nineteen
Whenmyalarmwentoff what seemed like moments later, I groaned, grabbed my pillow, and pulled it over my head. Thank God I hadn’t had much to drink last night, or this really would be hell. There was a dip of the mattress like someone sat on it, which had me sliding the knife out of the spot I’d hidden it between the mattress and headboard. Chucking the pillow in the direction of the person, I yanked off the blankets and tossed my leg over them until I straddled them with the blade at their throat.
“Braxton, what the fuck?” I demanded, seeing his shocked eyes looking up at me.
He opened his mouth to speak, but only a squeak came out. I sat back, pulling the knife away and brushed my hair out of my face. “Holy fuck, I’m not sure if I should be turned on or pissing in my pants right now,” Braxton finally blurted.
“Why the hell are you here in my room right now?” I asked, my adrenaline still roaring through my body. “Do you realize I could have killed you by accident?”
“No, no, I didn’t know that. Now I do, and next time I promise to ensure I make more noise when I come to wake you up,” he answered. When I started to move off him, he grabbed my hips holding me still. When I gave him a questioning look, he shrugged. “What can I say… I’m a man who likes to be topped.”
Snorting, I settled my weight on his thighs as he laid there. “Care to share with me why you came to wake me?”
“Right, sorry, I got a little distracted as my life flashed before my eyes,” Braxton said with a grin.
“Yo,” Jace’s voice called from the office. “Where the fuck did you go?”
A moment later, he walked into my bedroom and froze, seeing our positions, and leaned against the door. “Huh, that wasn’t quite what I pictured would happen, but I can roll with it. Do you want him for yourself, or is this a more-the-merrier situation?”
“Your boy toy almost got himself dead by waking me up the way he did,” I commented as I flipped my knife casually. “When I said anyone can wake me up when necessary, I might want to share the best way to do that so everyone stays alive.”
Jace’s eyes grew wide at my words. “Fucking hell, Astin.”
“No, no,” I said, waving my knife at him. “You don’t get to judge me for this. I’m the one who’s been trained my whole life in preparation for someone trying to kill me. This is child’s play compared to what else I know how to do. Now, before someone else decides to join the party, would one of you like to explain why you’re in my bedroom?”
Jace shook his head as if he were trying to concentrate and slipped his hands into his pants pockets. “The boss is back and wants to speak with you in his private study. Breakfast will be served, but it won’t be at the normal time. He pushed it back an hour.”
Groaning, I twisted and threw the knife until it hit my bathroom, and I slid off Braxton to stand. He quickly followed, grabbing my wrist and pulling me back toward him. He met me in the middle and planted a kiss on my lips, surprising me. When I didn’t brush him off, he deepened the kiss, making me moan as his other hand reached around and grabbed my ass firmly. This man could kiss like nothing else I’d ever experienced, reminding me he’d had a lot of practice.
I placed a hand on his chest and pushed him back. “Slow your roll there, Braxy-poo. It’s way too early, and I almost stabbed you once this morning. Let’s not make it twice.”
“Can’t say I’ve ever been into knife play, but then again, I’ve never tried it,” Braxton shared. “Good thing I’m always willing to try everything once.”
Was he being serious right now?
“Thanks for sharing, but I don’t think I’ll be your tour guide on that adventure,” I pointed out. “Was there something more you two needed, or can I get ready for the shittastic day I can already tell this is going to be.”
Braxton frowned at me then looked at Jace. “Why is she acting like we didn’t have a moment last night?”
“Because she’s scared and choosing to keep us at an arm’s length,” Jace offered. “She liked what happened between us, and even though no one has asked for more than anything purely physical, she can’t risk it.”
“You two are crazy, you know that?” I said, pointing at both of them. “Now get out of my room while I take a shower. Alone.”
Braxton let out a dejected sigh and headed over to Jace. “Looks like we’re gonna need to up our game.”
“Oh, after the taste I’ve had, I’m gonna be begging for seconds until she relents,” Jace agreed.
“You do realize I can hear you, right?” I snapped. “What makes you think the two of you are so irresistible when I can have anyone I want at the snap of my fingers.”
“Not true,” Jace countered, shaking his head. “Luca, yeah, probably, but Gunner or Atticus will be much harder to convince.”
I settled my hands on my hips. “You, Mr. Gambling Man, are not as slick as you think you are. I’m not going to fall for whatever plan you’ve concocted in your brain just because you taunt me.” While I might not be looking for attachment and prefer to keep things with no strings attached, not everyone else could do that. Both men would see sleeping with me as being in a relationship with me.
“That might be true for Gunner, but I’m not so sure about Atticus. He has indulged a time or two with the girls I can provide, and I don’t see him saying he has a girlfriend. The man is all about rules. You set them, and he’ll follow to the letter of the law,” Braxton shared. “Besides, after seeing what happens when you’re left to your own devices, it might be best to monitor who you sleep with.”
“Damn, just when you were so close to talking me into it, you had to go and point out my shortcomings,” I said with a sigh. “Now I’m going to fuck anyone who isn’t any of you to prove that I can pick worthy men.”
Braxton started to laugh as he headed out but called over his shoulder, “Yeah, like Ryker’s ever going to allow that to fucking happen.”