“No bell peppers, please,” Laikyn tacked on. “I can deal with just about anything else but that.”
I nodded again so Rule knew I was in agreement, then moved around Laikyn toward the refrigerator. I grabbed a beer from the back and carried it out to the patio. I grabbed the remote and flipped on the television as I took a seat, propping my feet on the table. I had a whole two minutes to pretend I gave a shit about what was on the screen before Laikyn joined me. Although I didn’t look her way, I sensed her hesitation.
Feeling like a bug under a microscope, I finally turned and cocked an eyebrow. She took that as an invitation to move closer.
“Did I do something wrong?” she asked, placing a knee on the cushion beside me.
I shook my head, turning my attention back to the TV. I didn’t want to get into this right now. Which was partly why I left my phone in my pocket. Without it, the best she could do was guess my answers, and if I were lucky, she would give up and move on.
Her cool fingers slid over my shoulder as she tucked her other foot underneath her so she was kneeling at my side. “Jinx. Look at me.”
I forced myself to, wishing like fuck that I could shake the feeling of rejection. It was stupid, for one thing. Laikyn didn’t belong to me. Nor did Rule. And no one said that our encounters would be all-inclusive. I had no right to be upset.
“What’s wrong?”
She knew I couldn’t answer, but it was obvious she wanted something. I shook my head and took a long pull on my beer, feigning disinterest in the topic.
The next thing I knew, Laikyn took the beer from my hand and set it on the table. She straddled my thighs and forced me to shift my legs.
Her eyes skimmed my face, and if I didn’t know better, I would’ve said she was trying to read my mind.
“You’re upset.”
It wasn’t a question, so I didn’t confirm or deny.
“Because of what happened earlier?”
I met her gaze and got lost in the emerald depths, wishing my words wouldn’t fail me. It was rare for me to even care that I couldn’t speak. Only once or twice in my life had I wanted to formulate words to relay my feelings. A couple of times with Rule and now with Laikyn. Not that it mattered. It was hopeless.
“I didn’t want you to leave,” she said, leaning in closer, her fingers gliding along my jaw as her eyes caressed my face. “You could’ve stayed.”
That sounded like a pity invitation, which was the last thing I wanted. It was petty and childish, but I attempted to peer around her to see the television. She fixed that by turning my chin, forcing me to meet her gaze.
“I don’t really know what the rules are,” she said softly, leaning in. “All I know is that I want you and Rule. I ache for you.” Her breath fanned my lips. “I crave you.”
I knew seduction when I heard it, and I could tell she was attempting to make me feel better by drowning me in it. I appreciated the effort, but it wasn’t her problem.
“Let me make it up to you.” She pulled back and met my gaze, her hand sliding down my chest, my stomach.
The moment she tried to cup my dick, I grabbed her wrist.
A frown creased her forehead, her eyes snapping to mine.
I shook my head, willing her to see that it wasn’t solely about sex for me. Sure, I could’ve whipped out my dick and let her get me off, but that would’ve given her the impression that was the only thing I wanted. That might be the case for her and Rule, but it wasn’t for me. And for whatever reason, I’d thought she was beginning to realize that. For the past ten days, although she’d been taunting us both, we’d refrained. And even with sex out of the equation, I thought we had enjoyed ourselves.
She was back to the full-time seduction, and I wasn’t eager to play the game.
“Okay,” she said, jerking her hand back. “You win. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t—”
Before she could jump to her feet, I grabbed her around the waist and brought her down on her back. I moved over her, my face close to hers. I held her stare, listening to the gasp of her breaths as my lips hovered over hers.
When she stopped struggling, I kissed her. Gently. Lightly. Not a seduction. Not this time.
Although she didn’t try to pull away, even returning my kiss, Laikyn’s hands remained at her sides for several minutes before she finally relented to my coaxing. When she traced her fingertips over my bare back, I inhaled sharply, letting her know how much I liked her touch.
“I wish you could tell me what you need,” she whispered against my mouth.
Lifting my head, I propped myself on one arm and pointed to the center of her chest with my finger.
