Page 8 of The Alpha Option
Cassidy glanced out the window and caught Jace looking at her. The intense connection between them struck again. “I know.”
“Doesn’t mean you can’t have some fun,” Stephanie whispered before pretending to cough and pat herself on the chest. “Oh my. I don’t know where that came from.”
Cassidy smiled and wrapped an arm around Stephanie’s shoulders before guiding her back toward the outdoors. “That came from the core of you because you’re the bluntest person on the entire planet, and I don’t expect you to turn that off. Be yourself. We both deserve some fun. I’m certainly not going to ding you if you decide there’s something you want to explore.”
Stephanie placed a hand against the door before Cassidy could pull it open. “Unlikely, but right back at you, Miss My Lady Bits Are About to Fall Off from Lack of Use.’”
Cassidy raised a brow. “Please, I know how to masturbate just fine, thank you. There is no lack of anything in this vicinity.”
“But you don’t enjoy self-love as much as sex.”
Stephanie spoke as they pushed the door open and made their way back outside. Both Blue and Jace waited attentively, visibly fighting to keep their expressions serious.
Cassidy had the eerie feeling that they had heard at least part of her and Steph’s most recent conversation.
Whatever. Sex was fun, entertaining, and something she was allowed to enjoy. Only not right now when there was a falling-down building to get ready for business.
Jace stepped forward before she could meet them by the firepit. “This may be easier done inside if you’ve got something we can write with. Have you had a chance to look around the place yet?”
Cassidy shook her head. “We unlocked the door, came in, and—”
“—got an eyeful.” Stephanie finished. “I have notebooks in my bag in the car. Want me to grab one?”
Cassidy nodded.
“I’ll come with you.” Blue damn near skipped up to join them, slowing as he approached Stephanie, who had retreated slightly behind Cassidy. “Sorry. I’m really good at lifting things. Just want to be helpful.”
“It’s okay. I’m a little jumpy after discovering a naked man in our house.”
“He won’t try that anymore,” Blue promised as he gestured around the side of the house. “After you.”
Stephanie patted her pocket then smiled. “Okay.”
Cassidy kept from rolling her eyes, barely, as Stephanie and Blue paced out of sight.
“What’s she armed with?” Jace asked quietly, a grin hovering on his lips. “Not that she’ll need it. Blue is like the biggest puppy dog ever.”
“Sometimes puppies get swatted on the nose with a newspaper so they learn not to nip,” Cassidy pointed out as she led Jace into the kitchen. “She’ll be fine. But I’m holding you to that. Not only Blue but our unexpected guest, Marvin.”
“I promise they’ll both behave.”
The statement came out low and husky. She turned to discover him staring at her ass. She folded her arms over her chest, but that didn’t help much because his gaze rose higher and lingered.
Drat, it was almost as if his hands were on her, a smooth caress over her skin then down between her legs.
Before she could call him on being rude, though, his gaze snapped to hers. He looked uncomfortable. “Sorry. Ialsopromise to behave.”
She closed the distance between them and hooked her fingers into his belt. The close eye contact allowed her to watch his pupils dilate.
It had to be travel fatigue. It had to be something to do with the mixed-up chaos of the past months and weeks and days.
Because what she was thinking came out of her mouth. Just like that.Pop.
“What if I give you permission to misbehave?”
And she went up on her toes and pressed their lips together.
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