Rhys rubs his jaw, his fingers scratching at the dark stubble dusting his tanned skin. “Maybe she’s not as much of a brat as I thought she’d be.”
“Or she’ll only be a brat for you since you two like to wind each other up. Maybe it’s something to explore at a later date.” I shoot him a knowing look.
The amusement dies on his face and he grimaces. “I’m not so sure about that.”
Not this again. I sigh. “Rhys…”
He shakes his head. “You know as well as I do that no one has been interested in me since that damn IED, so I doubt a woman as beautiful as Ollie will be.”
I snort. “That’s bullshit and you know it.”
His face hardens. “How is that bullshit? It’s the truth.”
And here I thought Alex was the obtuse and difficult one of the two. “First off, Jerri is a bitch and you should take any words out of her mouth with a bucket load of salt.” The muscle in his jaw jumps, but he stays silent. “Second, the only reason you think no one is interested in you isbecause you’ve refused to put yourself out there and hide behind your surly mask—”
“I don’t hide behind a surly mask,” he grumbles with a scowl, proving my point.
“Sure you don’t,” I deadpan. “You’re totally not doing that right now.”
His scowl deepens. “Fuck off.”
“Ollie wants you, Rhys, just as much as you want her.” He shakes his head, but I don’t let him get a word in. “Don’t try to deny it; I’ve seen the way you look at her and the way she looks atyou. Shecame for youearlier. I may have been the one touching and kissing her, but she listened toyour command.” I know he sees it; he can’t be that stupid.
A myriad of emotions play out on his face; surprise, hope, trepidation and arousal before he settles on denial like the scared, stubborn idiot he is. “It didn’t mean anything, just a heat of the moment thing. I’m sure she’d have enjoyed it just as much—if notmore—with Alex.”
God, do I want to punch him. Maybe then he’ll see the truth that’s right in front of him. “Of course she’d have enjoyed it with Alex; she finds him just as attractive as she does you. Hell, her pussy wassoakedat the idea of you watching or joining in. So sort your shit out and stop letting fear and your past ruin your chances of happiness with her.”
He clenches his hands into fists in his lap as his eyes drift down to Ollie, who’s still sleeping in my arms. His face tightens and a look of vulnerability sweeps over his features. “What if you’re wrong and I’m not good enough for her?” he asks softly, hesitantly.
I hate seeing my confident, resilient friend look so broken and afraid. That bitch did a real number of him, just like Ollie’s ex did to her. But ifshe’s willing to let down the walls around her heart after everything she's suffered, then so can Rhys. And I intend to help him do just that.
“I’m not wrong, Rhys. Not on this,” I say with as much conviction as I can muster. “And the strong, amazing and beautiful woman in my arms is worth overcoming your fear for. Trust me.”
I can’t help but gaze down at the woman in question and brush a strand of hair from her face. She looks so damn peaceful and relaxed despite the dark circles around her eyes that highlight just how much she’s struggled with her nightmares.
No more. I refuse to allow her to fight her demons alone any longer.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Rhys shift, a pained expression on his face as he watches me with Ollie. I say nothing, allowing him to work through his tangled, fear-driven thoughts in silence until finally, he speaks.
“I’ll think about it.”
With a sigh, I tighten my arms around Ollie. It’s not the answer I’m looking for, but it’s a step in the right direction. Now I just have to work out how the hell I’m going to get through Alex’s thick skull.
Olivia
Weak February sunlight streamsthrough the windows of the corner shop and straight into my eyes, dragging me fromthe depths of my wonderfully dreamless sleep. I groan and roll over, snuggling into my hard and warm pillow to shield my eyes.
Wait…
I pull back and blink up to see an equally sleepy Theo gazing down at me. He looks sexy as hell; his strong jaw and chin dotted with dark stubble, and his curly hair mussed.
“You okay, princess?” he asks in a thick, tired voice as he reaches up and brushes calloused fingers across my cheek. Goosebumps break out across my skin at his touch, and a shiver dances down my spine.
I stare at him, confused as to why he’s cuddled up to me. Shouldn't he be on guard duty? And then the memories of what happened last night hit me like a train; my confession, the kisses we shared, his deft fingers plunging into my pussy and Rhys’s molten honey eyes watching me as I came apart on his command.
Oh fuck.
I can’t believe I did that. Or that I liked it as much as I did. While I’m no prude, I’ve never done anything sexual in front of anyone other than my partner and I always assumed public displays were not my thing. Apparently, I’m wrong, because Ireallyenjoyed Rhys watching me last night.
