“Like wild and crazy?” Ugly asks.
“I love wild and crazy,” Spade says, looking over at his friend as if the man has lost his mind thinking he has even a fraction of a chance with the woman.
“She’s both those things, but she’s destructive—more to herself than anyone else. If she stays too long, she’ll leave a path of destruction right through the middle of Cerberus.”
“Doubtful,” Spade argues. “We’re strong.”
It’s Slick’s turn to make a disgruntled noise. “I have no idea why men continue to underestimate women even when they’ve been warned.”
“She’ll never settle down,” Thumper advises.
“I’m not looking to settle down,” Spade argues. “She sounds like exactly what I’m looking for.”
He and Ugly start wagering bets on who can catch her eye first, and I choose to tune them out. Arguing over a woman neither of them have even spoken to yet seems silly, but let them keep themselves entertained.
I have my own precious woman to think about.
“You seem lighter today,” Apollo says as he moves into the seat next to mine.
“It’s a great day,” I tell him, not curbing my grin at all.
“And how is Ali?” he asks. “Didn’t see her at the daycare this morning when I dropped little Nate off.”
“She’s at my house.”
His eyes widen. It’s been no secret that whatever was building with Ali was put on hold for a while.
“Because she’s watching Aria there while you’re gone?”
Legend slips into the seat across from where Apollo and I are, leaning in close to join in on the conversation.
“He asked a question,” Legend says with a knowing grin.
“If I get lucky, she’ll never leave.”
“So things are looking up?” Legend asks, fully invested in my response.
I meet his eyes. “She’s the one, man.”
He nods, looking as happy with my response as I feel.
“That’s fucking awesome, Harley,” Apollo says.
I don’t realize until this moment that I was holding on to some fear that the men would think it’s too soon. Eventually, I accepted that the trajectory of my life wasn’t up to anyone but me and the woman I want to spend it with, but honestly, I was worried about them looking at me differently.
Clearly, I realize as they both grin at me, I had nothing to worry about.
Chapter 37
Alyssa
I smile as the warmth of him curls around me in the bed. I heard the front door open and the alarm get disarmed.
“Mmm,” I purr as his lips find the back of my neck.
“Full disclosure, I stripped naked before I crawled under the blanket.” He rolls his hips, the muted warmth of his erect cock through the back of my tank top making me wish I had slept naked.
“Full disclosure, I thought you were Landon.”
I squeal when he nips at my neck for teasing him, and he knows that’s all it is. We’ve chatted on the phone and during more than one video call every day since he left. I grinned like a happy child with just how natural it felt, as if the time between us didn’t even exist. A lot of the worry is gone as well.
“Why does he sleep with the bedroom door open?” Harley asks as he presses even harder to my back.
“Why do you want to talk about Landon when it’s clear you want something else?”
“Have you had nightmares? Is that why?”
“I haven’t had nightmares.”
“Has he flirted with you?”
“No more than usual.”
A tiny growl rumbles out of him. “He’s sprawled out on the bed with only boxers on.”
“He put clothes on?” I bite my lip to keep from smiling but it doesn’t help.
Harley rolls me over onto my back and covers my body with his. “It’s not fair to tease me this way. Do I have to go beat his ass just to prove that I’m the better man?”
I shift my legs, giving him the opportunity to settle between my thighs.
“God, Ali. I love this tank top.”
His fingers trace the thin strap down to the top of my breasts, but I swat his hand away before he can pull it down.
“We were discussing your insane jealousy. Don’t get distracted.”
His grin is wide, his eyes so full of an array of emotions, I’m having a hard time sorting them.
“Do I have a reason to be jealous right now?” he asks, his tone full of sincerity.
I shake my head. “I have a confession.”
I’ve known for a long time how I’ve felt for this man but blurting it all out right now makes me a little nervous. I do know, however, that I can’t go any further without him at least having a hint of the direction I hope we’re going.
“What’s it going to take for you to confess?” he asks after I’m silent, trying to gain the courage to speak the words. “Kisses?”
His lips trail down my neck, his tongue sweeping out and tasting my skin.
“I’m falling for you,” I whisper, the reprieve of his eyes on mine what I needed to get the words out.