draining the last of his wine. “Even when you’re not with us we end up talking about you.”
I blinked in surprise. “What?” Was it even possible for them to be as ensnared by me as I was by them? I wanted it to be true, I’d dreamed of it, but I couldn’t allow myself to hope for so much, not yet.
Gabi bit down on her bottom lip, refusing to meet my eyes. “We can’t stop thinking about what it would be like to give you what you’ve always wanted,” she announced, her voice bold but shaky. “Because Connor’s always wanted it as well, and I want… to satisfy my curiosity, I guess.” Her gaze locked with mine as she spoke again. “I think the three of us should spend the night together. One night of wild ménage passion. Who knows, maybe it will break this spell we’ve all been living under. Maybe we’ll be able to get past this thing between us, if we give it a chance to vent.”
It wasn’t the most romantic of propositions, but beggars couldn’t be choosers and I was under no illusions about who was the beggar here.
“Connor?” I lifted my gaze to his, wanting to make sure he was on board.
“I’m in,” he said without pause. “Honestly, I’m beyond horny. This level of need may prove life-threatening.”
“What about you?” Gabi asked me in a low voice.
I smiled. “I’ve spent five and a half years waiting for this. The two of you fucking own me. So, yes, I’m in.”
