I purse my lips. “I’m already regretting this.” But I’ll suffer through Ryke’s mean comments if it gives Lo a chance to get better.
“I warned you that I’m not easy to get rid of.”
I thought he was exaggerating. The elevator doors slide open, and I lead him to my apartment even though he knowsthe way. The thought is as unsettling as the looming situation. The last time he was here, Lo had been unconscious to the world. Moments ago, I hoped Lo would find a way to kick him out, now I have to defend Ryke, who has proved to be an annoying force in my life.
I unlock the door and toss my jangling keys in the basket.
Lo calls to me from the bedroom. “Lil, we’re going to watchBlow Hard, and I’m going to fuck you better than…” He trails off to read the label on the back of the DVD while my eyes bug, not willing a peek at Ryke by my side. “…a group of pierced thugs. Huh…”
“Lo!” I yell.
“I don’t like that one either,” he says. I hear the sound of DVD cases clattering together.
Ryke clears his throat beside me, and I glimpse at him for a millisecond, catching sight of his raised brows at me. Can this get more awkward?
“Or would you rather I sucked every part of you, love?”
Oh my God.
If Ryke’s uncomfortable, he doesn’t let on. Between the two of us,I’mthe one shrinking back. After only a second, Lo emerges from the bedroom. He wears nothing but a pair of jeans, the band of his boxer-briefs peeking from the hem. On a normal day, I’d take in the ridges of his abs, the curve of his muscles that seem to lead towards something much lower and much more sinful. He would flash those bedroom eyes and tease me for thirty minutes. Then he’d lift me in his arms and carry me to his mattress. He’d draw out every movement, every look, everythingto excite my body and electrify my nerves.
Instead, he freezes in the space between the hallway and the kitchen. His face sharpens, and his muscles cut into rigid lines.
I open my mouth to introduce Ryke, but Lo ignores me and sets an ice-cold glare on him. “Who the fuck are you?”
Ryke takes the words with ease. “Green Arrow.”
Lo’s face contorts in confusion.
He doesn’t remember what happened. I step forward and come to his side. “He’s from the Halloween party,” I say. “He helped stop the fight.”And he carried you home.
Lo nods. “Thanks then.” He shifts to me, keeping his back to Ryke. His voice lowers so Ryke can’t hear. “We’re on a schedule, Lil. You shouldn’t have brought him to the apartment.”
I frown. “You’re not going to ask me why he’s here?”
His eyes flicker hesitantly to Ryke. “Right now,” he whispers, “I’m more concerned with satisfying you.”
“I’m okay,” I tell him. “This morning was good enough.”
“Are you sure?” His brows furrow. “I only came inside you twice.”
I swallow, sensitive spots throbbing. WellnowI’m not so sure. But I have to try to wait. “I can hold out.”
He puts two fingers underneath my chin and tilts my head up. “I don’t know if I believe you.” He takes a step forward, causing me to take one back, repeating the movements until my spine hits a bar stool. I grip it behind me, and he pins me against it with two hands on the counter.
“We have company,” I remind him.
“Like I give a shit,” Lo whispers. He kisses me hard, stealing my breath, and my back arches to meet his pelvis. His hand slips into my jeans pocket.
Ryke says, “Lily.”
I immediately separate my lips from Lo’s, and I lean back into the stool to try to avoid his touch.
Lo clenches his teeth, and his head whips to Ryke. “Clearly, I’m trying to fuck my girlfriend. So leave.”
“Look, you can do whatever you want to her later.” He sets his hard gaze on me for extra reinforcement. This is where I should agree and peel away from Lo, but his fingers slip into the band of my jeans, sliding underneath my panties in the back. He has a hand planted firmly on my ass.
“Lo,” I warn. “He asked us for help, and we owe him a favor…”
