Asking For It - Allyson Lindt Page 0,42

sex, I just want to be here, to hold you.”

I laughed, to keep tears from escaping. “How are you so perfect?”

“I paid a witch two buttons and some pocket lint when I was five, and here we are.” He took my hand and led me to the couch. “I’m happy to watch movies with you, or talk, or anything, as long as I get to hold you.”

I curled up next to him tucked my feet to the side, and rested my head on his shoulder. When he draped an arm around me, I actually felt small. Safe. How did he do that?

We put on the newest Marvel movie, because we’d both only seen it twice.

Kingston trailed his fingers through my hair. “Since we’re spilling secrets—not that mine is the same type as yours, but it changed my world—I talked to Owen today.”

I frowned. “So you mentioned.”

“About more than you.”

I figured. He’s your business partner. This was about something else, though. Kingston had let me get through my story, I’d do the same for him.

Kingston’s hand stalled. “I was jealous when he said he was falling for you. Jealous both ways. You got something from him I’ve wanted for years, but never realized it until he told me. And then he said he loves me, and I said it back.”

If this were an anime, this was the moment where I’d go pale like a ghost and get a giant sweat bead and know that I’d lost them both. After being terrified of exactly that for weeks, for different reasons, why wasn’t the fear there now?

I sat up, needing to look Kingston in the eye for this conversation. “And?”

“It doesn’t change how I feel about you.” He cupped my cheek and searched my face. “I don’t want to keep anything from you, but I don’t want to push you away, either. I meant everything I said earlier. And you’re not surprised or freaking out. Owen told you already.”

I leaned into his touch. “It’s kind of obvious, even with as little time as the three of us have spent together. But he also told me his half. Not yours.”

“And you’re still here.”

“It’s my house.”

Kingston rolled his eyes, but he was smiling. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”

“I’m thinking it’s more of a revelation to the two of you than to me. I’m thinking I’d be a little hurt”—I didn’t want to hold back. I wanted to be honest with him—“a lot hurt, if I lost you because of it. Either of you. Actually, it’s kind of a relief.”

He kissed me lightly. “Every time I think you can’t get more amazing... So you think you could date both of us, while he and I are figuring things out with each other?”

Pretty sure that was what I’d been doing. It was nice to let myself put the label on it. “Looking forward to it. If we’re having this conversation now, what are we supposed to talk to Owen about tomorrow?”

“Not sure I plan on talking much the next time I have both of you in a room together.” He laid a series of playful nibbles along my bottom lip. “And we’re missing the movie.”

“Spoiler alert—the good guys win,” I teased.

Kingston nudged me to lean back into him. “It’s always about story more than the conclusion,” he said.

I couldn’t agree more.

I was aware of the good guys getting their asses kicked badly for the first time, and the next thing I knew, Kingston was shaking me gently.

“Hey.” His voice was soft. “You missed the post credits scene.”

I’d missed everything else, too. I forced some of the sleep from my eyes and sat up, mostly to stay conscious. “I keep falling asleep on you. You must think I’m the worst.”

“Twice is hardly a habit.” He stood and tugged me to my feet. “And I think you’re the best.”

“You’re lucky you’re cute, or I wouldn’t let you get away with the endless flattery.”

He tugged me toward the bedroom. “I’m lucky about a lot of things. Cute does make the list. I’m guessing it’s more comfortable in here.”

“It is. But I’m not sleeping in this.” I fumbled with the buttons on my blouse. Great, I was too tired to undress myself.

“Here.” Kingston kissed my knuckles, then gently pushed my hands aside. He removed my blouse and skirt, and draped them over the back of a nearby chair. “Bed. Now.” He pulled back the comforter to expose the sheets.

I lay down. “Yes, sir.”

I was half-aware of Kingston stripping off most of