Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 72921 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72921 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
“I’m really sorry to hear that.”
“I know this isn’t the place, but if you ever want to talk …” he says, letting the rest of his sentence trail off. “Or, if you don’t, I always find a few rounds with a punching bag to be helpful.”
I laugh, not at all surprised about Shane’s method for dealing with stress, but his face remains serious.
“I’m sorry I come off like an asshole sometimes, but you know how I feel about you,” he says.
I reach my foot out to the side to take aim at another stone. “No,” I say with a small shake of my head, “I really don’t.”
Shane steps closer, his eyes fixed on my face. “I like you, a lot … but your one-night rule pisses me off, because I think we could be really good together. I know we’re good together, and you know it too.”
“I should’ve told you upfront that night. That’s my fault.”
“You shouldn’t have such a stupid rule in the first place.”
I don’t have a response. He continues to look at me and I stare back, noticing the neatly trimmed stubble on his cheek and remembering what it felt like when it brushed against my bare skin.
“I know it’s complicated,” he says, glancing down before meeting my eyes again, “and I know you like all of us.”
I can’t deny it, and I don’t move a muscle, no idea where he’s going with this conversation.
His hand reaches out, and his knuckles stroke gently along the curve of my jaw. “I just want you to be happy,” he says, his voice thick.
“Meaning?”
“If you want to be with all of us, be with all of us.”
33
The all-dare edition
“Shane, what are you saying?”
He pulls his hand back and slides it into his pocket. “I was hoping I wouldn’t have to repeat that.”
“I’m not trying to play dumb,” I say, standing up straighter, “but I honestly have no idea what you’re proposing.”
It’s his turn to stare off into the distance. “I know I can be a jealous prick, and I’ve never shared a woman before, but I’d be willing to do it for you.”
My brows furrow in confusion. Out of all the things Shane might have said to me, this would have never occurred to me to even imagine. “What makes you so sure that I want to be with you again?”
“I know how it was between us. I know how much you enjoyed it. And I see the way you’ve been looking at me ever since.”
If there was any cockiness in his expression, I might tell him to fuck off, but his words are plain and sincere.
And he’s not wrong.
“What do you mean by sharing?”
“Be with all of us,” he says, his tone growing firm, his eyes laser-focused on mine. “Together, individually, whatever you want. Throw your rule out the window, have some fun, and see what might happen.”
I swallow a lump in my throat, wondering if any man has ever said anything more appealing. Abandoning my rule sounds scary, but being with the four men who have been haunting my days and nights just might be worth it.
“Have the others ever shared anyone?”
“I don’t think so,” he says, glancing away again. “Not that I know of.”
“What makes you think they’d be okay with it? I don’t want to cause problems between you.”
“If there are problems, it’s because we’re all trying not to want you. I see how they look at you. And I see how you look at all of us.”
“We should get back,” I say. “Our food is probably cold.”
“Should I talk to them, Becca?”
I’m full of all kinds of mixed feelings, especially since I try to keep things simple, and this situation has the potential for a lot of complications. But, in the end, lust overrides common sense. “You can talk to them.”
His mouth curls into a grin. “You know the other thing that’s good for stress?”
I arch a brow, knowing what he’s about to say.
“Loads of sex.”
When my eyes go wide, he laughs and tucks me under his arm to go find the others. There’s a moment when I’m afraid he’s going to bring up group sex the moment we get to the table, but instead he takes a seat and bites into his burger like he’s never eaten before.
The rest of the day passes in a beautiful blur. I’m often in the moment, enjoying all of the thrills the amusement park has to offer, but at other times, I’m deep in my head, imagining how Shane’s conversation with the others might go, and envisioning what might happen if the men are up for what he’s proposing.
Devin is my biggest stumbling block. I’m very attracted to him, but I’ve never gotten a flirty vibe from him, and I know he’s all about keeping peace in the house. Maybe he’ll think it’s a bad idea.