I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised. It was different when it was with Thea. Everything was different with her.
Which was why I currently felt like someone had shoved a football into my gut and insisted on slowly twisting it. Thea was looking at me and Tristin with wide eyes, not speaking. And I needed her to say something. Anything.
Okay, not anything. She needed to say yes. I couldn’t lose her, and I was pretty sure this was my last chance to convince her to stay with not just me, but with us.
Her chest rose as she inhaled deeply, and my eyes wandered south of their own volition. Not that I could blame them. Thea had amazing tits. She had amazing everythings. I loved every inch of her.
“Yes.”
My gaze shot back to her face, which was now shaped into the most beautiful, shy smile I’d ever seen. Her pale cheeks were rosy, and her brown eyes shown with happiness. God, she was gorgeous. Sometimes, I had trouble believing she was real.
“Yes?” I grinned down at her.
She quickly pulled her sweatshirt on before looking at me and then Tristin. “Yes. But, what about—”
“Nope.” I placed a finger over her lips. “No buts right now. Tin and I are going downstairs to make dinner while you relax. Then, we can talk about anything you want.” When she didn’t immediately agree, I prodded, “Okay?”
“Okay.”
“Good.” I placed a quick peck on her lips before moving aside so Tristin could do the same.
Except, there was nothing quick about their kiss. I was scant inches away and could see every detail of his mouth caressing hers. It was different, experiencing a kiss with Thea this way. I could practically feel her lips against mine while I watched, but there was also more. I noticed the flutter of her eyelashes against her cheeks and the way her delicate jaw moved. And then there was the almost unintelligible moan that slipped through her parted lips.
I waited for jealously to invade my senses, but it never happened. I only felt even more turned on than before, which was seriously saying something.
When he finally pulled back, Tristin murmured, “Thank you.”
Thea looked at him, clearly confused, but I wasn’t. I was feeling pretty damn grateful myself right now.
I started to stand, but she reached out and grabbed my hand. “Can you stay for a minute?”
“Sure.” Once Tristin shut the door behind him, I gave her my most mischievous grin. “Are you already dying for round two?” If so, I definitely wasn’t opposed.
She shook her head at me, though she was smiling. “Actually, I wanted to tell you something.”
“Oh? What’s that?”
She lifted her hands to my jaw and rubbed her fingertips along my scruff. “I love you too, Leo Sharpe.”
Oh, shit. Was my heart going to explode in my chest? I might as well have just gotten done running extra sprints, because it was beating that hard. “You do?”
“Yes. I’ve known for a while, but it didn’t feel right to say it.” She hesitated and bit down on her lower lip. “Since my heart doesn’t belong only to you. Are you sure you’re not mad about that?”
With my thumb, I rubbed at the tiny indent she’d made on her lip. “I’m sure. I knew what I was getting into. You never hid the fact that you had feelings for Tristin from me.” After her reaction earlier, I decided not to mention Hayle. But we’d had that conversation as well.
She nodded, but I could detect uncertainty still.
“What is it?”
“I don’t know how this could possibly be real.”
That made me laugh. “It’s real, babe.”
Then, I kissed her like I meant it. I heard that tiny, breathy moan she’d made with Tristin earlier, and I smiled. I wasn’t sure how I’d ever missed it before. All I knew was that I would never miss it again. Every detail mattered when it came to Thea Gale.
After leaving her to freshen up, I made my way down to the kitchen, where my brother was already getting to work on making some kind of rice bowls. Not for the first time in the last month, I thought about asking if he’d learned how to cook in juvie. But I just couldn’t bring myself to raise that subject, especially when we’d been getting along so well.
So, instead, I said, “Are you still all right with everything?” We’d discussed our decision to convince Thea to be with both of us at length, but I needed to make