In a strange way, this is what always happens when we come to this island. It’s the process of finding a new pursuit. Except I can admit that I’m usually hesitant to move onto the next thing. But if the next thing is Lucy, I’m ready to leave Ember in the past.
That is, after I perfect the cleaning cases lined with copper-infused metal.
Lucy shifts, swallowing, and my attention easily shifts away from the problem and back to her. I watch the path of her throat as it bobs in her neck and realize that she hasn’t agreed yet. Does that mean she’s not interested?
If Claire were here, not that it would make sense, for her to be here, but if shewas, she would know instantly from the look on Lucy’s face what she’s thinking. What she wants. I’ve never been that good at knowing people from their expressions.
Nico and Dane probably knew from the moment I introduced the idea that she would say no.
Obviously, though I’m not that comfortable with navigating social norms, I know that women don’t usually date three men at once. That society—the people around us, looking in—won’t understand it. I’ve seen what happens when a woman starts to date a high-profile man. His fans vilify her. In fact, the whole world often does.
It would not be easy for Lucy to publicly date us. Perhaps I should make it clear that it wouldn’t have to be very public. She’s our assistant, after all. Being seen with us in public wouldn’t have to raise any questions.
Lucy draws her bottom lip between her teeth, and I think she’s considering the social awkwardness. Maybe what her family would say about it.
And then, improbably, she says, “What the hell? Let’s try it.”
Dane’s face opens, softens, and Nico lets out a lowwhoop, cheering it by taking a long drink of his limoncello. I’m not usually impulsive—though, maybe that’s not true, maybe my trends are changing since meeting this girl. This brand-new variable. Reactive and highly potent.
I lean forward, take her face in my hands, and kiss her deeply. She tastes light and sweet, like melon. Her mouth opens, either in surprise or desire at first, and she leans into the kiss.
When we’re done, both Nico and Dane’s expressions have gone dark. When Lucy leans back, breathing hard, Dane shifts and pulls her against his chest, dropping his mouth to the crook of her neck, leaving a trail of kisses there, too. Nico has her leg over his lap and runs his hand up and down her calf.
“Wow,” she breathes, and I’d echo it if I could.
“You like us, huh?” Dane whispers against her neck. She shivers and nods.
“And the sex?” Nico asks, cocking an eyebrow at her and kissing the top of her knee. She shivers again, then laughs, breathy as Dane’s hands snake up over her stomach, brushing aside her tank top and engulfing her chest in his hands.
“Yes,” she pants, her eyes meeting mine, and I ride the spark of desire down, cling to the wanting in her eyes, ready to catch fire again with these three. “The sex, too.”
Chapter 30
Nico
While Lucy’s in the shower, we quickly discuss what the rest of the retreat will look like.
“We should stay here,” Cole says, picking up a pillow from the floor and fluffing it, before handing it to Dane. We’re working together to put this room back together, and it feels… domestic. “It’s where Lucy is comfortable.”
I think about the many nights I fell asleep in the office and can’t imagine doing that if I have this instead. My veins are already buzzing with the possibilities. How well we’re going to work together. What life will look like, dating this woman together.
And now, when Cole and Dane are hyper-fixated on the work, and I need a break, I can bring Lucy along with me instead of going alone.
It’s intoxicating, the thought of not having to be alone anymore.
Dane shakes his head, snapping the flat sheet on the far side of the bed and frowning when I don’t pull quite as hard. “It’s lopsided,” he says, but I don’t see it. To Cole, he says, “It would be better to move to the main house. If Lucy wants space, she can come back here that way.”
Cole’s face shifts, and he nods. “That makes sense.”
I didn’t think to make a plan going forward. Of course, the two of them are running risk analysis and problem-solving for what to do with the relationship, even when it comes to a fucking vacation.
I love them for it. Leaves me more room to think about other things.
Like the fact that I don’t think Lucy is going to be wanting any space. Not with how she is around us. I like watching her grow bolder, learning to ask for what she wants.
“I’ll ask her to make sure it’s what she wants,” I say, cock already hardening as I turn and walk in the direction of the bathroom, thinking about stepping into the shower with her, that hot water sluicing down her body, my hands roaming over her stomach, down to her hips, so much warm, water-softened skin?—
“Not so fast,” Dane says, grabbing my muumuu and stopping me. I turn, tugging the fine silk out of his grasp, raising an eyebrow at him. He gives me a pointed look, “Give her a second. She’s… new to this.”
