She rolled her eyes. “I did.”
He winced. “I guess it didn’t go well?”
She shrugged. “No idea. He’s stubborn. I think I held my own though. I felt proud of myself when I left. I will never look back and think I didn’t do my best to make him see reason.”
“That’s all you can do. The rest is on him.”
“I hate that you and Kester feel like you have to talk to him too. Am I being unreasonable? If I were smart, I would take his word for it that he doesn’t want to have anything to do with me, leave him alone, and go on with my life.”
Tarin shook his head. “No. You’re right. It would weigh on all of our consciences if we didn’t try to get him to see reason. I think you’re an amazing woman. Not many women would give Stuart the time of day after the way he’s treated you since you got here.”
“I was very sassy with him, pushed his buttons. I’ve never acted like that before.” She giggled. “It was kind of refreshing. But the important thing I need to tell you is that I told Stu that if he insisted on digging his heels in and pretending he doesn’t like me, he’s holding up progress because I won’t pursue anyone without him also on board.”
Tarin’s eyes widened in shock.
Ariel bit her lip. It sounded kind of ridiculous now that she repeated it. “I might have gone too far, huh?”
He shook his head and squeezed her hand. “No. I think you did great. I’m just impressed is all. Light a fire under him.”
She swallowed. “I have to assume you two have history, and it’s obvious you never resolved whatever issues you had in the past. You have to rectify that shit, Tarin. You have to do it for me, for yourself, for Stu, for the good of all of us.”
He nodded, his expression solemn. “I’ll do my best, love. It’s mostly on me. I’ll talk to him and bury the hatchet.” He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles.
“Thank you,” she murmured on a long exhale before leaning her head against his shoulder. “Seriously, this business of trying to forge a relationship with three men is exhausting.”
He chuckled. “We didn’t make it any easier. I’m sorry about that. As soon as I knew how I felt about you, I should have come to you. I also should’ve spoken to Kester and Stuart. It shouldn’t be on your shoulders. I don’t want you to worry about it anymore, okay? We’ll deal with what needs to be done.” He lifted her chin so he could meet her gaze.
She smiled.
His eyebrows drew close together. “So, does this mean I made the cut?” he joked.
She giggled again and then lifted her face to his and grabbed onto some of today’s newly emboldened Ariel, kissing him on the lips.
He was shocked and didn’t return the kiss for a heartbeat, but then he held on to her chin and kissed her back for real, angling his head to one side to make it easier.
She moaned softly into his mouth, her body responding to his touch. When she reached up and cupped his face in her hand, he slid his other hand into her hair, kissing her deeper, the urgency growing.
Flutters took up residence in her stomach, making her desire for him grow with each passing second. She dismissed the fleeting thought that someone would bust into the room at any moment. Her luck hadn’t been stellar in the kissing department. But no one interrupted them and, before she was ready, Tarin released her lips.
He held her gaze, his face an inch from hers. His voice was low and gravelly when he spoke. “I want this. You. Whatever it looks like, I will be onboard. And I’m sorry I’ve dragged my feet. I won’t let it happen again.”
She nodded slightly, breathing heavily. “That was… Well, Kester and I didn’t get that far before Stu walked in. And we shouldn’t do that again. I told Stu…”
He winced. “I’m sorry Kester didn’t get his full kiss. And thank you for giving me that piece of you. I promise to keep my hands to myself until we convince Stu to get with the program.”
“Not forever, mind you. I do have my limits. I’m not going to die a virgin just to get under Stuart’s skin. I just want to make a point. This plan felt like it could be effective.”
“I agree. And it’s genius.” He grinned. “If Stu can’t come around under this type of pressure, he isn’t going to ever.” Tarin released her cheek and slowly stood, taking her hands in his. “I need to meet Kester now. He’s going to be waiting for me.”
She rose and smoothed her hands up his solid chest before she reached higher to wrap her arms around his neck. “I’ve kinda run out of willpower. I hope you two can be convincing.”
He kissed her forehead, lingering there for several moments. “We’ll do our best. The motivation is strong.”