me it breaks my heart knowing he can’t be mine because our hearts both belong to the same person.
“You know if you need me, I’ll do anything. You know that, right?”
Letting out a breath, I nod.
“You’re staying until tomorrow at least, right?” I need one more night with Ellis, one more night with both of them. One more night of us.
His eyes brighten with a smile. “Of course.”
A few moments later, Nash emerges from his room. He’s in a dark blue suit with black accents. His beard is clean, and his hair has been fixed to the side with some product. He looks good enough to eat, and I’m already anxious to bring them both back here tonight. I wish the party was over already.
How the fuck did I get so lucky? This is too much for one woman.
There’s an almost silent groan from Ellis’s chest as we watch Nash cross the window toward the door.
“Okay, okay, my turn,” I say, skipping out the door, toward the guest house. After slipping into the dress and fixing my makeup where Ellis kissed me, I stare at myself in the mirror. I can’t be the only one who notices the way I fill out this dress more than I once filled my ballet costumes or how I find myself smiling by default instead of forcing it.
I mean, it’s no revelation I’m happier on this private island with two hot rich men, but it’s about so much more than that. It’s about being seen, listened to, loved. But I can’t really stay here, can I? What kind of life would that be?
And if Ellis leaves…me and Nash alone?
To be honest, I’m scared, but I can’t think about that now.
Right now, things are good.
Walking across the long drive toward the waiting helicopter, the two men standing there both turn back and watch me as I approach. I can’t wait to be near them, in their arms.
Neither of them move as I get closer until Nash steps forward, putting an elbow into Ellis’s chest as if to beat him to me. Wrapping his arms around my waist, he moves in for a kiss.
“No, you’ll mess up my lipstick!” I whine, pushing him away.
“Oh, I’m messing up that lipstick at some point tonight.”
He settles for a pinch of my ass as I move toward the door of the helicopter. Ellis holds it open and helps me in.
As we enter the party, I stand between the two of them, not taking sides or leaning toward one more than the other. As far as everyone is concerned, I’m here with Ellis, but I want to be between them…figuratively and literally.
“You have no idea how much I want to claim you as mine right now,” Nash whispers into my ear as we stop by the door.
“Play nice. Don’t you think I’m thinking the same thing? Every girl in this room is drooling over you in that tux.”
“Well, there’s only one I’m going home with.”
I hum as he touches my back, and I smile up at him. Ellis takes my hand, pulling me toward him as Nash gives his attention to a man reaching out to shake his hand.
“Jealous?” I whisper as we move together through the crowd.
“You’re turning me into an animal in that dress.”
“That’s the point,” I mumble.
Ellis and I linger on the sidelines as Nash is absorbed by the crowd, greeting everyone and giving them each his best fake smile. It feels strange to leave him alone. I wish I could be at his side so he wouldn’t have to be alone. One glance up at Ellis, and I see the same look in his eyes.
Just then, I spot Zara and Alistair across the room, so I pull Ellis in their direction.
“Holy shit, Hanna. You look phenomenal!” Zara says as she leans in for a hug.
“Stop. So do you,” I reply, and she does. She’s so petite and cute in black next to Alistair who is sporting a deep gray suit.
The launch party drags, and we hardly see Nash all night. Ellis keeps me close to his side all night, giving harsh glares to men who stare at me a second too long.
“You’re being strangely possessive tonight,” I whisper as he hands me a flute of champagne.
“I know what these men are thinking when they glare at you like they own you, and it’s making me irritable.”
“What about that one?” I ask, nodding to Nash. “He’s been watching me all night too.”