“Liar,” Isla says.
“One thing you’ll learn is that he always does what he wants,” Kai mutters, his lips close to my ear.
Garrett takes my chin between his thumb and forefinger. “I hate that consent wasn’t clear at the club and now you’re doubting yourself.”
I sigh and shake my head. “I’m the one at fault, though. I can use my words. I could have said no. I could have left two years ago. It’s like I have nothing left to give because all of me feels tainted somehow.”
“For an intelligent girl, you’re shaming yourself pretty hard,” Kai says. “You don’t need to do that here.”
I blow out a breath. Could I find that place? The one where I’m confident in who I am again. Where I make peace with what I’ve put myself through.
“There’s a flaw to your logic,” Kai says, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear as Garrett’s hand shifts to my lower back.
“What’s that?”
“Exhibitionism draws attention to yourself and can sometimes be a compulsion to behave sexually in public. The three of us, in the safety of our homes, aren’t performing for anybody. There’s no audience. You’re not on display. You’re part of what’s happening. And if, one day, I want to sit back and watch you and Garrett have sex, it’s because I’m a part of it. And my enjoyment comes from being a part of what the three of us build.”
Garrett raises his hand to Kai’s cheek. “Couldn’t have said it better, Wild.”
Kai kisses Garrett’s palm, then continues. “And if you ever see me watching, it won’t be to judge or compare you to anyone. Maybe I’ll be making sure you’re okay. Or seeing where I could join in.”
The knot in my belly loosens a little. “So, we just…is it always all of us…? How does it…?”
“We forge our own relationships with each other and together,” Kai replies. “But no one relationship should overpower the others.”
Garrett huffs. “And, as you might have seen, Kai and I spend nearly all our time together. If I had to state a preference, I’d like to add you to that.”
I glance between the two of them, my neck strained slightly, given how tall they both are. “Okay. I just needed to say it.”
“Good,” Garrett says. “Can I kiss you real quick? Because I really need to sit the fuck back down.”
My eyes narrow. “I knew you were lying about the standing hurting less than seating.”
He grins and then winces. “Then kiss me and I’ll go sit.”
I step onto my toes and let my lips brush his. They’re soft, but firm, and his hand tugs me closer to him for a second, but then quickly releases me.
“Not even close to enough,” he says. “But my ribs are in pieces.”
Kai boops the end of my nose. “You stay right there while I get this old man to his chair.”
“I got it,” Garrett grumbles.
“I know you do, tough guy,” Kai says, taking Garrett’s waist.
Garrett whispers something to Kai I can’t hear, and Kai laughs, before kissing Garrett.
I’d never seen two men kiss in front of me before I got to know these two for real. This small town I’ve lived in my whole life isn’t that diverse. But there’s something incredibly erotic about the way their energy collides. I want what they have, and yet, I hope my presence doesn’t ruin the clear love they have for one another.
Garrett offers his hand to Kai once he’s seated, and Kai squeezes it for a moment before sliding his hand until just their fingertips touch.
“Okay, where was I?” He walks over to me and leans back against the kitchen cabinets like he was. “Right, I think I was standing right here, and then said I knew you weren’t wearing a bra and that I wanted to slide my hand under your hoodie. And you gave me some sass about being a health and safety auditor, then I asked yes or no. And then you said…?”
Kai is so genuinely hot when he smiles.
“I said yes, then had an existential crisis,” I reply
Kai chuckles, grabbing for my hips. “I appreciate the honesty. But I don’t want to replay all that. I want to do this.”
