GUNNER
“So, Neal, how has work been?” I ask at his desk.
He clears his throat and focuses on his computer despite the fact I know he was watching us in Sophie’s office. “Oh, it’s been good. I’m happy to take on new projects if you need something.”
“I think you’re plenty busy with your current workload. Aren’t you? Being diligent and thorough?”
“Yes.” He nods obediently.
“Good. I’m happy to see you focusing so intently on your work rather than your coworkers.”
With that, I leave him be for the rest of the day. I’m hoping that did the trick. Just like I’m hoping Sophie took what I said seriously. I want to struggle to keep my hands to myself all night. Just like I want to have her all to myself.
I don’t mind sharing, but seeing Miles after our last conversation still plucks that nerve. She’s with one of the other guys constantly, and I remember that I was the first one to lose Bella’s favor. Later I found out that she saw me as good dick and comic relief.
I’ve let Sophie in a lot more than I let Bella in, which makes it all the more horrible to think she’d leave me and shack up exclusively with one of the other guys. And she’s young, like Bella, her whole life ahead of her.
Who’s to say she won’t get tired of satisfying four guys in all the ways she does and want one traditional marriage? And what if that traditional marriage is only with one of us? Or worse – none of us. What if she throws us all and goes to Neal?
Fuck. Loving a woman is supposed to make the relationship stronger, not make me second guess all this shit. I clear my head by actually focusing on my job. By the time I get home, I grab the bottle of scotch, then just stare at it.
Maybe I should wait on the alcohol. We’re going out tonight, and I’d like to remember all of it vividly. I set the bottle back in its place and take a deep breath. Holden walks in, looking more like a zombie than a man, and stretches before grabbing some water.
I want to know if he feels the same I do. He’s usually the one to overthink, but I don’t feel ready to share my concerns. So instead, I grin. “Ready for that bachelor party next weekend?”
“Nope.” He takes a drink of water. “Seems pointless, honestly.”
“Why?”
“Well, Matthew loves Bella. I can’t see what he’s going to get out of strippers and alcohol. We have Sophie and drink as much as we want already.” He shrugs.
“Hesitating because we’re going out or because you can only get it up for Sophie now?”
Holden arches an eyebrow. “You saying you’re more eager for strippers than having Sophie in the living room or kitchen or study?”
I rub my jaw and shake my head. “No, but it’ll do us good to get out and about, just the guys.”
Holden considers that and nods. “We haven’t had a night with just us in a long while, have we?”
“Not since Sophie joined us.”
He nods. “Might be good for us then. You’re right.”
After that, he heads back to his room, leaving me with that thought. Maybe a night with just the guys will help what I’m feeling. And I do feel better until I see Sophie come from her room wearing a silver glittery dress that looks like it’s ready to be torn off.
I could practically bite through the thin strap that holds it up around her neck, and it plummets between her breasts while showing off her thighs in the best way. She brushes her hair over one shoulder and looks up at me from under her thick lashes.
“Is this VIP enough for you?”
“You’re enough in a potato sack for VIP.” I breathe.
She takes my hand with a wide smile, snuggling against my side as we get in the elevator. I rub my thumb across her bottom lip and look at my finger to see if it smudged. Sophie giggles. “You think I’d chance cheap lipstick with you?” She tugs my shirt, kissing me softly. “This isn’t going anywhere.”
“You know me so well.”
“Of course I do.” She kisses my cheek. “And I expect your hands on me all night, or you telling me stories about you as a kid while we drink.”
“Such a high bar.”