Gage swings me up into his arms and pins me to his chest. “Enough talk about other men. After tonight’s show, I want to take you out on our boat. Get you alone under the stars.”
“Not tonight, boys. I need to head home. I have some work I need to take care of.” I’m half teasing and half itching to get my hands on my paints. I want to put the image of our time here in the Mirror Room on canvas while it’s fresh in my memory. Not like I’ll be forgetting any of this in this lifetime.
“Bothers, did you pack the rope tonight?” Now Gage is the one who looks like he’s only half kidding.
“Oh,” I ask, my brows arching high in question.
He shrugs with a rueful grin taking hold of his lips. “I’ll resort to low-handed tactics to get what I want, sweetheart.”
That is what I am afraid of most. If they get me alone at their house I’ll cave and tell them everything. They are SEALs and I represent everything they are fighting against in the world. It would be the end of us.
Fourteen
Belle
Three weeks later and I don’t know if I can do this anymore. Performing with three gorgeous men is zapping my energy. We wrapped up our last show last night and they want me to come out to the lake house for a celebratory dinner. A little cake, some wine. And I suspect none of us will be sleeping. They’ve respected my wishes to head home after each show so far, but this one time seems hard to avoid.
I wanted more experience in my life and man did I do that in spades.
I go straight to the third floor. It’s nearly nine in the morning. I left early this morning so I could get some errands done and just breathe a little and think about what comes next.
Honestly, I don’t have a clue.
Every time I start to think about my art or heading to Europe for a few weeks my heart seizes and I feel like I’m going to black out. At least I don’t have to wonder how I’m going to sneak out anymore. After tonight, I can come clean. My brother thinks I’ve been at art lessons in the evenings these past weeks and frankly I’m tired of lying to him.
My finger hovers over the button to the top floor, but I just don’t have the energy it will take to talk with him right now. I want to and I will, but later. Now that it’s come to an end, there’s nothing he can do about my summer adventure.
Nausea swirls through my stomach and grips me so hard I have to pause. I lean my cheek against the cool metal and let the sensation ground me. I had no idea my time with the men would make me feel so sick. I breathe in and out until I feel I can walk without losing my coffee and cake breakfast.
I grab my water bottle and swish the contents around my mouth.
“Hey, Lexi, Sapphire in?” The dark floor receptionist raises her eyes to mine when I step off the elevator. She takes in my messy bun and dark glasses but wisely says nothing.
“You’re in luck, Ms. Constantine. She’s in early and in the back. You okay?”
I nod. “Just a little tired.” From being shared, screwed, pampered, and screwed again. Who knew sex was so exhausting?
The floor is empty which isn’t surprising at this hour. The runners usually don’t come in until about noon. Lucky me.
I find Sapphire in the back huddled over her computer system. It ties her in with all the runners Club Genesis has out on the streets fulfilling all the contract work.
“Hey, babe. Busy planning mob hits I see?” I don’t feel nearly as chirpy as I sound. My stomach gurgles at the scent of Sapphire's coffee. One minute I am upright and the next my head is in her paper wastebasket.
When I’m done revisiting my breakfast a napkin and a fresh water bottle are shoved into my hands.
I sit back feeling more embarrassed than sick. “Thanks. That was harsh.”
“Are you okay?”
I straighten my bun and her attentive gaze tracks my every move. “I don’t think last night’s sushi settled well, is all,” I lie, not ready to acknowledge I won’t be seeing the men after tonight and I think my body is rioting against the truth.
I clean my mouth. “I think I need to lie down.”
Her eyes turn pensive which is never a good thing. “They don’t know, do they? And you’re sick over telling them you’ve been lying to them this whole time.” She leans back in her chair, arms crossed over her chest.
I will admit, it’s freaky that she knows me so well. “Damn you’re good.”
Her lip quirks up in a half smile. “I know my cousin. Now spill it. Why haven’t you told them?”