A sting in my ear made me turn to find that Wade had flicked me. “Stop spiraling. It’s nothing bad.”
I narrowed my eyes but let it go. His little trick had worked to stop the worry that had consumed me, like an annoying reset button.
“So what is it about?”I asked.
Instead of answering, Wade leaned in and kissed me. His lips were warm and soft, teasing as he often was, and I gave in.
It was impossible to fight it, really. His palm went to the side of my neck, his hand larger than I’d expected. He wasn’t dominant or rough, which was why the size of his hands always threw me for a loop. It also helped because his kiss dimmed the world around me, quieting it, like shutting off the radio when overwhelmed and basking in the silence.
It only took a moment for me to lose my mind, for his kiss to throw me off so much that I gave in, kissing him back.
At least, until my sanity returned, and I recalled that Knox was sittingright there.
I pulled away and wiped my lips, as if that made it better. While it wasn’t a secret that I was involved with a few different men, seeing it was far different from just being aware of it.
Especially because Knox couldn’t touch me. It felt cruel to do this in front of him.
“What are you doing?”I asked.
“I thought it was a kiss. I know I’m still new to this, but I’m pretty sure I did it right…” Wade behaved as if unsure, but I knew damned well he was just making a joke.
Talk about a smart-ass.
“You know exactly what I mean. We aren’t alone.”
“I don’t mind,” Knox said from his spot.
It forced my gaze to him, and I sucked in a breath at the heated look in his green eyes. I’d seen glimpses of his incubus, of the thing that prowled inside of him, the thing he hated. The flashes where his gaze turned predatory, where he seemed ravenous when he looked at me, they were nothing compared to this.
Which made me think he wasn’t being entirely honest, because that didn’t look at all like the expression of a man who was comfortable.
Knox must have guessed my thoughts because he offered me a smile that was anything but gentle and sweet. “It really is fine. I can’t help my reaction when a sight like this rouses my darker side. It’s wanted you since it first saw you, after all. Still, I’m not asking you to stop.”
“It’s not right,”I argued and shook my head.
“Because it makes you uncomfortable?” Knox asked.
“No, because it makes youuncomfortable.”
Knox’s smile softened the smallest amount, as if my response charmed him despite the obvious tension still inside him. “It is unfair how sweet you can be, you know that? Maybe that’s why I struggle to win against you, because I’m never prepared for what you’re about to say.” He came over and took a seat on my other side, closing me in between the two men. “I said I didn’t mind because I really don’t. In fact, Wade and I have already discussed this. If you don’t want to becauseyoudon’t want to, that’s fine. We’ll both back off and not press the issue. If you want to stop only because you’re worried about Wade or me, well, neither of us want that.”
I frowned as I tried to make sense of his words. I turned my head in question toward Wade, who hadn’t said anything else.
Despite his usual smile, his eyes held a hardness that said he hid a lot. Still, he answered my unasked question. “I’ll take the blame here. I’ve been dragging my feet with us because I’m nervous. I know you want more, and hell, I do also, but I’ve been so afraid I’d screw it all up, that I’d make a fool of myself, that we’d go further and I’d end up disappointing you.”
I grasped his hand and shook my head, trying to reassure him. Wade was a virgin. I didn’t expect some marathon of perfectly choreographed sex that would last all night. I didn’twantthat. I just wanted him, to feel him, to have that moment where we showed each other just how much we cared for the other.
He smiled and patted my hand. “I know that’s me thinking that and not you, don’t worry. Still, I went and talked to Knox for some advice, and I realized we might actually help one another.” He paused, then glanced at Knox as if to give him the chance to speak for himself.
“You know how much I want you, but the idea of letting my incubus anywhere near you makes me ill. I don’t want you to be food, to be taken in by that power instead of me. It seems mutually beneficial to be here with Wade, then.” Knox stopped speaking, staring at me.
Which let me put the rest together. Then again, Knox had pride, so I doubted he wanted to say everything clearly, to have to admit it all, especially in front of Wade.
That was when it all sank in. If Wade and Knox were touching, Wade could temporarily steal Knox’s power. That would silence his incubus, render it helpless,allow him to be with me without worry about his other side. And with him there, Wade would feel more comfortable despite his lack of experience.
Maybe the fact that they’d not only come up with this idea but also discussed having sex with me behind my back should have annoyed me.
But, even if a flash of irritation or embarrassment hit me, it couldn’t stand against the overpowering desire that combusted inside me. I had a picture of Wade over me, against me, inside me, with Knox taking my lips in a deep kiss, his hand cupping my breast, teasing me.