“I mean it,” he added. Then, firmer, “I’m attracted to you, Rhea.”
My breath caught, and I glanced at the stairs leading to Goldie’s bedroom, as if at any moment she’d appear and catch us being…
Improper?
Inappropriate?
Damn, this wasn’t that.
“I know Goldie’s talked to you,” he continued, steady and careful. “She’s been clear to me and you that she’s not just okay with this, but that she wants it. Encourages it.”
My nerves flared, doubt curling in my chest as I stared down into my glass, suddenly unsure of my footing and place in the conversation.
He stepped closer, and then his warm fingers gently tipped my chin up, forcing me to meet his dominant stare. In any other situation, I would have fought him for that power, for my position. But right now, in this moment, I let him take the lead.
“I can tell you’ve been hurt before,” he said. “And I won’t lie and tell you without a doubt that this will work if we try. But I can promise you that I won’t intentionally do anything to harm you, Rhea. This isn’t something I’m just trying on for size to then get bored with. This isn’t that. It’s real. It’s authentic.”
His touch was warm and respectful, grounding even as his fingers lingered on my skin.
“I won’t break you if you let me in,” he said quietly.
Something in my chest loosened. “It’s been a while since I dated a man, Tanner.” I admitted, and then I forced a deep breath into my lungs as he dropped his hand from my face. “But I’m attracted to you as well. And I’m—” I paused, nearly choking on the words. “Interested.”
“You are?” He asked.
“As long as Goldie stays first. I don’t want her thinking we’re just using her or that she was somehow a stepping stone for us.”
“Never.” He nodded once, firmly. “She’s the center. Always.”
I licked my lips and his gaze fell to them, his throat bobbing as he swallowed.
Then heels clicked on the stairs above us, and we both turned as Goldie came into view. Descending the stairs like a vision in a red, short flapper-style dress hugging her curves, fringe catching the light with every step and dancing across her smooth thighs. It was the option I picked for her, but I had no idea it would look so sensual on her. I was teasing myself with the temptation to rip it from her sexy body.
Her smile was soft, confident, and radiant. She looked at us as if she already knew exactly what she was doing to us.
The air shifted. Tanner and I both gave her our full attention without thinking.
“Well,” she said, lips curling. “You both look like I’m in danger tonight.”
I smirked as she entered our space, sliding one hand around my hip as she leaned in and kissed me, letting the red of our lipsticks blend into a new color.
Our color.
“Hi,” I whispered, breathing her in as Tanner’s warmth engulfed us, his body close.
“I missed you,” She smiled, kissing me once more before pulling back to look at Tanner and then back to me. “We both did.”
I shot Tanner a quick look before taking another silent deep breath. “Good.” I smiled, relaxing into the trust I had in both of them. “Because I was green with envy all night long.”
“Not tonight, though,” Tanner spoke up, pouring a glass for Goldie and handing it to her as she beamed up at him when he lifted his glass to us in a toast. “Tonight is for us. All three of us.”
“Us.” Goldie toasted, a brave smile aimed my way as she clinked her glass to his, waiting for me.
“The three of us.” I said daringly. Clinking my glass against hers and then holding it out to him. “Tonight is ours.”
The lightsand the noise of the city disappeared outside the second the doors to the club closed behind us.
It felt like a secret you were never supposed to find unless you were invited. The lights were low and warm, brushing overskin instead of illuminating it. Velvet draped the walls in dark wine and shadows. Leather gleamed softly in the candlelight.
