“And after that,” Breck chimes in, “stay as long as you’d like.”
I’m not quite sure what he’s implying, but I don’t ask.
Breck leads me down a hallway. “The guest room is this way, and you have an ensuite bathroom. There should be towels and basics already, but the other stuff will arrive soon.”
The guest room is gorgeous. It’s decorated in soft grays and whites, with a bed that appears cloud-like. French doors open onto a small balcony overlooking the city.
I turn to face them. All three of them stand in the doorway. “Thank you.”
Ansel’s gaze holds mine for a beat too long. “Get some rest. We’ll be up for a while if you need anything. And as soon as the new clothes and toiletries are delivered, I will bring them to you.”
After they leave, I sink onto the bed and try to process the evening. The jealousy that shouldn’t exist. The protectiveness that made me feel safe and claimed all at once. How they brought me into their private space, like it meant everything.
And the note. The threat that’s still sitting in Ansel’s pocket.
I’m going to take everything from you, just like you took everything from me.
Someone followed me tonight. He knew where I was. And he waited for the right moment to deliver their message.
Goosebumps spread across my body.
I should be terrified. Instead, I feel oddly safe here, surrounded by three men who looked ready to tear the city apart to protect me.
I’m still sitting there after what seems like forever when there’s a knock at the door.
“Come in.”
Ansel enters, carrying two shopping bags. “Your clothes and toiletries arrived.”
He sets it on the chair but doesn’t leave. Instead, he moves to the window, hands in his pockets. “I should apologize.”
“For what?”
“For not anticipating that someone might approach you. For putting you at risk.”
I stand, moving closer. “You didn’t put me at risk. And you couldn’t have known someone was watching me.” I pause. “Though I’m starting to think you have a hero complex that needs addressing.”
He turns to face me. “Still. I don’t like seeing you threatened.”
“I’m not threatened now. However, I might be if you keep standing there looking like you’re about to either lecture me or kiss me. Pick one.”
My admission lingers between us. I see the moment he decides to close the distance between us.
His hands cup my face, and then he kisses me. Not gentle. Not tentative. Ansel kisses like he does everything else, with absolute certainty and devastating passion. His mouth claims mine, and I’m lost in it, in him. His other hand slides into my hair and angles my head exactly where he wants it. I make a sound I’ll be embarrassed about later, and he swallows it, pulling me closer until there’s no space between us.
When he finally breaks the kiss, we’re both breathing hard.
And then my confession tumbles out. “I need you to know that Breck and I already— We already had sex, and this is so messed up.”
His response is calm. “I know about you and Breck. He told me. Told both of us.”
My stomach drops. “He told you?”
Ansel’s thumb traces my lower lip. “We don’t keep secrets from each other. We’ve shared women before. And now, we all have feelings for you.”
Relief should wash over me. Instead, ice settles in my stomach.
I step back, out of his arms. “This is normal for you. You’re used tosharingwomen?”
