You’re in trouble, Peyton.
I broke Ripley’s kiss just as it was becoming even more possessive, and shoved off into the center of the pool. Floating there, obscured by the steam, I tried to swallow past the knot in my throat.
“What’s wrong?” Colson challenged, slicking his hair back.
“N-Nothing,” I stammered.
“Doesn’t seem like nothing.”
“It’s just, well…” I swallowed, shifting gears. “I was thinking you boys probably shouldn’t fall for me.”
There was a beat of silence, as my statement landed amongst them.
“Oh, really?” Ripley barked a laugh.
“Really.”
“And why’s that?” asked Colson.
“Because I’m very addictive,” I said confidently. “And dangerous. And—”
“What exactly are the symptoms of this addiction?” interrupted Theo, smirking slyly from his corner of the springs. “You know, just so I can tell if I’ve already been affected.”
I shrugged, innocently. “You’ll start prioritizing me, for one.”
“We’ve already done that,” Ripley pointed out.
“True enough. But historically, falling for me can lead to some very questionable life decisions.”
Now it was Colson’s turn to laugh. “Are you kidding?Our lives have been a long string of questionable decisions, ever since we threw in with you.”
“See?” I teased. “Point proven. You’re already in too deep.”
The sky shifted again, the stars twinkling magnificently around the shifting colors.
But all I could think about was them.
“So you’re warning usnow?”Theo challenged. “After exposure?”
“For real,” agreed Ripley. “This is like putting out a recall after knowingly supplying the product.”
I shrugged coyly, as they launched themselves from the walls. They came at me from three sides, in a collapsing triangle. I felt a soft pleasant swoop, low in my stomach.
“Quick question for you,” Colson asked boldly.
“Okay.”
“How do we know you’re not falling forus?”
The others nodded their silent agreement, as stray fingers grazed me beneath the water. A thigh brushed lightly against mine. My stomach went tight.
“I mean, you’ve made your body fully available to us,” Colson breathed huskily. “Haven’t you?”
“Yes.”
“And we’ve taken it, haven’t we?” Theo murmured. “Every chance we got?”
An unknown palm slid possessively over my ass. The touch elicited involuntary shivers.
