“Do you think Jase is talking to you yet?” I loop my arm in hers. “He was hopping mad last night. Really angry you blabbed to Baz without consulting him. I had to fuck him into a virtual coma to get him to shut up.”
Bree’s pretty face contorts into a grimace. “Ugh. I definitely didnotneed to know that.”
I grin. Can’t help it.
Bree flips up her middle finger. “You’re wicked.”
We climb the steps together, both of us hot sweaty messes after our workouts at Fox Fitness. Vincent put us through our paces, and it shows.
We enter the house to the sound of shouting and roll our eyes. “I thought love and marriage might mellow PC2, but he’s as argumentative as usual.” We dump our bags in the hallway and make our way into the kitchen.
“Can you both chill the fuck out,” Bree says, storming over and pushing herself in between her brothers. They are in a tense face-off, looking like they want to knock the shit out of one another.
“Can we at least try to discuss this like civilized adults?” I ask, punching digits in my cell phone. Ares picks up on the fourth ring. “Can you feign sickness and come home now?”
“I’m on my way,” he says before hanging up.
I love that he just accepts me at my word. There is no questioning it. If I say I need him here, he’ll drop everything to be here. The thought sends a flurry of warmth charging through my veins. Ares might still be trying to keep me at arm’s length—my offer to sleep in his bed last night was instantly shot down, proving my point—but I know I am under his skin in the same way he’s under mine. After we get through the wedding and the board meeting, I am pinning him down and making him talk to me. He can’t avoid me forever. And he cannot continue to bottle his feelings up and pretend like he doesn’t care about me.
I’m worried about him. He’s carrying a lot on his shoulders, and I want to share the burden and help to lighten his load.
“We’re going to grab showers and freshen up,” I say, pulling Bree back from her warring brothers. “Make yourselves useful and fix lunch while we’re gone. Ares is on his way home, and then we’re all going to sit down and talk in a nonconfrontational manner.” Narrowing my eyes at the guys, I warn them with a pointed stare. “Quit this shit.” I jab my finger between them. “Let’s harness all that pent-up testosterone and point it at the enemy.” I lean in and peck Jase’s lips quickly. “News flash, it’s not your brother.”
Unless something transpired at the meeting this morning that contradicts that assertion. But I’d bet my inheritance Baz hasn’t betrayed our confidence, and my gut tells me he’s on our side.
“Sure I can’t tempt you to elope with me?” Baz rakes his gaze over me while licking his lips and grinning.
“Knock it off!” Bree thumps him in the arm as Jase clenches his fists, looking ready to swing at his brother.
I slide my arm around Jase, plastering myself to his body. “Nothing or no one could tempt me to walk away from Jase.” I stretch up and kiss him. “He’s my man.” Clinging to his arm, I watch the aggression slowly ease off his face. “Soon to be my husband, and I love him with an intensity I can’t put into words.”
“Love you too, Temptress,” he says before slamming his lips down on mine in a kiss far too passionate to be shared with an audience.
When we separate, all tension is gone from his face, and my work here is done.
“Behave and play nice. That’s an order.” I shoot them one final warning look before Bree drags me away.
“Damn girl,” she says, smothering a laugh as we back out of the kitchen. “That was some slick skillful manipulation. I’m thinking you’re way better suited to Lust & Envy than Greed & Gluttony.”
I snort out a laugh as we climb the stairs. “A woman has to use every weapon at her disposal, and I’ve spent years honing my craft. How else do you think I’ve successfully navigated a relationship with two men?”
* * *
When we return downstairs twenty minutes later, Ares has arrived, and the guys are finishing setting up lunch on the long table.
“Hey, sexy.” I saunter up to Ares, fling my arms around his neck, and smash my lips to his before he can utter a word or attempt to reject me. He doesn’t disappoint, wrapping his arms around my back, lifting me off my feet, and kissing the shit out of me. I am red-faced and panting when he puts me back down a few minutes later.
“Holy shit,” Bree mouths behind his head, fanning herself. “So freaking hot!”
Baz sidles up to me, tugging me into his side. A flirtatious grin dances across his mouth. “Where’s my kiss? I’m feeling left out.” He puckers up, and I duck out from underneath his arm before Ares or Jase takes a swing at him. Both my guys are glaring at him like he’s the devil and it’s their mission to eradicate the world of his evil.
Ares doesn’t even know about my initiation.
The thought reminds me we need to have a conversation about his. I wonder if Jase has mentioned it to him yet.
“Quit stirring shit.” I level Baz with a dark look.
“I hear there’s a vacant spot in this little harem of yours.” Baz grabs a grape from the fruit bowl, popping it into his mouth. “How does one go about applying?”
