Page 32 of Triple Protection

I listen to the dirty soundtrack while I let my mind wander. I'd take her mouth, or command Liam to take her mouth. I'd berough with her. She clearly didn't mind being tied up, I wonder if she'd be opposed to spanking or hair pulling. I'd mess up her perfect makeup, smear her lipstick. God, I would be an asshole to her. But part of me knows she could handle it.

Next time. Next time.

Chapter twenty-four

Liam

Liam

The next morning I wake to an Angela-free bed. Brick is still lounging against the headboard, shirtless, but Angela is gone. I try to stifle the hurt and hint of rejection I feel. I wash my face and brush my teeth before Brick and I go downstairs. Angela's there, leaning her hip against the counter. Her hair is up in a messy bun and she is wearing one of Brick's oversized t-shirts. Another zip of unease shoots through me. Her eyes catch Brick and I, and she hides a blindingly beautiful smile behind her coffee cup.

Brick, being Brick, walks around the back of the island, steps right up to the back of Angel and wraps her in a bearhug, pressing her back to his front.

"We good, Babygirl?" He asks, his lips brushing the shell of her ear. He needs confirmation she isn't regretting what we did, and seeing if last night is a onetime offer or an open door. His body oozes confidence, but I know he is nervous.

She leans back against his broad chest, closes her eyes and melts into him. "So good." She whispers before Brick leans down and kisses the crook of her shoulder.

She spins in his arms and looks up into his face, his height and build dwarfing her. "When can we... um..." she stumbles before shooting her gaze back up the stairs. Brick chuckles and pulls her hips against his.

"My Babygirl feeling greedy?

She bites her lip and smiles. Brick leans to rest his forehead on hers.

"Why don't we feed you first? Don't you have to work today?"

She smiles and offers him a one-shoulder shrug. "It'll all be there tomorrow."

I swallow past the lump in my throat. The chemistry between the two of them electrifies the room.

Angela runs her hand down my arm. "You coming too?"

"Nah, I'll pass."

From my peripheral, I see her smile fade and her chest deflate. "Oh... okay. I just... okay," she whispers, clearly stinging from my harsh rejection. I hang my head, hating the feeling of hurting her, and hating the regret I have for rejecting her. I want nothing more than to join them upstairs. Last night was the hottest thing I'd ever seen, and I was just a bystander. I can't imagine how amazing it would be to be actively involved. But I'd do this. For Brick.

Alex joins us and after her blush fades, they start making breakfast. Bacon, toast, eggs over easy, the works.

"Hey man, can we chat outside?" Brick says, wrapping a meaty paw around my shoulder. I follow him out the back sliding glass doors to the patio by the pool.

"The fuck are you doing?" Brick demands, spinning to face me.

"What do you mean?"

"She wants you. You want her. Why are you turning her down?"

I hang my head, not sure how to put everything into words.

"Man, she's your best bet at happily ever after. I can't fuck with that."

He nods. "You're not wrong. She's it for me. If it ain't her, it ain't anyone. But whether she and I have a future together has nothing to do with you, man, no offense. You and Alex will also be a part of my life, too. Sharing her now won't kill our chance at a future together, and honestly, last night was hot as fuck." He takes a moment to study me.

"Is this about me, or is it about you?" I raise an eyebrow at him in response. "Is it about my happily ever-after, or your fear of commitment?" I swallow my dread, afraid he might be right. "Don't martyr yourself needlessly because you're afraid of being seen by someone. Because she already sees you, man. Whether you like it or not, she already knows you and likes who you are. Are you going to let that go? What about your happily ever-after? You going to let your fear take her away from you before you've ever had her?"

And with that bombshell, he turns on his heel to leave.

"You studied criminal psychology...not...like...regular psychology! You don't get to Dr. Phil me!" I shout at his retreating and laughing back.

I collapse onto one of the patio chairs, resting my elbows on my knees while I stare at my palms. What are the scenarios here? She's Brick's happily ever-after. We share her while we're stationed here and then I move on? That would be okay, right?