He nods and I see him taking mental notes. I grab his arm before he can text her. “Most important, best tactic, if all else fails.”
His eyes are glued to me.
“Stand behind her and lift her belly a little, not a jerk or anything, but it will remove some of the weight from her shoulders and make her feel good. You can also say you want to try something you saw online that will make her feel better,” I instruct.
He nods. “And that will work?”
“If nothing else works, that last one will. She’s carrying around that baby all the time, and I’m sure it’s killing her back.”
He kisses my cheek. “You are a peach.”
“Now put on a smile, lean towards me, take a picture, and send it to her so she knows you’ve been a good boy.”
Gunner does just what I say and we get a picture of Sophie cuddling a pillow. Gunner huffs. “She’s not allowed to look that cute and … sexy.”
I chuckle. “As if anything could change how hot you think she is.”
“Yeah.” He nods and grins a dopy smile. “She’s amazing. I can’t believe how fearless she is about all this while I’m stressing over every baby book.”
“You?” I snort and wave my hand dismissively. I know how to boost confidence. “Please, you were in battle. Plus, you’ve dealt with an angry Roman and even Sophie’s dad. A crying baby won’t be an issue.”
Before the conversation can continue, the announcer taps the microphone and I sit back in my chair. Finally, we can get through the flashing of funds and move on with our night. Hopefully, fingers crossed.
Which means I can escape these brothers who are desperate to one-up each other by having me, and Lief, who is so confusing, go back to my bed like a good girl and rub one out before returning to my pile of textbooks.
God, I have a boring life. My eyes flick to Hunter and Chase, then Lief when he sits down. Would it kill me to spice up my life a few notches? I could tease a little, maybe have someone else do the satisfying for a while?
One trip to hell and back? The price is, apparently, these three men. And considering how they’re all glancing at me, I may just be the winner of this specific raffle.
CHASE
Valerie keeps looking between the three of us like we’re a study. I sit a little taller, try to keep my focus on the stage, and will myself not to think about her naked.
Despite having some fun since our last liaison, I can’t quite get her out of my head. I’m smarter than to think she wants something more than sex, but I would love another round with her, or even to make it a regular thing.
She’s a hell cat in the bedroom and outside it. I remember her nails dragging down my back, the way she loved to be on top, how she took as much as she gave and never settled for just being present, letting me do all the work. She was in to it.
Plenty of girls I’ve been with only stay on top for five minutes, then want me to do the rest of the work, but in every position we tried, she was an active participant. And she’s good at what she does. Like she’s competing against the whole roster of women I’ve ever met, let alone touched.
I shift in my seat, trying to hide my steadily hardening cock. Okay, I just have to think of Hunter, of Dad, of work and it will go down. Gunner wins the spa tickets, four for an all-day experience, with a smile and a wave.
He sits back down and takes a drink of the Red bull he got. No alcohol. If this is what married life looks like, I’m not interested. Hunter checks his phone for the fifth time and I feel mine vibrate.
I switch to the Russian keyboard easily. All work communication is in Russian. Without fail. Every time. I tell Dad I’ll be back in touch tomorrow, since I can’t do anything he needs from my phone, especially at an event.
I know he’ll complain about it later. He always does. We’re just dogs at his beck and call, expected to jump when he gives the word and do it without a treat. I bite the inside of my cheek to keep the other thoughts at bay.
Now’s not the time or place for them.
I win the dinner boat thing, collect my winnings, and look to Valerie again. She mouths ‘maybe’ to me and I accept that as it is. She has no problem saying no.
As much as I want to pick her brain, find out more about her, find out what makes her tick and why she’s so damn aggressive in everything she does, I know that there are more important things in life than a girl.
Not to say anything bad about women, they’re wonderful, loving, nurturing – so I’ve heard, but they’re people. They can leave. They can change their mind at any point, even if you’ve fallen for them completely, even if you’ve gotten to the point that you love them, they can just be gone in a second and not care about whatever broken mess they leave behind.
Work, even if questionable, won’t just walk away from me. I have control there. I have measurable success, and I know that I’m good at what I do, with or without praise. Though I doubt it would kill Dad to recognize it.
Hunter nudges my knee and taps his phone against his knee.