Page 55 of Unraveled Love

Her grin almost blinded me. “Hell yes.”

“There are two master bedrooms in this house,” Briggs called out as we started walking away. “One on this floor, one on the other. Let me know which one y’all are taking ’cause I called dibs on the other.”

“The hell you did. I said we were arm-wrestling for it.”

Addi gave me wide eyes, biting her bottom lip to stave off laughing her ass off.

“Arm-wrestling?” I asked, glancing back at these guys who were usually pretty damn quiet but could be hella hilarious. I’d learned that in the few times I’d had drinks with them. “What are you, twelve?”

“How else do we fight for it?”

I waved my arm out toward the living room where there was one massive sectional in an L shape large enough for eight adults to lounge comfortably. Across from it was another couch pushed to the far wall, all aimed at a television mounted above the rock fireplace. In the center of the room was a leather ottoman.

“Fight for it. I’m sure Addi and I could place some bets on who’ll win.”

“Like hell,” Briggs said. “Nobody’s dumb enough to bet against me.”

Lincoln reached up and smacked the back of his head. “Like you’ve ever beaten me in the sparring room.”

“Maybe today’s the day,” Briggs said.

I peered down at Addi. “Come on, let’s get out of here. I really don’t want to see how they end up divvying up the bedroom situation.”

“I kind of want to see the two hot guys going at it…”

“Hot guys?”

“You’re hotter.” She patted me on my chest, placating me, and still I puffed out my chest and glared back at both Briggs and Lincoln. Both were smirking at me.You’re welcome, Briggs mouthed.

I gave them a faux salute. They were fucking around to get Addi’s mind off why she was here. For that, I was thankful.

* * *

The house kept getting better.Down the long hallway, we entered the main floor master that was the size of the main floor of my townhome. The bathroom looked like it was straight out of the early 80s, complete with a teal green soaking tub in the corner, a full wall of mirrors, and so many gold chrome accents it almost blinded me. Upstairs there were three bedrooms, one filled with bunk beds that made me remember Jaxon had three siblings and a handful of nieces and nephews. The master bedroom on that floor was more modest, with a gorgeous view of the mountains and a master bathroom that wouldn’t blind me and give me the sensation of stepping onto a porn set every time I needed to take a piss.

It took us a minute to find the door to upstairs, but in the hall, we found another door with a winding staircase that took us to that top room in the house that had a private balcony off of it. The ceiling angled in, forcing me to duck as we stood there.

For the first time possibly since we’d met, at least while she was awake, Addi’s face was soft, her grin peaceful as she spun in a circle. “I can’t get over how magnificent this place is.”

Shewas magnificent.

With her soft smile pinned on me, I went to her and cupped her cheeks in my hands. Her lips parted and her eyes lightened. “You’re beautiful,” I told her as bent down to kiss her.

I kept it soft, reveling in the soft hitch of her breath as I surprised her.

We were going to be staying in this gorgeous home with other men, and before the stress returned, I wanted to keep this moment between us, soft and sensual, quiet and relaxed.

She pressed her hand to my chest and slowly pushed me back, that soft grin gone and replaced with something more delightful…shewantedme.

“We should get back downstairs and talk to Briggs and Lincoln, let them know one of them can take the porn bathroom bedroom.”

I chuckled and kissed her quickly. “My money’s on Briggs.”

“Of course.” She took my hand and pulled me behind her as she took us toward the stairs. “Because no one bets against him.”

By the time we got downstairs, Mason and Cort were carrying in bags of food, wine, and several cases of water and beer.

“This looks more like a party,” I said, scanning everything, but hell if I cared. We could only keep the house protected and keep in contact with Jaxon and Charlie. Wasn’t like we had much else to do, and I knew, even if we were enjoying a few beers, all the guys would make sure they didn’t overdo it. I trusted them not to be stupid.

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